🌱 Patch AM: Why Anchorage’s new books are taking longer to hit library shelves

Cheers Anchorage! We’re back, helping you stay up to date with what’s happening. Let's take on the day together! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why Anchorage’s new books are taking longer to hit library shelves
• How will Anchorage’s new wildfire plan change your neighborhood’s risk?
• Why one UAA professor still walks Anchorage’s riskiest stretch of Tudor Road

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

Today's riddle: What did the alien say to the puzzle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very cold, with a high of 13 and low of 7 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Thursday: Mostly sunny and very cold, temps: high: 12, low: 6.
• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high of 18 and low of 11 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Anchorage libraries scramble for new book releases after collapse of major US distributor (adn.com) — Anchorage Public Library patrons may face longer waits for new books after major distributor Baker & Taylor shut down, forcing staff to scramble for replacements and hand-process thousands of titles. Librarians have shifted orders to Ingram, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and smaller vendors, keeping spending steady but dramatically increasing their workload to maintain new releases across Anchorage’s five branches.
   

2. Anchorage signs updated plan to protect city from wildfire threats (alaskasnewssource.com) — Anchorage has just adopted a new Community Wildfire Protection Plan that creates a long-term strategy to reduce wildfire risk across neighborhoods from Bear Valley to Eagle River. The plan calls for a permanently funded wildfire division in the Anchorage Fire Department, maps high-risk areas, and includes a resident handbook with clear steps for preparing homes and evacuation plans.
   

3. UAA professor says he chooses to be a pedestrian in Anchorage despite the risks (alaskasnewssource.com) — A UAA professor who walks about 10 miles a day is highlighting how risky it can be to travel on foot along Tudor Road and other busy Anchorage streets. He describes near-traffic conditions, limited crosswalks, and close sidewalks, and urges drivers to slow down, watch crosswalks, and give pedestrians more space so walking remains a safe, practical option in the city.
   

4. Anchorage Man Charged with Federal Child Pornography Crimes (fbi.gov) — Federal prosecutors have charged a 43-year-old Anchorage resident with multiple child-exploitation and firearms offenses, following an investigation involving Anchorage FBI and local police. Authorities say the alleged conduct occurred in 2019–2020 and are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Anchorage FBI office. If convicted, the defendant faces a lengthy mandatory prison term.
   

5. Washington man sentenced for interfering with flight crew on Anchorage flight (fbi.gov) — Anchorage-bound Alaska Airlines passengers were helped by two off-duty officers after a Seattle man allegedly harassed and assaulted fellow travelers, forcing crew to restrain him twice before landing. A federal judge sentenced him to a year of home confinement and supervision, as Alaska’s U.S. Attorney and the FBI’s Anchorage office stressed that in-flight misconduct threatens a travel lifeline many Alaskans rely on.
   

📸 Around Anchorage

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Anchorage

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

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!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 10

• Bereavement Support with Ancora Home Health & Hospice
  Ancora Home Health & Hospice , 3831 E. Blue Lupine Dr. Suite B , Wasilla
  1:00 pm
• Lego My Library
  Valdez Consortium Library , 212 Fairbanks PO Box 609 , Valdez
  3:30 pm
• Wine Wednesday at South Restaurant's Bar, with Michelle Smith!
  South Restaurant + Coffeehouse , 11124 Old Seward Hwy , Anchorage
  6:00 pm
• Wine Wednesday
  South Restaurant + Coffeehouse , 11124 Old Seward Hwy , Anchorage
  6:00 pm
• Alaska AI Meetup
  Matanuska Brewery and Tap Room , 513 S Valley Way , Palmer
  6:00 pm

Thursday December 11

• Preschool Storytime
  Sutton Public Library , 11301 Chickaloon Way , Sutton
  11:00 am
• ABC123 Storytime
  Valdez Consortium Library , 212 Fairbanks PO Box 609 , Valdez
  11:15 am

Friday December 12

• Colony Christmas 2025
  DownTown Palmer , 810 S Colony Way , Palmer
  11:00 am
• Preschool Storytime
  Valdez Consortium Library , 212 Fairbanks PO Box 609 , Valdez
  11:15 am
• Bright Up The Night
  Alaska State Fair , 2075 Glenn Hwy , Palmer
  5:00 pm

Saturday December 13

• Lunch with Santa at Extreme Fun Center
  Extreme Fun Center , 3501 E Old Matanuska Rd , Wasilla
  10:00 am

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

• @Our Christmas Show starts.
  3235 South Cir . Monday to Friday 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Saturday to Sunday 5:00PM-10:00 PM. We are up running thru New Years Eve (Nextdoor Abbott Loop South)
• We don't have to be omniscient to know acknowledge that other humans are likely facing many of the same struggles of life, but we to easily believe the lie that we are the only one, isolated in our boxes and feeling trapped by the need to be
  something we're not - strong alone. DE Can we keep working towards humanizing each other rather than dehumanizing with labels. https://www… (Nextdoor Campbell Park)

• Wendy's posted a job opening for Shift Supervisor in Wasilla. Apply here.
• The Home Depot, Inc. posted a job opening for Lot 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 come in peace. You come in pieces.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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