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Current Topics
2025's big climate reality check. Axios
Lead pollution likely caused widespread IQ declines in ancient Rome, new study finds. Science Daily
For the passengers of Alaska flight 1282, the terror of the cabin blowout is slow to fade. ADN
O-Negative blood critically needed by Blood Bank. Alaska's News Source
O-Positive is the most common blood type, according to the American Red Cross, but O-Negative is the most commonly used blood for transfusions, particularly when the patient’s blood type is not known, and is often used during emergency. “The blood that we collect in Alaska is used in Alaska, and when you donate a unit of blood, you are helping your fellow Alaskan and you are saving another Alaskan’s life,” Scanlon said.
Arctic Issues
Russia reasserts 'blood right interest' over unclaimed underwater Arctic ridge. Nunatsiaq News
Russia is claiming a “blood right interest” in an underwater ridge that extends from the northern tip of Greenland to Siberia, and is gathering evidence to claim sovereign rights over it at the United Nations.
National Security
U.S. Department of Defense sounds alarm bells about China's growing presence in Arctic. GCaptain
In the decade since gaining observer status on the Arctic Council in 2013 China has massively expanded its Arctic footprint and has begun to work closely with Russia in its attempt to be seen as an Arctic power. “The PRC’s expanding Arctic engagement has created new opportunities for engagement between the PRC and Russia and has resulted in unprecedented styles of collaboration,” the DoD concludes.
China's Arctic Presence Worries U.S. Ahead of Trump's Return. News Week
Diplomats have "strong concerns about PRC behavior in the Arctic, to include the PRC's scientific research in the region—research that could be used for future military operations," Naz Durakoğlu wrote to a bipartisan congressional committee that scrutinizes the activities of the Communist Party of China (CCP). There was "increasing frequency and complexity of PRC activity in the region," creating defense and security challenges for the U.S. as China made increased efforts to garner influence, Durakoğlu, an Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Legislative Affairs, wrote.
(My comment: I have asked for and received authorization for a Special Senate Committee on Arctic Affairs. I intend to dig into this kind of issue, and more, in that committee.)
Economy
Where we're growing. Axios
As Anchorage population shrinks, planners consider scaled-down connector for Seward and Glenn highways. ADN
Updated estimate shows Alaska has more people than previously thought. Alaska Beacon
A new state population estimate shows Alaska has 741,147 residents, an increase of more than 4,300 people from a figure published last year. While more people moved out of the state than moved into it for a 12th consecutive year, those losses were outweighed by new births within the state. In December, the U.S. Census Bureau published figures that sharply raised the number of estimated international immigrants coming into the United States, including Alaska.
Politics
Opinion: Gov. Dunleavy has a choice - continue down his PFD path or work on a long-term solution. ADN
GOP dominates states. Axios
Dems keep control of Virginia statehouse. Axios
The results could limit Youngkin's conservative agenda for the state, requiring the governor to gain bipartisan support for his legislative vision.
(My comment: Public policy SHOULD have bipartisan, wide, diverse support. That’s what the “public” part means.)
Energy
A Fairbanks lab is testing a prototype of a new cold climate heat pump. Alaska Public Media
Upfront capital costs remain one of the bigger roadblocks for heat pumps, and after years of growth, global heat pump sales dropped by 3% in 2023.
Hilcorp wants to build a Kenai Peninsula natural gas storage facility as a 'buffer' against shortage. ADN
Unnamed energy company is negotiating takeover of proposed trans-Alaska gas pipeline. Alaska Beacon
Health Care
We're not heading in the right direction: A Q&A with Murkowski on health care. Northern Journal
After backlogs, federal judge orders Alaska to speed processing time for food assistance applications. ADN
As of November, there were more than 1,200 initial SNAP applications that had not been processed within 30 days as required, and the average application processing time stood at more than 60 days, according to information provided to the court.
Alaskans deserve plan to stem decline in state services. Reporting from Alaska
Opinion: The hospital staffing crisis and the importance of Alaska bedside nurses. ADN
Empirical research has shown that a primary driver for nurses leaving the bedside is inadequate staffing and unsafe patient assignments. Hospitals cannot retain nurses who must drown in tasks in order to provide safe care. Nurses cannot morally accept working for an institution that will undermine patient safety to protect its own bottom line.
Thousands of Alaskans to see a steep rise in health insurance costs for the third year in a row. Alaska Public Media
More than 20,000 Alaskans get their health insurance through the federal marketplace, and their plans are set to go up by about 17% this year. That follows two years of similar spikes in costs.
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