Lex Treinen, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Lex Treinen is covering the state Legislature for Alaska Public Media. Reach him at ltreinen@gmail.com.
Without a mask mandate, Anchorage businesses wade into culture clash
Businesses that have required customers and employees to wear masks say that they've run into some brusque opposition from those who say that such requirements are a violation of personal liberty.
Girdwood gathering leads to 5 COVID cases and concerns of more to come
Five individuals tested positive, but other attendees are showing symptoms of COVID-19. Officials say further spread is likely.
Bristol Bay seafood cases push Alaska’s coronavirus count up by 26
Seven of the new cases were reported among out-of-state seafood workers in the Bristol Bay region.
Assembly looks to expand where it can set up homeless shelters
The administration says that when the lease to use the Sullivan Arena ends, residents will be forced out on the streets without housing.
After pandemic forced changes, East 3rd Ave has cleaned up. Businesses and shelters are loving it.
The area was once a sprawling homeless camp that attracted preying drug dealers and invited squalor. How did it manage to clean up?
Anchorage bids to become headquarters for revamped Space Command
The CEO of the Alaska Aerospace Corporation admitted that Anchorage was probably not at the front of the list, but said Alaska's largest city does have some things lined up in its favor.
Anchorage officials are “hyper-vigilant” after COVID spike, but no new restrictions are planned
After another Anchorage resident died of coronavirus at an extended care facility, Anchorage officials say that they are a lot more concerned this week than last week.
‘We’ve got to do better’: Anchorage police address racial bias, use of force policies
Anchorage Police Chief Justin Doll said that the department has a "progressive mindset" when it comes to its use of force policies, but acknowledged there are areas where the department needs to improve.
‘No justice, no peace!’: Thousands demonstrate in Southcentral against racism and police killings
A protest in Palmer that raised concerns about violence drew hundreds of supporters, but largely avoided violence.
Palmer police move to quell rumors about violence ahead of Saturday demonstration
Rumors about an armed militia being hired to provide security for a Black Lives Matter event in Palmer are false, city officials say.
11 workers at Whittier seafood plant test positive for COVID
The infected individuals were taken to Anchorage, where they are under a monitored quarantine.
State reports the largest daily spike in nonresident COVID cases, with 18 positives
A dozen of the 18 nonresident cases were reported in seafood industry workers in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, though it's currently unclear whether they were all at one facility.
After pandemic, advocates say Anchorage’s approach to homelessness won’t ever be the same
Simple changes like having service providers outside the shelters and allowing people to leave their belongings over night have made a huge difference in housing rates and in the humanity of treating homelessness.
Anchorage Assembly votes to extend mayor’s emergency powers
The Anchorage Assembly passed a resolution extending Mayor Ethan Berkowitz's emergency powers until the end of July Tuesday evening.
The resolution passed by a 9-2 vote.
During the discussion on the resolution, Anchorage City Manager Bill...
Your questions about unemployment insurance, answered
Will I lose eligibility for Unemployment Insurance because of the early PFD payout? What should I do if my claim isn't being processed? Do I have to go back to work if I'm afraid of catching the coronavirus?
Ice seal research postponed as Bering Strait region looks into unusual deaths
Suspension of research means that scientists will have more difficulty understanding why ice seals have been washing up on shore in unusual numbers over the last several years.
City to stop using Ben Boeke as emergency mass shelter
Organizers praised the success of the shelter and pointed to declining usage as a sign that people were being housed.
Disappointment and money worries for hundreds of vendors after Alaska State Fair cancels
Organizers say that by reorganizing the fair as series of smaller events, they'll be able to mitigate the loss if there is a last-minute cancellation.
Alaska lost 42,000 jobs in April
The job losses are staggering, but not surprising, said a state economist.
How are Alaska malls and small businesses affected by COVID-19 shutdowns? | Alaska Insight
As Alaska moves through phases of reopening its economy, retail stores in Anchorage have been open for more than three weeks now. Alaska Public Media’s Lex Treinen reports on how small business...