Is it time for Anchorage residents to clear snow from home roofs?

And: ‘Ineffective and inefficient’: Alaska gets another federal admonition as food stamp backlog drags on ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( Good afternoon. It’s Friday, February 2. In today's newsletter: - In the wake of several Anchorage buildings collapsing under heavy snow this winter, many residents are concerned about their homes. Here's[what you need to know]( if you're considering clearing snow off your roof. - Alaska’s continued food stamp backlog prompted a second [sharply worded letter]( from the federal government cautioning that the state’s “ineffective and inefficient” handling of federal food aid could result in penalties. - State game managers have [reduced bag limits]( for subsistence hunters to preserve the declining Western Arctic Caribou Herd. If you're sick of the cold, there are plenty of [things to do]( indoors this weekend in Anchorage, like the Alaska Craft Brew and Barley Wine Festival. If you're up for braving the outdoors, the annual [Alaska Ski for Women]( kicks off Sunday at Kincaid Park. Or if you're in the mood to try something new, check out [My Shawarma House]( which was recently reviewed by food writer Mara Severin. Anchorage weather It's mostly sunny today, with areas of freezing fog. Today's high is minus 6 degrees, but this cold snap we've been experiencing should come to an end as temperatures rise to the mid-teens over the weekend. We'll also see a chance of snow this weekend. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com [Is it time to clear snow from the roof of your home? →]( So far there are no known instances of a house, trailer or multifamily units caving in. So how concerned should Anchorage residents be? We spoke with experts and professionals for answers. Here’s what you need to know about clearing snow from your roof, including whether you should hire someone to do it. ADVERTISEMENT [‘Ineffective and inefficient’: Alaska gets another stern federal admonition as food stamp backlog drags on →]( The USDA letter demands that the state immediately resume interviews for all food stamp recipients — a practice the state paused in November in an attempt to stem the [second rapidly growing backlog](. [State adopts reduced subsistence hunting limit for Western Arctic caribou of 15 animals a year →]( A wildlife biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game said “a reduction in cow harvest is the single most important thing we can do to help the Western Arctic Caribou Herd." [Dunleavy executive order creating an energy board is likely unconstitutional, legislative lawyer says →]( Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s executive order to establish a dedicated board of directors for a public corporation tasked with reducing energy costs is likely unconstitutional, according to the Legislature’s attorneys. [Trial set to start for man accused in killings of 2 Alaska Native women →]( The trial of an Anchorage man charged with killing two Alaska Native women is set to begin Monday after years of delays. ADVERTISEMENT More from the ADN [New bill would require Alaska schools to pay for training of armed volunteers →]( [Inflation has fallen. Why are groceries still so expensive? →]( [U.S. begins airstrikes on militias in Iraq and Syria, retaliating for drone attack that killed 3 soldiers →]( [Man convicted of manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide in wife’s death on St. Paul Island →]( [Alaska gardening: Even in this difficult winter, these tasks can simplify gardening when the weather warms →]( [District Attorney Fani Willis admits relationship with prosecutor on Trump Georgia case →]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Click here to unsubscribe and manage your email subscriptions.]( Anchorage Daily News, 300 W 31st Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503, United States