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🌱 Patch AM: Why did thieves grab 1,000 flags from an Anchorage church lawn?

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What's up Anchorage! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why did thieves grab 1,000 flags from an Anchorage church lawn?
  • How much does a realistic Anchorage lifestyle really cost in 2026?
  • Why Anchorage briefly has the world's closest pair of LDS temples

Also on today's calendar: PIC-A-Truck 2026 and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Cloudy, chilly; a p.m. shower, with a high of 43 and low of 37 degrees.
  • Sunday: Cloudy with showers around, temps: high: 48, low: 41.
  • Monday: A.M. rain; otherwise, cloudy, with a high of 48 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. More than 1,000 Israeli flags stolen from Anchorage church (alaskasnewssource.com) — More than 1,000 Israeli flags placed outside Mountain City Church in Anchorage were stolen in about 15 minutes early Friday, with security video showing four people loading them into a truck. Church security staff say the display was meant to commemorate the October 7 attacks and precede a Sunday sermon on Israel, and they plan to replace every flag before services.
   

2. How Much Does It Actually Cost To Live in Alaska in 2026? (vocal.media) — Thinking about your budget in Anchorage? This breakdown details 2026 housing, utilities, groceries, and other living costs in the city, comparing them with the rest of Alaska and the Lower 48. It also highlights nearby cheaper options like Mat-Su and explains how no state income tax and the Permanent Fund Dividend factor into your bottom line.
   

3. A tale of 2 temples: The reconstruction and slight relocation of the Anchorage Alaska Temple (deseret.com) — Anchorage's Latter-day Saint community is seeing a rare sight: two Anchorage Alaska Temples standing just about 80 yards apart while one is reconstructed and slightly relocated. For the next several months, the original temple remains in operation beside the new structure, briefly making them the closest pair of LDS temples in the world.
   

4. Anchorage residents report a week of wild encounters with wildlife (alaskasnewssource.com) — Anchorage residents recently watched two bull moose tear through a Midtown backyard fence, while an Eagle River family discovered a donut-tempted brown bear had damaged their truck and garage door. Wildlife officials are warning locals that rutting-season moose can be aggressive and asking anyone who spots a brown bear in an Anchorage neighborhood to report it immediately.
   

5. Pure Sole: A Crimson Bears harrier on the state course (juneauindependent.com) — Anchorage hosts the high school cross-country state championships today, with Juneau-Douglas runners previewing the Bartlett High School trails and fine-tuning strategy for the hilly two-lap course. Races run from 10 a.m. through mid-afternoon, and the article walks through how Crimson Bears athletes are preparing mentally, physically, and nutritionally for the season-ending test in town.
   

📸 Around Anchorage

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Have you seen this lost dog?
    Near Muldoon/JBER. Aussie shepherd, light brown and white. Call and text 740-644-4517 asap if seen. Do Not Chase. (Nextdoor Old Seward/Oceanview)
  • Friendly and excited dog without tags at my house.
    Don't know if I'll be able to corral it. I'm on Ridgewood off Huffman (Nextdoor Huffman/O'Malley)
  • Babki posted a job opening for Part-Time Game Tester in Wasilla. Apply here.
  • Glass Doctor posted a job opening for Glazier 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: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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