Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
975 POSTS 0 COMMENTS
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.
A man in a blue suit jacket speaks at a podium.

Bronson concedes Anchorage mayoral race to LaFrance

“As I transition out of office, I am committed to ensuring a smooth transition to Mayor-Elect LaFrance and her team,” Bronson said in a statement Thursday.
a sign on a tree near tents

Anchorage Assembly passes new rules for homeless camps

The measure prohibits campsites within a half-mile of a shelter and limits campsites to no more than 25 tents.
several red lights at a snowy intersection

Anchorage Assembly rejects a right-on-red ban in downtown

The measure would’ve banned vehicles from turning right at red lights in the area between 3rd and 9th avenues and Gambell and L streets.
a man in a hat

Family of man fatally shot by Anchorage police demands release of officers’ body camera footage

"They have six other videos for body cameras and two dash cameras with different angles of what transpired that night,” said Travis Handy.

Researchers and city officials work to inform Hillside communities of wildfire risks

Experts say it's not a matter of if but when a large blaze impacts the Hillside neighborhood in Anchorage.

Security footage calls into question Anchorage police account of fatal shooting

Police have said Kristopher Handy pointed a gun at officers before they opened fire. A neighbor with security footage of the incident says otherwise.
a woman in red speaks at a microphone

LaFrance maintains lead in Anchorage mayor’s race

More than 71,000 votes have been tallied in the runoff that pits Suzanne LaFrance against incumbent Mayor Dave Bronson.
a woman smiles

Suzanne LaFrance poised to be Anchorage’s first elected female mayor

Partial, unofficial election night results show the former Assembly chair leading incumbent Mayor Dave Bronson by nearly 10%.

Anchorage residents turn in 51K ballots ahead of mayoral runoff election deadline

As of Monday night, the city has received about 6,000 more ballots than it had by the same point in the April regular mayoral election. 
A man in a green shirt speaking.

As Anchorage wildfire season creeps in, Hillside residents prepare for the worst

Experts say it's not a matter of if but when a large blaze impacts the South Anchorage neighborhood.
a man at a podium

Alaska officials announce ‘One Pill Can Kill’ campaign to address fentanyl crisis

“Alaska is under attack,” said. U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan. “In 2023, opioids killed more Alaskans than ever before.”
A man and a woman ask each-other questions at a podium.

Bronson, LaFrance offer different views and priorities in Alaska Public Media-ADN mayoral runoff debate

Bronson centered homelessness in his debate remarks, while LaFrance focused on providing basic city services.
a woman with short hair stands near a sign

Alaska’s first resettlement conference highlights state’s recent spike in refugees

Alaska used to average about 150 refugees a year. Just last year, that number spiked to about 485.
A man in a suit and a woman with a microphone answer questions at a debate.

Bronson, LaFrance challenge each other’s record during Anchorage Chamber mayoral debate

With two weeks until ballots are due, the candidates are looking to win over more voters after a close race in the general election.
a grid of 12 photos with diverse people

Hey Anchorage, who’s your pick for mayor? Why?

We spent a day talking to locals all over Anchorage, from Eagle River to Girdwood, about what matters to them. 

Anchorage’s Covenant House receives $1M federal grant to help foster youth before they age out

“We know a lot of them end up with us after a year anyway,” said Heidi Huppert, chief program officer at the youth homeless service provider.
a portrait of a man's face

Supporters of Anchorage-area cemeteries say they’re not giving up after $4M bond fails

The bond would've laid the foundations for cemeteries in Girdwood and Eagle River, two communities without public cemeteries.

Alaskans will have a chance to see a total solar eclipse… in 9 years

A total solar eclipse will occur on March 30, 2033. The path of totality will be visible in Nome, Kotzebue and Utqiagvik.

Popp endorses LaFrance for Anchorage mayor

In the most recent election results, Bill Popp had about 17% of the vote, placing third behind Suzanne LaFrance and Dave Bronson.

Anchorage Assembly overrides 2 Bronson vetoes as fight over Eklutna project continues

The overrides were the latest actions in an ongoing dispute between the Assembly and mayor over plans to restore fish habitat in the Eklutna River.