Good morning, Anchorage.

A new inclusive playground is coming soon to Taku Lake Park in Anchorage for children of all abilities—featuring ramps, sensory panels, and swings with harnesses—and the project received a $50,000 grant from the Anchorage Park Foundation with construction set to begin later this summer.

Cooler, wetter weather is slowing wildfire growth in Alaska while smoke and evacuation alerts remain as crews work to protect structures and neighborhoods.

Crews saw minimal fire spread today at major incidents like the 24,000-acre Twelvemile Lake Fire and the nearly 40,000-acre Roundabout Complex—rain is expected later this week to help further ease fire activity.

Alaska’s new sick leave law took effect on July 1, letting workers earn paid sick leave based on hours worked and raising the minimum wage to $13, with larger businesses offering up to 56 hours and smaller ones 40 hours per year.

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development proposed new rules on June 25 — they will not take effect until August and are open for public comment until July 31.

TSA began phasing out the long-standing shoe removal rule at select pilot airports—Baltimore/Washington International, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Portland International, Philadelphia International, and Piedmont Triad International—in an effort to reduce wait times, and Alaska’s major airports may adopt the change soon to ease travel for heavy boot wearers.

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by local property owners seeking to shut down the Eklutna Tribe's casino, Chin’an Gaming Hall, near Birchwood — the ruling supports the tribe's rights after the casino opened in February with Interior Department approval.

The tribe still faces another federal lawsuit contesting its authority over the land and aims to build a permanent facility to expand operations.

Anchorage’s Lars Arneson is a decorated trail runner who got married on Near Point and trains on its trails with his family.

He set records like the Rim to Rim to Rim—showing his deep love for Alaska’s outdoor sports.

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’.

Uniform Residential Appraisal Report Course

9 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Alaska Aviation Museum — $200.00 ($175 for AI members) — Delve into the new URAR training while enjoying a unique setting at the largest seaplane base in the world.