🌱 Patch AM: Why did the state suddenly yank millions from key Anchorage road fixes?

Good morning Anchorage! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why did the state suddenly yank millions from key Anchorage road fixes?
• How two UAA students are spending Christmas alone high on Denali
• Which Anchorage wrestlers are poised to shine in the state finals?

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Sunny, but very cold, with a high of 5 and low of -5 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Mostly sunny and very cold, temps: high: 2, low: -4.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny and very cold, with a high of 6 and low of -1 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. State says ‘we need to do better' after cutting $18.7 million in Anchorage roadway projects (alaskasnewssource.com) — State transportation officials have pulled $18.7 million in federal safety funding from several major Anchorage road projects, delaying work on corridors like Gambell, Ingra, Northern Lights, Fireweed and A Street for at least a year. Anchorage Assembly members and DOT leaders are clashing over whether the projects were truly “shovel‑ready,” as concerns mount about rising pedestrian fatalities and long‑criticized roadway safety across the city.
   

2. Two Young Climbers Begin Winter Attempt on McKinley (explorersweb.com) — Two University of Alaska Anchorage students are spending Christmas attempting a rare winter ascent of Denali, drawing on experience in Anchorage’s own Chugach State Park. The young climbers are tackling extreme cold, long darkness, and heavy loads on a largely deserted mountain, joining a very short list of winter summit attempts.
   

3. Student Wrestling Development Program boys feel primed to pull off state title defense (adn.com) — Alaska’s defending Division I wrestling champions from Fairbanks’ Student Wrestling Development Program are trying to fend off a strong challenge from South Anchorage and other contenders at the state tournament in Anchorage. Several Anchorage wrestlers, including athletes from East and South, have reached the finals across boys and girls divisions, setting up a packed championship slate for local fans.
   

4. New report highlights Alaskan deaths from COVID-19 (staradvertiser.com) — Anchorage readers are seeing new statewide data showing 1,564 Alaskans died from COVID-19 between March 2020 and May 2023, with deaths hitting some racial groups especially hard. The report, reviewed by former state health leaders, breaks the pandemic into phases, highlighting how early vaccination and shifting public health measures affected hospitalizations, deaths, and strain on Alaska’s medical system.
   

5. Alaska Department of Corrections reports record-tying 18 deaths in custody this year (alaskapublic.org) — Anchorage’s main jail complex is part of a statewide crisis as Alaska’s Department of Corrections reports a record-tying 18 deaths in custody this year, including several in Anchorage facilities. Advocates and Anchorage Rep. Andrew Gray are pushing for independent prison oversight and expanded medical and geriatric parole, arguing the system is failing an aging, medically fragile incarcerated population.
   

📸 Around Anchorage

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 21

• Recycle Sutton
  Sutton Transfer Site , 15625 North Glenn Highway , Sutton-Alpine
  2:00 pm

Monday December 22

• Yuletide Festival
  2075 Glenn Hwy , Palmer
  5:00 pm
• AKtive Soles Happy Run
  AKtive Soles Performance Footwear , 642 S. Alaska St. Ste. 100 , Palmer
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 23

• MyHouse "Morning Meeting with the Mayor"
  Gathering Grounds Cafe , 300 N. Willow St. , Wasilla
  9:00 am
• Youth Group
  Sutton Bible Church , 15748 Glenn Hwy , Sutton-Alpine
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Weekly Free Zoo Storytime sponsored by ConocoPhillips Alaska
  Gateway Hall , 4731 O'Malley Rd , Anchorage
  10:30 am

Thursday December 25

• Preschool Storytime
  Sutton Public Library , 11301 Chickaloon Way , Sutton
  11:00 am
• Christmas Dinner
  Eagle River Alaska Lions Club , Eagle River Rd & E Eagle River Loop Rp , Eagle River
  12:00 pm

Friday December 26

• Coffee Canines and Camaraderie
  Band of Brothers AK , 2050 N Merciful Cir , Wasilla
  12:00 pm
• Open Mic Night at Black Birch Books
  Black Birch Books , 2091 E. Bogard Rd. Suite 104 , Wasilla
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Coffee with a Veteran at Black Birch Books
  Black Birch Books , 2901 E. Bogard Rd #104 , Wasilla
  10:00 am

Sunday December 28

• Zoo Lights — The Alaska Zoo
  Alaska Zoo , 4731 O'Malley Rd , Anchorage
  5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• FRIDAY night - NOW.
  Cuddy Park. Midtown...38th and A Street area. Bundle up and go meet some reindeer, go ice skating, and take a horse drawn carriage ride, and more!!! (Nextdoor Old Seward/Oceanview)
• GREAT NEWS: FOUND AND BACK HOME
  THURS 12/18 9 pm. Keep a lookout for this lost dog around 53rd and Arctic. He's been out all day. Gunnar. See attached picture and details. Text… (Nextdoor Old Seward/Oceanview)

• Kroger Family of Companies posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Wasilla. Apply here.
• Panda Restaurant Group posted a job opening for Store Manager (P1-1362605-4) in Wasilla. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Anchorage here.

Ok Anchorage! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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