Alaska reports 801 COVID-19 cases and a new record for hospitalizations

At least 166 people around the state are reported as hospitalized with COVID-19. Plus: Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson revokes policies for city workers intended to support new parents. Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( [Anchorage Daily News]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Wednesday, September 1. In today's newsletter: - Alaska reports 801 COVID-19 cases and a new record for hospitalizations. - Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson revokes policies for city workers intended to support new parents. - The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority repays $41 million to its investment core after an audit. Attention shoppers: As of today, [Anchorage's plastic bag ban is back in effect](. The Assembly decided several months ago to end a pandemic-related suspension of the ban, according to one member. The decision was based on wider availability of paper bags and lower concern around surface transmission of the coronavirus. ☁️ Anchorage weather Cloudy with a chance of rain this afternoon, and a high near 63. Tonight through Friday, there will be a 50% chance for rain as high temperatures in the low 60s are expected. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Ryan Cunningham, rcunningham@adn.com [Alaska reports 801 COVID-19 cases and a new record for hospitalizations]( [Alaska reports 801 COVID-19 cases and a new record for hospitalizations]( Today's tally of new cases is the second-highest so far in the pandemic, and the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association is reporting at least 166 people hospitalized with COVID-19 around the state. "COVID is everywhere," says an epidemiologist with the state health department. "Events where there are people in close proximity to other people, that’s where we’re seeing transmission happen." [Read More]( [Anchorage Mayor Bronson revokes policies for city workers intended to support new parents]( [Anchorage Mayor Bronson revokes policies for city workers intended to support new parents]( The city’s paid parental leave policy provided four weeks of paid leave for workers after the birth of a child or a foster care or adoption placement. Another policy allowed parents to bring their infants to work. The revocation of both policies drew questions from an Assembly member and others who say the policies were critical steps the city had taken to support families and children in the workplace. [Read More]( [Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority transfers $41 million to investment core after audit]( [Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority transfers $41 million to investment core after audit]( Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority leaders have repaid $41.3 million to the core of the group’s investments to comply with state laws, but they continue to insist the initial decisions to use the money elsewhere were justified, according to a follow-up report from the state’s auditor. [Read More]( [A group seeking to split Eagle River from Anchorage isn’t asking for city money after all]( [A group seeking to split Eagle River from Anchorage isn’t asking for city money after all]( [In August](, Mayor Dave Bronson asked a local community advisory board whether he should allocate funds to the EaglExit group out of money normally spent on local roads and parks. The group's chairman says there was a misunderstanding: The group wasn’t asking for a direct subsidy; it was asking for access to federally funded relief grants. [Read More]( [Anchorage Assembly overrides Mayor Bronson’s veto of new advisory board of people who have experienced homelessness]( [Anchorage Assembly overrides Mayor Bronson’s veto of new advisory board of people who have experienced homelessness]( The new city advisory board will give input and feedback on "housing and homelessness solutions with the goal of centering the perspective of those with lived experience," according to the ordinance that establishes the board. The override passed in a 9-1 vote during a special meeting, marking the first time the Assembly has taken action to quash a veto from Bronson. [Read More]( More from the ADN [Hundreds of community members help paint Anchorage’s newest mural]( [Hundreds of community members help paint Anchorage’s newest mural]( [Read More]( [The Devine family of Wasilla produces another UAA basketball player]( [The Devine family of Wasilla produces another UAA basketball player]( [Read More]( [It’s called mild COVID. But vaccinated people with breakthrough infections can still feel pretty sick.]( [It’s called mild COVID. But vaccinated people with breakthrough infections can still feel pretty sick.]( [Read More]( [Unvaccinated Americans shouldn’t travel during Labor Day weekend, CDC says]( [Unvaccinated Americans shouldn’t travel during Labor Day weekend, CDC says]( [Read More]( [Texas ban on most abortions after six weeks takes effect with no word from US Supreme Court]( [Texas ban on most abortions after six weeks takes effect with no word from US Supreme Court]( [Read More]( The ADN relies on readers like you. 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