🌱 Patch AM: Why is Anchorage’s air cargo lifeline to western Alaska on hold?

Hello Anchorage! Stay connected with the latest updates from around town. Let's dive in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why is Anchorage’s air cargo lifeline to western Alaska on hold?
• How much more will Anchorage families pay for health insurance in January?
• How worried should Anchorage residents be about this flu surge?

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

Today's riddle: I’m trying to think of a new cloud joke. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Mostly sunny and very cold, with a high of 3 and low of 0 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Very cold with a little snow, temps: high: 13, low: 8.
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy and cold, with a high of 14 and low of 10 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Alaska Airlines embargoes Nome-bound freight ‘til further notice (nomenugget.net) — If you’re shipping from Anchorage to western Alaska, Alaska Air Cargo has temporarily stopped accepting most new freight in Anchorage while it clears a major backlog affecting Nome and other bush hubs. Only GoldStreak packages and live animals are moving, and other carriers are scrambling to add flights as the embargo, begun December 17, continues without a firm end date.
   

2. Thousands of Alaskans face health care ‘cliff' in the new year amid gridlock in Congress (adn.com) — Anchorage residents who buy insurance on the ACA marketplace are bracing for massive premium hikes in January as enhanced federal tax credits expire, with some facing jumps from around $1,400 to over $4,000 a month. Local small-business owners and families describe cutting back work or services just to stay under income thresholds, while Alaska’s congressional delegation remains split and gridlocked on how, or whether, to extend the subsidies.
   

3. Flu ‘increased notably' in Alaska in last month, AK Dept. of Health says (alaskasnewssource.com) — Anchorage-based health officials report that lab-confirmed flu cases across Alaska more than doubled in a week, with current levels rivaling last season’s peak. COVID-19 and RSV numbers are lower than last year, but residents are urged to get vaccinated and follow CDC hygiene tips to reduce spread during the busy December–March respiratory virus season.
   

4. Seattle U Men Ride Momentum Into Return To The West Coast Conference (wccsports.com) — Seattle University guard Brayden Maldonado just endured a minus-9-degree holiday trip home to Anchorage but he and his Redhawks return to West Coast Conference play riding an 11-2 start. With Maldonado flirting with rare 50-40-90 shooting numbers and several teammates breaking out, Seattle U opens league play Sunday and quickly faces a tough stretch that includes Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s.
   

📸 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

📣 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

Sunday December 28

• Zoo Lights — The Alaska Zoo
  Alaska Zoo , 4731 O'Malley Rd , Anchorage
  5:00 pm

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
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Update: found!
  Lucy, female Chihuahua. She was spotted around 11pm running on Spinaker between Whaler and Beamreach and then they lost sight of her. It’s possible… (Nextdoor Huffman/O'Malley)
• Is anyone missing a male black lab in the jewel lake area?
  Found him running down 86th and jewel lake. (Not his collar) (Nextdoor Sand Lake West)

• Salvation Army USA posted a job opening for Seasonal Summer Camp Lead Cook (Summer 2026) in Wasilla. Apply here.
• Savers | Value Village posted a job opening for Retail Warehouse & Production Associate 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 haven’t the foggiest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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