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Current Topics
A family-owned institution for 7 decades, Lucky Wishbone earns a James Beard Award. Anchorage Daily News
The James Beard Foundation said Wednesday that the restaurant was one of six across the country to earn its America’s Classics Award. According to the foundation’s website, the award “is given to locally-owned restaurants with timeless appeal that serve quality food and are beloved by their communities.”
Alaska governor proposes new method for picking state judges. Alaska Beacon
The draft amendment, known variously as House Joint Resolution 12 and Senate Joint Resolution 13, would reduce the role of the nonpartisan Alaska Judicial Council in the judge-picking process.
Arctic Issues
Mass federal firings hit critical national Weather Service and NOAA offices. Anchorage Daily News
Termination letters were sent to staff in offices across the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and of the National Weather Service, multiple employees told The Washington Post. It was a step current and former agency staff had been fearing for days, warning they would cause massive disruptions in the nation’s ability to guard against storms, solar flares and other natural threats.
In shocking first, sea ice breaks off in mid-February. The Nome Nugget
Sea ice has decreased by over 30 percent in the Bering Sea over the first two weeks in February, according to Thoman. The ice is now at its second lowest for this time of year on record. Only 2018 had less. The low sea ice could have impacts on the ecosystem. In 2018, after two winters of low ice, the Bering Sea struggled to renew its cold pool, a layer of extremely cold water that helps separate the ecosystem of the Northern Bering Sea from the Southern Bering Sea. Rick Thoman said he was concerned that without the sea ice, there might be trouble renewing the cold pool.
China drives 10-fold increase in container shipping at Russian arctic port. GCaptain
The increase is driven by several Chinese shipping companies making a push into the Arctic over the last several years. NewNew Shipping Line and EZ Safetrans Logistics established scheduled seasonal liner service along the Northern Sea Route connecting Russia to China. In total NewNew Shipping Line completed 17 voyages across the route last year. For 2025 Arkhangelsk expects to double arrivals again to total of at least 20 vessels.
Greenland's leader says the island 'is ours' as Trump vows to acquire the territory. Anchorage Daily News
Trump said his administration was “working with everybody involved to try to get” Greenland. “We need it really for international world security. And I think we’re going to get it. One way or the other, we’re going to get it,” Trump said.
Economy
Alaska senators unveil oil tax increases as part of revenue measures to address growing deficit. Anchorage Daily News
The Legislature’s oil and gas analyst in 2023 said a previous tax hike proposal would likely have limited impacts on current or planned projects. But there could be downside risk on major new developments, according to an analysis by GaffneyCline. “We’ll see if that still holds true,” said Anchorage Republican Sen. Cathy Giessel, chair of the Senate Resources Committee. Giessel said another analysis would be needed on the economic impacts of the proposed tax changes. But she also stressed the dire fiscal outlook facing legislators. “It’s a huge challenge we’ve talked about — the approaching fiscal cliff. Well, now we’re standing at the edge,” she said.
Alaska senate leaders propose reducing oil tax credits as deficits loom. Alaska Public Media
One controversial bill would reduce a state North Slope oil production tax credit by $3 per barrel. It would also prevent oil producers from claiming more in production tax credits than they spend on capital investment in a given year.
Why your coffee fix has gotten so pricey - and it will only get worse. Anchorage Daily News
it’s not just coffee chains - with all the costs of labor and order customization - that have seen prices soar. Government data in January showed that the retail price of ground coffee hit a record high of $7 a pound, up from $4 in January 2020.
Over 100 Alaska nonprofits & tribes say DOGE federal freeze will shut them down, report shows. Alaska's News Source
In the wake of recent Trump administration-signed executive orders, nonprofits nationwide are facing the possibility of significant federal funding cuts, leaving hundreds of Alaska tribes and nonprofit organizations confused and worried. The executive orders signed by President Donald Trump that called for the freeze and elimination of federal funding on Jan. 27 were shortly thereafter rescinded by the Office of Management and Budget on Jan. 29 due to legal challenges nationwide. However, the threat still looms as some organizations are still facing a freeze, with some even experiencing funding elimination.
