Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 3rd of July.
Good morning, Anchorage.
🏘️ Community
The former Alaska Native Service Hospital site at Third Avenue and Ingra Street will become Denali View RV Resort featuring an Indigenous garden—honoring its history—and new amenities including RV spots, pickleball courts, a playground, green spaces and trails.
Native leaders and Mayor Suzanne LaFrance attended Tuesday’s groundbreaking and construction is set to begin this year with completion expected in 2028 at an estimated cost of $6.2 million.
💼 Business
Furie Operating Alaska finished its offshore drilling season by drilling two new wells and doing a work-over in the Kitchen Lights Unit — the wells will come online in July to add gas to Southcentral Alaska’s grid.
The project was partly funded by a $50 million revolving credit line from the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority — a key step to help prevent a regional gas shortage expected by 2027.
🎓 Education
Construction is underway on a new apprenticeship training center—designed to train union carpenters, piledrivers, and millwrights—near Boniface and Glenn Highway.
The facility will open next year and aims to strengthen Anchorage's skilled workforce.
Today, the state Legislature launched a joint bipartisan task force to study education funding and related issues such as rising transportation and energy costs — along with absenteeism and teacher retention.
The task force will hold monthly public meetings starting in August and deliver its recommendations for a stable fiscal plan before the January 2027 session.
🌲 Environment
Residents in Elim are worried that a Canadian company’s plan to drill for uranium near the Tubutulik River will harm the water and food they rely on for subsistence, and local leaders along with 20 tribal governments oppose the project.
The exploration, spanning 30 square miles, will begin drilling over the next four years—raising concerns about potential pollution in a key source of wild foods.
Damage assessments from Bear Creek Fire show that several homes built over many years have been destroyed, including a cabin Nick Clegg Sr. and his wife Kathleen spent time perfecting before evacuating.
Many affected homeowners plan to rebuild using insurance while others—like Brent Weber, who lost almost everything—seek disaster assistance and fundraising to recover.
🏛️ Government
Anchorage is facing a lifeguard shortage as only 13 seasonal and 4 year‐round positions are filled, leaving many lakes unguarded while pools receive more attention.
Jim Reeves of the city said strict certification requirements make it hard to hire enough lifeguards—residents are urged to wear life vests when swimming in unmonitored areas.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski held a phone news conference on Tuesday to explain her ‘Yes’ vote on a federal budget bill that the Senate passed by a 51 to 50 vote and now goes to the House for a final vote.
She said the bill extends tax cuts and boosts Alaska funding for health services through a Rural Hospital Program — a move that could yield nearly $300 million per year for the next five years while also adjusting energy credits for local projects.
🏥 Health
Kristen Lindsay from North Pole said a federal bill that cuts Medicaid may remove coverage from over 25,000 Alaskans and cost the state more than $320 million annually — a move that could risk the care of cancer patients and seasonal workers.
She recalled that when she was diagnosed, hospital staff helped her apply for Medicaid — support she says is key to saving lives.
🎉 Anchorage Events
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2025 BOMA Annual Golf Tournament
7 a.m. — Anchorage Golf Course — Fundraising event — Swing into action for a great cause supporting the Special Olympics.
EPA Lead Renovation, Repair & Painting Certification Course
8 a.m. — Environmental Management Inc. — Certification fee applies — Learn to safely work in homes with lead-based paint and meet EPA guidelines.
FREE Sports Camp
9 AM – 12 PM — Birchwood Behavioral Health — Free entry — Enjoy a week of sports, drills, and teamwork with friends.
AACVW Club Meeting at Guido's Pizza
7-8:30 p.m. — Guido's Pizza — No cover charge — Gather with fellow VW enthusiasts at the monthly club meeting over pizza.
RMG Career Launch Event
1-3 p.m. — RMG Real Estate Alaska — Free entry — Explore career opportunities in real estate with insights from industry leaders.
Jessica Michelle Singleton Live in Anchorage
7:00-8:30 p.m. — The Broken Blender — Tickets from $40 — Experience the raw and hilarious charm of Alaska-grown comedian Jessica Michelle Singleton.
Neil deGrasse Tyson
7:30-11:30 p.m. — Atwood Concert Hall — Tickets available — Engage with an astrophysicist on the wonders of the universe in a captivating evening.
Candlelight Concert: Rings and Dragons
6:30-7:30 p.m. — 49th State Brewing — Ticketed event — Experience a magical live music performance under candlelight at an iconic Anchorage venue.
Hawthorne Heights Live Concert
6:30-8 p.m. — SteamDot Williwaw — Tickets available — Experience the emotional sounds of Hawthorne Heights as they celebrate their latest album ‘The Rain Just Follows Me’.
🏠 Anchorage Real Estate
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💼 Anchorage Job Board
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📣 Anchorage Announcements
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