What did Kenai teacher's union president do to land in jail?

Monday brings 18 hours of daylight to Anchorage

Good morning from Somewhere in Alaska!

The long days are here with just one month to go until the summer solstice. In Anchorage, we’ve got 18:02 hours of daylight, while in Juneau you’ll see 17:15 hours and in Fairbanks you’re getting 19:30 hours of daylight. Kotzebue gets 20:44 minutes, and Utqiagvik won’t see the sun set for a couple of months.

Spotted in Juneau on Sunday, Nick Begich and family. We heard he has a couple of speaking engagements there this week with Republican Women and a business group.

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Election challenge filed regarding Anchorage voter disenfranchisement

An election challenge has been filed with the municipal clerk’s office in Anchorage, raising allegations of voter disenfranchisement of tens of thousands of potential voters in the recent municipal election held on April 4.

U.S. District Court won’t dismiss lawsuit vs. Alaska over ERIC voter data

Alaska U.S. District Court on Wednesday denied the State of Alaska’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the Public Interest Legal Foundation to obtain Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) data reports pertaining to potentially deceased registrants on the state’s voter rolls.

Illegal crossings over southern border in first four months of 2023 is more than population of Alaska

The numbers are also larger than 290 of the 300 largest cities in the U.S., edging out the population of Austin, Texas, which is currently the 10th largest city.

Greens Creek Mine expansion comment period ends Tuesday

The comment period, which began on March 24, is an opportunity for individuals and organizations to voice their opinions on the proposed expansion of the mine, which is the largest private sector employer in Juneau. The deadline for submitting comments is May 23 at 11:59 p.m. Alaska time.

Chugach Electric Association election results: Alaska Center wins

There’s no sugarcoating it — the board is now dominated by Alaska Center surrogates. And that means you’ll pay more for less.

Soldotna High teacher, who is also the KPEA union president, arrested for sexual abuse of minor

He is a political figure on the Kenai as the head of the teacher’s union, and he testified in favor or growing the funding formula for schools. Now he lives at Wildwood Pretrial.

Deputy Defense Sec. Hicks in Alaska to talk about climate change

During her visit, Hicks travel to Eielson Air Force Base, Fort Wainwright, and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Her visit coincided with the arrival of Air Force One for fuel.

Sen. Sullivan puts Fed Reserve chair on blast over climate-change mission creep

Stay in your lane, says Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan in a letter to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, expressing concerns over the Fed’s involvement in climate activism and calling for a return to addressing pressing economic issues affecting the American people.

Senators Ted Cruz, Marsha Blackburn launch investigation into Bud Light’s targeting of underage individuals

The senators are urging the association to examine whether Anheuser-Busch’s partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney violates the institute’s guidelines, which prohibit marketing to underage individuals.

Judge could rule by Friday on Southeast Alaska commercial troll closure

A lawsuit brought by the Wild Fish Conservancy of Washington State to protect southern resident orcas in Puget Sound and in Oregon is in Washington court, but will the district judge allow Southeast Alaska’s historic fishery to continue. or block the season for commercial fishing for king salmon based on no scientific proof that Southeast Alaska salmon trollers have any effect on Washington-area orcas?

The State of Alaska Department of Law has asked for a decision by May 26. If the judge doesn’t act on the motion by May 26, then the motion will be filed in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Target adds ‘pride’ clothing from Satan-promoting LGBTQ designer

It appears Target did not take heed when Bud Light made a wrong turn. Target has partnered with a designer who also offers Satan Respects Pronouns t-shirts. Pride Month is coming at about the same time the U.S. hits the debt ceiling. Brace for impact.

Tim Scott files for president

South Carolina U.S. Sen. Scott will make the formal announcement at a rally today in South Carolina.

DeSantis to announce this week, too

Between the 24th and the 27th in Dunedin, Florida, his hometown, Gov. Ron DeSantis will roll out his much-anticipated campaign for president. In a phone call with donors last week, he said Trump can’t win the general election, but he can.

Adjourned in Juneau: Where the capital budget amendment went

The $34.2 million in capital spending, a 75-25 $1,300 PFD, a modest one-time education funding bonus, and the session adjourned on Day 1 of Special Session. The House vote was all over the map because this is what happens when there is no binding caucus.

