Thursday, January 1, 2026
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Alaska State Fair and Parade is ‘recall’ battleground

TRYING TO REVERSE THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION IN THE HEART OF DUNLEAVY COUNTRY

The Recall Dunleavy group will be out and about on Saturday at the Alaska State Fair Parade in Palmer, with a parade entry that will march right by the governor, who is being seated as a guest of honor on the grandstand. The parade begins at 11 am.

It could be awkward as they attempt to gather recall signatures to reverse the election results while the governor looks on.

A separate grassroots group, catching wind of the recall group parade entry, plans to gather as well, wearing their Dunleavy support shirts and hats, across from the grandstands and throughout the spectator areas.

The pro-Dunleavy folks will be getting their seats and spots near the grandstand at 10 am and said they welcome supporters. The group, which has no name, was getting a couple dozen “Dunleavy – The People’s Governor” shirts printed on Friday but said supporters of the governor should dig out their old Dunleavy shirts and hats and come prepared to show support.

“We need for a LOT of people to show up in Dunleavy T-shirts and hats to surround the grandstands and keep them [the recall group] at bay,” wrote Judy Eledge, president of the Anchorage Republican Women’s Club.

The recall group also has a booth at the fair staffed by three volunteers and has people wandering the lanes in “recall” t-shirts, possibly trying to gather signatures on the recall application. But on Friday the recall booth was a lonely spot, with few visitors. One passerby noticed it and remarked, “Well that is (F-expletive) ridiculous.”

The recall group already has enough to submit the application to the Division of Elections but wants to keep gathering signatures. It is a form of data mining for the next general election cycle, if nothing else.

But over at the Mat-Su Republican women’s Club on the Purple Trail at the Denali Trail, Dunleavy supporters have a letter of support that people can sign. They are taking a more low-key approach at this point.

At the Mat-Su Democrats booth, there was no recall paraphernalia, and no one was stopping to chat.

Alaska Life Hack: How to make a hornet trap

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Hornets and yellow jackets are out in force right now and Alaskans are complaining about being dive-bombed and stung by the aggressive winged creatures that are especially mean at this time of year. Hornets are a type of wasp, and in late August they dive-bomb with a vengeance.

Whether its mowing your lawn or trying to work on a ladder, hornets can be dangerous even is you are not getting stung by one. They can surprise you while you’re operating equipment or balancing, and cause accidents.

Alaskans have reported watching them dive-bomb their windows lately, and having them get caught in their hair as they work in the yard.

Older Alaskans are more at risk of having an allergic reaction, and visits to the emergency room go up at this time of year for those who are stung, especially those who are allergic to stings. Unlike bees, wasps and yellow jackets can sting numerous times.

You can make your own hornet trap with a few simple items and ingredients. It’s a good project to do with the kids:

  • plastic soda bottle
  • scissors
  • string for hanging
  • tape
  • bait (balsamic vinegar, flat soda, fruit, beer, wine, or fruit juice)
  • a few drops of dish soap

The instructions for putting the trap together can be found at this link: DIY Naturals.

McKinley Fire: Evacuation possible for three miles of Parks Highway

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MCKINLEY FIRE

A “Level 2 – Set” notification has been issued for those in the area of Parks Highway Mileposts 79 to 81.5. The general area of concern is north of Hatcher Pass and south of Montana Creek Campground.

A “Level 2 – Set” means having your items ready and being prepared to leave within minutes of a notification to evacuate. Stay aware of the latest news and info on the fire.  “Level 3” means it’s time to go.

Also, there is a “Level 1 – Ready” notification for those in the area of Mileposts 76 to 79.

SWAN LAKE – STERLING HIGHWAY DELAYS
Meanwhile, both lanes of traffic between Sterling Highway between Milepost 75 and Milepost 53 are closed intermittently due to helicopter operations and for firefighter safety along the highway. This is anticipated to be a temporary closure on Friday, Aug. 23.As a reminder, drive with your lights on and be courteous and do not block private driveways when you are delayed along the side of the road.

LEVELOCK FIRE

Persistent, dry conditions are keeping the Levelock Fire active near the community of Levelock. Firefighters continued mopping up and improving firelines on Thursday that were put in to protect the village and airstrip. Smokejumpers, with the help of Alaska emergency firefighter crews from Hooper Bay and Chevak, are conducting tactical firing operations north and south of town and along the airstrip. By burning off from their control lines, firefighters are removing the fuel between the village and the main fire. The control line is a combination of hand and dozer line, as well as natural features such as sloughs and lakes.

Sullivan takes surprise call from Trump at Kenai gathering

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Sen. Dan Sullivan was talking to a group of Alaskans on the Kenai on Thursday when suddenly Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi handed him a phone — it was President Donald Trump on the line for him.

