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Articles by Patrick Enslow
Artists paint murals in downtown Anchorage to honor Alaska Native culture
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Two Alaskan artists aren’t letting the rain stop them from bringing Anchorage alive through art by painting two murals in the heart of the city. The first mural will be painted by Crystal Worl, and it will replace Bob Patterson’s Anchorage History Mural near city hall. “The imagery is a mix of representing multiple different tribes in Alaska,” Worl said. “The theme of the project was acknowledging Dena’ina territory and being inclusive of indigenous history.
Omicron BA.5 COVID-19 variant hits Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services reported another 2,496 positive tests over the last week across the state. State Epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin said the predominant strain in Alaska and across the country is the BA.5 subvariant of omicron. “We’re in the thick of it right now,” McLaughlin said.
Department of Transportation planned upgrades to Seward Highway met with pushback from Moose Pass residents
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - A construction project on a 10.5-mile stretch of the Seward Highway is receiving pushback from Moose Pass residents as they raise concerns over the impact it will have on their community. The DOT rehabilitation project will go from milepost 25.5 to 36 on the Seward Highway, a section of road that runs through their town. A group of residents formed the group Preserve and Protect Moose Pass, and said the project could impact homes, businesses, and septic systems.
Bronson administration talks Centenniel Campground with assembly committee on homelessness
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Anchorage Assembly and Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration continue to debate how to help the homeless residents of Anchorage.
Wildfires expected to burn over 3 million acres in Alaska this summer
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska is barreling toward 3 million acres burned this wildfire season as the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center Wildland Fire Dashboard reports 2.9 million acres burned statewide Thursday evening. Alaska Division of Forestry Public Information Officer Sam Harrel said the state will likely cross the 3-million-acre mark for what has burned this wildfire season soon.
Anchorage police to conduct internal investigation following social media post
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - A post on social media has sparked an internal investigation within the Anchorage Police Department after a woman posed with an officer with what she called a white privilege card, instead of an ID. The post came from Mimi Israelah’s profile, who wrote that she was visiting Anchorage from California for the Save America Rally with former President Donald Trump at the Alaska Airlines Center.
School meal program changes are coming for some Alaskan schools
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Universal free meals at school will not be available to every student this upcoming school year. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, federal waivers allowed all students to receive free meals without having to apply. In June, Congress passed the Keep Kids Fed Act, which extended waivers for the pandemic lunch program but reverted many of the programs back to require applications in order to determine student eligibility.
Food Bank of Alaska sees rise in demand as donations dip
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Food Bank of Alaska is seeing lower than usual donations while the need from their partners has dramatically risen because of high inflation, according to the Chief of Advocacy and Public Policy for the Food Bank of Alaska Cara Durr. “It’s really the perfect storm of things,” Durr said.
Dry summer leads muni to start watering Delaney Park Strip
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The flower beds at Delaney Park in downtown Anchorage are full of color but the grass is not, as some residents are concerned the 13 city blocks of popular parkland aren’t receiving enough water. Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Steve Rafuse said the city began using water trucks to disburse 20,000 to 30,000 gallons of water on the park strip in the middle of June because of the dry conditions.
Rising inflation rates hit Alaskans on gas, transportation and food Original
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska’s inflation rate continues to soar as it reached 7.2% in December of 2021, according to a report from the Department of Labor issued this month. Gasoline prices in urban Alaska have risen 52.2% from April 2021 to 2022, according to the Department of Labor. Over that same time, transportation costs rose 23% and food costs saw an uptick of 11.3% hike. “Most of these factors are national and international,” Department of Labor Research Chief Dan Robinson said.
Mat-Su Borough special election being held on July 12
PALMER, Alaska (KTUU) - The Matanuska-Susitna Borough will hold a special election on July 12, and early voting has already begun. The special election ballot features four propositions for voters to decide on. The first proposition is the adoption of a reapportionment plan for the Mat-Su Borough Assembly and Mat-Su Borough School District.
State energy authority looking for public comment on the federal funding plan for electric vehicle infrastructure
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Alaska Energy Authority wants to hear from Alaskans about how its plan to expand the state’s fast-charging network for electric vehicles through millions of dollars in federal funding. Over the next five years, the AEA will receive more than $50 million dollars through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI). “We’ve had great positive feedback across the state,” said AEA Executive Director Curtis Thayer.
Alaskan fishing industry leaders meet with US trade ambassador in Anchorage
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Ambassador Katherine Tai, the United States trade representative, and Sen. Dan Sullivan held a roundtable discussion with leaders from the state’s fishing industry at Hotel Captain Cook on Thursday. Sullivan and Tai sat at the head of the table as the group ate salmon and discussed Alaska’s role in the global trade market. “I like to call us, with good reason, the superpower of seafood, Alaska,” Sullivan said. This was Tai’s first time visiting Alaska.
