Good morning, Anchorage.

Anchorage Travel Expo on Wednesday at the Dena’ina Center drew a strong crowd as 70 vendors showcased local tours and attractions for summer travel planning — Visit Anchorage noted strong advance bookings despite rising prices.

Local florists are preparing for Mother’s Day amid rising shipping costs — freight charges have increased due to the ongoing Iran conflict.

Owners from Muffy’s Flowers and Uptown Blossoms manage high demand for peonies, lilies, roses, and carnations while sourcing supplies from local growers to keep prices steady.

Anchorage's Ted Stevens International Airport became the top US cargo hub last year (handling 3.9 million tons) as a drop at Memphis and strategic development brought in over 30 carriers and boosted e-commerce shipments.

New data from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development shows Mat-Su’s population grew 18% since 2015 as lower home prices and job opportunities attract residents — many now commute to Anchorage for higher wages, and more than half of Alaska’s new homes since 2010 are in Mat-Su.

Anchorage School District is replacing prepackaged meals with scratch-made hot lunches in all 80 schools as part of a three-year initiative.

The fresh, rotating menu features Asian, Italian, and Mexican cuisines plus vegan options to give students a new reason to look forward to lunch.

House Bill 261 aims to stabilize school district budgeting by letting districts use previous enrollment numbers instead of projections.

It cleared the House Finance Committee on Tuesday with a vote of 6 & 5 and now moves to the Rules Committee while lawmakers work on more precise data.

The Mat-Su school district held a discussion Wednesday on a draft plan to pay teachers, staff and contractors to carry concealed handguns on school grounds for added safety; staff must complete training and evaluations, and no vote was expected.

Consistent rain this spring has slowed wildfire risk, but officials warn dry spells can quickly change conditions.

Anchorage Fire Department will host an open house on May 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hilltop Ski Area — offering hands-on wildfire prevention activities.

An Alaska Superior Court judge in Anchorage approved a revised bear cull plan for the Alaska Dept & Game to proceed before the Mulchatna caribou calving season later this month.

The state said the measure is based on a decade of research to boost calf survival while sustaining bear populations.

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.

Breakthrough Basketball Essential Skills Camp

June 2-4 — O'Malley Sports Center — $97 for observing coaches — Elevate your basketball skills with high-intensity drills designed for young players.