🌱 Patch AM: How Anchorage cargo troubles could delay rural Alaska Christmas presents

Good morning Anchorage! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How Anchorage cargo troubles could delay rural Alaska Christmas presents
• Could your child’s school week shrink to four days next year?
• Why did the state slash $19M from Anchorage road safety funds?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Mostly sunny and very cold, with a high of 8 and low of -1 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and very cold, temps: high: 6, low: -6.
• Monday: Partly sunny and very cold, with a high of 5 and low of -4 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Alaska Air Cargo delays could mean later Christmas packages for many rural communities (alaskapublic.org) — Anchorage-based air cargo operations are under strain, with Alaska Air Cargo’s freight embargo and limited Anchorage–Nome flights threatening timely Christmas deliveries to rural Alaska. Northern Air Cargo and other carriers are scrambling to absorb extra volume as severe weather and maintenance issues force Alaska Airlines to prioritize essential bypass mail and grocery shipments over many online holiday gifts.
   

2. Anchorage School Board members float 4-day school week, school closures and consolidations in face of massive deficit (adn.com) — Anchorage School District leaders are weighing drastic options, including a four-day school week, school closures, and consolidating special programs, to close an $83 million budget gap next year. With savings depleted and little new state funding expected, board members say staff cuts and building closures are likely, and public feedback shows residents favor closing schools and increasing class sizes to balance the books.
   

3. State opts to give Anchorage $19M less than expected for road safety next year (adn.com) — Anchorage will receive about $19 million less than expected for key road safety projects next year, delaying improvements on some of the city’s most dangerous corridors. State officials say Anchorage projects weren’t “shovel ready,” while city leaders and residents argue the cuts ignore clear crash data and a worsening pedestrian safety crisis. Public comments on the revised transportation plan are now open.
   

4. Santa Claus is coming to town! How NORAD tracks Santa (alaskasnewssource.com) — Anchorage families can follow Santa’s Christmas Eve journey in real time thanks to NORAD, which uses the same radar, satellites, and fighter jets it relies on year-round. Alaska’s News Source will share updates on when Santa reaches Alaska and Anchorage neighborhoods, adding a fun, reassuring twist to holiday traditions for local kids and parents.
   

5. Operation Santa comes to Anchorage, spreads holiday cheer (statenews.net) — Anchorage welcomed Operation Santa to the Alaska Native Heritage Center, bringing holiday gifts and community support to Western Alaska families displaced by Typhoon Halong. National Guard members, nonprofits, and Native organizations teamed up to offer a festive gathering, cultural care, and a sense of normalcy for evacuees now living in the city. Organizers emphasized connection, healing, and honoring rural communities’ needs.
   

📸 Around Anchorage

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Anchorage

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday December 21

• Annual Family Holiday Pops
  Atwood Concert Hall, 621 W 6th Ave Suite ACH, Anchorage
  4:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Sunday December 21

• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  49th State Brewing - Anchorage 717 West 3rd Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501
  6:30 pm

📣 Anchorage Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Saturday December 20

• Coffee with a Veteran at Black Birch Books
  Black Birch Books , 2901 E. Bogard Rd #104 , Wasilla
  10:00 am
• ERNC | Jr. Naturalist "On the Darkest Day"
  Eagle River Nature Center , 32750 Eagle River Rd , Eagle River
  1:00 pm
• Community Hikes in Palmer — Revel Treks & Tours
  2955 Mountain Trail Cir , Palmer
  6:00 pm

Sunday December 21

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

Monday December 22

• 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

Friday December 26

• Coffee Canines and Camaraderie
  Band of Brothers AK , 2050 N Merciful Cir , Wasilla
  12:00 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

• In October of last year, we adopted this beautiful boy from Anchorage Animal Control.
  He had been there since the end of August. All they could tell us was that he was 7 years old and the people who surrendered him weren't able to keep… (Nextdoor Abbott Loop North)
• A relatively small thing that made my day.
  Was taking some boxes of food items out of the freezer at Carrs on east N lights this morning & a bunch of boxes landed on the floor. They were just… (Nextdoor Lower Northeast)

• H&R Block, Inc. posted a job opening for Bookkeeper in Wasilla. Apply here.
• McDonald's Restaurants posted a job opening for Mc Donald's Crew Restaurant Team Starts $16/hr, dayside, openers, closers 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 dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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