🌱 Retailers See In-Person Shopping Increase + UAA Grant

Good day, neighbors! It's me again, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Anchorage Daily.

First, today's weather:

Cold; a little afternoon snow. High: 19 Low: 16.

Here are the top 3 stories in Anchorage today:

1. Governor Mike Dunleavy has announced that $2.1 million from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Funds have been awarded to the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) College of Health to increase the school’s capacity to train registered nurses. This grant will help UAA attract qualified instructors and keep faculty at the school, allowing the UAA College of Health to enroll more nursing students who will be qualified to serve communities throughout Alaska. The grant includes $875,000 for hiring bonuses and relocation allowances for up to 23 new faculty members or current faculty relocating to areas of high need. (Alaska Native News)
2. School Board President Margo Bellamy told the South Addition Community Council that the board will probably settle on a new superintendent by April. According to Bellamy, Leadership Anchorage is in charge of the search and interviews for those who apply to replace Superintendent Deena Bishop, who announced she is retiring at the end of June. George Martinez, program contact for Leadership Anchorage, is in charge of the initial screening of superintendent candidates and the final decision will rest with the elected board itself. (Must Read Alaska)
3. Anchorage retailers are hoping for a rebound fueled by higher wages and 'revenge spending.' Logan Burt, marketing director for the Dimond Center, has said shipping delays are one factor driving last-minute shoppers to the mall, as well as pent-up demand. He said online stores may have diverted more sales early on in the pandemic, but now people are looking to get back to in-person shopping. (KTOO)

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Today in Anchorage:

• Self Guided Storytime Journey, At Anchorage Public Library (11:00 AM)
• SNAP Outreach, At Mountain View Branch Library (2:00 PM)
• LEGO Challenge, At Muldoon Branch Library (3:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• This weekend the Alaska State Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers joined partners from the Wasilla Police Department, Palmer Police Department, Central Mat-Su Fire Department, Matcom, Palmer Dispatch, the Palmer DA’s Office, Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains, and the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Police and Fire for the annual Shop with a Hero event in the Mat-Su Valley. (Facebook)
• The Anchorage Brewing Co is excited to bring you some festive flavors on draft for you and your loved ones this holiday season. (Instagram)
• Here is this week's Anchorage Police Department #TrafficTipTuesday: Don’t spend your holiday behind bars. If you’ve been drinking, call a sober friend, ride share, or taxi to get you home safely. Drive safe. Drive sober. (Facebook)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday! I'll catch up with you bright and early tomorrow morning with your next update.

— 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.