Off-duty APD officer charged with driving patrol vehicle under the influence

And: State tests new pedestrian crossing signals at busy Anchorage roundabouts ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Thursday, January 4. In today's newsletter: - The recently renovated roundabouts on Anchorage’s Dowling Road at the Seward Highway now include [new pedestrian traffic signals]( aimed at boosting safety. The state transportation department will study their effectiveness over the next three summers. - An Anchorage police officer now faces criminal charges after being accused of [driving a patrol vehicle while intoxicated]( last month, officials said. The officer was off-duty at the time. - Public health officials in Alaska have compiled what they say is [the first comprehensive account]( of the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences, which are known to lead to poor health outcomes. This past year was a big one for Anchorage's food scene. Some restaurants closed, and many diners, food trucks and other places to grab a bite opened. Our restaurant reviewer stayed busy trying new food spots and unearthing hidden gems around the city. Here are her [favorite Anchorage bites of 2023]( (with some honorable mentions): a glorious bagel sandwich, Korean-inspired wings, a Turkish meze platter and more. Anchorage weather It's overcast today with a chance of snow and a high near 28 degrees. Friday will start out partly sunny before a chance of snow showers returns, and Saturday should be partly sunny as well. Daytime temperatures will hover in the high 20s and low 30 over the next few days. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [State tests new pedestrian crossing signals at Anchorage’s Dowling Road roundabouts →]( Alaska Department of Transportation officials say the new devices are meant to improve safety in the high-traffic area, especially for crosswalk users who are visually impaired. The department will collect data over the next three summers to study the effectiveness of the devices, evaluating whether there’s an increase in drivers yielding to people in the crosswalks. ADVERTISEMENT [Off-duty Anchorage police officer accused of driving patrol vehicle while intoxicated →]( The officer is still employed by the department, a police spokesperson said. The APD Internal Affairs unit is investigating what policy violations occurred and the state Office of Special Prosecutions is investigating the criminal case. [Alaska State Capitol among U.S. statehouses targeted by ‘hoax’ bomb threats →]( The Alaska State Capitol received a bomb threat Wednesday that authorities believe was connected to a spate of “hoax” warnings received by statehouses across the country. [State compiles first comprehensive account of Alaska children’s stress and trauma →]( Bad experiences in childhood are known to have lingering and negative health effects in adulthood, according to experts from the CDC. The new bulletin summarizes results of various surveys and studies in a way that should allow health officials to track trends in the future. (via Alaska Beacon) [Alaskans can now apply for their 2024 Permanent Fund dividend →]( Alaskans can apply online or pick up paper applications at dozens of distribution centers across the state. The application period, which opened Jan. 1, will close on March 31. ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [Troopers cite Anchorage garbage truck driver caught on video chasing moose →]( [Mat-Su to offer coupon for $25 off trash dumping →]( [A quarter of Americans believe FBI instigated Jan. 6, poll finds →]( [Former Interior Alaska city clerk sentenced to more than a year in prison for embezzlement →]( [Two companies will attempt the first U.S. moon landings since the Apollo missions a half-century ago →]( [Another COVID wave hits U.S. as JN.1 becomes dominant variant →]( 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