Trump firings at Juneau glacier's visitor center prompt summer tourism concerns. Alaska Public Media
Most of the staff at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center were fired earlier this month, leaving city tourism leaders worried that one of Juneau’s most popular visitor destinations may reduce services, or even close for the cruise season.
Alaska legislative leaders urge congressional delegation to avert 'looming crisis' from deep federal cuts. Anchorage Daily News
Stevens and Edgmon warned about the “destabilizing” impacts of potential cuts to food stamps, early learning programs and Alaska’s bypass mail program; said that hundreds of federal workers in Alaska could lose their jobs; and conveyed fears that hundreds of millions of dollars in grants for energy projects in Alaska could stay frozen.
Alaska lawmakers see public sector pension reform over persistent opposition. Anchorage Daily News
“There is one constant theme, and that is high turnover, high vacancies, loss of institutional knowledge, loss of training dollars, and an inability to effectively deliver services because they’re constantly in a training mode,” Kopp said.
Trump plans tariffs on Mexico and Canada for Tuesday, while doubling existing 10% tariffs on China. Anchorage Daily News
President Donald Trump plans to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting March 4, in addition to doubling the 10% universal tariff charged on imports from China.
Opinion: the reality is we can't fund Alaska's needs and also pay large PFDs. Anchorage Daily News
After years of paying large PFDs, the Legislature faces a stark reality: It is impossible to pay a large PFD and meet our constitutional responsibility of funding public schools.
How many Alaska feds were fired? lacking data, lawmakers crowd-source for anecdotes. Alaska Public Media
In a letter to the state's congressional delegation, Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, say the two Trump administration priorities “endanger the economic prosperity and social well-being of Alaskans.”
Trump administration firings at Alaska parks and forests threaten tourism, industry representatives say. Anchorage Daily News
Alaska Permanent Fund has good chance of failing to fund services and PFD in next decade, forecasts show. Anchorage Daily News
The Permanent Fund’s board has long urged lawmakers to convert the fund’s two-account structure into an endowment model to ensure its long-term sustainability. Legislators have started discussing amendments to the Alaska Constitution to follow the board’s recommendations.
Trump's trade war draws swift retaliation as Mexico, Canada and China impose tariffs on the U.S. Anchorage Daily News
President Donald Trump launched a trade war Tuesday against America’s three biggest trading partners, drawing immediate retaliation from Mexico, Canada and China and sending financial markets into a tailspin as the U.S. faced the threat of rekindled inflation and paralyzing uncertainty for business.
UAA professor: Alaska 'uniquely vulnerable' to tariff's impact. Alaska News Source
“Even today, if we need to rally military defense it’s the Canadians that join us. The Chinese and Russian vessels and aircraft that have bumped along our borders, the Canadians have responded, as well,” Giessel said during Thursday’s special committee. “This is actually a special opportunity for us to really again recognize the partnership that we have with Canada.”
Fisheries
NOAA firings hit crucial Alaska weather service, fishery research. Anchorage Daily News
Alaskans were among the hundreds of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees who began receiving firing notices this week, a blow to an agency that provides everything from weather forecasts to fisheries management to cutting-edge climate science in Alaska. The cuts — part of a broader effort by the administration of President Donald Trump to drastically slash the federal workforce — came after other agencies, including the National Park Service, had abruptly fired probationary workers in recent weeks.
Energy
Thieves keep taking copper form utility equipment in Anchorage. Anchorage Daily News
“Thieves are compromising the safety and security of the public and our crews by tampering with our infrastructure. Serious injury or death can result from wires being cut in critical places.”
Trump Administration 'working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska': Sen. Sullivan reacts to President's address to Congress. Alaska's News Source
“The President laid out a common sense agenda that he’s already implementing in a huge way. [He talked] a lot about the border, securing the border... a lot about big things, big things for America,” Sullivan said. “I got to tell you because I worked this really hard with Governor Dunleavy... the fact that the President of the United States was highlighting the Alaska LNG (liquefied natural gas) project as one of the biggest things he wants to get done for the country was huge for our state, huge for our country and it was really really exciting to be in there when he talked about this project,” he added.
