🌱 Patch AM: How will Anchorage’s new rental registry change housing in Girdwood?

Hello again Anchorage! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How will Anchorage’s new rental registry change housing in Girdwood?
• Why Anchorage’s JBER hosted a key U.S.-Russia summit on Ukraine
• How will two new Mat-Su lawmakers shape Alaska’s next legislative session?

Also on today's calendar: KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Anchorage.

Today's riddle: What two things can you never eat for breakfast? . 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: A little snow, up to 1", with a high of 13 and low of 9 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Tuesday: Cold; a bit of afternoon snow, temps: high: 16, low: 10.
• Wednesday: Snow and flurries; very cold, with a high of 12 and low of -2 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Anchorage will require short-term rental registration. Some in Girdwood say policy comes years too late (adn.com) — Anchorage is rolling out mandatory registration for all short-term rentals next summer, aiming to track how platforms like Airbnb affect housing, especially in Girdwood. The new registry, passed 10-2 by the Anchorage Assembly, will cover unit types, owner occupancy and rental frequency, and could lay the groundwork for future regulations as residents grapple with soaring prices and worker housing shortages.
   

• Trump says he spoke with Putin ahead of Zelenskyy meeting (myrtlebeachonline.com) — Anchorage figures into global diplomacy as a recent U.S.-Russia summit on Ukraine took place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, even as President Trump now pursues a peace deal through talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump says he had a “good and very productive” call with Vladimir Putin before meeting Zelenskyy in Florida, while Russian attacks continue to batter Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
   

• While awaiting House confirmation, two Mat-Su Valley Republicans gear up for session (webcenterfairbanks.com) — Two Mat-Su Valley Republicans appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy are awaiting House confirmation to fill vacant state House seats, shaping debates on the budget, education funding, and a major gas pipeline that also affects Anchorage’s economy and affordability. They outline differing priorities on spending, economic diversification, and what “affordable” means for communities from Anchorage to the Bush.
   

📸 Around Anchorage

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Anchorage

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday January 2

• KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Anchorage
  Cinemark Century Anchorage 16 and XD , 301 E 36th Ave , Anchorage
  11:00 am

Sunday January 11

• Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons
  49th State Brewing - Anchorage , 717 W 3rd Ave , Anchorage
  4:00 pm

📣 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

Monday December 29

• AKtive Soles Happy Run
  AKtive Soles Performance Footwear , 642 S Alaska St STE 100 , Palmer
  6:00 pm

Tuesday December 30

• 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 31

• Bright Up The Night
  Alaska State Fair , 2075 Glenn Hwy , Palmer
  5:00 pm
• Weirdo Wednesdays with Misfits
  Shell , 3950 S Knik Goose Bay Rd , Wasilla
  5:00 pm

Saturday January 3

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

Friday January 16

• Aladdin Jr.
  The Glenn Massay Theater , 8295 E College Dr , Palmer
  7:00 pm

Saturday January 24

• CCW Permit Course - Palmer, AK
  Point Blank Firearms and Self Defense Training , 6177 E Mountain Heather Wy , Palmer
  10:00 am

Saturday January 31

• Alaska Farm & Garden Show
  Alaska State Fair , 2075 Glenn Hwy , Palmer
  10:00 am

Saturday March 21

• ALYESKA RESORT,ALASKA (3 Spots Open)
  Alyeska Resort , 1000 Arlberg Ave , Girdwood
  11:00 am

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Anchorage PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Don’t answer the scam call.
  A few weeks ago, my elderly mother’s phone rang and as always, her caregiver let it go to voicemail. My brother’s voice begged for Mom to answer… (Nextdoor Old Seward/Oceanview)
• My husband picked this girl up about 30 minutes ago, on Turpin between 11th and 12th.
  She doesn’t have a collar and her chip was never registered. I believe this is the same dog I tried catching a couple weeks ago on 10th and Turpin… (Nextdoor Upper Northeast)

• Raising Cane's posted a job opening for Restaurant Manager (Shift Lead) in Wasilla. Apply here.
• Salvation Army USA posted a job opening for Seasonal Summer Camp Lead Cook (Summer 2026) in Wasilla. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Anchorage here.

🗞 Nearby News

Wasilla

• Cheapest Gas Stations In Every State (blackenterprise.com)
• House to Confirm Steve St. Clair and Garret Nelson (mustreadalaska.com)

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: Lunch and dinner. (From Norine S.)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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