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Good afternoon. It’s Wednesday, July 15.

In today's newsletter:

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson drew a crowd of 900 people for an event in Fairbanks during which she reflected on her journey to becoming the first Black woman to serve on the country’s highest court.
Construction to reduce the number of lanes on Denali Street will begin next month as Anchorage prepares to conduct a trial of a new snow storage method ahead of the winter months.
Several flight service stations across Alaska were closed after the FAA placed their employees on administrative leave. Aviation experts say the closures could make flying less safe and have already caused flight cancellations.

Astronomers have discovered a faint, elusive planet orbiting a young star after more than a decade of cosmic hide-and-seek. In an unusual twist, two groups working independently detected the cold gas giant a few days apart late last year using different telescopes. Learn more about this celestial phenomenon here.

Anchorage weather

It's raining again today with a high around 61 degrees. Rain will likely continue on Thursday and through the rest of this week, while the forecast calls for daytime highs ranging from the high 50s to mid-60s for over the next few days.

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

— Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com

In Fairbanks, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson says work ethic and determination propelled her to nation’s highest court →

Jackson, who was nominated in 2022 by Democratic former President Joe Biden, made her first trip to Alaska to speak about her background and experience.

Municipality of Anchorage plans to temporarily reduce number of lanes on Denali Street →

The proposed Midtown pilot project runs for approximately 1 mile between Northern Lights Boulevard and Tudor Road. Winter maintenance crews plan to use the extra space for snow storage.

Aviation experts say closures of Alaska flight service stations threaten safety →

The FAA closed seven stations after placing a number of employees on administrative leave amid allegations of employee misconduct. (via KNBA)

Alaska’s economic development agency plans Mat-Su industrial park, with data centers →

A 30-square-mile parcel of state land just north of Houston could be home to a new industrial park with data centers and a freight hub. (via Mat-Su Sentinel)

Former Delta-area volunteer fire chief sentenced to 2 years in prison for fraud →

The former chief of the Rural Deltana Volunteer Fire Department has been sentenced to serve two years in prison and agreed to pay $441,409 in restitution.