Emily Goodykoontz

Reporter

Emily Goodykoontz is a reporter covering Anchorage local government and general assignments. She previously covered breaking news at The Oregonian in Portland and was an intern reporter at the Eugene Register-Guard before joining ADN in 2020. She earned her degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. Contact her at egoodykoontz@adn.com.

Cots, water and other services return at Anchorage mass homeless shelter after tumultuous transition

At Sullivan Arena on Friday, a city worker said that clients volunteered to help to assemble the hundreds of cots on Thursday night and that people were able to sleep by about 10 p.m.

By Emily Goodykoontz and Loren Holmes●

Anchorage Mayor Bronson appoints new health department director

Joe Gerace, a former firefighter, paramedic and Red Cross disaster responder, is now heading the Anchorage Health Department.

By Emily Goodykoontz●

Homeless residents awake to upheaval and confusion at Anchorage’s largest shelter after abrupt shift in contractors

The transition at Anchorage’s Sullivan Arena mass shelter on Thursday left the new contractor scrambling to provide basic services that day.

By Emily Goodykoontz●

Anchorage Assembly asks mayor to require masks in city buildings; Bronson says he will not

The resolution asked the mayor to require masks in indoor public areas of municipal buildings when Anchorage is in a high alert risk level for COVID-19 transmission, and to promote other mitigation measures, including vaccinations.

By Emily Goodykoontz●

In an abrupt transition, a new, for-profit company is taking over management of Anchorage’s largest homeless shelter

The municipality awarded a bid to run the Sullivan Arena to 99 Plus 1, Inc., which has only a few days to hire staff and assume management of the shelter from the current operator, Bean’s Cafe.

By Emily Goodykoontz and Michelle Theriault Boots●

City ending Anchorage’s contract with Bean’s Cafe to operate mass care shelter at Sullivan Arena

Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson’s office would not say who will run the shelter after Sept. 15, when the city’s contract with Bean’s Cafe ends.

By Emily Goodykoontz●

Anchorage Mayor Bronson criticizes Biden vaccine mandate

Mayor Dave Bronson also said that the municipality “will not comply” with President Joe Biden’s directive, although a spokesman for the mayor said city attorneys are still evaluating whether it applies to municipal employees.

By Emily Goodykoontz●

As COVID-19 hospitalizations hit record numbers, Anchorage Mayor Bronson says, ‘I don’t know what more we can do’

In an interview, Dave Bronson called the idea of a mask mandate “very inappropriate” and suggested vaccine requirements for staff are contributing to strain on local hospitals — an assertion hospitals say isn’t accurate.

By Emily Goodykoontz●

With at least 5 Anchorage Assembly seats up for election next year, Mayor Bronson and allies set sights on a shakeup

As Mayor Dave Bronson tries to make headway on his agenda during his first few months in office, he is clashing frequently with the Assembly.

By Emily Goodykoontz●

Mayor Bronson asks Anchorage Assembly to bring back suspension of city’s plastic bag ban

The Assembly suspended the city’s ban on plastic bags at the beginning of the pandemic, but on Wednesday, that suspension officially ended.

By Emily Goodykoontz●

Anchorage Mayor Bronson revokes policies for city workers intended to support new parents

One policy was enacted by former Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson one day before Dave Bronson took office.

By Emily Goodykoontz●

Anchorage Assembly overrides Mayor Bronson’s veto of new advisory board of people who have experienced homelessness

The override passed in a 9-1 vote during a special meeting on Tuesday, marking the first time the Assembly has quashed a veto from Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson.

By Emily Goodykoontz●

Anchorage’s new bus route connecting Downtown to Dimond will bring back service to Loussac Library and the Old Seward Highway

Route 85 comes online Sept. 20 and travels from downtown to the Dimond Transit Center, winding through parts of West Anchorage and along the Old Seward Highway, with a stop at Loussac Library.

By Emily Goodykoontz●

In his first veto, Anchorage Mayor Bronson rejects new advisory board made up of people who have experienced homelessness

In a statement explaining the veto, Bronson cited the existence of other boards that provide input to the city on homelessness.

By Emily Goodykoontz●

Anchorage Mayor Bronson announces Judy Norton Eledge as new pick for library director

Assembly Vice Chair Chris Constant said that the Assembly will likely reject Eledge for similar reasons as it did Sami Graham, the mayor’s previous pick.

By Emily Goodykoontz●