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Current Topics
DOT introduces revised alternatives for Seward to Glenn Highway connector. Alaska's News Source
he state’s Department of Transportation presented newly revised alternatives for the Seward to Glenn Connection during Tuesday’s open house. The study is working to evaluate options to improve safety, livability, regional travel between the Seward and Glenn Highways, and local travel within the surrounding neighborhoods like Fairview, as well as improve access between the Port of Alaska and the highway network.
Arctic Issues
New U.S. Arctic icebreakers won't be ready until 2030, lawmakers say. The Washington Times
On Wednesday, lawmakers on Capitol Hill said the first of the new Polar Security Cutter icebreakers won’t be operational until 2030 at the earliest. It was supposed to be in the fleet this year, even as Russia forges ahead with a far more massive fleet already deployed in the region. “Despite being announced in 2018, we’re no closer to having an operational polar security cutter now than we were then,” said Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a Florida Republican who chairs the Transportation and Maritime subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee.
(My comment: This jeopardizes our Arctic security. It’s massively disappointing.)
Kentucky Air Guard helps alleviate arctic housing shortage with airlift mission to North Slope. DVIDS
Thirty-six Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard conducted Operation Arctic Haven here Aug. 30 to Sept. 6, airlifting 39 tons of residential building supplies to the North Slope of Alaska to support local communities in need.
China launches deep-sea icebreaker to help forget path in research and Arctic influence. SCMP
As China asserts itself as a “near-Arctic power”, it has launched its first icebreaker ship capable of scientific and archaeological research in deep and distant seas that can support crewed deep dives in icy regions, according to state media.
Arctic National Security
NORAD jets intercept 4 Russian aircraft off Alaska's coastlines. Alaska Public Media
The North American Aerospace Defense Command detected and tracked four Russian military aircraft Tuesday as they passed through international airspace off Alaska’s coasts.
UNOLS Arctic Marine Research Capabilities Committee. UNOLS
The AMRCC was established with support from the federal funding agencies to develop Science Missions and Science Mission Requirements to provide guidance to U.S. federal agencies regarding icebreaker support for Arctic marine research.
(My comment: The map shows a photo of Greenland. This attention is misdirected. The US border with the attention is Alaska. Federal agencies are far behind and
glacially slow.)
Has Russia's Shadow Fleet, built to evade sanctions, added sabotage to its list? NYT
Western officials have long been concerned about Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet, an assemblage of aged tankers created to covertly carry Russian crude oil around the world. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the worry primarily concerned the use of such off-the-books ships to circumvent Western sanctions and generate revenue to fuel the Kremlin’s war machine. But Russia’s shadow fleet may now present a more pressing danger to the West.
(My comment: Aged vessels. Shadow fleet transporting oil, and who knows what else. Through the Bering Straits?)
Russian Navy launches second Arctic 'Combat Icebreaker'. G Captain
Over the course of the past twelve months, Russia sent the fourth nuclear icebreaker of the new Arktika-class on sea trials, launched a fifth, and laid down a sixth vessel. These vessels will serve along the Northern Sea Route for Rosatomflot. The Russian Navy also commissioned icebreaker Evpatiy Kolovrat for its Pacific Fleet. These come in addition to the completion and launch of the two combat icebreakers.
Economy
Tariff threats cast shadow over US reliance on Canada for majority of its oil imports. ABC News
The U.S. increasingly relies on Canadian crude oil to meet domestic demand. That relationship faces potential strain amid the threat of tariffs from President-elect Donald Trump. More than 50% of crude oil imported to the U.S. comes from Canada, up from 33% in 2013. The increase follows a jump in production from Canada’s western provinces and growing pipeline capacity to the U.S.
Driving an EV? Big Oil hopes you don't cut down on plastic too. The Wall Street Journal
“One word: plastics.” Career advice given to Dustin Hoffman’s aimless character in “The Graduate” turned out to be pretty solid. Since the film’s 1967 release, global plastic use has risen twentyfold. But the plot is thickening just as Big Oil grows dependent on the wonder-material.
Governor delays salary study as staffing shortages continue to hobble Alaskan government. ADN
Challenges in recruitment and retention of state employees continue to bog down state services, according to budget documents released earlier this month. In recent months, the Fairbanks Pioneer Home, a public assisted-living facility, has reduced its capacity because of a shortage of staff. The Alaska Psychiatric Institute, the only public inpatient mental health facility in the state, relies on contracted staff, rather than employees, to provide care. The Division of Juvenile Justice has closed its Fairbanks facility due to staffing shortages.
States where workers are getting a raise. Axios
Millions of workers are getting a raise on Wednesday, when the minimum wage is set to rise across 21 states, and 48 cities and counties
Education
Alaska has resolved school funding equity concerns, feds say, $17.5M in pandemic aid. ADN
The U.S. Department of Education on Friday told state education officials that a one-time funding boost this year had resolved a dispute over how COVID-19 aid was disbursed to Alaska schools.
Politics
US Senate likely to vote in legislation to increase Social Security benefits. Alaska's News Source
Those who support the legislation say the provisions unfairly reduce the Social Security benefits received by public employees. Currently, the Windfall Elimination Provision reduces Social Security payments for some retirees who also receive a pension from state or federal employment, while the GPO decreases Social Security benefits for the surviving spouses and family members of these workers.
US Senate voter sends bill boosting Social Security benefits for 15,000 Alaskans to Biden's desk. Alaska Public Media
A bill that would repeal the windfall elimination provision and government pension offset — and, in effect, increase some 15,000 Alaskans’ Social Security benefits — is headed for President Biden’s desk and is expected to become law after passing the Senate 76-20 early Saturday ahead of a vote averting a government shutdown.
Health Care
1 big thing: Door opened to hospital reforms. Axios
The most substantial reforms, known as site-neutral payments, would have Medicare pay hospital outpatient departments the same amount for the same service as independent physician offices. Site-neutral payments could save more than $100 billion over a decade.
(My comment: Ever wonder why so many doctors offices are locating in hospital properties? They can charge a lot more for those services. This needs to be addressed.)
Steward debacle but private equity in spotlight. Axios
(My comment: This affected Ketchican hospital emergency room doctors, who went without pay for months.)
Nurse union charges against Providence Alaska for 'illegal union-busting tactics'. Alaska Public Media
A union representing nurses at Providence Alaska filed three unfair labor practice charges against the hospital with the National Labor Relations Board. The charges were filed Dec. 13 in response to what the union calls “illegal union-busting tactics.”
State task force report includes 56 recommendations for improving child care across Alaska. Alaska's News Source
The report is the second in a pair, with the first report — issued on Dec. 31, 2023 — focusing on childcare challenges related to background checks, licensing, and workforce.
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