Here is where the capital amendment money went:

Statewide

$550,000, seed money for a statewide project to provide a consistent policy manual for every law enforcement agency in the state.

Anchorage

$1.5 million, establishment of the Eagle River Cemetery

$2 million, Mary Avenue area storm drainage

$1 million, Starner Bridge Road and drainage in Eagle River

$447,500, drainage and ditch work in South Anchorage Hillside service area

$200,000, South Anchorage’s Hillside fire prevention, mitigation

$420,000, Lower Virgo Ave. emergency access

Mat-Su

$5 million, reconstruction of Palmer Library, which had a partial roof collapse on Feb. 15 due to snow load

$5 million, runway extension at the Wasilla Airport of commuter flights

$4.75 million, Talkeetna water and sewer line repairs, upgrades

$1 million, Mat-Su Borough metropolitan planning organization support

Interior

$7.1 million, Veterans Cemetery

$3 million, abatement of eyesore Polaris Hotel, the tallest building in Fairbanks

$474,000, ADA-compliant elevator at Salcha Senior Center

$85,000, maintenance at Tok Chamber of Commerce

$25,000, Kenny Lake Volunteer Fire Department

Kenai

$670,525, Hope transfer site relocation

$150,000, Ninilchik Senior Center kitchen expansion

$600,000, Wildwood Drive reconstruction

Rural

$5 million, Dillingham small harbor float replacement

$500,000, Kotzebue Port Authority

$269,410, Pilot Station bulldozer

$500,000, Bethel Public Safety communication tower

What is this year’s $1,300 Permanent Fund dividend worth in 1982 dollars?

The first PFD issued in 1982 was for $1,000. This year, the Legislature has set the amount at $1,300. If the PFD had kept up with inflation, and with all other investment factors not considered, today’s PFD would be about $3,143.66 today.

Of course, in 1982, a dozen eggs cost 87 cents.

Celebration of life for Dan Gensel

A celebration of the life of “Coach” Dan Gensel is set for the Soldotna High School Gym at 6 pm Tuesday, May 23. Coach Gensel, lifelong Alaskan, died at his home on May 14, 2023, at age 66. He was a long-time football and basketball coach on the Kenai, and after his retirement was a broadcaster covering sports at KSRM.

Question of the Week

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This day in history

May 22, 1843, 1st wagon train with 700 - 1000 migrants, departs Independence, Missouri for Oregon

May 23, 1935,Officials held a drawing at the newly established Matanuska Colony to award the first 200 tracts to the settlers of this government-sponsored relief and development project.

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Columns

Sean Murphy: Eaglexit and the authority of school boards in Alaska

This is the second part of our series of articles to describe an education model for the new Chugach Regional Borough. After all, isn’t it always about the future?

Kreig and Vazquez: Who to vote for in Chugach Electric board elections

There are three good choices for the future of Anchorage electric rates. And three really bad choices the greenies want you to vote for. This is the last week to vote.

Did Anchorage’s superintendent break promise to Family Partnership Charter School community?

He said the principal of Family Partnership would remain. Now he says she is leaving. That was fast.

Downing: Democrats have a zombie problem

Not to be unkind, but between Feinstein, Fetterman, and Biden (not to mention Sanders and Pelosi) it is the Night of the Living Dead running our country.

Glen Biegel: Choose your school wisely

Be in alignment with the school that your children attend. If you are not, you’re not going to like the results.

Doug Vincent-Lang: Another unjustified attack by the feds on Alaska

The National Park Service is once again dividing Alaska by unjustifiably undermining the state’s sustainable management of Alaska’s wildlife. In the latest attack, the National Park Service has proposed rule making that prohibits traditional methods and means of hunting throughout national preserves in Alaska. 

Win Gruening: Connecting the dots on Alaska’s higher cost of living

According to a recent survey by the Alaska Department of Labor, housing became less affordable in all parts of Alaska in 2022.

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• Alaska oil: $75.14

• Henry Hub gas: $2.59

• Alaska North Slope Production: 479,590

• Permanent Fund (principal and earnings reserve): $76,676,600,000

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