Avalanche weather in Juneau, and it's -9 in Iowa
FAA has hiring targets: Needs more people with psychiatric disorders
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It’s a national holiday today. Federal, state workers, NGOs get a day off
And that means the banks are not open, either. But the rest of us are working.
Lucky for Juneau road crews, state and federal workers are not on the roads this morning. While January is usually clear and cold, it’s tough sledding out there, with heavy snow pouring down and up to 29 inches expected by Monday night, posing an avalanche hazard for Thane and Basin Roads, at the very least.
The sloppy mess is just in time for the Republican state central committee meeting at the Baranof Hotel. Hope they brought Xtratufs to top off their St. Johns outfits.
Alaska GOP leaders to gather in Juneau for quarterly meeting
The State Central Committee meets in the Alaska capital city each January. It’s a who’s who of GOP.
Iowa’s icicles
But Juneau’s weather is nothing compared to the brutal arctic blast in Iowa, just in time for the Iowa Caucus this evening. Iowa is having an historic cold, the coldest Caucus Day ever today, which may effect turnout. Wind chill will be as low as -15 by the time the check-in lines start at 7 pm.
Check back with Must Read Alaska for updates on the political storms, with a sidebar of weather and breaking news from the Iowa Caucus and Juneau SEC meeting!
FAA has hiring targets: People with psychiatric problems and severe mental disabilities urged to apply
The federal agency is actively looking for people with certain disabilities so it can meet its hiring targets. Dwarfism. Severe mental disability. Psychiatric cases. This is Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in action. What can possibly go wrong?
Repeal of ranked-choice voting group turns in 42,000 signatures to Division of Elections to get on ballot
They needed 26,000 signatures. Alaskans for Honest Elections over-performed with the help of 700+ volunteers. Now the battle is joined with the opposing group, Alaskans for Honest Elections. ABE will try anything to stop the repeal of ranked-choice voting. And we mean anything.
Paper chase: Chris Tuck is first in the door to file for mayor
The first day to file with the Municipality of Anchorage was Friday. Who filed besides Tuck?
Sen. Shelley Hughes files bill targeting deepfake AI use by state agencies and political operations
Fakes and deepfakes are all the rage. But should state agencies be using artificial intelligence without any rules or regs? How about deepfakes in political campaign attacks? Sen. Shelley Hughes wants to get ahead of the problems.
Democrats want psychedelic drugs for mentally ill Alaskans
First up, a task force to set up the parameters for giving LSD to people having mental breakdowns. Such a slippery slope, but these are your Alaska Democrats at work.
We appreciate all generous Alaskans who keep this conservative enterprise going!
Alaska Legislature pre-filed bills II: Election holiday, Chinese purchase of land near military bases, internet pornography, and more
All kinds of notions have emerged for the second session of the 33rd Legislature. Here’s the list.
Day 12: Secretary of Defense still in hospital
So how minor was that procedure? And what about the inspector general investigation?
Day 14: Secretary of Defense remains in hospital
Two weeks later, this is evidence of the initial dishonesty by Austin, who tried to conceal his condition.
Gabrielle LeDoux trial date delayed — again
We’ve just about lost track of how many times this former legislator’s trial has been postponed.
Sen. Rand Paul starts a new PAC: ‘#Never Nikki’
He hasn’t settled on Trump, but he can’t abide by Haley and will fight her every step.
Thompson & Co. advances under new structure
A high-powered woman from the world of Mark Begich joins forces with Thompson and Ward.
Climate czar John Kerry leaving Biden Administration to work on Biden reelection campaign
He bypassed Senate confirmation and became even more powerful than the Secretary of State. Now he’ll work on getting his boss reelected. But first, it’s jet-setting off to Davos for the World Economic Forum.
Sen. Sullivan congratulates Taiwan on democratic election, while President Biden blurts out: ‘We don’t support independence’
Mainstream media completely ignored Biden’s diss on democracy.
Sen. Mike Lee is 21st senator to endorse Trump: ‘America first over America last’
Question of the week
If a man undergoes penile inversion-vaginoplasty surgery and takes feminizing hormones, can he be rightfully called a woman?
This day in history
Jan. 15, 2009, US Airways flight 1549, piloted by Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III, landed in the Hudson River after the plane struck a flock of geese shortly after takeoff, resulting in severe damage to the plane's engines.
Jan. 15, 1870, The donkey first appeared as a symbol of the U.S. Democratic Party in a Thomas Nast cartoon.
Columns
Alex Gimarc: Alaska Railroad, a feral corporation with a feral board of directors
The railroad is having its way with rights-of-way, and writer Alex Gimarc is having none of it.
Linda Boyle: Dr. Fauci confesses the six-foot distancing rule ‘just appeared’ without science
Around the country, you can still see taped-off, six-foot-rule queues. How embarrassing that there was no science behind it.
Kassie Andrews: ‘Green’ rate case puts Chugach Electric vs. ratepayers and taxpayers
Get caught up on how Chugach Electric is going to screw consumers.
Jon Faulkner: Implosion of the ivory tower
Harvard has broken itself. Now it’s time to rebuild.
Leigh Sloan: School choice is here to stay
Find out about the School Choice Celebration happening in Anchorage this month.
Tom Boutin: A few words in favor of Chris Tuck for Anchorage’s next mayor
Linda Boyle: Is the mea culpa by former NIH director on government Covid policies good enough?
The director is now on the record admitting that government policies did more harm than good. But will the public ever trust the government again? Check out this memo from October, 2020.
Scott Ogan: Top 10 ‘left fork-in-the-road’ policy proposals
An analysis of some bills that are left over from last year that are decidedly leftist.
Alaska oil: $78.66
Henry Hub gas: $3.31
Alaska North Slope Production: 480,873
Permanent Fund (principal and earnings reserve): $78,629,500,000
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