Sullivan took the call and then put it on speaker so the crowd could hear Trump as he talked about the King Cove Road, ANWR, how great Gov. Dunleavy is, and how his own grandfather spent time in the Yukon.

Sullivan had just spent time at the firefighting center in Soldotna and was at a fundraiser at the Davis house when the call came in.

As he spoke to the president, Sullivan was with the other hand fending off an attack of late-season, mean-spirited hornets that were dive-bombing him, adding a bit of humor and tension to the entire situation.

The gathering of Alaskans enjoyed watching the multi-tasking senator and Marine colonel both talk on the phone and swat at winged attackers at the same time.

MRAK Almanac: State Fair in Palmer, corn hole tourney in Fairbanks

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8/23: Work session for the Anchorage Assembly regarding on-site marijuana consumption ballot proposition. 1:30 to 3 pm at City Hall Assembly Conference Room 155. On-Site Marjiuana ​Ordinance No. AO 2019-103, an ordinance of the Anchorage Municipal Assembly submitting to the qualified voters of the Municipality of Anchorage at the Regular Municipal Election April 7, 2020, a ballot proposition asking whether to allow on-site consumption of marijuana by smoking or inhalation at retail marijuana establishments with a license endorsement for such on-site consumption; and, should the proposition be approved, providing for conforming amendments to Anchorage Municipal Code Chapters 10.80, Licensing and Regulation of Marijuana Establishments, and 16.65, Secondhand Smoke Control Ordinance.

8/23: Kenai Borough Assembly candidates meet and greet in Sterling, 5:30-7:30 pm, Stinson Drive, Sterling.

8/24: Alaska State Fair parade in downtown Palmer kicks off at 11 am.

8/24: BP Family Day at the Alaska State Fair – kids 12 and under get in free

8/24: Battle of the Boards corn hole tournament to benefit the UAF Nanooks hockey team. 1-4:00 pm, Growden Memorial Park, 201 Wilbur St.

8/24: Fall outdoor gear sale at NOLS Alaska, 7 am until 1 pm at 5805 N Farm Loop Rd, Palmer.

Look ahead:

8/29: Alaska Republican Party District 30 meeting, Paradisos Restaurant, 811 Frontage Rd, Kenai, 6-8 pm.

 

There’s fake news, then there’s hyper-fake news when it comes to Pebble

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CNN could not help itself. This is just how it does things.

Someone from inside the EPA — likely a disgruntled environmentalist — sent the news agency a suggestion that Gov. Michael Dunleavy had met with President Donald Trump while the president was winging his way to Asia. And the next thing that happened, lo and behold, the Environmental Protection Agency lifted its preemptive veto of progress on the Pebble Project permit.

“Aha!” implied CNN. “Gotcha! This is proof that Dunleavy, onboard Air Force One for a chit-chat, asked the president to lift the veto.”

[Read on MRAK: EPA begins to life preemptive veto of Pebble]

“The EPA publicly announced the reversal July 30, but EPA staff sources tell CNN that they were informed of the decision a month earlier, during a hastily arranged video conference after Trump’s meeting with Gov. Mike Dunleavy. The governor, a supporter of the project, emerged from that meeting ‘saying the president assured him that he’s ‘doing everything he can to work with us on our mining concerns,'” CNN reported.

“The news came as a ‘total shock’ to some top EPA scientists who were planning to oppose the project on environmental grounds, according to sources. Those sources asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution,” CNN reported. (Italics added by MRAK.)

And then, as fact, CNN reported this gem:

“The copper-and-gold mine planned near Bristol Bay, Alaska, known as Pebble Mine, was blocked by the Obama administration’s EPA after scientists found that the mine would cause ‘complete loss of’ the bay’s fish habitat.” (Italics added.)

The mine is one of the most controversial projects in Alaska, to be sure. And it has been pummeled by fake news for years.

During its construction, it would employ about 2,000 people, and 1,000 during its estimated 20-year life. For environmental industry types, the Pebble Mine is right up there with the Amazon rainforest, and it’s easy to raise money by stoking fear. Opponents of the mine fear it will take out the last great salmon run in the world.

It’s a reasonable concern, but to not even allow Pebble to present its case for mine safety? That was an unprecedented action during the Obama presidency.

Soon the rest of the media was reporting that CNN was reporting this pair of events and all the other speculation, and it became fact across the news landscape for the next week:

Across the land, reporters and news agencies reported on a report that had nothing but conjecture to support it.

CNN, tipped off by the environmental community and opponents of Pebble inside the EPA, led the news pack down the path of speculative journalism. This is Exhibit A for how the environmental industry and the mainstream media concoct stories that become articles of faith that are then repeated as fact.

