Good morning, Anchorage.

Alaskan veteran Bradford Bartels completed a 47-day hike spanning 500 miles from Seward to Fairbanks last Thursday, becoming the first known finisher along the Alaska Long Trail.

The unfinished trail is set up for both foot hikers and motorized users (from long hikes to snowmachining) as development continues.

This weekend, Anchorage hosts many events.

Friday at 7:30 p.m. an NFL documentary on the 2025 Seahawks plays at Regal Tikahtnu; Saturday and Sunday bring the Alyeska Blueberry Festival, Anchorage Runfest, Hmong Harvest Festival, a roller derby tournament, and a free Parlor in the Round at local venues.

Pop singer Jesse McCartney will perform at the Alaska State Fair on Sept.

6 at 6:00 p.m. at the Borealis Theatre, with presale tickets available + general tickets on sale Friday, Aug. 14 at 10:00 a.m.

Artist Kyle Holbrook finishes his five-year, 50-state peace mural tour by inviting about 30 local kids to help paint at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Anchorage on Tuesday, Aug.

11. The evolving mural stands as a living symbol of community peace.

An Anchorage school is launching new programs + parent outreach to boost student attendance as classes resume today.

School officials expect greater engagement from families as the academic year begins.

NOAA will no longer provide coordination for the annual Arctic Report Card, a key report incorporating climate data and research from local scientists.

UAF researchers + Alaskan experts are seeking a new sponsor to continue the report, ensuring that community planning on coastal conditions and warming trends stays informed.

Public officials advise residents near the Mendenhall River to evacuate as water levels have surpassed 5 ft and are rising at 0.1 ft per hour, noting that this step keeps neighbors and first responders safe.

On August 11, 2026, Texas Attorney General Paxton secured an emergency order protecting Alaska surrogate McKenna West and her unborn baby Gabriel (diagnosed with HLHS) from a California couple’s demands.

The order lets McKenna choose her Texas care facility while a guardian decides post-birth care for Gabriel.

At the Arctic Thunder Open House on Aug.

8 at JBER, immigration attorneys warned of a separate check-in for non-citizens after cases of detention raised concerns among attendees (two men detained and one woman transferred), potentially eroding trust in event protocols.

An 18-year-old student from Georgia was airlifted after suffering a severe allergic reaction on the Resurrection Pass Trail near East Creek Cabin on Monday night.

Rescue officials said an EpiPen was given before he was taken to Anchorage for further treatment.

Locals and visitors fish for silver salmon at Ship Creek in downtown Anchorage today.

The run draws people to enjoy the outdoors — officials note the bag limit is now six salmon as the season begins to slow.

High school flag football has kicked off in Anchorage as South Anchorage High defends its title against Eagle River tonight at 7:30 p.m. while North Pole and Dimond return with larger rosters amid record interest in the sport.