Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday’s Must Read Alaska newsletter

There will be much more news online at Must Read Alaska today.

A sweet cub registered to the Department of Interior makes a smooth landing on Lake Hood in Anchorage after a few touch-and-goes on a sunny-chilly Tuesday.

Thank you to everyone who subscribes to the Must Read Alaska newsletter. Your support is what keeps news balanced in Alaska! - Suzanne

Sen. Lisa Murkowski to address joint legislative session today

You can watch her speech on KTOO 360TV’s YouTube page and on KTOO 360TV/Gavel Alaska at 11 am Alaska Standard Time.

Something most Alaskans can agree on with Sen. Murkowski

Conservative Alaskans are so often at odds with the senator, but we found something that almost all of them will stand with her on:

“Alaska’s Willow Project is an opportunity to increase U.S. energy and national security amid the global disorder caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine. Willow is environmentally responsible, socially just, and just needs approval from the Biden administration.” - Sen. Lisa Murkowski

One day left on Question of the Week survey

If you missed the Monday edition, it’s not too late to take part: “Who do you pick for president?” The link is below, the survey closes today, with results revealed in the Friday newsletter.

Bonus: Your answer is completely private. No one — not even MRAK — sees how any person votes.

Monday Newsletter Feb 2

Must Read Alaska

Take our survey: Who is your current pick for president in '24?

Governor is star of his own second inaugural ball The inaugural ball was a the place to be seen in Anchorage on Saturday night, with all the tux-and-gowns being dusted off. Miss America 2022 Emma Broyles sang the national anthem before the nearly 1,000 Alaskans at the Dena’ina Convention Center…

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MRAK Book Club

And There Was Light by Jon Meacham

The October, 2022 book by Meacham chronicles the life and times of Abraham Lincoln, and how he risked his political future for his moral convictions, determined to preserve democracy and the Union.

Meanwhile, on Anchorage school bookshelves …

What happens when someone complains about a salacious book on the shelves at elementary schools? What you will learn here will shock you.

Biden Border Crisis hearing Thursday

House Judiciary Committee holds a hearing on Thursday, 1 p.m. Alaska time. "The Biden Border Crisis: Part II," will examine the Department of Homeland Security's operations at the southwest border and allow testimony about the effects of illegal immigration on the Yuma community, which is near collapse from the pressure of illegal immigrants.

Witnesses include:

Mr. Jonathan Lines, Yuma County Supervisor District 2
Mr. Leon Wilmot, Sheriff, Yuma County Sheriff's Office
Dr. Robert Trenschel, President and CEO, Yuma Regional Medical Center

Megadeth, For King & Country, Noah Cyrus among artists at ‘23 state fair

Tickets are on sale, and the first six shows have been announced, with something for everyone.

Fur Rondy fireworks, fur auction

The AT&T Fireworks Extravaganza is Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m., and the show can be seen from downtown Anchorage and beyond. Fur auction is Saturday. Schedule is here.

Watch as James O’Keefe, founder of Project Veritas, says farewell to staff after board ousts him

He was at odds with the board of the investigative journalism group he founded. The split came over his handling of finances and his rough management style.

Alaska House passes Patkotak resolution supporting Willow oil and gas project in NPR-A

On Monday, a resolution offered by Rep. Josiah Patkotak of Utqiagvik passed the the Alaska House in support of oil and gas development in the National Petroleum Reserve. House Joint Resolution 6 encourages the Biden Administration to approve the Willow project.

Rachel Bylsma hired as deputy chief of staff to Dunleavy

Rachel Bylsma is coming over from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (and also formerly with the offices of Sen. Dan Sullivan) to be deputy chief of staff for Gov. Mike Dunleavy. She also worked as a special assistant in the Parnell Administration. She starts March 1, will report to Chief of Staff Tyson Gallagher, and will lead the policy team.

Carbon in Europe hits record high prices

Reuters says the price of permits on the European Union's carbon market hit 100 euros ($106.57) per ton for the first time on Tuesday, a milestone that reflects increased costs that factories and power plants must pay when they pollute. The cost of polluting will make goods and services even more expensive in Europe as the European Union's Emissions Trading System forces manufacturers, power companies and airlines to pay for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit as part of the bloc's efforts to meet its climate targets by 2050. Will Europeans abide by the consequences?

Sam Brinton, former Biden Energy official, released with no bail

Brinton, a former senior Department of Energy official in the Biden Administration who was arrested late last year for airport baggage theft, was let out of a medium-security level county jail in Minneapolis, without bail last Wednesday.

Friday night news dump: Search called off for probable mylar balloon

Balloon clubs say they have a couple of missing balloons they think may have been shot down by the U.S. Air Force. Very late on Friday night, the Department of Defense said it ended its search for an airborne object shot down north of Deadhorse, Alaska on Feb. 10.

