Good morning, Anchorage.

Alaskans are coming together as GCI hosts a supply drive at its Anchorage, Wasilla and Fairbanks locations to collect essential items such as medicine and winter clothing for storm victims in Western Alaska.

The Trick or Eat donation drive at the Cook Inlet Tribal Council aims to gather canned goods from Oct. 14 to Oct. 31—while the Salvation Army prepares water deliveries to help affected communities.

The Alaska Federation of Natives convention will begin Thursday at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage and continue through Saturday with the theme “Standing Strong, Standing United” while hosting panels, cultural shows, and policy debates on issues like education and health.

The event is free and open to the public—donation drives for storm-hit Western Alaska communities will run Friday from 1—5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.—2 p.m.

People of all ages gathered at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage this week for the annual Elders and Youth Conference—where Native ways, the focus on the Inupiaq language, and cultural traditions connected elders and youth, leading into the AFN Convention set to begin Thursday.

Ted Alder, known as TED, will bring his blues sound to the Muscle Shoals Songwriters Festival from November 7th to November 9th to show off Alaska’s music vibe—while raising awareness about Typhoon Halong and its recent flooding.

He will also host a new album show at Gather on October 17th.

Economists said that seniors and teens are now more important in Alaska’s workforce as fewer people in the 18 to 64 age range work in the state.

Studies show workers 65 rose from 1.8% to 6.2% and teen participation rebounded to 3.7% in 2023—though wage gaps remain large among older workers and small for teens.

The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development released guidelines last week to help schools use artificial intelligence safely and responsibly.

The guidance instructs districts to move beyond outright bans by teaching data safety and cultural respect—preparing both students and teachers for more AI in school.

Glenfarne LNG expects its proposed LNG pipeline to begin construction in late 2026 and be fully operational by mid-2029 after a meeting with Japanese officials in Anchorage discussing future Japan and Alaska collaboration.

The project faces regulatory hurdles and local concerns amid budget cuts from low oil revenues—further details remain pending.

Alaska Housing Finance Corp. bought more than 600 acres of university land in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward, Palmer and Wasilla last week to boost housing projects using state and federal funds; the agency will work with local governments and partners to tailor each project to community needs — a model they hope to repeat in the future.

Anchorage triathlete Samantha Skold excelled at the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona—she finished first in her 30-34 division and was the top amateur among 1,673 competitors with a time of 9 hours, 34 minutes, and 59 seconds.

The Air Force captain said her 20-hour weekly training helped her earn this achievement.

Anchorage families learned that recruiting to college sports became tougher as high school players relied on camps, videos, and constant contact amid new NCAA rules and COVID problems.

Rachael Lesslie and local athletes Isaiah Moses and Deuce Zimmerman showed that hard work and a steady process helped earn scholarship offers — even as many challenges made it hard to get noticed by college coaches.

Advancing Tribal Early Childhood through CCDF

10-11:30 a.m. — Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center — Free entry — Explore how CCDF empowers Tribal communities and nurtures their youngest citizens.

Enchanted Trails Adventure

2-4 p.m. — Goose Lake Park — Kids 2 and under free — Embark on a magical adventure and train alongside fairies, elves, and dragons in this family-friendly event.

Zoo Boo Celebration

10 AM – 6 PM — Alaska Zoo — $15+ — Enjoy a spooky day with candy stations, pumpkin carving, and fun activities for all ages.

Anchorage Dog Sledding and Animal Encounters Tour

2-hour adventure — 5100 Cordova St, Anchorage, AK — Cost varies — Experience the thrill of dog sledding and hand-feeding Alaskan wildlife in an immersive tour.

AMA Annual Convention 2025

9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. — Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport — Cost Info not verified — Engage with marketing professionals, discover trends, and network in Anchorage's premier marketing event.

Anchorage Zine Fair

12-6 p.m. — The Nave — Free entry — Discover local artistry and creativity at the Anchorage Zine Fair.

46th Annual Alaska Resources Conference

Time TBA — Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center — Early bird registration ends November 1 — Engage with industry leaders and explore Alaska’s natural resources at this major economic event.

All Alaska Pediatric Symposium

Time TBA — Marriott Anchorage Downtown — Registration required — Explore evidence-based pediatric healthcare practices with leading experts and engage in valuable networking.