Good morning, Anchorage! In today’s edition: Aurora winter train, new nonstop flights, paint an octopus mug class, and more. Let’s get to it!

— Cait Baker

🏆 Most popular this week

Curated by popular demand — here are this week’s most-clicked events, local spots, and stories.

Scenery on a remote journey: The Alaska Aurora Winter Train links Anchorage and Fairbanks in about 12 hours, offering a look at winter travel in Alaska and what riders can expect along the route — read the full story.

More nonstop options unveiled: Alaska Airlines is adding seven routes from Anchorage and Portland, with tickets on sale now. New flights will begin as early as mid-March, including Portland service to Bellingham and Pasco — see new routes and dates.

New way to get around: People Mover is partnering with Enterprise to roll out a new vanpool program for Anchorage commuters with hybrid or non-traditional schedules. It could save riders $8,000 to $10,000 a year while aiming to ease traffic and improve air quality. Get all the details.

Seasonal route announced: Alaska Airlines will launch nonstop flights between Spokane and Anchorage from June 10 to Aug. 15, with more than 100 passengers typically traveling each way between the cities — get all the details.

Typhoon survivors navigate relocation: Western Alaska evacuees in Anchorage are moving from hotels into temporary housing, with 150 placed by year’s end, while background checks and a tight housing market limit options for some — read how moves are handled.

New data show steep climb: Alaska flu cases rose sharply in December, more than doubling in a week to 816, state data show. The CDC estimates 4.6 million cases and 49,000 hospitalizations this season — see the latest numbers.

Are you overpaying? The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. I was paying over $300 for ONE car until I checked out various quotes, switched providers, and ultimately cut my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably losing money too — this free comparison tool makes it easy.

Gold & silver are hot: Gold just had it’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150% in 2025… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. If you’re curious about adding precious metals to your portfolio as a market hedge, American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.

A new haircare solution: My hair’s been thinning and I’ve been quietly ignoring it, hoping it’ll fix itself. Plot twist… it hasn’t. When I finally started looking into what I should do, there were so many options I didn’t know where to start. I stumbled on Keranique, and its simplicity really sold me. One kit, no pills, no choosing products, and no confusion whatsoever. It’s also on sale with a money-back guarantee (although I doubt you’ll need it).

📆 Sneak peek at next week

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🥋 Try It! Kung Fu for Age 8+ @ Four Valleys Community School | Monday (1/12) – Got a kid who shadowboxes the cereal aisle? Let them channel it at a free try it Kung Fu session for ages 8+ with Sifu Shayla, equal parts discipline, kicks, and fun. Low commitment, instruction, and a few blissful minutes on the sidelines, just register.

📜 The 7 Threats to Your Estate Plan @ Anchorage Senior Activity Center | Tuesday (1/13) – Think your estate plan is airtight? Come to the Anchorage Senior Center for a no-nonsense workshop on the seven common threats to wills, trusts, and family plans. Bring questions, get clear answers, leave feeling prepared, smug, and slightly superior to your procrastinating friends.

🎲 Charity Bingo @ South Restaurant + Coffeehouse | Tuesday (1/13) at 6:30 PM – South is hosting charity bingo with top-shelf comfort food, proper cocktails, and bragging rights that actually help. Call your numbers, fund Best Beginnings, and pretend your dauber skills are a public service, which, for once, they absolutely are.

☕ Community Cafe @ The Nave | Wednesday (1/14) at 6:00 PM – Second Wednesday plans, sorted, at Community Cafe at the Nave in Spenard. Anchorage Concert Association hosts a relaxed hangout where neighbors, arts folks, and the creatively curious swap ideas without the small-talk fluff. Low-key, local, and a reason to leave the house that isn’t Costco.

🧶 Open Felting @ The Art Lounge AK | Thursday (1/15) at 2:00 PM – Open Felting is taking over The Art Lounge AK with wool, needles, and that oddly soothing stab-stab therapy we call crafting. Bring a project or start fresh, get tips if you want, then leave with something soft, quirky, and proudly homemade.

🐙 Paint an Octopus Mug Class @ Clay Owen Studios | Friday (1/16) at 6:00 PM – Glaze your 18-ounce octopus mug with stoneware glazes, and sign the bottom with a glaze pencil so whoever keeps borrowing your mugs knows to back off. You pick the colors, they fire it, you retrieve it later, dishwasher safe, microwave safe, and bragging rights included.

🎤 Pamela Santoro @ O’Malley’s On the Green | Friday (1/16) at 6:30 PM – Nothing beats a live set with a mountain view, so catch Pamela Santoro at O’Malley’s on the Green. Claim a seat, a proper drink, and let someone else set the vibe. Consider it self-care, or at least a classy excuse to skip chores.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

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📻 Anchorage report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 25°F – Low: 12°F – Precip: 88%

Snow. Cloudy, with a high near 25. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. Later: Snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. Southwest wind around 0 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 16°F – Low: 3°F – Precip: 35%

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 16. Northeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Later: A chance of snow before 3am, then a slight chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 3. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Most popular house this week

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Convenience shows up on every level, with a main floor bedroom and bath ideal for guests and a primary suite with a full bath. Storage and tinkering space abound in the extra large garage with shop, and a spacious shed sits inside the fenced, fully landscaped yard. A one year home warranty is included.

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