Proposed cost of Cooper Landing highway project more than doubles

Plus: Workforce shortages could sabotage Anchorage and Alaska economic opportunities, report says ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Friday, August 4. In today's newsletter: - The estimated cost for the project that would create a new route for the Sterling Highway around the Kenai Peninsula community of Cooper Landing is [now more than double]( the original estimate. - More people leaving Alaska than entering, and the aging of the population that remains has put Anchorage and the state at risk of [squandering some historic economic opportunities]( according to a new report. - The Alaska Department of Law is [proposing rules that would allow]( the state to represent a governor, lieutenant governor or attorney general in complaints against them alleging ethics violations. Plenty of Alaskans will be headed to the Kenai Peninsula this weekend [for Salmonfest]( in Ninilchik, where Old Crow Medicine Show will headline the three-day festival along with Sierra Ferrell. For those of you staying in Anchorage, there are still [plenty of opportunities to have some fun]( from live music to art openings. Anchorage weather It's mostly cloudy today with a high near 69 degrees, and continuing widespread haze. Those hazy conditions are set to last through Saturday, and a chance of rain returns to the forecast starting on Sunday. Daytime temperatures over the weekend will stay in the low 70s. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Cooper Landing highway project estimate more than doubles in cost →]( When the project began in 2018, the state transportation department estimated the total cost of the bypass around Cooper Landing at about $350 million. A 2023 estimate updates that figure to $840 million. ADVERTISEMENT [Workforce shortages could sabotage Anchorage and Alaska economic opportunities, report says →]( The three-year outlook report by the Anchorage Economic Development Corp. painted a picture of plenty of jobs available, but fewer people available to fill those jobs. (via Alaska Beacon) [Top Alaska officials facing ethics complaints could get state representation under proposed rules →]( Currently, a governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general must hire outside attorneys to represent them in complaints alleging ethics violations. [Alaska asks judge to determine whether federal officials can create ‘Indian country’ in the state →]( The state of Alaska has formally asked a federal judge to decide whether the Bureau of Indian Affairs may create the equivalent of reservations in Alaska on behalf of Alaska Native tribes. (via Alaska Beacon) [Polish ice swimmer endures 150 miles of the Yukon River →]( Leszek Naziemiec, who calls ice swimming his “life commitment and love,” swam from Eagle to Circle on the Yukon River last week, a trip that took him four and a half days to complete. ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Man and child injured in shooting outside South Anchorage grocery store, police say →]( [Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s most recent UA Board of Regents pick resigns after two months →]( [Trump plans to use charges to revisit 2020 election, a fraught topic for Republicans →]( [Glacier Pilots capitalize on Bucs’ errors to advance to fourth straight Top of the World Series →]( [Strikes spiked in July, as workers seek higher wages to keep up with inflation →]( [‘Teaming With Microbes’ podcast: Roots, bugs and ashes →]( 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