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.
Conflict erupts between Bronson and Assembly on sixth night of combative mask testimony
A stark conflict between Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson and Assembly leadership marked the sixth day of chaotic public testimony on a proposed mask mandate for the city.
New draft policy for Anchorage police body cameras criticized for lack of transparency
The new draft comes almost six months after Anchorage voters approved the purchase of the cameras.
Anchorage Assembly mask testimony has gone on as long as any in recent memory, with more to come
Thursday marks the Anchorage Assembly's sixth session scheduled for public testimony on an ordinance that would introduce a mask mandate for the city. Testimony has been heated, with people arrested at meetings and concerns about anti-Semitic behavior and homophobic remarks.
Public testimony on Anchorage mask ordinance continues, with more than a dozen amendments yet to be debated
Public testimony on Anchorage’s proposed mask mandate entered its fifth day at the Assembly chambers Tuesday night.
Discord over masks escalates with arrests, Holocaust comparisons at the Anchorage Assembly
Several people were arrested at an Anchorage Assembly meeting on Wednesday night, including one man who was armed, during heated testimony over a proposed mask mandate.
Emotions high as testimony begins on Anchorage Assembly’s proposed mask mandate
Tensions were high at Tuesday night’s Anchorage Assembly meeting as the body prepared to hear testimony on a proposed mask mandate for indoor public settings and large outdoor gatherings. In the end, the meeting ran so long, most of the people who waited to speak weren’t able to.
Tribal and environmental advocates celebrate the first water flow down the Eklutna River in decades
For more than 60 years, the Eklutna River north of Anchorage had been dammed up, stifling the salmon runs that fed generations of Dena'ina people in the area.
The lower dam on the river was removed in 2018, and earlier this month, tribal and environmental advocates witnessed the first water to flow down the river in decades.
Proposed Anchorage mask mandate would enlist the public to help enforce it
head of Tuesday’s Assembly meeting, member Meg Zaletel added an amendment that would create a way for individuals to file complaints if they see people or businesses out of compliance with the mandate.
Was Friday a snow day in Anchorage? Not according to the National Weather Service
Despite over 14 inches of snow on the Anchorage hillside, the precipitation didn't break Anchorage's official record for earliest snow fall, since measurements for that are taken at the Anchorage Airport.
Snow expected: Anchorage could tie 40-year-old record for earliest snowfall
Parts of Anchorage could see up to a foot of snow before Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Anchorage’s new health director wants to ensure access to COVID vaccines without mandating them
Joe Gerace is in his first full week leading the Anchorage Health Department as the city's health care workers contend with a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Joe Gerace named new Anchorage health director
Joe Gerace previously worked as the Director of Operations for Visit Healthcare, the municipality's main testing and vaccine provider, and currently serves as chairman of the board of American Red Cross in Alaska.
Here are the first 2 winners of the state’s $49K COVID vaccine sweepstakes
Carin Kircher of Valdez won $49,000 in cash while Kodiak student Ethan Benton received a $49,000 scholarship.
Anchorage Fire Department lays out plan to cut back on overtime
Anchorage Fire Chief Doug Schrage says the department’s overtime budget is roughly $3.5 million. “To date, we've spent $3.2 million," Schrage said. "We expect by the end of September we will have exhausted our overtime budget.”
Anchorage School District ditches quarantine requirement for asymptomatic close contacts
Now, parents are still notified when their child is a close contact of a positive case in school. But if their child isn't showing symptoms, quarantine is not longer a requirement. Instead, parents can decide whether they want their child to remain in class, quarantine or test for the virus.
Recall election for Anchorage Assembly member Zaletel set for Oct. 26
Organizers behind the recall say Assembly member Meg Zaletel disobeyed a municipal health mandate when she participated in an Assembly meeting in August 2020. Zaletel described the recall effort as a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Anchorage mayor says he won’t require COVID-19 vaccines, pushing back against Biden mandate
Bronson said that the municipality, which has more than 100 employees, would not follow the president’s mandate and that he would not require Anchorage businesses to follow it either.
Anchorage mayor announces new committee to foster economic recovery
The Anchorage Economic Revitalization and Diversification Advisory Committee is chaired by Mike Robbins and tasked with getting the city's economy back on track.
Anchorage School Board adds name of pioneering Black educator to Fairview Elementary
The Anchorage School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to commemorate the district’s first Black teacher and principal by adding her name to her community‘s elementary school.
Anchorage police identify officer involved in accidental shooting
Anchorage police have identified the officer whose weapon discharged and struck another officer Friday night as Ryan Nigh, a three-year veteran of the department.