Thumbs up:
New heart: North Pole man who missed opportunities for heart transplant surgery due to weather, travel delays finally gets his day.
Food assistance: Long-delayed relief for SNAP recipients sails through legislature, is signed by governor.
Heroism medals: Alaska Native heroes receive medals recognizing their role in rescuing downed airmen 68 years ago.
Willow: Long-pursued oil project gets the thumbs up from the Feds.
Thumbs down:
Payment mess: Contractor sues Anchorage for payment for work building a homeless shelter. Squabbling between city officials holding things up.
Vandalism: Campaign sign vandalism hits a new high (or low) this election cycle.
– Sarah Erkmann Ward, Blueprint Alaska