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Good afternoon. It’s Tuesday, Nov. 18.

In today's newsletter:

In crafting a new sales tax proposal, Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance will test whether residents want to help the municipality pursue new sources of revenue or cut public services.
Alaska fishermen have tried many tactics to shake off orcas interested in their catch, including moving to new areas, blaring rock music or, years ago, using more violent means. A recent sea trial put a different defense to the test.
Over the last two decades, Alaska’s education department has transferred ownership of more than 50 buildings from the state to rural public school districts. Many are deteriorating and pose health and safety risks to students.

In his latest column, historian David Reamer unravels one photographer’s 1898 journey to Alaska, which produced no gold but a treasure trove of images. Photographer Will H. Leigh followed Klondike gold prospectors, documenting their travels, the landscape, local villages and everyday life. Read more about it here.

Anchorage weather

It's partly sunny today with a high around 31 degrees, though the forecast calls for a chance of snow later this afternoon. Wednesday will be mostly sunny, but we should expect a wintry mix of precipitation on Thursday.

Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today.

— Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com

Anchorage mayor pushes 3% sales tax to cut property taxes and fund housing as ‘fiscal cliff’ looms →

Mayor Suzanne LaFrance says the proposal would help Anchorage address decades of declining state support and the city’s affordability struggle. If passed, the tax could generate as much as $176 million annually.

In waters off Alaska, fishermen struggle to keep orcas from their catch →

Researchers hope an aluminum “shuttle” resembling a small submarine performs well enough during tests to merit further experimentation by fishermen as a new defense against hungry orcas. (Reported with The Seattle Times and the Northern Journal)

Alaska owns dozens of deteriorating schools. Now it wants under-resourced districts to take them on. →

Rural school district superintendents are trying to “find the best, most optimal use of very lean resources.” Taking on the state’s unmaintained buildings, they say, will only increase their burden. (via KYUK and ProPublica)

Anchorage School Board set to vote tonight on 2 elementary closures →

If the proposal passes, Fire Lake Elementary in Eagle River and Lake Otis Elementary in Anchorage would close as neighborhood public schools.

Legislators question federal directive for Alaska National Guard to prepare for ‘civil disturbance’ →

Alaska National Guard officials say they have received the Pentagon’s order to prepare for “civil disturbance operations” but have not begun training, and say it won't interfere with disaster relief efforts. (via Alaska Beacon)

More from the ADN

Mayor LaFrance names new port director and department heads →

House votes overwhelmingly to force release of Epstein files, sending bill to Senate →

Trump administration to announce dismantling of much of the Education Department →

The Rewind: UAA volleyball team’s surge continues; Wolverines split with Wisconsin →

Workplace advice: Every office has one — the coach you didn’t hire →

More games: Crossword | Really Bad Chess | SpellTower

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