Fairbanks Planet Fitness, Take 2: International attention, stock prices and membership sag
Also, it's the 30th anniversary of the Homer Winter King Tournament
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Note to readers
Check Must Read Alaska this morning for several news stories coming out of the Alaska Legislature in Juneau. I will have them up, lickety-split.
U.N. Security Council vetoes United States on cease fire
At the United Nations on Friday, Russia and China worked together to veto a U.S. resolution that called for “an immediate and sustained cease-fire” in the Israel-Hamas war. The U.N. Security Council vote was 11 yeas, 3 nays, and one abstention.
Russia’s U.N. ambassador accused U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of “misleading the international community.”
Planet Fitness to Bud Light: Hold my beer?
There appears to be a mass exodus of members from Planet Fitness. Only transgender members will remain? The stock has dropped 22% in the past year. And Fairbanks’ Pat Silva was featured on the Greg Gutfeld show on Fox.
Fairbanks school board chair accuses three Interior lawmakers of taking $70,000 bribes
Brandy Harty, chair of the school board, sobbed uncontrollably and then accused the legislators, and all other Republicans in the Alaska House, and the governor as well, of committing felonies. She said all this on the record. Then she told the media to not report what she said. So they didn’t.
Where did Fairbanks school board president get the idea 3 legislators had been bribed with $70,000?
She got the idea for her rumor from Rep. Zack Fields, but then she twisted it into a poisonous accusation that involves a felony.
Attorney General Taylor joins coalition to oppose Illinois ban on the AR-15
Treg Taylor and other AGs say states can’t just make up bans to firearms based on the looks of those firearms. It’s a constitutional issue.
Bronson vetoes Anchorage Assembly’s new short-term rental registration law; override is likely
Everything the Anchorage Assembly touches ends up with fewer freedoms for the people of Anchorage. Bronson isn’t going down without a fight for freedom.
Murkowski hails $30.4 million for 42 ‘climate projects’ in Alaska tribal areas
Many of the projects don’t really have much to do with climate. It’s just pork that has driven the national debt to $34.5 trillion and counting.
CBO reports grim long-term outlook for federal government
If you're in your mid-60s or younger, you might want to put more away for your retirement. They're spending money faster than they are printing it in DC.
Sens. Sullivan, Ricketts slam Biden’s mandate for light, medium-duty trucks: ‘This rule is delusional’
This Biden mandate has grave implications for Alaska’s truck-dependent economy.
Democrats attempt to take veto power away from executive branch; Bjorkman and Merrick fall in line to expand Legislature’s power
The resolution won’t go anywhere this year, but nice try, Sen. Matt Claman.
Going south: Washington’s Gov. Inslee signs law mandating LGBTQ history lessons in public schools
Seriously, the state has already seen over 25% of parents pull their kids out of public schools in one year. What will it be like next year?
On the move
Robert Ervine is the new legal & regulatory affairs manager for Alaska Oil and Gas Association. He formerly was legislative staff for several legislators.
Rep. Mary Peltola spent a week in Bethel, taking part in the Camp-i Dance Festival last week.
Daniel Decker is the new acting city manager of Dillingham. He is the former city clerk and steps up as the previous acting city manager, Kimberly Johnson, didn’t renew her contract, which ended on March 15. Jon Sorenson is the new city clerk.
Alaska Power & Telephone is moving its headquarters from Seattle to Ketchikan, it announced this week. AP&T serves Alaskan communities from Ketchikan to Bettles. It chose Ketchikan because of flight service to the Lower 48 and barge service.
Homer’s famous Winter King Tournament is Saturday, weather permitting. It’s the 30th anniversary of the derby, with over $200,000 in prize money up for grabs. As of Thursday evening, “At this time, we do not see the marine forecast exceeding the threshold that would require a Saturday tournament delay,” the tournament organizers said.
The Homer tournament is the largest fishing tournament on the West Coast and brings people from all over America. Since 2021, the champion fish has averaged $77,910 in total cash earnings. More information at this link.
Get your king salmon fishing on now because the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has announced many closures and restrictions for the Kenai-area king salmon sport fishery this season, including closing king salmon sport fisheries from May 1-Aug. 15 in Cook Inlet salt waters north of Bluff Point at Homer, and outside the Kenai River. King salmon in the Anchor River and Deep Creek are closed from May 18-July 15.
Without comment
Question of the week
This day in history
March 22, 1622 First American Indian (Powhatan) massacre of Europeans in Jamestown Virginia, 347 killed.
Columns
STAND podcast: Pro-abortion to pro-life, Tshibakas and Marjorie Dannenfelser of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America
You will love this heartfelt interview with Kelly and Niki Tshibaka.
Alexander Dolitsky: It’s pretty simple — Hamas must surrender, get out of the tunnels, return hostages
Of course the war in Gaza is disproportionate. Every war ends up that way.
Robert Seitz: All of Alaska depends on Railbelt energy
Alaska needs to be actively evaluating all possible solutions, including the Eklutna Pumped Hydro, so we don’t miss whatever our best opportunities might be, to have cheap and abundant energy.
STAND podcast: Mike Matthys discusses internet censorship
He is the founder of Institute for a Better Internet.
Lani Kass: Media is sowing the wind with Orwellian ‘newspeak’ about dangers of ‘white nationalism’
White nationalism is the new “fascist” in Democrat world.
Michelle Traxler: An aborted baby named John Anthony is why I support defining life in HB 107
This is a true story you will not want to miss. Very courageously told, I might add.
Win Gruening: Juneau Assembly holds firm on Telephone Hill redevelopment
There are historic houses there, but in any other city they would be considered slum houses, to be honest.
David Boyle: A look at the Alaska school districts awash in unspent funds
Each school district is different in its needs, but SB 140 would treat them all the same.
Downing: Education reform is worth fighting for
How is it that we went from top in the nation to bottom in two generations? Could the establishment of the base student allocation have anything to do with it?
Bob Griffin: Add charter school authorizers to end the long waiting lists
We have a bright spot in education. Why are Democrats fighting it, like they fought desegregation?
Alaska oil: $85.55
Henry Hub gas: $1.70
Alaska North Slope Production: 476,205
Permanent Fund (principal and earnings reserve): $79,728,900,000
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