NorthLink Aviation’s South Air Cargo Park project at Anchorage International draws concern from neighbors
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport could be expanding as NorthLink Aviation signed a 55-year lease for 120 acres to build a South Campus Air Cargo Terminal. The proposed project would have 15 total paved areas to park air cargo planes, dual hydrant fueling systems and the ability to recycle glycol used to de-ice the plane, according to NorthLink.
District court ruling allows commercial fishermen to operate in Cook Inlet
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Throughout this year commercial fishermen were unsure if they’d be able to fish in the Cook Inlet, but a ruling by the district court judge will once again allow them to operate. This week, Judge Joshua Kindred ruled in favor of the United Cook Inlet Drift Association in their case against the National Marine Fisheries Service and the State of Alaska. “This is a very substantial victory,” UCIDA Vice President Erik Huebsch said.
Fish and Game announces sport fishing closures for king salmon on the Kenai Peninsula
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Alaska Department of Fish and Game closed king salmon sport fishing on the Kenai, Ninilchik and Kasilof Rivers through the end of July, as well as closing the Cook Inlet saltwater fishery for now. “This year is off to a really slow start with most of our chinook salmon escapement monitoring here on the Kenai Peninsula depending on the stock or system,” said Alaska Department of Fish and Game area biologist Mike Booz.
Fish and Game mishap at Anchorage hatchery leads to death of thousands of king salmon smolt
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Thousands of king salmon smolt were found dead at the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery in Anchorage this week. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game posted two photos of the dead smolt on Facebook explaining what happened on Thursday. “There was an incident that occurred here early this week where we lost about 25,000 chinook salmon smolt,” ADF&G Statewide Communications Coordinator for the Div. of Sport Fish, Ryan Ragan said.
Fish and Game mishap at Anchorage hatchery leads to death of thousands of king salmon smolt
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Thousands of king salmon smolt were found dead at the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery in Anchorage this week. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game posted two photos of the dead smolt on Facebook explaining what happened on Thursday. “There was an incident that occurred here early this week where we lost about 25,000 chinook salmon smolt,” ADF&G Statewide Communications Coordinator for the Div. of Sport Fish, Ryan Ragan said.
Port of Alaska in ‘money-raising mode’ to fund modernization program
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - It’s a busy summer at the Port of Alaska with its modernization program in full swing as they look to secure funding to help keep the five-phase project moving forward. This summer, Port of Alaska External Affairs Director Jim Jager said they will begin construction on a new administrative office onshore in August allowing them to demolish the dock where it previously stood.
Princess Cruises to close Copper River lodge for the season due to a lack of staffing
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Princess Cruises announced it will be closing its Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge on June 17 for the season because of staffing shortages, according to a prepared statement from the company. “Guests with affected land tours will have the option of accepting an alternative itinerary, rebooking for 2023, or canceling their cruise tour,” a portion of the statement said.
High ticket prices and lack of flights create challenges for fire crews coming to Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Over 50,000 acres have burned in wildfires across Alaska this summer as communities deal with high fire danger following a month of record heat in May. Beth Ipsen, a spokesperson for the Alaska Fire Service, said they’ve bought up a total of 30 smokejumpers from the Lower 48 so far this summer. Monday morning a group of eight smokejumpers flew out of the Warren “Bud” Woods Palmer Municipal Airport to fight a fire outside of McGrath.
High ticket prices and lack of flights create challenges for fire crews coming to Alaska
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Over 50,000 acres have burned in wildfires across Alaska this summer as communities deal with high fire danger following a month of record heat in May. Beth Ipsen, a spokesperson for the Alaska Fire Service, said they’ve bought up a total of 30 smokejumpers from the Lower 48 so far this summer. Monday morning a group of eight smokejumpers flew out of the Warren “Bud” Woods Palmer Municipal Airport to fight a fire outside of McGrath.
Average home prices in Alaska were up nearly 9% in 2021
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska housing prices continue to climb as the average sale price for a home rose 8.9% in 2021, according to state data. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development along with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation teamed up to produce an economic trends magazine, which stated that the average price for a home in Alaska in 2021 was $388,648. “Demand has been strong with the low interest rates,” AHFC Deputy Executive Director Mark Romick said.
Alaska Division of Elections has received over 90,000 mail-in ballots for the U.S. House Special Primary Election
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The special primary election to fill the late Rep. Don Young’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives is underway. Alaska’s Division of Elections sent around 563,000 ballots by mail to registered voters and had received 96,111 ballots by June 1, according to their latest ballot count. This is the first ever statewide election done by mail, and ballots are due by June 11. Early and absentee in-person voting is available at select locations across the state.
