Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How is Anchorage’s camping ban really affecting homeless residents?
Coming up on the Anchorage Patch calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA & More
Cheers Anchorage! We're back, helping you stay up to date with what's happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How is Anchorage's camping ban really affecting homeless residents?
- How did the first days back go in Anchorage schools?
- Will Anchorage tighten privacy rules before boosting police surveillance power?
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA & More and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Cloudy, a couple of showers, with a high of 64 and low of 51 degrees.
- Saturday: Cloudy with showers, temps: high: 56, low: 49.
- Sunday: Times of sun and clouds, with a high of 63 and low of 49 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. One year in, Anchorage officials say criminalized camping law is working (alaskapublic.org) — Anchorage officials say the city's year-old law criminalizing camping in certain zones is helping police quickly clear encampments and connect some people with shelter or treatment. Advocates note that limited shelter space left many unhoused residents focused on survival last winter, while police report most people comply voluntarily and only a fraction face charges or fines. 
2. 'A lot of energy': Students 1st–12th grade enter Anchorage School District classrooms (alaskasnewssource.com) — Anchorage families just sent 1st–12th graders back into Anchorage School District classrooms for the 2026–27 school year, with younger and freshman students starting Wednesday and upper grades joining Thursday. South Anchorage High's principal says staff and upperclassmen are focused on welcoming students, helping them navigate schedules, and easing freshmen into routines before pre-K and kindergarten begin next week.
3. Anchorage police may expand surveillance capabilities. Some Assembly members want privacy protections first. (adn.com) — Anchorage officials are weighing a major expansion of police surveillance technology while some Assembly members push for strict privacy rules first. A new ordinance would limit data retention, require case numbers for searches, restrict sharing footage outside Alaska, and bar adding AI-based human recognition without Assembly approval, with a public hearing set for Sept. 1.
4. Alaska House candidates in Anchorage and Eagle River races drop out after primary (adn.com) — Two candidates have dropped out of key Alaska House races, including former Anchorage Assembly member Felix Rivera, clearing the way for Democrat Lisa Keller to run unopposed for a Midtown Anchorage-area seat. In Eagle River's district, Sharon Jackson exited and endorsed Ken McCarty, leaving him and Gina Wall as the remaining contenders. These shifts will shape who speaks for Anchorage-area neighborhoods in Juneau.
5. Attack from aggressive river otters in Anchorage leads to warnings (alaskasnewssource.com) — State wildlife officials are urging Anchorage residents to be cautious around local lakes and streams after aggressive river otters recently attacked people and pets near Campbell Creek and Taku Lake. One woman suffered multiple bites before a family dog drove the otter off. Authorities recommend using noise makers or bear spray, leaving the area, and reporting any negative encounters.
📸 Around Anchorage
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Anchorage
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Football JV @ Dimond
West High School Dimond High School, 2909 W 88th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99502, USA
4:00 pm - Football Varsity @ Dimond
West High School Dimond High School, 2909 W 88th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99502, USA
7:00 pm - House Leadership Academy 4th & 5th Gr.
Aquarian Charter School Anchorage, AK 99517
8:35 am - Boys Basketball Starts
Hanshew Middle School Anchorage, AK 99507
4:15 pm - XC Running Starts
Hanshew Middle School Anchorage, AK 99507
4:15 pm - Baseball Starts
Hanshew Middle School Anchorage, AK 99507
4:15 pm - Flag JV vs Wasilla
West High School West Anchorage High School, 1700 Hillcrest Dr, Anchorage, AK 99
5:30 pm - Flag Varsity vs Wasilla
West High School West Anchorage High School, 1700 Hillcrest Dr, Anchorage, AK 99
7:30 pm - Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA & More →
49th State Brewing - Anchorage, 717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage
5:30 pm - Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons →
49th State Brewing - Anchorage, 717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage
7:45 pm
Saturday August 22
Monday August 24
Saturday September 5
📣 Anchorage Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Alaska State Fair →
Alaska State Fair, 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer
10:00 am - Coed JV Football @ Chugiak HS
Wasilla High School Po Box 770218, Eagle River Alaska 99577-0218
4:00 pm - Girls JV Flag Football vs Palmer High School
Wasilla High School 701 E Bogard Rd, Wasilla AK 99654-7193
5:30 pm - Homecoming Dance
Susitna Valley Jr/Sr High School Sheldon Community Arts Hanger in Talkeetna
7:00 pm
Friday August 21
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
- Well, today is the first day of school, but after 30 years of never missing a single day, I will not be going back today or for the rest of the year.
My official retirement date was August 1st, after working my final session of summer school, which ended in mid-July. It has been a grand 30 years of… (Nextdoor Sand Lake East) - Update: Pet Reunited
Rosie, a dog who went missing in Anchorage, AK, has been safely reunited with their family after 2 hours, 35 minutes. Message from Owner: "This dog… (Nextdoor Upper Northeast)
- Lowe's posted a job opening for Merchandising Part Time Days in Wasilla. Apply here.
- Pet Food Experts, Inc. posted a job opening for PetZoo Cashier - Full Time 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: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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