Former Anchorage hotel opens as housing for vulnerable residents

Plus: Air Force gas stations in the sky are aging, with replacements hamstrung and a capacity crunch looming ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Wednesday, July 26. In today's newsletter: - After years of disagreement, Anchorage leaders have taken the final steps to [open a former Midtown hotel as housing]( for roughly 80 vulnerable people who might otherwise be homeless. - Aerial refueling tankers are a linchpin of U.S. military strategy, especially in a place like Alaska. But they are [gradually being retired]( and the replacements are beset by delays and production issues. - Anchorage Assembly members pushing for the city [to drastically change its residential building codes]( have introduced a refined version of the policy. One Anchorage man's signs at the intersection of Lake Otis Parkway and Dowling Road might be the bit of positivity you didn't know you needed. The next time you're driving that way, keep an eye out for Kevin Lankford [waving his cardboard signs]( adorned with simple, uplifting messages like "Good to see you," "We care" or, most recently, "You look good!" Anchorage weather It's partly sunny today, but with a continued widespread haze from drifting wildfire smoke. Today's high will be near 70 degrees. The haze is likely to last through Thursday, and rain returns to the forecast over the weekend. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [After years of contention, former Anchorage hotel to open as housing with Assembly approval →]( The former Golden Lion hotel was at the heart of city fights over homelessness, pandemic emergency measures and Dave Bronson’s campaign for mayor. Now, it will house vulnerable tenants who need assistance with daily activities. ADVERTISEMENT [Air Force gas stations in the sky are aging, with replacements hamstrung and a capacity crunch looming →]( Almost any time some of Alaska's many fighter jets roar off into the sky, a fuel tanker is accompanying them. But the KC-135s are, in several ways, relics of a bygone era of analog aviation. And a new tanker the military has spent years trying to bring online as a replacement is saddled with problems and delays. [Assembly members introduce revised plan to overhaul Anchorage residential zoning amid push for more housing →]( The measure’s sponsors said the intent is to simplify the section of city code that governs residential zoning, to better realize Anchorage's long-term development goals. [Alaska education board to weigh barring transgender girls from girls’ high school sports teams →]( Transgender girls would be barred from participating on high school girls’ athletic teams in Alaska under a proposal being considered today by the state board of education. Opponents call it discriminatory and unconstitutional, and say it likely will lead to litigation. [Meet the ‘epitome of a host’ for Anchorage Glacier Pilots players the past decade →]( The second of two parts: Carolyn Jones provides an unforgettable summer experience, say some of the Anchorage Glacier Pilots baseball players she has hosted. • Related: [This Anchorage family is proof that host families are the lifeblood of the Alaska Baseball League]( ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [As revenues and profits soar, have Alaska Air’s fares peaked? →]( [Federal Reserve raises key rate for 11th time in 17 months in drive to further slow inflation →]( [Public libraries are the latest front in culture war battle over books →]( [Book review: Alaska octopus researcher takes readers into its fascinating world →]( [The war in Ukraine is spurring a revolution in drone warfare using AI →]( [Workplace: Hybrid employees create a workday dead zone. Here’s how employers can adapt. →]( The ADN relies on readers like you. [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 Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States