Friday marks one year since Russia invasion of Ukraine, and U.S. taxpayers have been charged $113 billion

Congress committed more than $113 billion dollars in support for Ukraine across four major spending packages in 2022 alone. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget says more spending is likely.

START stop: Putin says he’ll end nuclear arms treaty

All things come to an end. Russia President Putin announced Tuesday that he will not renew his nation’s participation in the New START treaty, the last surviving nuclear arms control agreement between the two super powers of U.S. and Russia.

This day in history

1980 : Miracle on Ice! The U.S. hockey team, thrown together with several amateur college players, defeated the defending champions and favorites to win the gold medal Soviet Union squad by 4-3 at a game in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.

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Price of Alaska oil: $79.85
Price of Henry Hub gas: $2.28
Alaska North Slope Production: 491,315
Permanent Fund (principal and earnings reserve): $78,217,300,000

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COLUMNS

Dolitsky: Thanks, no thanks, as WWII Lend-Lease suffers from miscommunications

Alaskans worked with Soviets, but later Soviet historians painted the aid program as an effort to expand American imperialism and use Soviet resistance for the West’s own mobilization. Fifth in the series on the lend-lease program that helped win World War II, but made America an odd ally with the Soviet Union.

Alex Gimarc: Carbon capture 101, Alaska style

There are a pair of bills making their way through the House with companion legislation in the Senate to set this up in Alaska Statute. HB 50 sets up geologic storage of carbon dioxide (CO2). HB 49 establishes a carbon offset program for state lands and a market for carbon offset credits. DNR made a presentation in support of the scheme to the House Resources Committee on Feb 10.

David Ignell: A human tragedy caused by OCS

One of our most read columns of the year: George was born into this world with cocaine and marijuana in his system. AK Mom, a registered nurse, brought him home from the hospital when he was seven days old. Over the next 13 years, George would be diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome, attention deficit disorder, and disruptive behavior disorder. He is autistic, the kind of kid many Alaskans want to ignore, but his condition is a product of our failed drug and rehabilitation policies.

Jamie Allard: It is time for us to blaze a new trail in education

Washington and Lincoln would agree we have a crisis in our public education system. They might weep to learn that our high school seniors graduate unable to read. A strong nation can be brought to its knees when an entire generation is crippled by a failed education system.

Suzanne Downing: Gigi Sohn is a bad cop for FCC commissioner

She is far too partisan and hates half of America. She’s even an embarrassment to Democrats. Senate should say no to Gigi.

Win Gruening: Landfill escalating rates are wake up call for Juneau

On Feb. 1, household garbage rates increased 10% from $180/ton to $198/ton and the minimum charge zoomed from $49.50 to $141.19 – a near tripling of the rate most residential users will pay.

Art Chance: The history of the value of a college degree

Art applauds the notion of doing away with the “a degree” qualification. Of course, I’ve been advocating it in my writing for the better part of 20 years. Now we can talk about how the Dunleavy administration can screw up even a good idea?

Alexander Dolitsky: In the uneasy alliance, America sends food to Soviet Union

In four years of World War II, the United States supplied 14,798 combat aircraft to the Soviet Union. More than half (7,925) of the planes were flown over the Northwest Route across Canada and Alaska and accepted at Ladd Army Airfield in Fairbanks by Russian inspectors. Some American military experts questioned whether the Soviets needed all of these aircraft.

MUST READ ALASKA PODCAST

Our last 15 podcasts, available at any of your podcast providers:

Rep. Jamie Allard of Eagle River is true to her word.
Representative Ben Carpenter on budgets and audits.
The Man, the Myth the Legend Pastor Dean Curry.
Mayor Edna DeVries is one of the most engaged politicians in Alaska.
Scott Kendall on what he thinks the Alaska House & Senate can get done this year.
Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa.
Congresswoman Peltola has a 56% approval rating and RCV approvals are tanking!
Anchorage Assembly candidate Spencer Moore loves Anchorage and wants to help.
Iron Dog’s Executive Director Mike Vasser.
Mark Lindquist: Author, lawyer, and former People Magazine’s Most Eligible Bachelor.
Author Hans Johnson talks about building wealth while being a kind person.
Mayor Bronson of Anchorage is on a mission to FIX a $1,500,000,000+ problem.
Snug Harbor Outpost will change your life!
Is bycatch ruining Alaska?
Kelly Tshibaka launches Preserve Democracy.

Must Read Alaska LLC | 200 W. 34th Ave. #220, Anchorage, AK 99503

www.mustreadalaska.com

Murkowski addresses Legislature