On Biden's JBER visit, tracking missing Indigenous peoples and AHD vacancies

Also: State watchdogs say an anti-ranked choice voting group formed by Kelly Tshibaka violated law. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Today's sponsor: [Today's sponsor: Northrim Bank]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Monday, August 28. In today's newsletter: - President Biden [will stop in Anchorage]( to participate in a Sept. 11 memorial ceremony on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. - A new state database [reveals for the first time]( the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of hundreds of Indigenous people considered missing in Alaska. - [High staff vacancy rates]( have plagued the Anchorage Health Department for months, reaching 36.6% in July — the highest rate in at least five years. The Alaska Highway traverses mountains, bogs, prairies and more, challenging drivers for 1,387 miles in Alaska and Canada. If you've ever wondered what it took to build the Alcan, you're in luck: The 1992 book "Northwest Epic" by Heath Twichell [delves into the details]( and was recently reissued by Epicenter Press, bringing the story of the highway's construction in 1942 to the curious minds of a new generation. Anchorage weather Wet conditions continue today with a high around 60 degrees. A chance of rain remains in the forecast the rest of this week, with daytime highs in the low to mid-60s. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Vicky Ho, vho@adn.com [President Biden will participate in JBER memorial ceremony Sept. 11Â]( Biden is scheduled to participate in a ceremony at the Anchorage military base with service members, first responders and families, commemorating those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks. [New state database shows circumstances around disappearances of hundreds of Indigenous people in Alaska →]( The database offers what is in some cases the first confirmation that police think criminal activity was involved in the person’s unsolved disappearance. It’s important to remember that each of 280 names on the list represents a loved and missed person, said Charlene Aqpik Apok, executive director of Data for Indigenous Justice. ADVERTISEMENT [High staff vacancy rates have plagued the Anchorage Health Department for months →]( Anchorage’s local public health authority, which oversees everything from child care center licensing to disease surveillance to the city's homelessness response, saw a 36.6% staff vacancy rate in July with 53 unfilled positions. [‘The worst year ever’: Lost Lake runners endure nearly 16 miles of rain, mud →]( Just take a look at the photos: Around 600 competitors faced what the race director called the wettest edition of the race in its 32 years. [State report: Anti-ranked choice voting organization violated state law →]( An organization founded by Republican Kelly Tshibaka after she lost her U.S. Senate bid violated state law when it failed to report its income and spending, state watchdogs say. [Nonprofit gets state funds to repair and reroute popular trails in Chugach State Park →]( Three projects funded by legislative grants will repair popular but damaged trails in Chugach State Park, as well as attempt to restore public access to the majestic but currently hard-to-reach Ram Valley above Eagle River. ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Man charged with arson in fire that damaged downtown Anchorage home →]( [Travel: As fall approaches, airlines are overhauling their schedules for flights in and out of Alaska →]( [Service High boys swimmers are primed to dominate the lanes again, while Eagle River girls are on the rise →]( [Chugiak girls sweep top 5 spots at Big 8 cross country meet →]( [Hawaii power utility takes responsibility for first fire on Maui but faults county firefighters →]( [Women working in Antarctica say they were left to fend for themselves against sexual harassers →]( [Climate activists target jets, yachts and golf in global protests against luxury →]( 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