Downtown Anchorage buzzes as the 54th Iditarod begins, with a ceremonial start featuring teams of enthusiastic sled dogs and mushers launching the iconic, dog-powered race that traverses Alaska.
Alaska Airlines is expanding its network with seven new nonstop routes from Anchorage and Portland to destinations including Boston, Jackson Hole, and four Washington cities, starting from spring and summer 2026, offering more travel options and improved connectivity.
Health officials in Anchorage are investigating a measles case linked to travel through the airport, with exposure risk limited due to the individual's isolation. The case highlights the importance of vaccination, as measles is highly contagious but preventable with the MMR vaccine. The alert advises those potentially exposed to monitor symptoms and seek medical advice, emphasizing the ongoing risk of measles outbreaks in the U.S.
Anchorage is preparing four shelters to house over 1,000 storm evacuees from Western Alaska, with potential for up to 2,000 people displaced by severe storms, as the city and partners work to provide temporary housing amid ongoing recovery efforts and community support events.
Anchorage is preparing to host up to 2,000 evacuees displaced by a severe storm in Western Alaska, with shelters and housing options being arranged as the community supports those affected by the disaster.
The article discusses how Vladimir Putin outmaneuvered Donald Trump during a diplomatic encounter in Anchorage, emphasizing Putin's firm stance and strategic approach in contrast to Trump's more confrontational style, highlighting the complexities of international diplomacy.
Residents of Anchorage, Alaska, are both excited and wary about the upcoming Trump-Putin summit, reflecting their unique geopolitical position and cultural ties with Russia, while also expressing a desire to preserve their summer activities and local traditions amidst the high-profile diplomatic event.
Demonstrators, including family members of Kristopher Handy, gathered in downtown Anchorage to demand the release of body-worn camera footage from the police shooting that killed Handy on May 13. The Anchorage Police Department has stated it will not release the footage until ongoing investigations are concluded, prompting calls for transparency and accountability from the community.
Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, who proposed giving the homeless one-way plane tickets out of the city, conceded the runoff election to Suzanne LaFrance. LaFrance, a former chair of the Anchorage Assembly, won with 54% of the vote and will take office on July 1. Bronson's tenure was marked by clashes with the assembly and issues like homelessness and snow removal. LaFrance aims to "restore competency" to City Hall and becomes the first female elected mayor of Anchorage.
Incumbent Mayor Dave Bronson and former Assembly Chair Suzanne LaFrance are set for a runoff election in the Anchorage mayoral race after holding wide leads in the latest vote count. With just about six weeks to sway voters, both campaigns are gearing up for a competitive and expensive contest. Many believe LaFrance is in a strong position going into the runoff, while Bronson heads into the race with a hefty cash advantage. The campaigns are preparing for a hard-fought and bitter runoff, with both candidates aiming to win over voters who initially supported other candidates in the first round.
Anchorage's mayoral race is headed for a runoff election in May, with Suzanne LaFrance leading incumbent Mayor Dave Bronson by a slight margin in initial results. Both candidates are preparing for the runoff, with LaFrance emphasizing good governance and Bronson highlighting financial preparedness. The runoff is set for May 14, and the winner will serve a three-year term. The race also featured challenges from other major candidates, with former legislator Chris Tuck and former Anchorage Economic Development Corp. President Bill Popp trailing behind.
Two more roofs collapsed in Anchorage over the weekend due to heavy snow, bringing the total to at least eight this season. No one was injured in either incident, and the buildings were unoccupied at the time. The collapses come after government officials warned over 1,000 commercial property owners about the risk of roof failure due to record-breaking snow loads. The collapses are primarily occurring in buildings with a specific type of flat roof constructed before 1990, and efforts are underway to clear snow from at-risk structures.
The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in Alaska recorded its coldest temperature in 15 years, reaching 18 degrees below zero, marking the coldest day since January 2009. The extreme subzero weather is expected to continue into the weekend, with temperatures in the 30s, 40s, and 50s below zero in the Interior. Southeast Alaska is also experiencing snow due to cold air moving in, leading to winter storm warnings and advisories.
A second roof collapse in Anchorage occurred less than a day after over 1,000 warnings were sent to building owners about the risk of collapse due to heavy snow. No injuries were reported, but the collapses have raised concerns about the safety of buildings with wooden trusses and gang-nail plates. Municipal officials have issued snow-clearing guidance for at-risk buildings, and the collapses this season have surpassed last winter's count. The Anchorage Fire Department emphasized the importance of clearing roofs of snow and recommended consulting a structural engineer for building evaluations.
Anchorage, Alaska has experienced a historic snowfall of over 100 inches, the earliest on record, with the city currently running 56.1 inches above its average snowfall for this point in the season. Despite the El Niño weather pattern typically resulting in less snow, a series of storms has led to the excessive snowfall. The heavy snow has caused roofs to collapse, prompting warnings to clear snow off buildings. While Anchorage deals with snow, other parts of Alaska are experiencing significant snowmelt due to warm temperatures and rain. Additionally, the forecast predicts even colder temperatures and more snow in the upcoming days.