Education
'There's a log of uncertainty': UAF Chancellor speaks on DEI policy change UA Board of Regents voters to scrub DEI language, including 'diversity' and 'affirmative action'. Alaska's News Source
'Alaska Native' removed from Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program website. Alaska Public Media
The Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program has removed the phrase “Alaska Native” from its website. The award-winning University of Alaska program is now referred to only as its acronym, ANSEP.
Opinion: For better student outcomes, let's fund our schools like we fund our prisons. Anchorage Daily News
From fiscal years 2017 through 2025 we have not increased the BSA. Over the same period, the governor’s own budget has grown from $25 million to $32 million — an increase of 28%. Likewise, from 2017 to 2025, our budget for prisons has grown from $286 million to $451 million — a staggering 58% increase.
Empty Anchorage schools open bidding for their building at school board meeting. Alaska News Source
Representatives of several different Anchorage charter schools gave public comment at Tuesday’s school board meeting, imploring the board to grant them the buildings of the recently closed Nunaka Valley and Lake Hood elementary schools. One of the items on the agenda was a recommendation from the district for Highland Academy Charter School to occupy the Nunaka Valley building, and for Rilke Schule German Immersion School to occupy Lake Hood. The school board would have to approve and authorize the superintendent to begin moving forward with that process.
Politics
Trump's new world order. Axios
The international order forged after World War II is imploding, squeezed on all sides by the return of strongmen, nationalism and spheres of influence — with President Trump leading the charge. Trump is openly scornful of international institutions and traditional alliances. Instead, he sees great opportunity in a world dominated by superpowers and dictated through dealmaking.
Fighting inevitability. Axios
If anything, it's worse now for Republicans than it's ever been, as more and more of their voters include the low-income working class people who depend on Medicaid (and more hospitals benefit from expanded Medicaid coverage). The program covers 1 in 5 Americans, including low-income people, people with disabilities and millions of children. It also accounts for a fifth of all health care spending and more than half of long-term care spending, per KFF.
Washington now 'largely aligns' with Moscow's vision, Kremlin says. Anchorage Daily News
“The new administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television on Sunday. “This largely aligns with our vision.”
Health Care
Alaskans say Medicaid cuts considered by US House could be 'catastrophic'. Anchorage Daily News
“This is a question: How much do all Alaskans sacrifice to provide effective government services to support our social and economic network in this state?” said Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel, an Anchorage Republican.
The U.S. House budget calls for health care cuts. Murkowski says they'd be 'devastating' to Alaska. Alaska Public Media
“Our assessment of it is that the impact, once again, to Alaska, if we see the kinds of cuts that are being floated over on the House right now, could be devastating to Alaska,” she said. “So I'm doing my homework on it and getting good, solid numbers, but I am, I'm alerting folks that this could be very problematic for us.”
Alaska legislators predict dire effects if Congress cuts Medicaid funding. Alaska Beacon
The House’s resolution is the first step toward a budget plan that calls for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts and $2 trillion less in federal spending over a decade. Alaska Congressman Nick Begich III joined fellow Republicans in support of the resolution, which passed 217-215.
HHS move to kill public comment roils providers. Axios
The transparency policy Kennedy is undoing dates to 1971 and requires open comment periods for HHS rules on public property, loans, grants, public benefits or contracts. It layered new obligations on HHS beyond those laid out in statute, requiring the department to notify health providers, patient advocates and other stakeholders when it was making policy changes and seek their comment before finalizing plans, with minimal exceptions.
As GOP eyes Medicaid cuts, Trump tries to avoid the political third rails. Anchorage Daily News
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid represent more than 40 percent of the federal budget - and a major focus of the Trump administration’s operation to cut government spending, with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk saying that the three programs represent major sources of waste, fraud and abuse. Republicans also concede that Medicaid, the safety-net health program that provides coverage to more than 70 million lower-income Americans, is likely to face the brunt of potential cuts under a House budget resolution that passed last week and instructs GOP lawmakers to find $880 billion in federal savings.
Republicans once maligned Medicaid. Now some see a program too big to touch. Anchorage Daily News
Every time a baby is born in Louisiana, where Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson handily won reelection last year, there’s more than a 60% chance taxpayers will finance the birth through Medicaid.
(My comment: In Alaska, there’s a 43% chance that newborn birth was funded through Alaska Medicaid.)
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