Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why one Medicaid category is surging in just two Anchorage ZIP codes
Also check out Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA & More on the Anchorage Patch calendar
Hello Anchorage! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why one Medicaid category is surging in just two Anchorage ZIP codes
- What's next for the closed Campbell STEM building — and your neighborhood?
- How a forgotten Anchorage fair helped inspire today's Alaska State Fair
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Tribute to ABBA & More and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a belt made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Monday: Rain and drizzle in the a.m., with a high of 57 and low of 40 degrees.
- Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 58, low: 43.
- Wednesday: Clouds and sunshine, with a high of 58 and low of 44 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Anchorage sees 29% increase in Medicaid payments for DME MACs services in 2024 (scalaskanews.com) — Medicaid spending on durable medical equipment in Anchorage jumped 29% in 2024, with all payments coming from just two ZIP codes, 99503 and 99502. While this category still ranks only 23rd locally, it's growing far faster than overall Medicaid spending and could affect how equipment like wheelchairs and oxygen systems are funded for Anchorage residents amid looming federal Medicaid cuts. 
2. Campbell STEM lawsuit dismissed as Anchorage Assembly, school board hash out next steps (adn.com) — An Anchorage Superior Court judge has dismissed the lawsuit over closing Campbell STEM Elementary, clearing the way for city and school leaders to decide the building's future use. As the Anchorage School Board and Assembly form a joint committee on "right-sizing," families push for a STEM education center while the district faces another major budget shortfall and promises no new closures this year.
3. Exotic dancers, fortune tellers and mutt shows: The 1920s Anchorage precursor to the Alaska State Fair (adn.com) — Anchorage once hosted the Western Alaska Fair, a lively 1920s harvest festival that predated today's Alaska State Fair and filled downtown with exhibits, parades, mutt shows and even a mock "Battle of Anchorage." This history column traces how that ambitious local fair rose, faded during the Depression, briefly returned, and helped inspire the modern fair tradition Alaskans know today.
4. 3 Bay Area residents among 4 killed in remote Alaska plane crash (nbcbayarea.com) — A small plane flying from Anchorage to Seldovia crashed into a slough near the remote community, killing all four people on board, including pilot Eric Middlebrook of Anchorage. Recovery was delayed by tides, and federal investigators are now examining what caused the fatal August 26 crash.
5. Alaska State Trooper opens fire on man in Wasilla (alaskasnewssource.com) — Alaska State Troopers based out of Anchorage report that an officer fired at an armed man answering a door in Wasilla early Sunday, but no one was hurt. Investigators later determined the original 4 a.m. caller was intoxicated and not actually assaulted, and the involved trooper is on standard administrative leave while the shooting is reviewed by state investigators and prosecutors.
📸 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!
- Texas Roadhouse Dine to Donate Night đĽł
Trailside Elementary Texas Roadhouse, 9001 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage, AK 99515, USA
4:30 pm - West Volleyball @ Bartlett C JV 6:15, V 7:30
West High School Bartlett High School, 1101 Golden Bear Dr, Anchorage, AK 99504\
5:00 pm - Flag JV vs Chugiak
West High School West Anchorage High School, 1700 Hillcrest Dr, Anchorage, AK 99
5:30 pm - Flag Varsity vs Chugiak
West High School West Anchorage High School, 1700 Hillcrest Dr, Anchorage, AK 99
7:30 pm - House Assembly
Aquarian Charter School Anchorage, AK 99517
8:35 am - Tennis Open vs Service
West High School West Anchorage High School, 1700 Hillcrest Dr, Anchorage, AK 99
6:00 pm - Tennis Varsity @ Service
West High School Service High School, 5577 Abbott Rd, Anchorage, AK 99507, USA
6:00 pm - Steller Open House
Steller Secondary School Anchorage, AK 99503
6:00 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
Tuesday September 1
Wednesday September 2
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
- Girls Freshman Volleyball vs Houston High School
Wasilla High School 701 E Bogard Rd, Wasilla AK 99654-7193
4:00 pm - Girls JV Volleyball vs Houston High School
Wasilla High School 701 E Bogard Rd, Wasilla AK 99654-7193
5:00 pm - Girls JV Flag Football @ Colony High School
Wasilla High School 9550 East Bogard Road, Palmer AK 99645
5:30 pm - Coed C-Team Football vs Colony High School
Wasilla High School 701 E Bogard Rd, Wasilla AK 99654-7193
6:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Well it's finally done!
Aren't you glad I finished it! A lot of people said I should just stop when I posted just the eye! (Nextdoor Spenard) - Someone lost their keys!
Corner of lake Otis and 84th. I have them, message me to pick them up. (Nextdoor Abbott Loop North)
- Lowe's Companies, Inc. posted a job opening for Cashier Part Time in Wasilla. Apply here.
- Target Corporation posted a job opening for Seasonal: 4am Inbound (Stocking) (T2339) 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 waist of time (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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