The wealthy heiress who came to Alaska to transform its media and political landscape has put her home on Campbell Lake up for sale. It’s the only home in Alaska visited by a sitting president, and Rogoff wants $3.2 million.
In the summer of 2015, when Obama came for dinner, the menu at the Rogoff table included cold-smoked king salmon lox, razor clams, Mat-Su lettuce, Koyukuk moose hunted by Alice, and berries picked by Alice.
It was a media sensation.
At that time, she was the publisher of the Anchorage Daily News, which she had renamed the Alaska Dispatch.
Rogoff bought the Anchorage Daily News from the McClatchy Company for $34 million in 2014.
She ended up selling the operation in 2017 to the Binkley Companies as a crush of bills were drawing lawsuits. She — rather, the Alaska Dispatch News — filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Aug. 12, 2017.
Rogoff was a part of Gov. Bill Walker’s inner circle and backed him for governor in 2014. By the time he ran again, she was mainly gone from the state. She has not been spotted in Alaska for months but now runs ArcticToday.com, which she has converted into a nonprofit, to avoid paying taxes on it.
Leighan Gonzales, a young Alaska political force, may have learned about just how cruel people can be in politics. Politics is a tough place for women, particularly. You need tough skin. She has tough skin and the scars to prove it.
Gonzales appeared at forum at the ADN/UAA debate recorded two weeks ago, which began airing on Wednesday.
After Gonzales appeared in a debate against Alaskans for Better Elections proponents Scott Kendall and Lesil McGuire, a meme cartoon soon popped up on social media, making fun of Gonzales’ cleavage, and her necklace. The cruel joke on her appearance was shared by proponents of Ballot Measure 2.
“They turn me into a meme every time I kick Scott Kendall’s ass in a debate,” Gonzales wrote on Facebook.
No similar meme cartoon was made poking fun of Lesil McGuire, who was arguing in favor of the ballot measure and who also wore a large necklace, but a high neckline.
Here’s the real kicker:
“That’s my heart surgery scar, not my cleavage. Lol the one time I don’t have the neckline of a nun!” Gonzales wrote. As an infant, she underwent open heart surgery.
Neither Scott Kendall, who heads the ballot measure, nor the League of Women Voters, which supports it, had anything to say about the misogynistic post, but after it had been shared around on Facebook, it disappeared, along with the account that had originally posted it.
“The blatantly sexist campaigning and personal smears against me by proponents of prop 2 have been happening for months since I began advocating against it. I hope LWV can publicly condemn this behavior, as it sets a precedent for how women are allowed to be treated in Alaska politics,” Gonzales wrote.
Alaskans for Better Elections remained mute on the topic.
Rep. Sarah Vance and candidate Kelly Cooper took part in two very different forums on Wednesday, as candidates for House District 31, where Vance is the incumbent.
The first forum was broadcast by KBBI, Homer’s public radio station, during the “Coffee Table” show hosted by Kathleen Gustafson. Over the years, KBBI has not been kind to Rep. Sarah Vance. But then, KBBI is generally not kind to any conservative who enters the KBBI broadcasting universe.
Cooper appeared comfortable and confident as she spoke to the liberal radio audience, her answers aligning with the perspective of left-of-center public radio listeners.
Rep. Sarah Vance spoke with confidence as well. She was prepared for the questions, as well as the follow-up grilling that is Gustafson’s trademark for those who don’t share her opinions.
Gustafson, Homer’s liberal sword for the left, once famously berated Gov. Sarah Palin, when Gustafson unfurled a large sign that read “Worst Governor Ever” during a Palin visit to Homer. Palin approached Gustafson to be friendly, and the two had a lively exchange captured on video and shared around the world:
Gustafson: You swore on your precious Bible that you would uphold the interests of this state, and then when cash was waved in front of your face, you quit.
Palin: OH, you wanted me to be your governor! I’m honored! Thank you!
This was the nature of the trap Vance was walking into on Wednesday, and the questions offered by Gustafson were to be expected.
