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Current Topics
Alaskan leaders react to Albertsons divestiture list in proposed merger with Kroger. Alaska's News Source
18 Alaska Carrs Safeway stores targeted for divestiture in Kroger-Albertsons merger. ADN
Federal Trade Commission has sued to block the merger, calling it uncompetitive and the largest deal of its kind in U.S. history. The agency has said the deal would eliminate competition between Kroger and Albertsons, leading to higher prices and fewer options for groceries and other products. It would threaten the ability of thousands of grocery store workers to secure higher wages and benefits, the agency said.
Raw Market brings organic option to Girdwood. Alaska Business
Alaska Population Projections. Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce
Stuff I Found Interesting
Costco's big move. Axios
Costco is raising its membership fees for the first time since 2017.
CDC's new rules for dogs entering the U.S. will have unique impacts in Alaska. Alaska Public Media
The stricter canine border requirements are being implemented by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, beginning Aug. 1. Alaska state veterinarian Sarah Coburn said they’re aimed at keeping a canine variant of the rabies virus out of the country.
Hydrogen enters the flying taxi airspace. Axios
Hydrogen fuel cells — already used in cars, trucks and industrial equipment — could be a game-changer for the aviation industry, which is under intense pressure to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
Finland, Canada & U.S. to build icebreakers for Arctic. The Barents Observer
Finland, Canada & U.S. entered into a trilateral pact to build icebreakers for the Arctic region, the joint statement on the White House website says. The partnership was agreed on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington, where 32 allies said in their joint statement that Russia “remains the most significant and direct threat to allies’ security.”
(My comment: This is good because the US is failing to build icebreakers on our own! Canada and Finland will drag us along. Thank you to them!)
Unveiling 1,200 years of human occupation in Canada's Arctic. Phys.Org
A recent study provides new insights into ancient cultures in Canada's Arctic, focusing on Paleo-Inuit and Thule-Inuit peoples over thousands of years. Jules Blais, professor of biology at the University of Ottawa, and a team of researchers detected human presence and settlements on Somerset Island, Nunavut, by analyzing sediment samples.
A former fisherman is turning trash into plastic lumber and expanding Anchorage recycling options. ADN
Economy
Stampflation. Axios
The price of postage stamps went up for the second time this year on Sunday, July 14. The 5¢ increase for First-Class stamps — to 73¢ — ties the record for the biggest hike ever.
Blood Bank of Alaska unsure how to fully fund testing lab after Dunleavy veto. ADN
State Sen. Cathy Giessel, an Anchorage Republican and a retired nurse, said a donor testing lab would be “critical for Alaska’s safety” and a key aspect of making the state sustainable.
Fisheries
Federal grants to state agency aim to expand markets for Alaska seafood. Alaska Beacon
ASMI Executive Director Jeremy Woodrow thanked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for helping the state’s seafood industry in a time of economic crisis.
Alaska seafood marketers get $5M from feds after losing state funds. Alaska Public Media
Task force report identifies research needs to better understand Alaska salmon problems. Alaska Beacon
The report was issued last week by the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force, a group established through a 2022 act of Congress to identify knowledge gaps and research needs. The task force comprises close to 20 members and includes scientists, fishers, Indigenous community representatives and agency managers.
9th Circuit of Appeals to hear oral arguments on Southeast king salmon troll fishery lawsuit. KFSK
The Alaska Trollers Association, the State of Alaska, and other entities are appealing a Washington District Court ruling that found NOAA Fisheries violated endangered species and environmental laws. The ruling says they did so by allowing the Southeast trollers to harvest king salmon at rates that harmed a small population of endangered killer whales in Puget Sound, as well as well as several king salmon populations from the lower Columbia River.
Studies show there are likely more 'sushi worms' in Alaska salmon and other fish than there used to be. ADN
Childcare
Long-term boost to Alaska's Head Start early childhood program trimmed by veto. Alaska Beacon
Only one of four Early Head Start classrooms is likely to be open in Nome next year because it is so difficult to retain qualified staff. It is only the latest reduction in the early childhood program that provides child care, early education and health and dental services to more than 3,000 children in families with low incomes.
Politics
Gov. Dunleavy signs crime package into law with tougher sentences to combat fentanyl crisis. ADN
Goals for new Alaska crime law range from harsher penalties for drug dealers to reducing recidivism. Alaska Beacon
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Matt Claman, D-Anchorage, helped shepherd House Bill 66 through to passage in its final form. It passed 19-1 in the Senate and 33-6 in the House.
If a presidential nominee drops out, what happens to states' ballots? Alaska Beacon
If a candidate were to drop out after the ballots are printed, the Alaska Division of Elections says it would work with the Department of Law to determine its next actions.
Inside the U.S. Cost Guard's Aleutian encounter with China's military - and what it means. Alaska Beacon
American commercial fishing fleet could still tell that something strange was happening in the Aleutian Islands on July 6 and 7. Crew on the fishing vessels picked out a U.S. Coast Guard cutter, the Kimball, steaming through the area at 21 knots, or nearly 25 miles an hour.
Healthcare
FTC poised to sure drug middlemen. Axios
The FTC's case would target the three biggest PBMs — CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx. Those PBMs manage about 80% of prescriptions and are integrated with the health insurers Aetna, Cigna and United Healthcare, respectively.
Big business hasn't saved healthcare. Axios
It doesn't matter how big you are, employing doctors and other clinicians costs a certain amount, and each one can only work so much. That's especially true given today's health workforce shortages.
(My Comment: This includes nurses! The nurse shortage that some Alaska hospitals is experiencing would be remediated with reasonable pay and respectful working conditions. Maybe they will get the clue at some point and correct their employment practices.)
The rise of concierge care. Axios
“Concierge medicine potentially leads to disproportionately richer people being able to pay for the scarce resource of physician time and crowding out people who have lower incomes and are sicker," Adam Leive, a researcher at University of California at Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy.
(My Comment: Sadly the Alaska Legislature passed a bill to allow concierge care, at the request of a MatSu clinic. Many of us argued that this will benefit the wealthy, insured. We were able to add requirement that they must serve 20% Medicare. The requirement to serve Medicaid beneficiaries was taken out. (Senate Bill 45)
Health spending. Axios
It's worth noting that utilization is driving health spending increases more than price growth.
(My Comment: Exercise, good diet with reduced sugar consumption, no smoking, decrease or no alcohol - these go a long way to reducing utilization.)
Zyn boom. Axios
Zynfluencers" are touting the benefits of smokeless and tobacco-free pouches that have become a fast-growing segment of the tobacco industry.
Philip Morris plans plant to meet Zyn demand. Axios
Zyn is designed to be placed between the gum and upper lip for the user to absorb nicotine without swallowing, Axios' April Rubin reported. The pouches are discrete and don't produce smoke or odors like cigarettes and e-cigarettes. It doesn't contain tobacco leaf, but the FDA considers it to be part of the tobacco industry.
A case for reducing kid's screen time. Axios
Kids and adolescents who reduced their screen time for two weeks saw a "significant" boost in their mental health.
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