Good morning, Anchorage.

Downtown Anchorage gets a colorful update as Coca-Cola Bottling of Alaska's Paint the Nation project unveils a mural titled 'Under the Midnight Sun' by Girdwood-raised artist Dawn Gerety and painted by Jacob Duncan.

It will be dedicated Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. at 1016 West Sixth Avenue.

Crowds gathered on opening day of the 90th Alaska State Fair today to enjoy rides, vendors, food and attractions (with some arriving early to beat long lines) as the fair runs until Sept.

7.

Anchorage officials expect $7 billion spending on Fightertown Recapitalization to bring 2,500 military families over the next five years while boosting the local economy and straining housing supply.

The city is expediting building permits, tax incentives, and zoning changes (in collaboration with local groups) to add needed homes.

Dimond High School evacuated the campus on Friday around 12:30 p.m. after a false threat and released students early with buses departing at 1:30 p.m. Police confirmed the building is safe — after-school events, including a 6 p.m. swim meet, proceeded as planned.

Students returning to class experienced larger class sizes and less personal attention from teachers due to earlier cuts even after summer funding reinstated nurses, sports programs, buses, and extra teachers — a bus issue was fixed while STrEaM Academy reported record enrollment with outdoor learning activities.

NOAA ended its support for the Arctic Report Card, a two-decade study tracking sea ice, temperature, and coastal storms.

Alaska scientists are set to publish the report this year (preserving critical insights for Arctic communities) ahead of the December AGU meeting in San Francisco.

The USDA released a draft environmental impact study that starts the process to repeal the Roadless Rule, which could open about 9 million acres of the Tongass National Forest to logging.

Local groups urge public comments (ending Sept. 21) to help protect Alaska's forests.

Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources warned BlueCrest Energy to secure funding and resume drilling at its Tyonek gas field north of Anchor Point amid a critical natural gas shortage + BlueCrest expects production to start this winter if financing is verified by an April 2027 deadline.

Alaska is accepting nonprofit applications for a new K-12 scholarship tax credit program designed to offer taxpayers a dollar-for-dollar credit up to $1,700, with a rolling review process that expects initial approvals by Sept.

30. The program will start on Jan. 1, 2027.

ENSTAR Natural Gas said equipment arrived in Anchorage meant that reconnection work for residents in Whittier could have started Friday night after service was cut on Aug.

16 due to pipeline repairs. Free shower tokens were available at the Whittier Harbor Office (public safety building) amid ongoing utility work.