Anchorage Daily Local Headlines: School Cuts, Fur Rondy, City Grants

Top story: school budget cuts move forward

Anchorage School Board members approved a budget late Tuesday that district leaders described as severe, aiming to close a large funding gap. The plan includes hundreds of staff layoffs and the closure of three elementary schools at the end of the school year. District officials said the cuts are intended to keep core services running, but families should expect disruptions as staffing and program changes are finalized.

By Wednesday, students and parents at the affected schools were already grappling with what comes next, including where children could be reassigned and how specialized programs may be handled. The district is expected to share next steps and timelines as it works through placement, transportation and staffing decisions.

Fur Rondy weekend: downtown closures and big crowds

The city’s signature winter festival is underway, and with it comes a burst of downtown activity. Organizers are reminding drivers to plan for periodic street closures tied to festival events through the weekend.

Road closures to plan around

• 4th Avenue between I and Cordova Street, plus parts of Cordova Street between 4th and 16th Avenue
• Saturday morning closures affecting 5th and 6th avenues and several northbound downtown routes, with delays expected

If you’re heading downtown, consider extra travel time and keep an eye out for detours around event zones.

City Hall: grant applications open March 2

Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s office announced multiple 2026 grant programs focused on arts, public-space improvements and community initiatives. Applications for the Mayor’s Arts Grants, Mayor’s Community Grants and the Beyond the Beige partnership are set to open on March 2 and close March 30. The city says it will prioritize projects that expand access to the arts, support community safety and housing goals, and build connections across neighborhoods.

Sources

https://alaskapublic.org/news/education/2026-02-24/anchorage-school-board-approves-severe-budget-with-hundreds-of-staff-layoffs-and-3-school-closures
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/video/2026/02/26/anchorage-students-families-coping-with-closure-elementary-schools-2/
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/02/26/what-roads-will-be-closed-during-fur-rondy-2026/
https://alaskapublic.org/the-anchorage-weekender/2026-02-26/the-anchorage-weekender-fur-rondy-junior-nyo-and-7-more-local-events
https://www.muni.org/Departments/Mayor/PressReleases/Pages/Mayor-LaFrance-announces-2026-grant-opportunities-for-Anchorage-arts-and-community-initiatives.aspx