Anchorage restaurant owner catches man breaking into a neighboring business
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Moose A’la Mode co-owner Marty Rathbun arrived to work to find broken glass near his downtown Anchorage restaurant, and then he said a man came barreling through the door trying to get out. “I tried to stop him and he wasn’t having it so he just charged at me,” Marty said. Mary’s wife Brandi Rathbun was with him and filmed Marty taking down the man after he broke through the glass. The Anchorage Police Department said they later arrested 52-year-old, Hugh A.
Anchorage mother’s mission to raise awareness and prevention around fentanyl after son’s death
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Fentanyl is taking lives at an alarming rate in Alaska and one Anchorage mother is doing all she can to change that. Sandy Snodgrass shared her story with Alaska’s News Source in January about the loss of her son Bruce, who died from fentanyl poisoning in October 2021. “I believe that he was on the path to long-term recovery and fentanyl prevented him from being able to reach that goal,” Snodgrass said.
Alaska Division of Forestry alerts of high fire danger statewide heading into Memorial Day weekend
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Alaska Division of Forestry is asking residents to be vigilant over the Memorial Day weekend as hot and dry conditions have led to high fire danger statewide. Much of the state remains under a burn permit suspension, and the department is asking those who recreate outdoors to be mindful of the potential wildfire danger this weekend.
Bill raising the age to buy tobacco products awaits fate after passing legislature
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Senate Bill 45 is one signature away from becoming law after passing during the latest legislative session in Juneau. The bill would raise the legal age to buy and sell tobacco products from 19 to 21, plus a 35% statewide tax on e-cigarettes. “The concern is tobacco consumption and the impact it has on lives and the concern that the earlier that kids start smoking tobacco either through cigarettes or through e-cigs,” Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, said.
Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference gets underway in Anchorage
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The inaugural Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference got underway at the Dena’ina Center on Tuesday. The three-day conference advertises itself as taking a big picture look at the future of energy in Alaska and across the globe. The first day of the conference focused on distributed energy resources such as solar panels or wind turbines that create energy close to where it’s needed, highlighted by the numerous keynote speakers.
UAA awarded $4 million ARP grant from Economic Development Corporation for health care workforce training
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The University of Alaska Anchorage was presented with a $4 million American Rescue Plan grant from the Economic Development Administration on Thursday. The grant from the Economic Development Administration will be matched by $1 million in local funds. The backing is going to help Alaska’s workforce development for those in the health care industry.
First shipment of Copper River sockeye salmon arrives in Anchorage
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - It was a red carpet affair at Alaska Air Cargo where the first shipment of Copper River Sockeye Salmon was delivered to Anchorage on Tuesday. “It is that time, it’s really the celebration, the welcoming of spring,” Copper River Seafoods marketing manager Jim Kostka said.
‘Robust summer’ visitor numbers expected for Denali National Park and Preserve
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - National parks across the country saw their visitor numbers dip during the pandemic due to travel restrictions, and Alaska’s eight national parks were among the hardest hit. But, heading into Mother’s Day weekend with cruise ships arriving in Alaska, Denali National Park is hopeful its visitor numbers will rebound. “We are anticipating a robust summer and visitation approaching what it was in 2019,” Denali National Park Public Affairs Officer Sharon Stiteler said.
Anchorage School District prepares for next moves after failed school bond
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - A week after the results from the Municipality of Anchorage’s April 5 election were certified, it’s back to the drawing board for the Anchorage School District after a $111 million bond for capital improvements to the district failed. The Anchorage School Board met Tuesday for a regularly scheduled meeting, and while the bond was not an agenda item, it was briefly discussed at the end during the superintendent’s update.
Anchorage Assembly limits capacity of proposed shelter to 150, postpones vote on funding
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Anchorage Assembly has postponed voting on a $6.2 million funding request for the city’s proposed homeless shelter and navigation center in East Anchorage to May 10, but did vote to limit its capacity after getting new project details from Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration. The proposed project at the heart of the municipality’s plan to transition away from the emergency mass care implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic has been much debated.
Anchorage Assembly holds work session ahead of vote on funding for proposed homeless shelter, navigation center
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Anchorage Assembly members and Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration met for a work session at City Hall on Friday where they discussed reappropriating money for the construction of the proposed adult homeless shelter and navigation center in East Anchorage. At the start of the meeting, a presentation from Bronson’s administration briefly outlined the 200-bed shelter, with additional surge capacity to house 130 more near Tudor and Elmore Roads.
Travelers at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport react to flying without masks
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, travelers at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport are not required to wear a mask while they are inside the airport. Many air passengers at the state’s largest airport could be seen without masks on Wednesday, while some passengers continued to fly wearing a face covering. Alaska Airlines announced this week that masks would be optional for passengers and employees going forward.
