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Alaskan Governor Dismisses U.S. Invasion of Canada as 'Zero Chance' Amidst Canadian Contingency Planning

Alaskan Governor Dismisses U.S. Invasion of Canada as 'Zero Chance' Amidst Canadian Contingency Planning

Alaska's Republican Governor, Michael Dunleavy, expressed astonishment at reports that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had considered the remote possibility of a U.S. military invasion of Canada. Speaking to a business audience in Banff, Alberta, Governor Dunleavy, who endorsed President Trump in 2023, stated that the idea of military action against Canada is inconceivable to him and the average American. This comes after Prime Minister Carney reportedly told The New York Times that he had 'carefully examined' the possibility of a U.S.-led military invasion, characterizing it as an 'extreme tail risk' – a financial term for a rare event with enormous potential damage. Governor Dunleavy likened the notion of a U.S. invasion to the plot of the 1995 movie 'Canadian Bacon,' emphasizing that it is 'shocking' and 'so far off the radar screen' for Americans. He acknowledged that rhetoric from President Trump's administration, including references to Canada as the '51st state' and to Prime Minister Carney as '...

Todd Meadows' death chronicled in harrowing 'Deadliest Catch' episode

Todd Meadows' death chronicled in harrowing 'Deadliest Catch' episode

"Deadliest Catch" has aired its episode on Todd Meadows' death at sea with a never-before-seen interview and footage from that tragic day.

Newmont Corporation Faces Opposition Over Red Chris Mine Expansion from Alaskan Tribes

Newmont Corporation Faces Opposition Over Red Chris Mine Expansion from Alaskan Tribes

Newmont Corporation, in a joint venture with Imperial Metals, is proceeding with the expansion of the Red Chris mine in British Columbia, Canada, transitioning it from an open-pit to a block cave underground operation. This expansion, which received approval from the British Columbia government on June 19 and Canadian government funding support on July 2, is projected to extend the mine's life by approximately 14 years and increase Canada's copper production by an estimated 15 percent. Newmont officials have stated that the project will create long-term value for shareholders, strengthen critical mineral supply chains, and benefit local communities, Indigenous partners, British Columbia, and Canada. However, this expansion is facing significant opposition from Alaskan tribes, particularly the Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission (SEITC), who fear severe environmental impacts on the transboundary watersheds, including the Unuk and Stikine rivers, which are crucial spawning grounds for salmon...

Opinion Piece Argues Alaska Suffers from 'Anti-Resource Logic' Rather Than 'Resource Curse'

Opinion Piece Argues Alaska Suffers from 'Anti-Resource Logic' Rather Than 'Resource Curse'

An opinion piece published in the Anchorage Daily News by Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, CEO of Contango Silver and Gold, challenges the notion that Alaska is afflicted by a 'resource curse.' This piece directly responds to a previous opinion published on September 15 by David Jenkins and Oliver Coray, which used the term 'resource curse' and referenced a Business Insider publication ranking West Virginia last due to this concept. Van Nieuwenhuyse argues that the 'resource curse,' or paradox of plenty, typically applies to countries with appreciating currencies due to high-value resource exports, making other sectors non-competitive. He states this doesn't apply to Alaska as it uses the U.S. dollar. He further contends that the issue in West Virginia, which ranked 51st in a WalletHub survey, stems from the anti-coal mining lobby impacting its main economy, not an inherent 'resource curse.' He asserts that Alaska's problem is 'anti-resource logic' rather than a curse, emphasizing the need for economic diversificati...

Alaska's Rivers Turn Orange and Acidic Due to Thawing Tundra, Exceeding Mine Drainage Acidity

Alaska's Rivers Turn Orange and Acidic Due to Thawing Tundra, Exceeding Mine Drainage Acidity

Rivers in Alaska are turning orange and becoming highly acidic, a phenomenon researchers are calling 'rusting.' This change is attributed to minerals, specifically iron and sulfuric acid, leaching from thawing permafrost in the Arctic tundra. A study conducted in northern Alaska's Brooks Range found that these 'rusting' waters are more metallic and acidic than typical drainage from metal mines. For instance, on the Salmon River, metal levels increased seventy-fold approximately 60 miles downstream. This process began in the summer of 2019, which was the hottest summer on record for Alaska, and has since been observed in over 200 rivers across Alaska and northern Canada. Scientists, including Brett Poulin, a professor of environmental toxicology at the University of California, Davis, and co-author of the new study, were surprised by this development, noting it was not predicted in climate change assessments.

Alaska Childcare Advocates Urge Major State Investment and Policy Changes to Address Growing Gaps

Alaska Childcare Advocates Urge Major State Investment and Policy Changes to Address Growing Gaps

Childcare advocates in Alaska are calling for significant state investment and policy reforms to tackle the severe shortage of childcare services across the state. Non-profit organizations, including the Alaska Children’s Trust, Southeast Childhood Collective, and thread, highlighted the current situation as an 'Alaska childcare desert' during a recent online webinar. They report that a fragmented funding system, relying on federal, state, and some local municipal grants, has led to a scarcity of childcare slots, extensive waitlists, high costs for families, and a lack of qualified childcare providers who often receive low wages. Since 2019, 25% of childcare facilities in Alaska have closed, with one of Anchorage's largest centers, Bright Beginnings Learning Center, shutting down last year due to rising costs and staffing shortages, displacing 125 children and 35 staff members. Estimates suggest that 50% of Alaskan families cannot fully participate in the workforce due to inadequate childcare access, with ...

