Kavitha George, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Kavitha George is Alaska Public Media’s climate change reporter. Reach her at kgeorge@alaskapublic.org. Read more about Kavitha here.
Alaska News Nightly: Monday, December 28th, 2020
Mushers and community leaders weigh in on the plans to re-route the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. And Anchorage cross-country ski racer Rosie Brennan recaps her world-class start to the season. Plus, Alaska lawmakers will be required to wear facemasks during floor sessions when they convene in January.
Early data shows Alaska suicide rate stays constant, overdose rates increase
The state Section of Epidemiology published preliminary data this week showing that Alaska’s suicide rate hasn’t gone up in the first three quarters of 2020, though unintentional drug overdoses are continuing an upward trend from previous years.
APD officers shoot and kill man suspected of car theft
Chief of Police Justin Doll said the victim was reportedly carrying a gun, but it’s not immediately clear whether the officers knew the man was armed or if he threatened the officers.
Former Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan endorses Bill Evans
Evans is a conservative candidate who served on the Assembly for three years until 2017.
Alaska’s daily COVID-19 count dips over the weekend
Alaska officials reported 185 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, the lowest-one day case count for the state since October. No new hospitalizations or deaths were reported.
Bezos charity awards grant to Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness
A fund set up by Amazon CEO and billionaire Jeff Bezos recently awarded the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness a grant of $450,000.
Anchorage finalizes purchase of Golden Lion for substance treatment center
Anchorage officials finalized the purchase of the Best Western Golden Lion Hotel in Midtown on Tuesday. The hotel will be converted into a drug and alcohol treatment center.
Frustration builds for Southcentral restaurants amidst third shutdown
Halfway through the city’s third pandemic shutdown, Anchorage’s hospitality industry is struggling, and increasingly frustrated.
Rep. Lance Pruitt files lawsuit challenging Anchorage election results
Democrat Liz Snyder narrowly beat Pruitt in the November election, and a recount last week affirmed her win by 11 votes.
State Department of Corrections announces third inmate death due to COVID-19
Three people serving time in Alaska's prison system have now died because of COVID-19. Twenty-one inmates are currently hospitalized, and more than 1,000 of the 4,500 people incarcerated in Alaska have tested positive.
Anchorage Assembly passes $15.4 million relief package
The last of the city's CARES Act funding will go toward rental and mortgage relief, small business grants, and food and voucher programs helping Anchorage families cover the essentials.
In Downtown Anchorage, a quiet holiday season and an uncertain future
In downtown Anchorage, the holiday season is usually a busy time. This year, with a hunker down order and increased COVID-19 transmission across the city, things look different.
Officials expect Anchorage’s CARES Act money to dry up by the end of the month
As the third hunker down order of 2020 hits Anchorage residents and businesses, the city has just $15 million in CARES Act funding left to provide relief.
Anchorage and Mat-Su reach grim ICU bed capacity milestones
Anchorage health officials announced worsening pandemic metrics on Friday, including that the city only has five adult ICU beds left. Of the 64 adults currently in ICU care, Anchorage Health Department reported 19 are COVID-19 patients. Nearby, the Mat-Su Borough is already at zero empty adult ICU beds.
Anchorage announces voucher program to assist residents during shutdown
In response to COVID-19, a new municipal voucher program means Anchorage families can apply for up to $400 to cover essentials such as groceries, gas and medications during the December shutdown.
New Mobile Crisis Team to shift Anchorage mental health crisis response from police to behavioral health experts
The Anchorage Assembly approved funding last week for a new mobile intervention team that will respond to mental health crisis calls. The program, which is funded by alcohol tax revenue, is meant to shift the city’s mental health response from police to behavioral health experts.
Anchorage will enter ‘modified hunker down’ for December
The order, which goes into effect on Dec. 1, closes down bars and restaurants to in-person service and puts capacity restrictions on other establishments.
Hard-hit Anchorage restaurants prepare for more restrictions
As COVID-19 cases soar in Anchorage, restaurants are bracing for the possibility of another shutdown. Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson said this week that she had no immediate plans for new emergency mandates, but noted the city may need to take action soon.
Anchorage Assembly urges Dunleavy and Alaska’s delegation to do more to fight COVID-19
In a nonbinding resolution, the Anchorage Assembly voted 9-1 to ask Gov. Mike Dunleavy to implement a statewide mask mandate.
Anchorage Assembly extends emergency declaration a sixth time
The Anchorage Assembly on Monday voted to extend the city’s emergency declaration for the sixth time, until January 15, 2021. The first declaration went into effect in March, with periodic votes to extend. In recent months COVID-19 cases have skyrocketed and hospital staffing has been increasingly strained.