Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
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Wesley Early covers Anchorage life and city politics for Alaska Public Media. Reach him at wearly@alaskapublic.org and follow him on X at @wesley_early. Read more about Wesley here.

Anchorage Assembly approves emergency changes to contracting, ombudsman authority in wake of allegations against mayor

The Anchorage Assembly approved three emergency ordinances during a special meeting Friday in response to allegations made against Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration.
a blonde woman in a mask sits near a microphone

Robin Dern chosen to fill Jamie Allard’s Anchorage Assembly seat

After two rounds of voting, Dern was chosen from 10 candidates who put their name forward to replace Allard.

10 people file to fill Jamie Allard’s Anchorage Assembly seat

Assembly member Jamie Allard had represented the Chugiak/Eagle River area since 2020. Now she’s serving in the Alaska Legislature.

Anchorage internal auditors to review contracts made under disgraced former health director

In addition to the audit of health grants and contracts, another big audit will look into sole-source contracts from the city’s purchasing department.
A mirrored building.

Anchorage Assembly leaders demand response from mayor following scathing allegations

Anchorage Assembly leaders say they want Mayor Dave Bronson to publicly respond to scathing allegations made against him by recently-fired Municipal Manager Amy Demboski.  An attorney for Demboski issued an 11-page demand letter on Wednesday,...
a woman speaks into a microphone behind a podium

Ousted Anchorage city manager accuses Mayor Bronson of breaking law, creating hostile work environment

The scathing 11-page letter to city leaders says Amy Demboski's firing was retaliatory and unlawful.
From behind, a young boy is pictured reading a picture book.

Anchorage School District is again considering changes to class start times

The school board voted down a proposal to change start times in 2018, but officials say the issue has remained important post-pandemic.
A car parked waiting for a Covid test at the former Golden Lion Hotel in Anchorage

Former Golden Lion Hotel will become low-income housing, says Anchorage mayor

The Golden Lion building was purchased by the city in 2020 under acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson, and was intended to be used as a drug and alcohol misuse treatment center.

Joey Sweet to take over Forrest Dunbar’s Anchorage Assembly seat

Sweet, 30, is a former student regent for the University of Alaska, appointed by Gov. Bill Walker. He also served as a legislative intern for former state Sen. Berta Gardner.
a person gestures with their hand

Here are the 5 East Anchorage residents vying for Dunbar’s vacant Assembly seat

The five candidates who filed are Harry Crawford, Joey Sweet, Jim Wojciehowski, Hilary Morgan and Rich Foehrer. 
the corner of the City Hall building

Anchorage Mayor Bronson picks Grant Yutrzenka as city’s CFO

Before his job in the finance department, Yutrzenka was assistant general manager and CFO for Anchorage's water and wastewater utility. 
The double yellow line in the center of a road is almost completely covered in snow.

Anchorage is still struggling to remove snow, weeks after a trio of winter storms

City officials say crews have made progress. But there are challenges.
Parking lot full of parked police cars.

Anchorage is switching to a new emergency messaging system. Here’s how to sign up.

The Municipality of Anchorage will soon begin using Rave Mobile Safety to send alerts about weather, traffic and other emergencies.
A meeting body with 10 people sitting on the podium and about 100 people in the seats in front of them.

Anchorage Assembly starts process to fill Allard, Dunbar seats

Assembly members Forrest Dunbar of East Anchorage and Jamie Allard of Chugiak-Eagle River were both elected in November to serve in the Alaska Legislature.
Five Alaska Airlines planes parked at gates

Flight cancellations lead to hectic holiday travel for Alaskans

“We can safely say this was one of, if not the single worst, airline meltdown that we’ve seen," said Thrifty Traveler's Kyle Potter.
Cars sit in traffic at night.

Snow buildup on Anchorage roads leaves drivers with fewer lanes and longer commutes

“I mean I stayed on Lake Otis for well over 30 minutes, because it was one lane,” said Anchorage resident Megan Premer.

Alaska’s first Miss America, Emma Broyles, reflects on her year in the spotlight

Broyles became a statewide sensation after she became the first Alaskan and the first Korean American named Miss America last year. 
a sepia portrait of two men positing for a photograph

‘Black Lives in Alaska’ highlights more than 150 years of African American history in the Last Frontier

Author and historian Ian Hartman says while most of early Alaska history focuses on territorial days and the Klondike Gold Rush, Black people have lived and worked in the region long before.
A man in a suit and tie sits on a board of directors.

Anchorage students may have stretch of longer school days to make up for recent snow days

District officials are proposing to add 30 minutes to each school day between Jan. 30 and March 9.