Start your Ski-Doo: Iron Dog today
Start your Ski-Doo: Iron Dog today
And it looks like it's Mayor Micciche for the win in Kenai
It’s the Big 5-0 for the snow machine race to (please don’t) die for
The Iron Dog starts today, with the non-competitive group, the Expedition Class, roaring out of Big Lake heading on a one-way trip to Nome.
The Iron Dog is the “World’s Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race,” covering more than 2,500 miles as it traverses the Alaska backcountry. Even the Expedition Class is not for the metrosexuals among us.
The Pro Class starts on Feb. 17 and finishes on Feb. 25. From Big Lake, Pro Class racers travel over the Alaska Range to the Yukon River, then overland to the Bering Sea coast. Once on the coast they travel to Koyuk then to Kotzebue via the “Red Dog Loop.” From Kotz, racers head south reaching the halfway point in Nome. The racers make the turn and, minus the “Red Dog Loop,” finish back in Big Lake.
Follow along at the Iron Dog website.
Team #49, Iron Dog veterans Todd Palin of Big Lake, and Klinton Van Wingerden of Wasilla, randomly picked the first starting position number at yesterday’s luncheon.
John Quick’s interview with Mike Vasser
On the Must Read Alaska Show, John Quick talks with the executive director of Iron Dog about the changes to the race over the past 50 years. Anywhere you listen to podcasts, we’re there.
It’s Mayor Micciche in Kenai
The special election to replace Charlie Pierce has gone to former State Sen. Peter Micciche, with over 50%. Check with Must Read Alaska this morning for the unofficial tally so far.
Mary Peltola in the House in Juneau
The U.S. House of Representatives is out for a couple of weeks, allowing members to be in their districts. That means Rep. Mary Peltola is making the rounds to her base. She will be the featured speaker at the Alaska Legislature on Friday, where she will be giving her first formal address to the Legislature and possibly the first formal address of her career. Her business partner husband Gene Peltola will likely be in the gallery.
The late Congressman Don Young never gave formal remarks to the Alaska Legislature. But he did sit down separately with the Republicans and the Democrats in Juneau.
Former Rep. LeDoux trial to be scheduled on April 11
The former Alaska House Rules chair, was indicted in 2020 for election crimes allegedly committed in 2018, but Gabrielle LeDoux has still not faced a jury. Instead, it’s been delay after unexplained delay by her legal team. We’ll see if it’s delayed again for some new reason.
Sen Sullivan confirms: Russian bombers were patrolling the Bering Sea
Sullivan gave impromptu answers to the D.C. press scrum as he came out of the classified briefing on mystery objects the U.S. military has been shooting down. He’s definitely in Marine mode. Watch the video.
Sen. Sullivan: Biden needs to come clean on what types of items are being shot down over American air space
Sullivan is calling for transparency. If the Biden Administration does not tell Americans what is being shot down, people will naturally fill in with their own ideas.
National Security Council says'no indication of aliens'
“One of the reasons we think we’re seeing them is because we’re looking for them. If you set the parameters to look for a certain something it’s more likely you’re going to find a certain something,” said John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator for the NSC.
State Department: Americans, leave Russia now
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine — and the U.S. — prompted another evacuation warning and a move to the “red zone” for travel advisories. In other words, get the hell out.
Rep. Mary Peltola votes for the carjackers in nation’s capital
A vote to give robbers and carjackers a free pass, and make every misdemeanor eligible for a jury trial? Aliens having the right to vote? The radicalization of Mary Peltola.
Nikki Haley announces candidacy for president
She was Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations. She is leading with her national security credentials but she was also two-time governor of South Carolina. Haley is the daughter of Indian immigrants.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein announces her retirement
She’s 89, she can’t remember that her staff sent out the press release announcing her retirement. Will she even make it to January, 2025?
Mayor Bronson appoints APOC Chairwoman Anne Helzer as Anchorage Municipal Attorney
Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson on Monday announced he has named the chair of the Alaska Public Offices Commission. She replaces Blair Christensen.
Coming Friday : Inaugural Ball : Get your tickets now
For the event of the season in Anchorage. They are almost gone …
Covid shots for kids: U.S. lists them for six months and older ‘only’ so they can be given free to uninsured kids
From the mouth of Rochelle Walensky: The only reason it’s listed in the recommended shots is so babies in uninsured families can get them for free. You cannot make this stuff up.
Price of Alaska oil: $82.33
Price of Henry Hub gas: $2.57
Alaska North Slope Production: 498,316
Permanent Fund (principal and earnings reserve): $78,551,400,000
COLUMNS
Suzanne Downing: Biden’s tax offense would leave American retirees injured on the field
Make no mistake: When Biden goes after corporate taxes saying it’s the greedy shareholders who should be taxed, he’s talking about your retirement account.
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.
Patrick LeMay: Newtok, the time to relocate is now
Newtok Village has experienced two newsworthy events within the last four months. In September 2022, flooding and erosion severely impacted the community because of remnants from Typhoon Merbok. A couple of weeks ago, a fire destroyed the school’s power plant. It’s time to move.
Dave Bronson: Everyone needs a place
Reflecting on more than a year and a half as mayor of Anchorage, I realize now more than ever, that the issue of homelessness touches nearly every aspect of our great
city. What I’ve learned.
Paulette Simpson: The ticking demographic time bomb
Currently, Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau are experiencing declines in student enrollment. These are not new demographic developments. There’s been plenty of time for local leaders to craft rational policies and plans to address this depressing, potentially devastating trend. But they haven’t.
Alexander Dolitsky: Memories of Soviet pilots in Fairbanks and Nome
The first Soviet envoys arrive in Nome in 1942; eventually up to 600 were stationed in Alaska. Part III of a series.
MUST READ ALASKA PODCAST
Our last 10 podcasts, available at any of your podcast providers:
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
Open and honest, Speaker of the House Rep. Cathy Tilton
Shawn Williams is helping bring Alaska into the 21st century
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