Anchorage Assembly extends COVID-19 emergency declaration into June
The 6-4 vote in a sometimes tense meeting means the mask mandate will remain in place and the latest emergency order will go into effect Friday.
Alaska News
Falsey endorses Dunbar and Robbins endorses Bronson in race for Anchorage mayor
Mike Robbins called Dave Bronson “the last man standing of the conservative candidates” and said he “must win,” while Bill Falsey said Forrest Dunbar “is hands down the most qualified candidate entering this runoff.”
Anchorage’s vaccine clinics are getting site reviews after 16-year-old receives dose of Moderna vaccine
Only Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use in 16- and 17-year-olds, although a medical officer with the city health department said the risk level for the teen who got the vaccine was likely low.
Updated Anchorage election results show Lessens, Higgins still leading with thin margins in school board races
Anchorage mayoral candidate Dave Bronson is maintaining his lead over Forrest Dunbar in the mayor’s race. The two are headed to the runoff on May 11.
Wait times for 911 calls have dropped significantly due to higher dispatch staffing, Anchorage police say
During recent peaks in 2018 and 2019, it took about 21 seconds on average for dispatchers to answer a 911 call. Officials say the wait time is less than 10 seconds on average now.
Interior secretary names Alaska Native woman as top Alaska official
Raina Thiele is Dena’ina Athabascan and Yup’ik and an enrolled member of Pedro Bay village. She will serve in a key position for a federal agency that controls more than half the land in Alaska.
Alaska asks providers to pause use of one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine after federal guidance
Federal health officials have recommended a temporary halt on administration of the vaccine as they investigate reports of rare blood clots.
NTSB: Heli-ski pilot was maneuvering over a Chugach mountain ridge just before crash that killed 5
Czech media reported that the sole survivor reported no mechanical problems with the helicopter before the March 27 crash in Southcentral Alaska.
16 states including Alaska back Alabama challenge to Census Bureau’s new privacy tool
The suit seeks to stop the Census Bureau from applying the method known as “differential privacy” to the numbers that will be used for redrawing congressional and legislative seats later this year.
Anchorage police union will not endorse a candidate for mayor
An “incredibly divisive” political atmosphere played into the decision not to endorse Dunbar or Bronson, according to the union’s president.
Dunbar files complaint with state against Bronson over alleged campaign finance violations
The complaint cites multiple possible alleged violations that could amount to tens of thousands in misreported finance and illegally accepted contributions.
Domestic violence organizations face huge budget cuts and plead for help from the Alaska Legislature
A lack of federal funding has prompted Alaskans to ask for action by state lawmakers.
Latest Anchorage election results leave mayor’s race unchanged, but 2 school board races are increasingly close
Kelly Lessens’ lead over Judy Eledge is shrinking for school board seat B, and Pat Higgins’ lead over Sami Graham for seat E has also gotten smaller as more ballots have been counted.
Legislature considers bill that would rename and expand Alaska Native language council
X̱'unei Lance Twitchell, a council member and Tlingit language scholar, said the Legislature should support growth of the 21 Alaska Native languages that are spoken today.
A new nonprofit health clinic in Anchorage aims to provide more affordable care for the LGBTQ+ community
“Being able to provide care in a respectful, supportive manner where people don’t feel like they are being judged, where people can be their full selves — is so important,” said Laura Carpenter, Identity’s executive director.
Avalanche debris will keep Hatcher Pass Road closed through the week, officials say
The Department of Transportation plans to do mitigation work in the area before clearing the debris toward the end of the week.
Alaska state senator fined for violating Capitol’s mask mandate
Sen. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, is the first state legislator to be fined under the policy.
Acting Anchorage mayor lifts limits on outdoor gatherings and sets 70% vaccine target to relax other COVID-19 restrictions
When 70% of eligible Anchorage residents have been vaccinated, the emergency order will become advisory instead of compulsory.