School bus chaos in Mat-Su as Anchorage grapples with service disruptions

Ranked choice voting, in first test in Alaska, is already under attack 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 Thursday, August 18. In today's newsletter: - A new busing contractor and driver shortages combined to create chaos on the first day of school in Mat-Su, from delayed and missed stops to some students unaccounted for. - Alaskans went to the polls Tuesday for the first time using a new ranked choice system that’s already under attack by a number of the politicians competing within it. Voters gave the system mixed reviews. - The Anchorage Assembly decided to pursue its own plan for the city’s emergency winter homelessness response this week in the absence of a plan from the mayor. 🗳 This election cycle has a lot for voters to take in, from a large slate of high profile races to a new voting system. We're collaborating with other Alaska news organizations to produce coverage that’s driven by voters and centered around your needs. You're invited to attend a number of [elections-centered listening sessions]( happening both virtually and in person this month. Let us know what questions you have and what issues matter most to you. 🌧️ Anchorage weather Steady rain continues today and tomorrow. Today there's a high of 60 degrees and south winds up to 10 miles per hour. Rain is likely on Saturday, then it drops to a chance of rain heading into next week with temperatures in the low 60s. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [From missed stops to missing children, Mat-Su families report busing chaos as school begins]( [From missed stops to missing children, Mat-Su families report busing chaos as school begins]( School started earlier this week for kids in Mat-Su, where a new contractor and driver shortages triggered school bus chaos, leading to hundreds of complaints from families. On top of missed stops and severely delayed routes, at least five children were unaccounted for at least briefly before arriving safely home, some several hours late. [Read More]( [Ranked choice voting, in first test in Alaska, is already under attack]( [Ranked choice voting, in first test in Alaska, is already under attack]( In interviews after election day, voters and politicians gave mixed reviews to ranked voting. Experts predict a battle in the Alaska Legislature next year over a proposed repeal of the system. [Read More]( [After no-show from Bronson officials at homelessness meeting, Anchorage Assembly takes action on its own winter shelter plan]( [After no-show from Bronson officials at homelessness meeting, Anchorage Assembly takes action on its own winter shelter plan]( The Anchorage Assembly is moving forward on forming its own plan for emergency shelter for those experiencing homelessness this winter, after Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration did not show up to a committee meeting on homelessness or present a plan of its own. [Read More]( [More Anchorage school bus drivers are on the way, but service disruptions are the reality for now]( [More Anchorage school bus drivers are on the way, but service disruptions are the reality for now]( It's the first day of school in the Anchorage School District, and although dozens more bus drivers are set to come online and help alleviate a severe shortage, families are bracing for snarled traffic and parking lot mayhem with more vehicles doing drop-off and pick-up during rolling bus route suspensions. How did the first day of school in Anchorage go for you and your family? Respond to this email to let us know. [Read More]( [MAKing It: Beloved Juneau pizzeria celebrates 49 years in the 49th state]( [SPONSORED: MAKing It: Beloved Juneau pizzeria celebrates 49 years in the 49th state]( Presented by First National Bank Alaska: Bullwinkle’s Pizza Parlor has covered hundreds of local students’ college tuition during its long legacy in Alaska. [Read More]( More from the ADN [Last and youngest defendant in 2016 murder of Mat-Su teen sentenced to 75 years in prison ]( [Last and youngest defendant in 2016 murder of Mat-Su teen sentenced to 75 years in prison]( [Read More]( [Alaska moderates see success in legislative primary results]( [Alaska moderates see success in legislative primary results]( [Read More]( [Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: State reports increase in hospitalizations compared to previous week]( [Tracking COVID-19 in Alaska: State reports increase in hospitalizations compared to previous week]( [Read More]( [US oil and gas industry an unlikely beneficiary of new climate bill]( [US oil and gas industry an unlikely beneficiary of new climate bill]( [Read More]( [Manager for Kodiak High School sports team sentenced to 18 years in prison for child pornography]( [Manager for Kodiak High School sports team sentenced to 18 years in prison for child pornography]( [Read More]( [Do you really need to use chemical fertilizers on your lawn and garden?]( [Do you really need to use chemical fertilizers on your lawn and garden?]( [Read More]( [Amber Alert canceled after 15-year-old girl found ‘safe,’ troopers say ]( [Amber Alert canceled after 15-year-old girl found ‘safe,’ troopers say]( [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. 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