Moonshot: House passes historic boost to school funding
Will the 'Repeal Ranked-Choice Voting' group get its signatures? It's close.
Good morning from Somewhere in Alaska!
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We’re over the moon about this …
For the first time since 1972’s Apollo 17, an American spacecraft has landed on the moon. The feat took place at 6:23pm Alaska time on Thursday. Unmanned and the size of a telephone booth (we’re aging ourselves here), it was accomplished this time by the private sector, although with no small help from NASA.
After troubleshooting communications, flight controllers have confirmed Odysseus is “upright and starting to send data,” Intuitive Machines said in a statement. “Right now, we are working to downlink the first images from the lunar surface.” Worth your time: Watch the landing here at IntuitiveMachines.com.
The February full moon is a micro-moon —far from Earth, as distinguished from a super moon. It is fullest on Feb. 24, just in time for Fur Rondy.
Iron Dog update
Iron Dog racers are coming back from Nome and on a 14-hour layover, with the lead team Boylan & Leslie and other top teams in Ruby, others in Galena. 18 teams are left on the way back to Big Lake. Five have scratched. Weather is favorable for a fast race from here. Get your updates here.
Sen. Dan Sullivan talks national security, Alaska fish, and more in address to Legislature
This is his 10th year in office. It was one of his best speeches, full of enthusiasm and optimism in the face of Biden’s economic blunders and bludgeons. Leaders should be optimistic.
Listicle: Will ranked-choice voting repeal petition have enough signatures to get on the fall ballot?
It’s not just overall numbers of signatures. They still show they have enough signatures in four House districts and it looks like it could be close.
Education bill passes Alaska House
SB 140 boosts the base student allocation by $175 million a year, which will add to budgets going forward. How will we pay for this? Your Permanent fund dividend will foot this bill. SB 140 now goes to the Senate, where they will probably add to that number.
The governor did not get his teacher incentive bonuses he wanted, and he’s probably livid with the deal, but … that’s politics for you.
Full moon for Fur Rondy!
After all that weather, it looks like a great day for Fur Rondy. Carnival, ice sculpting, and dog-team sprint races start Friday. Parade is Saturday, fireworks Saturday night. Get the schedule at this link.
We appreciate all generous Alaskans who keep this conservative enterprise going!
Dunleavy bill is aimed at those who would glue their hands to runways
The protests that aim to disrupt drivers and aviators are spreading across the world. Dunleavy is getting ahead of it.
Americans for Prosperity Alaska promotes Alaskan to gov. affairs role
She retains her title of strategic director but takes on the legislative portfolio.
Ranked-choice voting is a lightning rod issue in several states
Some legislatures are working to outlaw it at the state level. Alaska is the poster child for what went wrong.
Aniak trying to contain fuel spill
Another fuel spill, this one 170 miles up river from Kwigillingok.
Wind knocks out power in Anchorage, Homer
Warm, wet snow and blizzard conditions left many in the dark on Thursday.
Mary Peltola says her ‘message’ is working on Alaskans
Peltola has landed on a messaging strategy that works on the hearts of Alaskans. “When I’m talking to Alaskans, I’m talking about fish, family, and freedom. It’s a message that resonates with Alaskans for a reason, and a message that we can all get behind.” She says that when she says “freedom” she specifically means “women’s productive rights.”
Biden Administration to require head of federal subsistence board to be Alaska Native
This is the switch from “subsistence is for rural” to “subsistence is for Natives.”
Justice Dept. sets up task force to chase down Covid-19 financial aid fraud
FBI is tracking down people who misused the EIDL and PPP funds. There will be hell to pay.
South Carolina Primary is Saturday
Donald Trump has a 30-point (63-35 in Suffolk poll) lead over Nikki Haley as we go into the Palmetto State’s Republican primary. But she continues to pound away and says she won’t drop out after what many predict will be a loss.
South Carolina has an open primary. Anyone, including non-Republicans, can vote for their favorite Republican nominee. The state has 50 delegates that are up for grabs, and the winner on Saturday gets to pick 29. The winner of each of the state’s seven congressional districts get three delegates per win to make up the other 21 delegates.
Question of the week: The Ayes and Depends have it
Capitol notes
Albert Smith, mayor of Metlakatla; David R. Boxley, Tsimshian carver; and Christopher Lundberg, counsel for Metlakatla Indian Association, were introduced in the Peratrovich Gallery on Thursday. The Capitol has been filled with members of the public and local elected officials in town for Alaska Municipal League’s fly-in. The introductions during House floor sessions have been a marathon.
Rep. Mary Peltola's second address to a joint session of the Legislature is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 26 at 11 a.m.
Territorial Sportsmen’s annual banquet in Juneau is Saturday night. Here’s the link.
Must Read Alaska Show
Tune in and hear Wasilla’s Rob Yundt, former mixed martial arts competitor and current homebuilder, talk about running for state Senate. With your awesome host John Quick.
This day in history
Feb. 23, 1836, during the Texas war for independence, Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna began a siege of the Alamo.
Feb. 23, 1945, six U.S. warriors raised the American flag over Mount Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima during World War II.
Columns
Bob Griffin: While funding is adequate for Alaska schools, results are still disappointing
We have some of the highest spending and lowest performance in America.
Joe Geldhof: Juneau school enrollment has been shrinking for decades. Status quo is not going to solve our budget problem
Juneau is making some tough choices. But the school district was going to have to do so sooner or later.
Michael Tavoliero: It’s all a conspiracy? A look at the underlying narratives
You know, we sometimes just wonder if it’s not a tin hat.
Linda Boyle: California, Oregon quietly drop CDC guidance on Covid isolation, but Alaska?
The policymakers just quietly change direction without explanation.
Kelly Tshibaka: Beyond politics to post-partisan solutions with Seneca Scott
Finding common ground in a conversation with a former partisan activist and Alaska’s Kelly Tshibaka.
Tim Barto: Allard bill holds physicians liable for mutilating children’s bodies
Children cannot consent to genital transition surgery. Later on, they should be able to sue, if they change their minds.
Kevin McCabe: Good legislation deserves honest dialogue, not rhetoric
A case for civil discourse.
Alex Gimarc: The 907 Initiative campaign against mayor of Anchorage
The mysterious group campaigning against Mayor Bronson has figured out how to get around campaign finance laws.
Alaska oil: $82.86
Henry Hub gas: $1.73
Alaska North Slope Production: 467,613
Permanent Fund (principal and earnings reserve): $78,379,800,000
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Stop Ranked choice voting. It is confusing and most Alaskans want to vote the way we always have, one person one vote. I always vote, but I refuse to vote for more than one person for an office. It is unconstitutional . One person one vote.