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Seeks Experienced Officers for Key Locations, Including Anchorage, Offering Recruitment Incentives

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Seeks Experienced Officers for Key Locations, Including Anchorage, Offering Recruitment Incentives

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is actively recruiting experienced Customs and Border Protection Officers (CBPOs) for various mission-critical locations across the United States, including Anchorage, Alaska. The agency is offering significant recruitment and retention incentives, with newly appointed CBPOs eligible for up to $15,000 per year for a three-year service contract in specific locations. These incentives are designed to attract qualified individuals to join the 60,000-strong workforce dedicated to safeguarding U.S. borders, deterring illicit activities, and facilitating legitimate trade and travel. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, have primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years, and meet age restrictions, with exceptions for federal law enforcement veterans.

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy Vetoes Key Childcare Funding Increases Amidst Advocacy for Major State Investment

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy Vetoes Key Childcare Funding Increases Amidst Advocacy for Major State Investment

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has vetoed several legislative proposals aimed at increasing state investment in childcare, despite calls from advocates for major policy changes and funding. The vetoes include a $6.4 million allocation to boost pay and retain childcare workers, $355,000 for the 'Parents as Teachers' family support program, $3.7 million for Head Start programs, and $3 million for infant learning programs designed to support children with developmental delays or disabilities. Childcare advocates describe Alaska as a 'childcare desert,' citing a wave of center closures, long waitlists, high costs for families, and a shortage of qualified workers. For instance, one of Anchorage's largest facilities closed last year, displacing 125 children and 35 staff. Since 2019, 25% of childcare facilities in Alaska have closed. The Dunleavy administration, through spokesperson Jeff Turner, stated that 'substantial funding was provided' for childcare, pointing to approvals for $13 million in Head Start grants...

Pacific Ring of Fire's Volcanic Glaciers Pose Unique Hazards, Impacting U.S. Pacific Coast

Pacific Ring of Fire's Volcanic Glaciers Pose Unique Hazards, Impacting U.S. Pacific Coast

The Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its high seismic and volcanic activity, also hosts numerous glaciated volcanoes, particularly along the Pacific coast of Alaska, Canada, and the U.S. These glaciated volcanoes present unique hazards due to the interaction of ice and volcanic activity. When eruptions occur beneath glaciers, the meltwater can lead to powerful phreatomagmatic explosions, as seen with Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010, which disrupted European airspace. The melting of glaciers by volcanic heat can also create subglacial lakes that, when drained, cause massive floods known as jökulhlaups. Additionally, volcanic activity can cause glaciers to accelerate their movement due to meltwater lubrication, or conversely, lead to their destruction or retreat. The presence of glaciers can also influence the type and impact of volcanic ash, with rapid cooling leading to highly abrasive ash that can damage jet engines.

Alaska's Rivers Turn Orange and Acidic Due to Thawing Tundra, Study Reveals

Alaska's Rivers Turn Orange and Acidic Due to Thawing Tundra, Study Reveals

A new study has revealed that rivers in Alaska and northern Canada are turning orange and becoming more acidic due to minerals leaching from thawing tundra. This phenomenon, referred to as 'rusting,' is a direct consequence of the Arctic warming, which causes permafrost to thaw and release iron and sulfuric acid into the waterways. Researchers found that these 'rusting' waters are more metallic and acidic than drainage from metal mines. The study, published in AGU Advances, identified iron and sulfuric acid throughout watersheds in the Brooks Range, with metal levels in the Salmon River increasing as much as seventy-fold some 60 miles downstream. The rusting process began in the summer of 2019, the hottest summer on record in Alaska, and has since been observed in over 200 rivers in the state.

Senator Murkowski Raises Concerns Over Changes to U.S. Department of Education

Senator Murkowski Raises Concerns Over Changes to U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski has voiced concerns regarding ongoing changes within the U.S. Department of Education. The Trump administration is reportedly reducing the department's role and reassigning some education programs and administrative duties to other federal agencies. Senator Murkowski explicitly stated her opposition to the elimination of the Department of Education, citing worries expressed by Alaskans about these shifts. The changes are part of a broader effort by the administration to streamline federal operations and potentially alter the scope of federal involvement in education. This development highlights a divergence in views on the appropriate federal role in educational oversight and program management.

Alaska Democratic Senate Candidate Mary Peltola Accused of Homophobic Slurs and Staff Mistreatment

Alaska Democratic Senate Candidate Mary Peltola Accused of Homophobic Slurs and Staff Mistreatment

Mary Peltola, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Alaska and a Yup’ik Alaska Native, faces accusations of volatile outbursts, physical aggression, and repeated use of homophobic slurs, according to former campaign and congressional aides. An investigative report, cited by LGBTQ Nation and published by The New York Times, details accounts from nine former staffers who claim Peltola used the anti-gay slur 'faggot' on multiple occasions, sometimes directed at her own staff. The report also describes incidents of alleged physical aggression, such as Peltola shoving a male staffer and thrusting a water bottle near an aide's face. Internal communications reportedly revealed crude remarks about Planned Parenthood leadership. Peltola's campaign has denied the homophobia allegations but acknowledged her use of an ableist slur, attributing personal strains to profound family grief, including the death of her mother and husband in 2023. Staff turnover in Peltola’s House office in 2023 was among the highest ...