Good morning, Anchorage.

Anchorage's People Mover will install 260 new bus stop signs, new artwork and 20 shelters with benches this fall.

Local artist Julia Ditto designed a colorful sign featuring Alaska scenery and wildlife, and Mayor LaFrance said the upgrades aim to reflect the area's natural beauty.

Downtown Anchorage will soon have a small library under construction at Historic City Hall’s fire engine bay using more than $7 million from longtime resident Janet Goetz and a $2.5 million COVID relief grant, officials said.

It will open this winter and offer basic computer access (for visitors).

Anchorage residents can enjoy an action-packed weekend with events such as Girdwood’s Alyeska Oktoberfest featuring Bavarian food, the 3-mile UAA Spirit Run at Alaska Airlines Center, National Public Lands Day volunteer opportunities, improv shows at The Nave, plus live music at the Anchorage Symphony Opening Night at Atwood Concert Hall.

Alaska Beacon reporter Yereth Rosen won the American Geophysical Union’s Perlman Award for Excellence in Science Journalism for her report combining indigenous knowledge, scientific study and politics to assess village life after ex-typhoon Halong in Western Alaska.

Her work tracked residents in Kipnuk and Kwigillingok as they relocated.

Apartment rents statewide increased 2.1% with rates in Bethel reaching $2030 and in the Matanuska Susitna Borough rising 12.8% due to commuter demand.

Mortgage payments on a median $415000 home rose 84% since 2019 despite wage gains and housing construction reaching a ten year high in 2025.

Field technicians Joe Pifer and BJ Kirschhoffer visited Anchorage (Sept.

11) before heading to King Salmon to check the bear cams at Katmai National Park and Preserve ahead of Fat Bear Week. Their work keeps the cameras powered and connected so millions can watch brown bears live and may boost park visits.

More than 5,000 Alaska car buyers will soon receive restitution checks as the State reached a $500K settlement with Payless Used Car Sales over hidden dealer fees + Acting Attorney General Cori Mills stated the agreement protects consumers.

After three years of planning and public input, Alaska DOT proposes a four-lane divided Seward Highway with new elevation changes, more parking and better trailheads for corridor users — though some locals expressed concerns over environmental and recreation impacts.

Public comments are accepted for 30 days.

Apartment rents rose 2.1% in Alaska over the past year, the smallest jump in five years, while mortgage payments increased as home values and interest rates climbed, and 2025 saw a ten-year high in new housing construction, with Wrangell-Petersburg having the lowest and Bethel the highest rents.

Special Olympics Alaska celebrated local athletes during Breakfast with Champions, recognizing coach Mona Murphy for inspiring participants and honoring Athlete of the Year winners Garrett Stortz and Jaidra Lussow — underscoring support for 2,000 athletes statewide.