Lex Treinen, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Lex Treinen is covering the state Legislature for Alaska Public Media. Reach him at ltreinen@gmail.com.
Anchorage Assembly questions Bronson administration over credit rating report
Some Assembly members said the revenue forecasts that the administration presented to a major credit rating agency before the agency downgraded Anchorage’s score intentionally downplayed the city’s forecasts to score points in an ongoing budget debate.
Travelers at Anchorage airport can now pick up free rapid COVID-19 tests
Alaska was one of five states picked to pass out the rapid tests based on COVID-19 rates and previous partnerships with the federal health department. The pilot program is part of a major push by the Biden administration to expand access to the over-the-counter, at-home tests as a way to curb the spread of COVID-19 this winter.
Anchorage reproductive health officer fired
Sharon Smith says she was fired without any explanation, the latest in a string of departures from the health department.
Two weeks into job, Anchorage’s new homelessness director is mum on plans
Dave D’Amato has suggested using private security to police homeless camps, and has said that donating to social service nonprofits perpetuates homelessness, among other controversial views.
Alaska health officials say the omicron variant is coming, but the risk is still unclear
The omicron variant of the coronavirus was first reported last week in South Africa and has already led to new waves of travel restrictions around the world. As of Monday, no cases had been detected in Alaska.
With reserve fund depleted from 2018 earthquake, Anchorage’s credit rating drops
S&P Global Ratings also cited high construction labor costs and risks from climate change and future earthquakes in its decision to drop Anchorage’s credit rating.
Conservative Alaska lawmakers hear from constituents about ivermectin, vaccine mandates, Fauci conspiracies
About 50 speakers shared stories of losing jobs because of COVID-19 vaccine mandates or having loved ones die from COVID while being denied unproven treatments.
Alaska medical board gets earful from public over unproven COVID treatments, misinformation
On Friday, the state medical board heard an hour of passionate testimony, but it was split on whether the board should take any action against medical workers who were pushing unproven information on COVID treatment.
Staff turnover, overcrowding, bitter cold: Anchorage’s homelessness response stumbles amid transitions
Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration has lost about a half dozen officials the past several weeks among officials working on the city’s response to homelessness at a time when temperatures have dropped below zero degrees in some parts of town.
Tight rental market in Alaska hampers progress on homelessness
While Alaska has had some successes in housing during the pandemic, low vacancy rates and rising rental prices means that for some housing is out of reach.
Tumult within Anchorage’s homelessness response team continues with another firing
Nicole Lebo, who oversaw federal housing grants and childcare and shelter permitting for the city, was fired from the health department on Monday.
With full shelter and temps falling, advocates raise alarm about risks to Anchorage’s unhoused population
“People are gonna freeze to death this weekend,” said Jasmine Boyle, director of the Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness.
Fluffy and deep: Storm drops more than a foot of snow in Southcentral Alaska
More than 16 inches were reported in some parts of Anchorage by Thursday morning.
As winter descends on Anchorage, Sullivan shelter replaces director
Shawn Hays previously oversaw the city’s emergency shelters, but she was fired from the job. She takes over at a time when demand for shelter is far exceeding the space available.
Alaska records 28 more COVID-19 deaths
The deaths reported Tuesday happened in regions around Alaska and were mostly people in their 60s or older.
A computer glitch led to incorrect COVID test results and short-lived panic for some Anchorage residents
Capstone Clinic said a computer glitch caused about 124 tests taken last week to come back with a false positive reading before they were corrected.
Alaska reports 53 COVID-19 deaths
Most of the deaths happened in September, which was already the deadliest month of the pandemic.
Despite complaints, Anchorage mayor’s administration says new Sullivan shelter is on track
City officials say they are pleased with the private company that took over the Sullivan Arena shelter a month and a half ago.
Alaska’s case rate remains high, but data shows declining COVID numbers
Test positivity, hospitalizations and daily new cases have all been declining from their highs in September and October.
Bronson administration says the plan to close the Sullivan Arena shelter and set up smaller sites is still on track
A plan to set up several smaller shelters around town and move out of the Sullivan Arena is still on track despite the mayor recently losing two key members that helped develop the plan.