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Current Topics
Americans' growing reliance on government. Axios
Residents in more than half of America's counties now draw a substantial share of their total income — more than a quarter — from the government, according to an Economic Innovation Group analysis. The vast majority of those counties are rural and vote overwhelmingly for Republicans.
OPINION: Politics can be more than binary - Anchorage Daily News
Alaska can expect very different approaches on resource projects, depending on the president - Alaska Public Media
Winter Off to Slow Start, Late Freeze-up, Above Normal Temps. Alaska Public Media
Winter’s arrival has been a bit delayed in much of Alaska, as warmer-than-usual temperatures persist and any snow that’s lasted more than a day is either at higher elevations or latitudes.
Stuff I Found Interesting
Many Alaskans say they want parties to work together. Ak Public Media
Rosputko was one of dozens of Alaskans we’ve spoken with this election cycle about some of the most important issues facing the state and their communities. Many, like Rosputko, told us they wanted politicians to work together across the aisle.
OPINION: Protect Voting Rights, No on Ballot Measure 2. ADN
Ballot Measure 2 would allow political parties power to exclude all voters from voting in party primary elections unless they register with the party. More than 60% of Alaskans chose not to affiliate as Democrat or Republican and could lose the right to vote in state-funded primary elections.
No evidence of widespread non-citizen voting or registration. Beacon
Alaska court records show only one prosecution for noncitizen voting since 2011, a case filed in 2023 that’s still unresolved. Tupe Smith was born in American Samoa, an island territory in the South Pacific. Its residents are U.S. nationals — having some of the same legal rights as other Americans — but aren’t citizens.
Scientists Discover Mysterious Modern Underwater Ice Structures on Arctic Seafloor. SciTechDaily
“Our work shows that permafrost ice is both actively forming and decomposing near the seafloor over widespread areas, creating a dynamic underwater landscape with massive sinkholes and large mounds of ice covered in sediment,” said Charlie Paull, a geologist at MBARI and the lead author of the study. “These dramatic and ongoing seafloor changes have huge implications for policymakers who are making decisions about underwater infrastructure in the Arctic.”
National Security
Russian, Chinese vessels spotted in Bering Sea, showing 'increased interest in the Arctic' - Alaska Public Media
This is the third time since July that the Coast Guard has reported encountering either Russian or Chinese military vessels in the region. Roughly two years ago, crews encountered Russian and Chinese warships traveling together about 75 miles north of Kiska Island, in the Western Aleutians. And in 2023, U.S. Navy warships were dispatched to the Aleutians, after 11 Chinese and Russian military vessels were found operating in the region.
Economy
OPINION: Alaska’s state government has a payroll crisis. We need answers. - Anchorage Daily News
ASRC leads Alaska Business Top 49ers for 29th year. Petroleum News
Arctic Slope Regional Corp. held the number one spot on Alaska Business 2023 Top 49ers ranking. This marks ASRC's 29th consecutive year as the largest business established and headquartered in Alaska.
Nova Minerals Ltd. Oct. 2 announced that it has hired Whittle Consulting to carry out optimization studies for Estelle that will focus on establishing an initial mine at the RPM deposit that can be scaled up to a larger operation at the gold-antimony project in Alaska's West Susitna Mineral District. Lying about 100 miles northwest of Anchorage, Alaska, Estelle hosts 244 million metric tons of S-K 1300-compliant measured and indicated resources averaging 0.3 grams per metric ton (2.72 million ounces) gold, plus 231 million metric tons of inferred resource averaging 0.3 g/t (2.45 million oz) gold.
Changing Jobs Can Put a $300,000 Dent in Retirement Savings. Wall Street Journal
The 401(k) was supposed to solve a key problem of pensions: Workers had to stay in a job for decades to get a decent benefit. Even though 401(k) savings remain with workers who switch jobs to seek better salaries and more fulfilling work, this research suggests people who stay put keep the most momentum in their retirement savings.
(My comment: Defined Benefit Pension provides a solid, sustaining retirement for the same “stay put” career.)
Health Care
OPINION: Dunleavy’s birth control veto makes life harder for Alaskans - Anchorage Daily News
U.S. National Trends and Disparities in Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Attempts, and Health Care Use. The Pew Charitable Trusts
There was a 22% rise in suicidal ideation overall, with a pronounced 45% increase for young adults ages 18 to 25. Less than 50% of people with suicidal ideation received mental health care, and the groups at highest risk were even less likely to receive care.
Inflammation-serious rick to your health. Wall Street Journal
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