Next step for Senate Seat M: Dunleavy’s decision

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The committees for House District 25 and 26 have voted on their choices for the vacancy in Senate Seat M, and the names have been forwarded to Gov. Michael Dunleavy.

Dunleavy has until Sept. 5 to make a decision among the names offered: former Sen. Dave Donley,  Albert Fogle and Rep. Laddie Shaw, shown left to right above.

On Tuesday, Dunleavy plans to interview the three. Although he isn’t bound to pick from that list, this process is steeped in tradition. When Gov. Bill Walker thumbed his nose at the tradition in 2018, he paid a hefty political price after creating turmoil for himself with the District E seat, which represents the Mat-Su Valley and a region that stretches to Valdez and Whittier. It was the seat vacated by Dunleavy when he decided to take on Walker in the 2018 election.

“The Governor takes seriously his role in filling this vacancy and will conduct a thorough and complete review before making a final determination. He hopes to make a final decision by the end of August,” said Matt Shuckerow, press secretary to the governor.

Dunleavy will consider many criteria, including the candidates’ views on the Permanent Fund dividend. Dunleavy favors giving Alaskans their entire dividend, and also back payments for amounts taken from them over the previous two years by Gov. Bill Walker and the Legislature.

He’ll also look at each candidate’s history and involvement in District M, civic engagement and relative experience, integrity and commitment to following the law, and viewpoints on policies such as government spending, resource and economic development, he said.

The seat became open when Sen. Chris Birch died earlier this month. By law, the governor has 30 days to fill the vacancy with a member of the same political party as Birch, Republican.

[Read: Three chosen for Senate Seat M]

 

New members of boards and commissions named

Gov. Michael Dunleavy’s office announced dozens of new people to serve on various state boards and commissions; 33 men and 29 women were added to these citizen panels:

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Board of Directors

  • Vivian Stiver – Fairbanks
    • Term: 8/14/19 – 6/30/21

Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Board of Trustees

  • Anita Halterman – Eagle River
    • Term: 8/2/19 – 3/1/23

Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council

  • Annette Evans-Smith – Anchorage (reappointment)
    • Term: 9/1/19 – 9/1/22
  • Bernadette Alvana-Stimpfle – Nome (reappointment)
    • Term:9/1/19 – 9/1/22

Alaska Police Standards Council

  • Chief Ed Mercer – Juneau
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 3/1/20

Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission

  • Glenn “Mike” Prax – North Pole
    • Term: 7/15/19 – 8/25/20
  • Steve Strait – Anchorage
    • Term: 8/25/19 – 8/25/24
  • Aaron Weaver – Anchorage
    • Term: 8/25/19 – 8/25/24

Alaska Seismic Hazards Safety Commission

  • Daniel Neuffer – Palmer
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 6/30/22

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute Board of Directors

  • Alf Skaflestad – Hoonah
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/22
  • Michael Erickson – Juneau
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/22
  • Jack Schultheis – Anchorage (reappointment)
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/22

Board of Certified Direct Entry Midwives

  • Hannah St. George – Fairbanks
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 3/1/22

Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers

  • William Barnes – Palmer
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 3/1/22
  • Wendy Lawrence – Sitka (reappointment)
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 3/1/24

Board of Forestry

  • Nathan Lojewski – Anchorage
    • Term: 7/15/19 – 6/30/22

Board of Social Work Examiners

  • Brandon Ercanbrack – Seward
    • Term: 7/25/19 – 3/1/20

Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

  • Angela Garay – Wasilla
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 8/1/22
  • Lydia Heyward – Anchorage
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 8/1/20

Criminal Justice Information Advisory Board

  • Mary Caterinichio – Anchorage
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 3/1/21
  • Joseph White – Ketchikan (reappointment)
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 3/1/21 

Emerging Energy Technology Fund Advisory Committee

  • Samuel Tappen – Anchorage
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 11/1/21
  • Thomas Wolf – Anchorage
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 11/1/22

Governor’s Council on Disabilities

  • Anna Attla – Anchorage (reappointment)
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/22
  • Art Delaune – Fairbanks (reappointment)
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/22
  • Lyle Downing – Palmer
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/21
  • Margaret Evans – Anchorage (reappointment)
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/22
  • David Kohler – Anchorage (reappointment)
    • Term: 7/25/19 – 6/30/22
  • Jeanne Gerhardt-Cyrus – Kiana (reappointment)
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/21
  • Joshua Gill – Bethel
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/21
  • Alex Gimarc – Anchorage
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/20
  • Elizabeth Joseph – Kongiganak
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/22
  • Charlene Tautfest – Soldotna
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/22
  • Shelly Vendetti-Vuckovich – Anchorage
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 6/30/22

