Good morning, Anchorage.

Anchorage's annual cleanup begins today at Westchester Lagoon from noon to 3 p.m., with additional events scheduled around the city through May 31.

Volunteers can pick up orange trash bags at Carrs, Kaladi Brothers Coffee locations + the downtown Chamber office and are advised to follow proper disposal guidelines.

Southwest Airlines will launch daily flights from Anchorage to Denver and Las Vegas from May 15 to September 15.

The first flight arrives on May 15 at 9:15 p.m. (airport staff will welcome the flight with balloons and cupcakes).

Matt Cooper, a Fairbanks lawyer with 13 years at the university, was chosen as the 18th president and will begin on Aug.

3. The Board unanimously voted on Friday to ensure a smooth transition ahead of Pat Pitney’s final day on May 21 (a move that reinforces local leadership).

Dimond High School seniors celebrated their 20th annual crossover assembly after waiting four years while parents performed a playful, emotion-filled routine (designed to spark a bit of embarrassment) as part of a long-standing tradition.

Superior Court Judge Una Gandbhir paused the district's plan to close Campbell STEM after families sued over its shutdown on Friday, ordering no consolidation or student reassignment until a hearing on May 14 (the district must also hold its own public hearing by May 15).

At the University of Alaska Anchorage graduation ceremony at the Alaska Airlines Center, 1,647 students will be recognized on Sunday at 1 p.m., including 17-year-old Rainey Spurlock (the youngest speaker in UAA history and a graduate alongside her grandmother Brenda) as she earns her bachelor's degree in communications.

The Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center warned that high avalanche risk is present from Anchorage Hillside to Turnagain Arm and parts of the Kenai Peninsula due to new snow and high winds from a spring storm; local travelers should check alerts until Sunday morning.

Anchorage has opened two municipal wood lots for yard debris disposal to reduce wildfire risk during wildfire season.

The lots operate May 1–Oct. 31 six days a week with one site in Eagle River charging $20 per load on weekdays and the Midtown site charging $20 daily.

Anchorage officials launched an online portal today for residents to register short-term rental listings; all listings must include a municipal registration number by July 31.

AkS SuperDraft 14

May 8-10 — Cartee Little League Fields — $50 — A fun-filled two-day softball tournament featuring custom jerseys and spirited competition for men’s and women’s teams.

Yukon River Science Symposium

9 AM-4:30 PM — Denali Tower North — Register to attend virtually — Engage in discussions about Yukon River science and conservation.

Women's Gold Nugget Triathlon

All day — Bartlett High School — Registration required — Empower women and girls through a spirited sprint triathlon event.

Wacky Women 2026 Kick-off Meeting

6-8:30 p.m. — Anchorage Golf Course — $35 — Social gathering with golf course reps, appetizers, and door prizes.

2026 Kids Alaska State Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament

9:15 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. — Avis Alaska Sports Complex — Registration required — A day filled with exciting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions for kids of all skill levels.

Skinny Raven Twilight 12K & 6K

7-10 p.m. — Skinny Raven Sports — Registration fees vary — Kick off summer with a fun 12K or 6K run and enjoy live music and refreshments at the finish line.