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Good afternoon. It’s Thursday, August 20.

In today's newsletter:

Thousands of ballots remain to be counted in Alaska's primary, leaving some answered questions about which candidates for governor may appear in the general election. Plus, here's what's next in the hotly contested U.S. Senate race.
An East Coast company has proposed building an underwater artificial intelligence data center, powered by the strong tides of Cook Inlet, off the shore of Nikiski.
Anchorage is considering a technology upgrade that would expand the police department’s surveillance capacity. Some Assembly members have refused to approve the contract until the city puts stronger privacy protections in place.

Hotter summers are wreaking havoc across transportation infrastructure. One highway in Texas even "exploded," expanding in the extreme eat until it gave out. Here's why that happens, and why many more highways in the U.S. are at risk.

Anchorage weather

It's cloudy today with a chance of rain and a high around 59 degrees. We could see partly sunny skies on Friday, but the forecast calls for more rain on Saturday. Daytime highs will continue to hover in the low 60s.

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

— Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com

What’s next as Democrat Mary Peltola solidly leads incumbent U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska’s primary →

Peltola leads Sullivan, a Republican, by five points after Tuesday’s primary election. Two prominent Alaska political observers were divided on where the contest will end up in the general election.

Top candidates in Alaska governor’s race say they are weighing a consolidated field as primary results come in →

With thousands of ballots still to be counted, questions remain on the identity and strategy of candidates who will advance to the general election ballot.

Anchorage schools welcome back most students in staggered first day of classes →

For the Anchorage School District’s staggered start, students in first through sixth grades and ninth graders returned to classes on Wendesday. Older middle and high school students began class today.

Underwater data center proposed for Alaska’s Cook Inlet by East Coast company →

A similar project proposed off the coast of Maine has stirred debate about how it may impact its fishing-dependent economy.

Anchorage police may expand surveillance capabilities. Some Assembly members want privacy protections first. →

The Anchorage Assembly is considering stricter limits on automatic license plate readers, live camera monitoring and the retention of surveillance data.

Fish and Game issues river otter alert after 2 attacks along Anchorage waterways →

People reported aggressive animals in one encounter at Sand Lake last month and near Taku Park this week.

In Mat-Su, neighborhood schools double as community hubs. Closing them has sweeping impacts. →

From emergency shelters and food banks to sports and church services, school buildings across Mat-Su serve as important community connectors, residents and officials said. (via Mat-Su Sentinel)