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.
ConocoPhillips says it’s still working to find source of North Slope gas leak
The company says a subsurface gas leak was first observed at the Alpine site early in the morning on Friday, March 4. By March 7, the company relocated 300 of the site’s roughly 400 workers. The site is currently not producing oil.
Alaska hospital cases drop by more than half as omicron wave recedes
Anchorage hospital officials dare to hope that we're nearing a return to more normal conditions.
As APD continues to draft policy for body-worn cameras, legal hiccups over access to footage have advocates concerned
Supporters of the policy say the point of body cameras is to increase transparency and accountability with Anchorage police. They say the draft policy doesn’t go far enough. On the other side, the city says it needs to follow state privacy laws.
Assembly leaders hope new jobs plan will bolster Anchorage economy
Assembly leaders say they’re encouraged by a recent forecast from the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation that predicts continued job growth and a potential record tourism season this year.
At spirited Service High homecoming, Miss America Emma Broyles highlights platform of inclusivity
“People tend to see a crown and a sash and they think, ‘Oh. She’s just a pageant girl,’" said Emma Broyles. "But I think it’s really important to show the world that I have so much more to say.”
Anchorage Assembly moves to narrow down options for reapportionment maps
At a meeting this week, officials hope the Assembly will narrow their selection down to one map that other members can make amendments to.
Anchorage’s deputy health director resigns
It’s unclear what led to Dave D’Amato’s resignation about three months into his job as one of the top officials in the city’s health department.
Municipality of Anchorage awarded $360M from lawsuit over port expansion project
The municipality sued the federal government over the various design and construction defects with the port project more than a decade ago.
UAA researchers hope to move child welfare away from separation and toward community building
The researchers say they hope their study will show people that to enact real change in child welfare systems, lawmakers and administrators will have to look beyond where families are and instead address how they got there.
Anchorage police have no timeline on implementing body-worn cameras as current draft policy draws scrutiny
Anchorage voters approved the purchase of the cameras during an election last spring. But Chief Michael Kerle says the department is still sorting through the thorny issues involved with implementing the policy.
2 years into the pandemic, 5 Alaskans reflect on all that has changed
We checked in with some of the Alaskans we interviewed earlier in the pandemic, to asked about how the past two years have shaped them. They spoke of illness and loss, but also growth and hope for the year ahead.
Anchorage Assembly postpones decision on whether to pause property taxes for new accessory dwelling units
During public testimony on Tuesday night, some people raised concerns that a tax abatement could lead to more Airbnbs instead of permanent housing.
The COVID-19 pandemic is leaving more children in Alaska’s foster care system without a stable home
While advocates are pushing hard to recruit new foster families, some say the problems at the state Office of Children’s Services are longstanding and extend into issues with staffing and support.
New Anchorage police chief says his top priorities include building community trust and reducing violent crime
Michael Kerle described his top priorities on Monday during a news conference with reporters, just under a week into his new job leading Alaska's largest police department.
On first day as Anchorage’s new police chief, Kerle highlights drop in violent crimes
Overall, almost every crime listed in the report, including rape, robbery, assault and vehicle theft, was down last year. Kerle noted one exception was homicides, of which there were 19 in 2021.
Anchorage Assembly confirms Michael Kerle as new police chief
Kerle has served with the department since 1996 and was deputy chief under prior chief Ken McCoy.
Here’s who’s running for assembly and school board in Anchorage
Nine challengers and four incumbents will vie for five open seats on the Anchorage Assembly this spring. The races could tip the balance of political power in the city.
Sami Graham resigns as Anchorage Mayor Bronson’s chief of staff
The mayor’s office announced Sami Graham would be leaving her position, effective Friday. She’d been in the position since late August of last year.
Anchorage Mayor Bronson vetoes Assembly rules regarding silent protest and ‘dangerous or distracting’ items
In a statement Wednesday night, Bronson called the rules an infringement on public speech and state laws concerning firearm possession.
Anchorage Assembly asks court to dismiss Bronson lawsuit over his firing of chief equity officer
Attorneys for the Assembly ask that the judge dismiss the mayor’s lawsuit, stating that the mayor’s legal claims “depend on a foundational misunderstanding of the ordinance and the Anchorage Municipal Charter.”