Most questions to Rep. Vance were prefaced with Gustafson commentary, such as “Representative Vance, you have been posing for pictures all over the state, indoors without a mask at Republican functions….”
The mask question to Kelly was softer: “Do you mask when…you’re wearing a mask right now…”
At one-point, Gustafson interrupted Vance to repeat a question, as Vance was trying to answer it. That badgering did not happen when Gustafson spoke to Cooper.
Through it all, Vance stuck to the facts, with courtesy and confidence, answering every question in what was clearly a hostile environment.
Seven hours later the two were at the Homer Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum, held at the Land’s End Resort.
The chamber had been advertising the forum as “in-person” or “live stream.” But less than 24 hours before the event, candidate Cooper asked the chamber to not allow people to attend.
Thanks to a couple of conservative media groups, Peninsula Radio Group and Must Read Alaska, this reporter was able to attend this forum as their correspondent.
This forum was different from the KBBI approach.
Cooper appeared uncomfortable and while she maintained confidence, her voice lack the excitement and warmth she had while sitting in the KBBI studio talking to the liberal listeners. The chamber forum consists of questions submitted by businesses in the city of Homer.
Vance and Cooper agreed on 4 issues: the Homer deep water port; marine services; voting no on Ballot Measure 2; and moving legislative sessions to somewhere on the road system.
On other issues they disagreed.
Right to life was one of those issues. Cooper is pro-choice. She believes government should not be involved in a woman right to choose or reproductive health.
Vance is pro-life. She believes a child is a gift and we should honor and value life. Women should be supported all along the way and given all options. Vance supports family unity and adoptions.
One question Cooper never answered was whether she would join a “binding caucus.”
Vance said she was a firm “no” on the binding caucus. When it came to Cooper’s time to answer the question, she instead asked Vance a question about her joining the Republican caucus.
Vance explained that a caucus is a group of like-minded people and that is what she joined with fellow Republicans. What she did not join is a “binding caucus,” which she said would require her to sell her vote on the budget to the majority leader.
After the business owner questions, candidates had five minutes to talk about whatever they wanted. Vance spoke about how she seeks good governance. Cooper used the time to talk about the pandemic. She relies on the science and wears a mask to protect others. She ended by asking others to show a little more grace.
A tsunami of voting is occurring in Alaska. But does it mean a high turnout or simply a change in voting patterns as a result of the coronavirus pandemic?
Analysis of one Anchorage district shows that only five percent of the Democrat early voters are new voters, and over 50 percent of the Democrat early voters vote in nearly every election. Over 95 percent of them share an address with someone who votes in nearly single election (a super voter).
Alaskans have requested 138,209 absentee ballots from the Division of Elections, with just two days to go before the deadline passes to request an absentee ballot.
So far, Alaska voters have voted over 64,385 ballots. That includes 11,267 in-person ballots cast since early voting began on Monday, and 49,713 ballots voted and sent in by mail.
The turnout so far compares to 102,284 total absentee, early, and online ballots issued in the 2018 election, and a total of 97,571 of them voted.
As of Thursday morning’s count, that means 66 percent of all the early ballots cast in 2018 have already been cast this year, with 12 days until the election is over.
As usual, House District 28 is voting the most, with 2,411 absentee ballots cast so far — the highest in the state. House District 40, however, only saw 165 voting absentee or early, so far.
The State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services advises school athletic programs that swimmers don’t need to wear masks while swimming, but they should don them once they get to the pool deck.
That is among the recommendations being made for school athletic programs across the state.
Now, the Alaska School Activities Association says it’s a mandate: Wrestlers must wear masks. Runners — indoors and outdoors — must wear masks. Volleyball players must wear them, and swimmers must wear them if their faces are not underwater.
The mandate includes playing basketball, wrestling, cheerleading, hockey and indoor soccer.
Earlier this fall, players could choose to wear masks while engaged in vigorous activity, but some local school plans said athletes didn’t have to wear face coverings during exertion.
The state says leading doctors recommend them always during sporting activities, except when you are at home.