Marijuana Control Board

  • Bruce Schulte – Eagle River
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 3/1/22 

National Park and Park Monument Subsistence Resource Commission

  • Willie Kasayulie – Akiachak
    • Term: 7/9/19 – 11/4/20

Natural Resources Conservation and Development Board

  • Cheryl Thompson – Nome (reappointment)
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 3/1/22

North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (Nomination)

  • Tommy Sheridan – Cordova

North Pacific Research Board (Nomination)

  • Dr. Bradley Moran – Fairbanks
  • Dr. Gordon Kruse – Juneau
  • Dr. Bob Onders – Anchorage

–          Academic seat

–          1 will be selected by the Secretary of Commerce

–          Term: 8/2/19 – 8/2/22 

Pacific Salmon Treaty – Northern Panel (Nomination)

  • Deborah Lyons – Petersburg
  • John Carle – Hydaburg (reappointment)

Pacific Salmon Treaty – Transboundary Panel

  • Troy Thynes – Petersburg

Pacific Salmon Treaty – Yukon River Panel

  • John Linderman – Anchorage
  • Carolyn Brown – Fairbanks (alternate)

State Commission for Human Rights

  • Jamie Allard – Eagle River
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 3/1/24
  • Kyle Foster – Anchorage
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 3/1/22

State Council for Interstate Adult and Juvenile  Offender Supervision

  • Victoria Shanklin – Anchorage  (reappointment)
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 4/1/22

State Historical Records Advisory Board

  • Sue Ann Denny – Fairbanks
    • Term: 8/20/19 -5/10/22
  • Natalie Tuday – Big Lake
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 5/10/22

State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee

  • Lisa McInerney – Anchorage
    • Term: 7/25/19 – 5/21/20
  • Cynthia Lovel – Wasilla
    • Term: 7/25/19 – 5/21/21
  • Tony Simmons – Anchorage
    • Term: 7/25/19 – 5/21/22
  • Jacqueline Llaneza – Anchorage
    • Term: 7/25/19 – 5/21/21
  • Dallas-Lee Brower – Utqiagvik
    • Term: 7/25/19 – 5/21/22

Statewide Independent Living Council

  • Julie Whittaker – Anchorage
    • Term: 8/20/19 – 10/1/20
  • Nona Safra – Anchor Point (reappointment)
    • Term: 10/1/19 – 10/1//22

Statewide Suicide Prevention Council

  • Marcus Sanders – Anchorage
    • Term: 10/1/19 – 10/1/23 

US Selective Service – Alaska State Director (nomination)

  • Edie Grunwald – Palmer  

Water and Wastewater Works Advisory Board

  • Benjamin Stacy – Fairbanks (reappointment)
    • Term: 7/25/19 – 4/18/24
  • Tammy Helms – Wasilla (reappointment)
    • Term: 7/25/19 – 4/18/19

Jamie Allard added to Human Rights Commission

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ALSO, JON COOK REMOVED FROM ALASKA RAILROAD

Jamie Allard of Eagle River has been named to the Alaska Commission on Human Rights, filling the seat left vacant when Marcus Sanders resigned due to work conflicts.

Allard was a candidate for House District 14 in 2018, but was defeated by now-Rep. Kelly Merrick in the primary. She is a veteran, owned her own small business, worked for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration and the Department of Defense.

Allard joins a board that has been in upheaval since the former executive director of the commission acted inappropriately toward the owner of a vehicle parked at the commission’s headquarters in Anchorage.

[Read: Black Rifles Matter: Human Rights Commission to meet in executive session]

The board is in the process of hiring another new executive director after it hired Marilyn Stewart to replace the former executive director, only to release her two weeks later.

ALASKA RAILROAD

Gov. Michael Dunleavy has removed Jon Cook from the Alaska Railroad Corporation board in advance of the board’s Sept. 18 meeting. Cook had served for 10 years on the Railroad board.

Cook was an avid supporter of former Gov. Bill Walker — hosting fundraisers for his re-election — and has been involved in trying to recall the governor. He serves at the pleasure of the governor.

“Governor Mike Dunleavy is examining all board and commissions, particularly those where realignment can be made and vacancies are set to occur,” said Matt Shuckerow, press secretary to the governor. “Governor Dunleavy says he and Mr. Cook share differing views and would like to realign the Alaska Railroad Board.”

Cook’s board seat was set to expire in October. Dunleavy would like to fill the now vacant business owner/manager position with an individual associated with real estate and land development. Shuckerow said he expects a replacement to be made before the Alaska Railroad’s September Board meeting.