Thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs up:

Rogue duck: Rare falcated duck from Asia enthralls Alaska bird-watchers.

Hockey mom: Alaska has had some famous hockey moms, but Anchorage’s Autumn Makar earns official recognition from the NHL. Score!

Wasilla swimmers: Community pool reopens after yearlong renovation.

Fish on: New Juneau fishing access site delights residents.

Thumbs down:

Illegal camps: Tent cities and needles along waterways jeopardize annual creek cleanup.

Prison riot: Seward prisoners cause thousands in damage to Spring Creek Correctional Center.

Urban bears: The bears are awake and seemingly everywhere. No longer just a Hillside problem, human/bear encounters have Anchorage neighbors on edge.

– Sarah Erkmann Ward, Blueprint Alaska