Lex Treinen, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Lex Treinen is covering the state Legislature for Alaska Public Media. Reach him at ltreinen@gmail.com.
Anchorage mayor speaks at conference of COVID vaccine skeptics
Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson spoke alongside prominent national vaccine skeptics and proponents of unproven COVID-19 treatments at an Anchorage church over the weekend. The mayor's involvement in organizing the conference was unclear, though speakers implied he'd been central in helping organize the event.
Alaska reports 5 COVID deaths and near-record hospitalizations as plateau of high cases continues
While case counts have seesawed some days, they've generally plateaued. Alaska continues to lead the country in its rate of COVID-19 cases, according to The New York Times.
Anchorage’s homelessness director resigns
John Morris was a proponent of building a large temporary shelter for homeless people in East Anchorage and was the second of six members of a working group developing a plan to move an emergency shelter out of the Sullivan Arena.
Realities diverge after Anchorage conservative activist dies from COVID
William Topel died shortly after demonstrating against an indoor mask mandate at the Anchorage Assembly. To some, his death shows the dangers of not taking precautions against COVID-19, but to friends, his death is an illustration of the medical establishment's refusal to treat patients with unproven drugs like ivermectin.
Prominent COVID vaccine critics scheduled to gather in Anchorage
Three prominent vaccine critics and proponents of unproven COVID-19 treatments are scheduled to speak to the public on Saturday at an Anchorage church. It’s not clear who is organizing the conference.
Thousands of dollars pour into recall, though it’s unlikely to change the balance on the Anchorage Assembly
The campaign to recall Midtown Assembly member Meg Zaletel follows an unsuccessful recall attempt earlier this year, and there’s another in the works. Some see it as increased civic engagement, but to many, it’s a waste of time and money.
Top advisor Craig Campbell among several departures from Bronson administration this week
Craig Campbell has served in several roles in the Bronson Administration, most recently as Policy and Programs Director.
Assembly leaders say firing of chief equity officer was not legal
Leaders of the Anchorage Assembly say Clifford Armstrong III is still the city’s chief equity officer, despite Mayor Dave Bronson firing him earlier this month.
Assembly leaders ask Anchorage mayor to enforce mask mandate
Assembly Chair Suzanne LaFrance and Vice Chair Chris Constant pointed out that the the city hired three code enforcement officers last year with federal COVID-19 money who are still on staff.
September was Alaska’s deadliest month of the COVID pandemic, state data shows
The state announced on Tuesday that 65 more Alaskans have died of COVID-19, most of them in August or September.
For many Anchorage businesses, the mask mandate changes little. But it still could be enough to slow COVID spread.
Some Anchorage businesses vowed to turn a blind eye to enforcing the new mask mandate, but supporters of the masking rules say even a small change in public behavior could change the course of the pandemic.
Officials warn of plateau as Alaska reports 964 new resident COVID cases
Cases have increased by an average of 8% in the last week, but they are still lower than the record highs at the end of September.
Soldotna trooper arrested for sexual abuse of a minor
Troopers say 39-year-old Benjamin Strachan had been working for the department since June 2020.
Bronson vetoes Anchorage mask mandate
In his veto, Bronson wrote that the Assembly “openly displayed their scorn for the public process” by passing an emergency ordinance without public testimony.
Alaska reports over 1,220 COVID cases, 204 hospitalizations on Wednesday
The state's chief medical officer said the single day jump in COVID cases was a result of analyzing a batch of new results, and doesn't represent a trend.
For some Alaskans, getting vaccinated is a simple choice. For others, like this Anchorage pastor, it’s complicated.
William Tauanu’u knows the danger of COVID-19 and believes the vaccine is effective. But he’s also concerned by reports from friends and family about side effects of the COVID vaccine, which has led him to cancel three appointments to get the shot.
Anchorage working group proposes building large Midtown shelter and buying 3 smaller sites
Under the proposal, the city would offer 730 shelter beds total, plus an additional 140 beds for surge capacity. The city currently has 758 beds.
Anchorage Assembly extends testimony on mask ordinance to fifth day
Most of the people at Monday’s meeting opposed a mask mandate.
Anchorage mayor’s proposed budget cuts over 50 city jobs
The proposal unveiled Friday would chop the city’s budget by 1.3%, reducing taxpayers’ bill by $4 for every $100,000 worth of property they own.
At a crucial time in the pandemic, dozens of emergency workers arrive at Anchorage hospital
Alaska Native Medical Center's Dr. Bob Onders said that the influx of new workers will hopefully give exhausted staff a break.