Thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs up: 

Peace and quiet: New Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport runway is almost finished = noise relief overhead.
Wildfire detection: New technology in Anchorage could alert firefighters to wildfires faster.
Cookie champ: Local Girl Scout tops Alaska cookie sales, supports troops in the process. Sweet.

Thumbs down: 

Starbucks: Coffee giant fights Alaska retailer because apparently no one else can even mention mermaids and coffee.
Plastics bags: Anchorage finally implements plastic bag ban. If we had a dime for every paper bag purchased by the forgetful…oh, wait.
Test scores: Anchorage schools continue struggling with low standardized test scores.

– Sarah Erkmann Ward, Blueprint Alaska