ANCHORAGE HOUSING WORKING GROUP

Jun 12 2026POLITICS

Who runs Anchorage? The city's leaders don't match its diverse population

Anchorage calls itself one of America’s most diverse cities, yet its local government looks nothing like its population. Mountain View, a neighborhood here packed with different cultures, even hosts some of the country’s most varied schools. Anyone walking those school halls would reasonably expect

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Jun 11 2026POLITICS

Housing changes in Anchorage: what the new rule could mean for your street

Anchorage is testing a fresh plan to reshape how neighborhoods grow along major roads. Called the Missing Middle Housing Opportunities overlay, or MMHOP, the proposal would soften zoning rules that now keep big apartment buildings away from single-family homes. On paper, MMHOP promises more housing

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Jun 04 2026ENTERTAINMENT

Weekend Fun in Anchorage: A Fresh Look at Free Events

Anchorage has a busy weekend ahead, but many activities are free or low cost. Start the week with Live After Five on F Street; Denali Cooks will play at sunset, and the space feels like a block party. The venue has shifted from Town Square Park to a street corner, giving it a new vibe. On Thursday

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May 16 2026OPINION

Small Business Dreams Stall in Anchorage’s Red‑Tape Maze

Anchorage says it wants small businesses, yet the city’s permitting system often feels like a hurdle for anyone with a modest idea. A recent story illustrates how a simple bathroom upgrade—just adding a shower—turned into a multi‑year, multi‑thousand‑dollar ordeal. The process demanded architects, e

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May 12 2026EDUCATION

Why Anchorage families are losing faith in their schools

Anchorage families are raising big questions about their local schools. They’re not asking for miracles—just basic things like clear communication, fair policies, and programs that actually work for their kids. But lately, many parents feel left in the dark when the school district makes sudden chan

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May 10 2026POLITICS

Reinventing Anchorage: How Local Leaders Are Tackling Big Challenges

Anchorage stands at a crossroads where tough choices can’t be avoided. Money is tight, families are feeling the pinch, and young adults are deciding if this city is where they’ll build their future. Behind the scenes, over 3, 000 municipal workers – bus drivers, road crews, park rangers – keep the c

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May 02 2026POLITICS

Anchorage at 50: Big Dreams, Tough Choices

Anchorage is hitting its half-century mark, and like any 50-year-old, it's at a crossroads. It's not old yet, but it's no longer young either. The city still has plenty of energy and potential, but it's also dealing with growing pains. Like a teenager, Anchorage is awkward, figuring out who it wants

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Apr 15 2026HEALTH

Finding calm in care: spiritual support for dementia staff

Working closely with residents who have advanced dementia means facing tough emotional challenges daily. Though medical care remains essential, experts suggest that spiritual support could be just as important for boosting quality of life. Yet it remains unclear how nursing home staff actually use—o

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Jan 21 2026FINANCE

Anchorage's Money Problem: Time to Rethink Old Laws?

Anchorage is in a bit of a pickle. The city needs more money to cover things like schools, roads, and safety. But there's a law from way back in 1961 that stops Anchorage from taxing people's income. This law was made to keep income tax only at the state level. But times have changed, and Anchorage

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Jan 09 2026OPINION

Anchorage's Child Care Dilemma: Learning from Minnesota's Mistakes

Anchorage is thinking about using local money to support child care. Some people say this is a bad idea because of a fraud scandal in Minnesota. But is this a fair comparison? Minnesota's problem was with federal money. The money went through many hands before reaching the day cares. When fraud was

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