“That same strong recommendation for mask wearing goes for adults working out, running on treadmills, or exercising in other ways in indoor gyms. The exception? Swimmers can’t wear a mask when their faces are in the water (but they do need to wear one on the pool deck).”
“I am 100 percent in favor of safe distancing and universal masking,” said Dr. Bruce Chandler, chief medical officer with the Anchorage Health Department.
“Unless our face is underwater, I think we should all be wearing masks when we’re around people — except when we’re at home.” – Dr. Bruce Chandler, Anchorage Health Department
Volleyball mask rules from ASAA are an example of how far this rule goes:
Athletes/participants not wearing cloth face coverings will not play or be allowed onthe bench.
When mask comes off and falls to the floor – immediate whistle (for safety concerns) and a re-play will occur.
When mask becomes loose or off: 1. if attempt is made by the player to adjust the mask to fix the problem-no whistle– play on
if no attempt is made by the player to adjust the mask to fix the problem- whistle and side out point awarded
if removal of the mask is intentional – whistle and side out point awarded and that player is removed from the court
The State Department of Health and Social Services says masks during matches and games will make things more fair.
“If all youth athletes wear masks, it will level the playing field and eliminate any competitive advantage attached to not wearing a mask,” said Dr. Elizabeth Ohlsen, staff physician with the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.
Grace Christian School alumnus Ryan Sheldon is the “stand in” for President Donald Trump, as Belmont University in Nashville prepares the stage for the presidential debate that kicks off at 5 pm Alaska Time on Thursday.
Sheldon, well known for his extraordinary vocal chords, is a senior at the university, and was asked by the Commission of Presidential Debates to stand at the podium while the lighting, microphones and set was finalized. Must Read Alaska has learned he will also be helping to prepare the debate moderator, Kristen Welker, by answering questions ad-lib before the debate begins.
Sheldon is 6’5″ (Trump is 6’3″), weighs 275 pounds, and throws hammer and discus in Division 1; he is on a track and field scholarship at Belmont University, where he majors in entrepreneurial business, and minors in voice. He can sing in nine languages, has studied opera, and has a noted stage presence. Sheldon has sung the National Anthem and the Alaska Flag Song at Alaska Republican Party conventions and meetings.
Ryan Sheldon
While only 80 people will be allowed in the debate room, Ryan will be among those 80 on Thursday night. His parents are Robert and Marne Sheldon of Talkeetna and Anchorage and his grandparents include Frank and Jeanne McQueary of Anchorage and Dave and Barb Kolesky of Anchorage.
At Grace Christian High, under head coach Marc Coulombe, he was state champion in discus and runner-up in shot put in 2017. He was named team captain as a senior and also lettered in basketball.
REJECT BOTH BALLOT MEASURES, KEEP OUR DREAM TEAM TOGETHER
By PAULETTE SIMPSON
Election fatigue is setting in, so my media fast has begun. Radio and TV are off. Facebook not my thing. What’s left to skim are Wall Street Journal, National Review, Must Read Alaska and, for balance, the LA Times, ADN and Juneau Empire.
I’ve voted in Alaska since 1978. Election 2020 arrives amid a historic and life-altering pandemic. Schools are closed and thousands have lost jobs. It’s tough to maintain equilibrium during turbulent times.
There are also ways to make things worse on Election Day, beginning with the ballot measures.
Significant changes to oil taxes and election law are best duked out in the legislative arena.
Ballot Measure 1 would change Alaska’s oil tax policy for the eighth time in 14 years. That’s banana republic. Investment requires a stable business environment. Just say NO on Ballot Measure 1.
It takes 25 pages of fine print in the Official Election Pamphlet to describe Ballot Measure 2. It’s a confusing cluster of high-minded ideas that would merge our two primary election ballots into one with candidates from all parties competing against each other. For the general election, we’d be forced into the radical “ranked-choice” method of choosing the winner from the top four that survive the free-for-all Primary.
Ballot Measure 2 did not bubble up from our local Assemblies or community councils. These days, to ditch the deliberative process and avoid public hearings, Outside interests simply buy their way onto the ballot.
