Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
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.
Federal broadband officials tout ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to expand internet access in Alaska
"These kinds of resources, they don’t come along very often," said Assistant Commerce Secretary Alan Davidson. "We’re going to spend tens of billions of dollars in this country. We’re going to spend billions here in Alaska, most likely.”
Alaska Federation of Natives convention will be held in person for the first time since 2019
This year’s convention will be held Oct. 20 through Oct. 22 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage.
Her son died of an overdose in Anchorage. Now she’s pushing for city police to carry Narcan.
While many police departments across the state use Narcan, the Anchorage Police Department — the state’s largest law enforcement agency — does not.
There are thousands of jobs open in Anchorage but not enough workers to fill them, says economic report
It’s not because people don’t want to work, said Anchorage Economic Development Corp. CEO Bill Popp.
Anchorage Assembly overrides Bronson’s veto of process for removing a mayor
The Assembly voted to override the mayor’s veto 9-3 at a brief meeting Monday afternoon.
Alaska’s first monkeypox case recorded in Anchorage
Anchorage Health Department officials say the person who tested positive is an Anchorage resident and is isolating at home. Officials say the person did not require hospitalization, and was a close contact of a person who recently traveled out of state.
Anchorage Assembly puts more than $7 million toward sheltering and housing initiatives
The Assembly also rejected a proposal from Mayor Dave Bronson that would've allowed for the waiving of camping limits for people who are homeless and staying at the controversial Centennial Campground.
Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson reflects on first year in office, homelessness and testy relationship with Assembly
Alaska Public Media’s Wesley Early spoke with Bronson last week about his first year in public office, and his future goals for addressing homelessness and navigating a stark divide with the local Assembly.
As fifth bear is shot at Anchorage’s Centennial Campground this month, Fish and Game raises alarm
“The location of Centennial Campground, and having a lot of people experiencing homelessness in that campground, it’s right next to a never ending supply of bears,” Fish and Game biologist Dave Battle said.
As Centennial Park continues as Anchorage homeless camp, advocates worry about resources and safety
As officials work to organize resources for homeless people, safety has been a concern for both volunteers and the campers using the area.
Anchorage mayor Bronson vetoes ordinance that gives Assembly a process to remove him
The Assembly needs eight votes to override the mayor’s veto, as they’ve done numerous times in the past. The ordinance initially passed with nine votes.
Community council dismayed by no-show from Bronson team at meeting about homeless at Anchorage campground
“We got a commitment from the administration to keep us informed and to come back, and they didn’t," said the community council president. "So the breach of trust continues in that way.”
Anchorage Assembly passes ordinance to ensure mayor follows approved budgets
The issue stems from late last year when the Assembly passed a version of the budget different from what was submitted by Mayor Dave Bronson. Bronson ignored that budget for months.
Anchorage Assembly approves spending $2.8M for housing homeless at Aviator Hotel
According to officials with Mayor Dave Bronson’s office, there are currently 191 homeless people using 166 rooms at the hotel. They say the money will pay for up to 225 rooms from July 1 to the end of September.
Anchorage Assembly approves process for removal of a mayor
There are a dozen offenses that would constitute a breach of public trust, including perjury, asking a municipal employee to break the law, and falsifying records.
Alaskans have until Sunday to register for August special election and primary
Voters will decide who will serve the remainder of the late Congressman Don Young's term in the special general election, and will choose one of several candidates for U.S. House, U.S. Senate and Alaska governor, in the regular primary.
Abortion access advocates plan several Alaska rallies for Saturday
The rallies scheduled for Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Homer come after the Supreme Court overturned the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade last month, ruling that there is no constitutional right to an abortion.
Gov. Dunleavy vetoes $10.5M in funds for Alaska Long Trail project
That's about 75% of the funding that was in the budget approved by legislators for the 300-mile project.
Much of Southcentral and Interior Alaska under burn restrictions and fireworks suspension going into Fourth of July weekend
Areas covered by the burn ban include the Denali, Mat-Su, Kenai and Fairbanks North Star Boroughs as well as the cities of Tok and Delta Junction and the surrounding Copper River Basin. The Municipality of Anchorage already had burn restrictions in place, including prohibiting open fires.
Trump announces Anchorage rally for Dunleavy, Palin and Tshibaka
The former president will hold a rally Saturday, July 9, at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage.