Good morning, Anchorage.

A house fire in Wasilla on November 14 destroyed nearly everything the Spaulding family owned while they slept, leaving them with minor injuries and the loss of a pet bunny—neighbors quickly offered homes and a $20,000 GoFundMe donation to help them rebuild and remind everyone that home is more than just a building.

The Good Neighbor Fund launched yesterday to help people experiencing homelessness in Anchorage with needs such as housing and transportation.

Local resident Kenny Petersen, who piloted the project, said the fund—now managed by the Alaska Community Foundation—will use every donation for direct aid through trusted local partners.

David’s Jewelers marked 35 years on the east side and was honored by the Anchorage Assembly for its resilience after a recent break-in.

Manager Deborah Godfrey said the team will continue to serve local customers + look forward to many more years in business.

The Department of Natural Resources said the North Slope lease sale was the most successful in over a decade—receiving bids on 287 tracts covering over 519,000 acres and yielding a $17.5 million cash bonus.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy said strong interest from both new and established companies shows that Alaska remains open for business.

The University of Alaska warns that employee health care costs will increase by up to 10% in 2026 due to rising pharmacy, cancer treatment, and behavioral health expenses.

Officials project overall coverage will reach about $85.5 million from $80.1 million last year — urging staff to use preventive care and keep up with screenings.

Anchorage officials said drones provided real time data from storm Halong that sped up the October disaster declaration process and unlocked federal funds for recovery.

The state's Department of Transportation smart program used drones with thermal cameras to safely gather images and test avalanche mitigation along the busy Seward Highway — a sign Alaska leads in drone innovation.

Fewer Alaska babies were born in 2024 than in 2023 and the fertility rate dropped for the fifth year, while life expectancy, teen birth rates, and tobacco use among expectant mothers improved + a separate cancer report noted overall cancer cases declined from the 1990s through 2022 though prostate cancer began to rise.

After Hours Featuring Midnight Son & Kala Jenkins

7-9 p.m. — Momentum Studios — Ticketed event — Experience soulful music and captivating visual art from Anchorage's local talent.

Candlelight: 90s Unplugged

4-5 p.m. — 49th State Brewing - Anchorage — Tickets available — Experience the nostalgic tunes of the 90s played by a string quartet under candlelight.

Python for Scientists Training Class

Dec 8-12 — Frontier Safety And Supply, LLC — $2250 — Enhance your Python skills with hands-on training tailored for scientists.

Holiday Wreath Workshop

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Dimond Greenhouse — $45 per wreath — Create your own festive wreath using fresh cut greens for the holiday season.

The Snow Globe Run

11 AM – 1 PM — Peanut Farm — Check for entry fees — Lace up for a festive run, walk, or cheer along at this community winter event.

Winter Solstice Festival

5-8 p.m. — Cuddy Family Midtown Park — Free entry — Celebrate the shortest day of the year with winter activities, warm festivities, and holiday cheer.

West Anchorage High School Basketball Game

6:00 – 7:15 PM — West Anchorage High School — Free entry — Catch an exciting girls basketball matchup at the local high school.