Political parties are easy targets for the chaos-loving sponsors of Ballot Measure 2. I maintain that even with their warts, political parties foster engagement and commitment to ideals. Both of Alaska’s major parties recommend voting NO on Ballot Measure 2.
Statewide races:
Alaska has one of the most effective and collaborative congressional delegations of any state in the country. The most storied coaches in history could not have fielded a finer team for our tiny state.
Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan and Don Young align with the Republican Party, but they do not share a political mindset. Depending on the issue, each occupies a different place on the political spectrum, and each brings different strengths, life experiences, and personalities to the team. Murkowski appeals to many center-left moderates, while Sullivan satisfies those more inclined to center-right and with ties to the military, regardless of party.
Don Young has always been an enigma. He has earned union backing and the loyalty and affection of Alaska Natives, going back to his days in Fort Yukon and 46-year marriage to his Athapaskan wife. Yes, Don is an “old white guy”, but he’s not sidelined in a bullpen (or basement).
No one lives forever. We all get that, and Don does too. But Don’s still on his game. To retire him now and send in a free agent rookie instead would be a major unforced error.
Speaking of rookies. What is going on with Alaska Democrats? Not that long ago, Democrats nominated serious and substantively experienced players like Tony Knowles and Fran Ulmer. Fran had served as Juneau mayor, in the State House and as lt. governor before running against Frank Murkowski for governor. An accomplished politician and proud Democrat, Fran was well-known, well-liked and genuinely committed to Alaska.
Democrats are favored to win nationally this year, yet Alaska Democrats continue to actively hide from their party’s brand, preferring to field and fund fake “independents” for state legislative races. They also nominated so-called “independents” for our sole congressional seat and the U.S. Senate seat held by Dan Sullivan.
Never having played in a political league at any level, these two rookies don’t even qualify as back-benchers. Most people in his hometown of Juneau did not know who “Dr. Al” was until big money from Outside created the bear slayer and fisherman persona to market to Alaskans.
We’ve had enough upheaval this year.
When something really bad happens suddenly – you lose a job or partner or a pandemic strikes – it’s best to stay calm and not do anything rash. Don’t sell the house and move to Mexico or convert your IRA to bitcoin.
We’re in the clutch. Reject both ballot measures as disruptive end-runs around the legislative process and keep our D.C. dream team together for another season.
A bipartisan group of over 50 Alaskans from the tourism and travel industry endorsed Sen. Dan Sullivan for reelection, citing work he has done on behalf of tourism operators over the past six years as Alaska’s senator.
Sullivan thanked the group and mentioned that he is busy in D.C. working on passing his marine debris legislation known as Save Our Seas, which must pass the Senate one more time before heading to the president’s desk for a signature.
The group of Alaskan tour operators included:
Matt Atkinson, Northern Alaska Tour Company – Fairbanks Duane Bannock, Uptown Motel – Kenai Bob Berto, Southeast Stevedoring – Ketchikan Ethan Berto, Survey Point Holdings – Ketchikan John Binkley, Riverboat Discovery – Fairbanks Isabelle Bornemann, AK Travel Connections – Wasilla Jamey Cagle, Allen Marine – Sitka Bob Candopoulos, Saltwater Safaris – Seward Brett Carlson, Northern Alaska Tour Company – Anchorage Kirby Day, Holland America Line/Princess – Juneau Russell Dick, Hoonah Totem Corporation – Hoonah Bob Dindinger, Alaska Travel Adventures – Juneau Lalanya Downs, CLIA-Alaska – Anchorage Kory Eberhardt, A Taste of Alaska Lodge – Fairbanks Carol Fraser, Aspen Hotels – Anchorage Charlie Grimm, BAC Transportation – Anchorage Peter Grunwaldt, Premier Alaska Tours – Anchorage Scott