Amid snow load concerns, some Anchorage building owners told to clear roofs

Plus: Dunleavy education bills would restrict sex ed, offer teacher bonuses Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( [Anchorage Daily News]( Today's sponsor: [Today's sponsor: Matson]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Wednesday, March 8. In today's newsletter: - Municipal building inspectors are asking owners of certain older buildings to clear snow and ice off their roofs “as soon as possible,” after three commercial buildings crashed down in Anchorage in the past three weeks. - Gov. Mike Dunleavy on Tuesday introduced education policy proposals that would limit sexual education and the rights of gender non-conforming students in public schools. - The Anchorage Assembly moved to permanently curb the ability of the mayor and administration to approve city contracts by lowering the monetary threshold that triggers a requirement for Assembly approval. As the days start to grow longer in Alaska, the influx of sunshine might have you thinking ahead to spring, summer and all the outdoor activities you've been looking forward to. But, there's still plenty of winter left. While you're waiting for ice to melt from your favorite bike path or walking trail, pass the time with [the latest "Alaska Quarterly Review](," a highly regarded literary journal that's packed with outstanding fiction, poetry, essays and more. ☀️ Anchorage weather It's mostly sunny today with a high of 35 degrees. These warm, sunny conditions we've been enjoying are set to continue through the weekend, though daytime temperatures will drop down into the high 20s starting Saturday. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Municipal inspectors advise owners of some older commercial buildings to clear snow from roofs]( [Municipal inspectors advise owners of some older commercial buildings to clear snow from roofs]( All three buildings that collapsed in Anchorage recently were built between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s. Wooden trusses, the internal framework inside roofs, failed in all three of the collapses, the city’s acting building official said. • Related: [Watch: Roof collapses at thrift store near downtown Anchorage]( [Read More]( [Dunleavy education bills would restrict sex ed, offer teacher bonuses]( [Dunleavy education bills would restrict sex ed, offer teacher bonuses]( One of the proposals, a “parental rights” measure, would prohibit teaching sexual education before fourth grade, require parents to sign off when a child asks to change their name or pronouns and require children to use locker rooms and restrooms according to their “biological sex.” [Read More]( [Anchorage Assembly permanently reins in mayor’s power to spend without review]( [Anchorage Assembly permanently reins in mayor’s power to spend without review]( The ordinance lowers the monetary threshold that triggers a requirement for Assembly approval of some contracts. The changes follow allegations by fired municipal manager Amy Demboski accusing Mayor Dave Bronson and his officials of illegal contracting and other unethical behavior. [Read More]( ADVERTISEMENT [Alaska lawmakers urge Walgreens to ignore attorney general and sell abortion drug]( [Alaska lawmakers urge Walgreens to ignore attorney general and sell abortion drug]( Five state senators and 15 Alaska House members this week signed a letter to Walgreens’ chief executive in response to the company’s announcement it would not carry a drug used in medication abortions in its Alaska drugstores. • Related: [After attorney general’s letter, Walgreens won’t carry abortion medication in Alaska]( [Read More]( [1 dead in collision on Minnesota Drive after vehicle towing heavy equipment strikes bridge]( [1 dead in collision on Minnesota Drive after vehicle towing heavy equipment strikes bridge]( A piece of heavy machinery that was being transported along Minnesota Drive on Tuesday struck and damaged an overpass as the vehicle towing it passed underneath, Anchorage police said. A driver in a separate vehicle struck a piece of the equipment and died, according to police. [Read More]( ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Kotzebue declares disaster after Northwest Alaska blizzard leads to power losses and boil-water notice ]( [Kotzebue declares disaster after Northwest Alaska blizzard leads to power losses and boil-water notice]( [Read More]( [A bold gambit by Petit as Iditarod mushers’ strategies emerge heading into 24-hour rests]( [A bold gambit by Petit as Iditarod mushers’ strategies emerge heading into 24-hour rests]( [Read More]( [Photos: Best of March 2023]( [Photos: Best of March 2023]( [Read More]( [After killing of Breonna Taylor, Justice Department finds pattern of rights violations by Louisville police]( [After killing of Breonna Taylor, Justice Department finds pattern of rights violations by Louisville police]( [Read More]( [Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan backs bill empowering President Biden to crack down on TikTok]( [Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan backs bill empowering President Biden to crack down on TikTok]( [Read More]( [In policy reversal, Biden weighs detaining migrant families at border]( [In policy reversal, Biden weighs detaining migrant families at border]( [Read More]( [Get digital access to the ADN for as low as $1.99 for the first month]( and help us cover the news that matters most here in Alaska. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News 300 W 31st Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99503