Good morning, Anchorage.

A new, colorful crosswalk featuring asphalt art and flexible traffic posts will be completed this week at the corner of 12th Ave and Hyder St in Fairview, a project led by Fairview Community Council + NeighborWorks Alaska to boost safety for walkers and bikers.

Atka, a moose from Anchorage who spent his life at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado, died Tuesday at age six after months of treatment for a rare toe condition (he had only seven toes and underwent an amputation in 2023).

Payless Used Car Sales LLC agreed to pay over $500K in restitution for hidden fees not included in advertised car prices.

The dealership will contact more than 5,000 eligible customers—each set to receive $100—within 280 days following court approval.

Fat Bear Week Day 2 features eight new bears competing in four contests after heavy turnout on Day 1 forced organizers to adjust the voting process.

Voters may cast ballots from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. AKDT at fatbearweek.org, and favorites return tomorrow.

This summer, Noatak residents struggled with near standstill travel as gas prices reached $24—while emergency generators in Anchorage are planned to ease energy strain in rural areas.

State energy officials warn that if a prolonged cold snap hits the Railbelt after today, residents may have to reduce heat use as natural gas supplies drop from maturing Cook Inlet fields & global diesel market pressures drive up costs, prompting efforts to preserve critical services.

A UAF study finds that Indigenous observers improved computer models for predicting changes in sea ice, ocean currents, and marine life in the Arctic (helping subsistence hunters understand whaling patterns) as the Alaska Arctic Observatory and Knowledge Hub provided daily input over two years.

The Alaska Zoo is caring for five orphaned bear cubs amid high bear activity this season, and it expects more cubs as the season continues (Fish and Game reported).

At a meeting at Spenard Community Recreation Center on Sept.

21, officials detailed plans to lease the closed Campbell STEM Elementary School with bids opening next month and new tenants expected by late January. Assembly and School Board members clashed over forming a joint committee on school closures & maintaining public benefit.

Mary Peltola faces allegations from former staffers of angry outbursts and offensive language during her time in Congress as she runs for Senate; her campaign says the claims lack context amid personal losses and stressful work moments.

Providence Alaska will open a 16-bed behavioral health center in Anchorage later this fall to provide 24-hour psychiatric care for teens (ages 12 to 17).

The facility will offer structured treatment, group therapy and family education to help teens transition to home, school and community.

COVID-19 continues to circulate in Alaska, but state health officials reported only 22 deaths during the 2025-2026 season compared to higher numbers in past years.

They urge vaccination for all eligible ages while noting that case trends show seasonal peaks that remain unpredictable.

An analysis finds Alaska’s Certificate of Need rules slow the growth of addiction treatment as new providers face long legal battles and objections from existing facilities.

The report shows that nearly 79 percent of those needing treatment miss out on services plus highlights policy changes as a key solution.