Habberstad, Alaska Airlines – Anchorage Elizabeth Hall, John Hall’s Alaska – Anchorage Shannon Hasty, Northstar Helicopters – Juneau Mandy Hawes, Alyeska Resort – Girdwood Tyler Hickman, Icy Straight Point – Hoonah Kirk Hoessle, Alaska Wildland Adventures – Girdwood Josh Howes, Premier Alaska Tours – Anchorage Bob Jacobsen, Wings Airways – Juneau Craig Jennison, Temsco Helicopters – Juneau Holly Johnson, Wings Airways/Taku Glacier Lodge – Juneau Al Koch, All Alaska Tours – Anchorage Colby Lawrence, Major Marine Tours – Seward Wendy Lindskoog, Royal Caribbean Group – Anchorage Patti Mackey, Visit Ketchikan – Ketchikan Laura Martinson, Caribou Crossings – Juneau Dennis McDonnell, Alaska Coach Tours – Juneau Kyle McDonnell, Alaska Travel and Transportation – Juneau Chris McGraw, Halibut Point Marine Services – Sitka Dan Oberlatz, Alaska Alpine Adventures – Anchorage Bill Pedlar, Knightly Tours – Statewide Jay Ramras, Pikes Landing – Fairbanks Fred Reeder, Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska – Sitka Tyler Rose, White Pass Yukon Railroad – Skagway Brien Salazar, Taquan Airlines – Ketchikan Ralph Samuels, Holland America Line/Princess – Anchorage Dave Schilling, Uptown Motel – Kenai Avery Smith, Enterprise Car Rental – Anchorage Mike Stedman, Alaska Seaplanes – Juneau Colleen Stephens – Valdez Tom Tougas, Harbor 360 Hotel – Seward Ken Ward, Taku Glacier Lodge – Juneau Michelle Ward, Taku Glacier Lodge – Juneau Bonnie Westlund, Denali Princess Lodge – Denali Tennelle Wise, Denali Bluff Hotel/Grande Denali Lodge – Denali Tim Worthen, Premier Alaska Tours – Anchorage
Sullivan has also received the endorsement of the United Fishermen of Alaska, which represents over 60 fishing organizations.
Sen. Dan Sullivan voiced his full support for Amy Coney Barrett for the U.S. Supreme Court.
“She clearly understands the separation of powers and federalism, holds a healthy skepticism regarding the expansive power of federal agencies, and is a strong protector and proponent of the Second Amendment—all issues that my constituents care deeply about,” Sullivan said on the Senate floor.
While Sen. Lisa Murkowski has demurred from saying what her position is on the president’s nominee to the high court, Sullivan specifically mentioned Alaska’s rights granted at statehood for access to our land.
“Why are these issues so important to Alaska and central to us realizing our potential? Mr. President, let me give you a brief but recent example of an issue that recently made its way through the Ninth Circuit—which often is the bane of our existence in Alaska—to the Supreme Court, not once, but twice, and was unanimously agreed to by the Supreme Court. In a case that some in the media will be familiar with, Sturgeon vs. Frost—a moose hunter, a hover craft, and the wild Interior of Alaska made for some great headlines. But the issue being litigated in that case was one of control, one of freedom—control of our lands, our waters, our fish and game,” he said.
“The federal government, in essence, told John Sturgeon he couldn’t use his hovercraft on federal waters to go hunting. “Yes, I can,” said Sturgeon. He knew the law. Then there was litigation. It is one that comes up time and again in Alaska. The issue of federal overreach, agency creep. In Alaska, we have a front row [seat] to this problem. We’ve seen it happen to us consistently by the courts, particularly, as I mentioned, the judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. When they interpret statutes involving my state—and there are many federal statutes that only relate to Alaska—in a way that fits with their ideas and policy notions about the way the federal lands in Alaska should be managed. In essence, they typically think that less control by the people and more control by the government is what is needed. But, Mr. President, that often is not what Congress wrote and what Congress intended. It’s the absolute opposite of judicial humility, failing to read the statutes as we, in this body, wrote them. It’s failing to exhibit the kind of textualism that Judge Barrett ascribes to and [that] was so on display during her hearings.”
