Public Health Manager Resigns + Mayor Accused Of Influencing Vote

Good day, neighbors! Welcome to the debut edition of the Anchorage Daily, your new source for all the events, news, and general happenings in your town! I'm your host, Miranda Fraraccio.

First, today's weather:

Clear throughout the day. High: 46 Low: 35.

Here are the top stories in Anchorage today:

1. Anchorage's public health manager resigns as city faces worst COVID-19 surge of the pandemic. Christy Lawton resigned Monday from the position she’d held since February 2019, according to an Anchorage Health Department spokesperson. Municipal officials declined to provide any additional details, citing confidentiality concerns. Prior to coming to the municipality, Lawton had served as director of the state Office of Children’s Services from 2010 until 2018. (Anchorage Daily News)
2. An Anchorage municipal clerk has accused the administration of Mayor Dave Bronson of using city resources in an attempt to influence the outcome of the recall election targeting Assembly member Meg Zalatel. The clerk, Barbara Jones, outlined her objections in a letter Monday to Bronson’s chief of staff, Amy Demobski, and IT manager Marc Dahl. At issue is a message the municipal webmaster was instructed to add to the top of the city’s homepage, stating there is an upcoming special election in District 4 and mail-in ballots are due Oct. 26. (Alaska Public Media News)
3. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game reports aggressive river otters have attacked people and pets in some of Anchorage’s most popular outdoor areas. (Anchorage Press)
4. Ground searches were suspended Tuesday for a 74-year-old Eagle River man, Gary Fisk, who was reported overdue from a solo hike on Crow Pass Trail, according to Alaska State Troopers. (Anchorage Daily News)
5. Alaska organizations partner to move 22,500-plus pounds of salmon from Bristol Bay to CVRF Communities. (Anchorage Press)

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Today in Anchorage:

• Preschool Storytime @ Loussac - Anchorage Public Library (11:00 AM)
• LEGO Challenge @ Muldoon - Muldoon Branch Library (3:30 PM)
• Game Night @ Gerrish - Scott and Wesley Gerrish Branch Library (4:00 PM)
• YPG Adopt-a-Trail Cleanup - Anchorage Chamber of Commerce (4:30 PM)
• Day 3: “True Meaning of Life” [Bible-Based Webinar Series] (9:00 PM)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday. I'll see you soon! If you're into these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a born and raised Rhode Islander. She works as a freelance copywriter for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners and as an assistant producer for a live-lit storytelling show in Chicago. She holds a degree in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies from The University of Rhode Island. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking, or photographing her neighborhood as a street photographer.