Anchorage School District sees student attendance dip
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Student attendance statistics have dropped in the Anchorage School District, according to Superintendent Deena Bishop at the latest Anchorage School Board meeting. Bishop said COVID-19 protocols contributed to that dip in numbers as both students and teachers were absent from the classroom. “By September, if you recall, we had over 800 absences. We weren’t even in school for a month, and it was killing us because of close contacts,” Bishop explained to the board. “...
Experts warn residents after black bear seen near Anchorage elementary school
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Students at Government Hill Elementary School in Anchorage had a visitor this week, spotting a black bear twice, according to principal Julie Santaella. “It looked like he was scrounging for food,” Santaella said. “He was just wandering our back fence, started wandering off, so he was far enough away from the school so we were safe.” The principal said a student initially spotted the bear from a classroom window.
Anchorage School District provides updated guidance for cultural regalia at graduation ceremonies
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - An updated administrative regulation from the Anchorage School District will more broadly allow students to wear cultural and traditional regalia during graduation. This new guidance from the district comes after some students were blocked from wearing cultural regalia last year for graduation at West Anchorage High School. The school principal and later the district said this was an error.
Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches apologizes after waiver for annual all-star game receives backlash
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches has apologized for a liability waiver it asked players to sign who were participating in their annual senior all-star game. Photos of the original waiver began to circulate on social media over the weekend, and many criticized the association for asking players and their families to waive their rights for sexual misconduct or abuse.
Anchorage woman in Poland helps raise over $28,000 for displaced Ukrainians
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Delaney Clodfelter has seen the impact of the war in Ukraine firsthand, as millions of displaced Ukrainians have sought refuge in Poland where Clodfelter lives with her husband, who’s stationed at the military base in Poznan. “For the first like, three weeks, there were just hundreds of people coming in on the trains regularly, like every hour,” said Clodfelter, who’s originally from Anchorage.
Trade groups sue Anchorage School District over community workforce requirement
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Associated Builders and Contractors of Alaska and Associated General Contractors of Alaska jointly filed a lawsuit against the Anchorage School District over its new student community workforce agreement. The policy, passed by the Anchorage School Board on March 1, requires school district construction projects with budgets over $1 million to have a student community workforce agreement.
Alaska tourism industry hopeful for a bounce-back cruise season
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska’s tourism season is almost here, and those in the cruise ship industry are hopeful for a full schedule of ships from April until October for the first time since 2019. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted risk warnings for cruise travel at the end of March, and advise cruise ship passengers to have up-to-date COVID-19 vaccines.
Anchorage School District holds virtual town hall meeting ahead of superintendent selection
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The hiring process for the Anchorage School District’s next superintendent continued on Tuesday as the school board held a virtual town hall meeting for the three finalists for the position. The board said an applicant will be chosen within the next 10 days. For an hour and a half, candidates were asked questions from the community discussing the school district, leadership qualities, why they are the right fit for ASD and other aspects of the job.
Hiland Road avalanche leaves trapped area residents figuring out what to do next
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Residents living in the Eagle River area impacted by the avalanche on Hiland Road have spent the day thinking about what’s next as they wait for crews to clear the massive roadblock and restore power to the area. The avalanche, reported Thursday night, is covering a section of the road and is reportedly up to 40 feet deep in areas. It also knocked out power to more than 100 customers in the area. Among those affected by the slide was Eagle River resident Trevor Staples.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The search for Iditarod musher Sebastien Dos Santos Borges’ sled dog Leon continues after it was last seen at the Ruby checkpoint on March 13. Leon escaped from the returned dog lot at the checkpoint, according to the Iditarod. A week later, Borges scratched from the race and flew back to Ruby to search for his dog alongside community members.
$34M remains for Alaska businesses impacted by COVID-19
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Alaska businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for a second round of relief from the state of Alaska up until April 15, but those that received funding during the first round are not eligible to apply again.
Anchorage Wolverines raise money for player’s family as they seek refuge from war in Ukraine
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - Hockey has become a welcome distraction for Anchorage Wolverines player Bohdan Panasenko as the war in his home country of Ukraine has forced his mother and brother to flee to the Czech Republic, while his father fights against the Russian invasion. “When he gets on the ice then all he thinks about is game,” said Panasenko’s translator, Yana Tatarinova.
Anchorage School District puts focus on teaching students financial literacy in the classroom
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The Anchorage School District is making a push for more of its students to learn about financial literacy in the classroom before they graduate. During the goal monitoring portion of Tuesday night’s Anchorage School Board meeting, Superintendent Deena Bishop outlined a financial literacy update to the district’s existing economics courses.
New student community workforce requirement for ASD construction projects passed by school board, opposed by district
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - A new policy passed by the Anchorage School Board will make student community workforce agreements a requirement for Anchorage School District construction projects that cost over $1 million, effective within 30 days of passage and approval by the school board. The memorandum was met by a lengthy discussion and amended twice before it was eventually passed by six board members who voted in favor, while member Dora Wilson abstained.
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