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.
Anchorage mayor proposes adding $5M to police and fire budgets
The city says it's receiving more money than it predicted in room rental and alcohol taxes, something Assembly officials anticipated when putting together their budget in December.
Conservative Kevin Cross poised to replace Crystal Kennedy on Anchorage Assembly
A political newcomer, 48-year-old Cross has worked in construction and real estate, and served as president of the Anchorage Board of Realtors.
Incumbent South Anchorage Assemblyman John Weddleton concedes to challenger Randy Sulte
“The seat I have served from for six years belongs to South Anchorage," Weddleton said. "I respect the decision of the voters to give that opportunity to Randy.”
Most Anchorage incumbents keep lead as more ballots counted, but Sulte widens lead over Weddleton
All incumbent Assembly and School Board candidates maintained their leads over their conservative challengers, except for South Anchorage Assemblyman John Weddleton.
More results are in: Most Anchorage incumbents maintain lead, school bonds now narrowly failing
The gap also widened for the only incumbent losing his race so far. Assemblyman John Weddleton is now 347 votes behind Randy Sulte.
Initial Anchorage election results show most incumbents holding off challengers
The first tally includes just over 41,300 ballots. There are still thousands of ballots yet to be counted.
The Anchorage municipal election is today. Here’s what to know.
Ballots must be handed in by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Anchorage residents rally for police accountability, 3 years after APD killing of Bishar Hassan
“For me, it was receiving energy from the community," said Abdira Haman, a relative of Hassan's. "I see that motivation, courage and power, that I realize that the community, they are with us all the way.”
Anchorage Assembly extends disaster declaration for Eagle River avalanche
The Assembly also voted to spend $1.5 million on overtime and contracting expenses associated with responding to the avalanche and clearing the debris.
Advocates plan rally to mark 3-year anniversary of Anchorage police killing of Bishar Hassan
Advocates for police accountability are holding a rally this Friday to mark the third anniversary of the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old Black man by Anchorage police. The rally comes as the police department continues to sort out a body-worn camera policy.
It’ll likely take 2 weeks to clear snow from Eagle River road after massive avalanche, officials say
By Monday, no residents had been reported injured or missing, and power had been restored to most impacted homes. City officials had also carved a path so residents can travel in the area by snowmachine.
Avalanche blocks traffic, knocks out power along major Eagle River road
As of 11 a.m. Friday morning, Anchorage police say no homes were hit by the avalanche and there are no reports of people trapped.
Assembly sets special election date to fill new seat representing North Anchorage
The last day for citizens to register to vote for the special election is May 22.
Anchorage Assembly approves reapportionment map
The process to redraw district boundary lines occurs every 10 years, following the U.S. Census.
City of Nome pays $750K settlement and apologizes to woman after police mishandled her 2017 rape case
The city of Nome has settled a lawsuit with a former police dispatcher after officers mishandled her sexual assault report, her attorneys announced today.
Anchorage mayor Bronson seeks to name Port of Alaska after late Congressman Young
Bronson says, considering the hundreds of millions in federal money that Young was able to secure for the Port of Alaska, an appropriate way to honor Young’s legacy in the state would be to name the port after him.
Anchorage Assembly chair says she has more questions after receiving records tied to alleged improper actions by mayor
The records include more than 55 pages of emails and text messages. They corroborate the fluoride allegation, but provide less information about the two issues involving police.
BA.2 subvariant of omicron gradually gaining ground in Alaska
The first Alaska case of BA.2 was detected in early January according to state data. By mid February, more than a third of Alaska cases were the BA.2 subvariant.
Anchorage Assembly confirms Uluao ‘Junior’ Aumavae as chief equity officer
Aumavae was hired by Mayor Dave Bronson in October after the mayor fired Clifford Armstrong III without Assembly approval.
Despite more than 50,000 lost jobs, federal relief boosted Alaska incomes during first year of pandemic
“Who would’ve predicted that in 2020, overall income to Alaskans, even on a per capita basis, increased?" state economist Neal Fried said. "And why was because of all these transfer payments that people were receiving.”