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Alaska Chamber Business Awards Announced 

Natalie Spaulding
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7
Alaska Chamber Business Awards Announced 

Today, the Alaska Chamber of Commerce announced the 2025 recipients of its Premier Business Awards. These include:  

Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year: Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal 

Rita Sholton Large Business of the Year: STG Inc. 

Local Chamber of the Year: Kenai Chamber of Commerce 

William A. Egan Outstanding Alaskan of the Year: John Hendrix 

Selected from among statewide nominees by the Chamber’s Executive Committee, the recipients will be honored for their outstanding contributions to Alaska’s economy at the Alaska Business Summit on Oct. 9, 2025, at the Alyeska Resort. 

According to a press release, the categories and basis for nomination and awards are: 

Bill Bivin Small Business of the Year: Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal 

Established in 1993, the award “recognizes independently owned and operated Alaska businesses with fewer than 100 employees that demonstrate leadership and community involvement. 

“Sitka Sound Cruise Terminal (the Terminal) is the only cruise ship dock in Sitka and has transformed the visitor industry in Southeast Alaska. Founded by Chris McGraw, the Terminal took shape without guaranteed cruise line contracts, relying instead on vision and entrepreneurial risk-taking. Today, the Terminal welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, providing critical infrastructure that fuels Sitka’s economy and supports local jobs. 

“Beyond dock operations, the Terminal provides space for small businesses, including bars, restaurants, retailers and tour operators. It has become an anchor for Sitka’s tourism sector, spurring economic activity that generates sales, property, and head tax revenues for the city. The Terminal has also shown strong civic leadership, including organizing community-led efforts to protect local businesses from harmful ballot initiatives.” 

Rita Sholton Large Business of the Year: STG Inc. 

Established in 2018, this award honors “companies with more than 100 Alaska employees that exemplify leadership in their industry and consistent community involvement. 

“STG Inc. is a leader in rural infrastructure development, building projects in some of the most remote and weather-challenged regions of Alaska. Their work includes major contributions to telecommunications, fiber installation, and structural foundations, such as their foundational role in GCI’s TERRA network connecting Western Alaska. 

“STG is known for its deep cultural awareness and commitment to local communities. They prioritize local hiring and mentoring, often transforming trainees into long-term team members. Beyond project sites, STG invests in communities by donating goods, supporting elders and engaging in local volunteer efforts. The company also supports statewide organizations, including the Scotty Gomez Foundation and Calista Education and Culture Fund. Internally, STG fosters employee well-being with competitive benefits and a culture rooted in collaboration and generosity.” 

Local Chamber of the Year: Kenai Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

This award “recognizes local chambers for consistent community involvement and strong reputations for business support. 

“The Kenai Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center has elevated its role as a trusted, dynamic, and forward-thinking organization under the leadership of Executive Director Samantha Springer. In 2024, the Chamber was instrumental in revitalizing the Kenai Cultural Center, bringing back monthly rotating exhibits for the first time since 1993. It also launched the Kenai Chronicles Lecture Series, expanded scholarship programs and created the Kenai Peninsula Cultural Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) organization focused on historical preservation, education and community restoration. The Chamber regularly hosts community-wide events like the Fourth of July Parade, Christmas Comes to Kenai and a new Haunted Chamber attraction, creating opportunities for residents to connect and celebrate what makes Kenai unique. 

“The Chamber fosters regional collaboration, recently partnering with the Soldotna Chamber on shared programming and campaigns. Its initiatives promote economic sustainability, youth development and civic pride, positioning it as a vital force in the Central Peninsula.” 

William A. Egan Outstanding Alaskan of the Year: John Hendrix 

Established in 1964, this award honors “an individual who has made substantial and continual contributions of statewide significance in the private sector. 

“John Hendrix is celebrated for his entrepreneurial spirit and decades of contributions to Alaska’s energy sector. A civil engineer with more than 40 years of international and local experience, Hendrix chose to invest his expertise back into the state where he grew up. 

“Hendrix has held leadership roles at Apache Alaska, BP, Schlumberger and NANA, and served as oil and gas advisor to the governor’s office. More recently, he founded HEX, LLC and acquired Furie Operating Alaska, which operates offshore platforms in Cook Inlet and supplies natural gas to communities in Southcentral Alaska. Beyond his professional achievements, Hendrix has devoted his time and resources to supporting education, youth sports and community organizations across the state.” 

The Alaska Chamber is a non-profit founded in 1953 working to promote a positive business environment in Alaska. 

Full press release below:

2025-alaska-chamber-awards-press-release-final-0925Download

Natalie Spaulding, a 2025 Hillsdale College graduate, recently joined the Must Read Alaska team.

Fairbanks Borough Documents Detail Travel Expenditures by Borough Members

Natalie Spaulding
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20
Fairbanks Borough Documents Detail Travel Expenditures by Borough Members

By NATALIE SPAULDING

A municipal tax cap is one way to prevent a borough or local government entity from spending taxpayer money on unwarranted travel expenses or political causes. Understanding current borough spending habits can help voters decide about the necessity of a tax cap. In an effort to show why a tax cap is both necessary and desirable, Fairbanks residents Jon and Ruth Ewig conducted a FOIA request to shine light on Fairbanks North Star Borough expenditures.

Ruth Ewig requested documents detailing borough expenditures through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. The documents she received show that Fairbanks North Star Borough representatives Savannah Fletcher, David Guttenberg, Brett Rotermund, Mindy O’Neall, Scott Crass, and Kristan Kelly cumulatively spent $34,800 of taxpayer money on travel expenses from February 5, 2024 – February 21, 2025.

According to the documents released to MRAK, David Guttenberg spent the most money: $13,000. Mindy O’Neall spent $7,500, part of which was used to fund a trip to Victoria BC, Canada to attend a conference about “preventing hate and building social cohesion.”

FOIA Documents Borough ExpendituresDownload

According to Ewig, the documents show that Guttenberg and O’Neall failed during their authorized Junea trip to keep their appointments with their interior Legislative Delegation. Released Assembly reports do not account for their absences. 

The FOIA documents also reveal that North Star Borough Assembly members used Borough funds to attend the Alaska Municipal League’s Annual Local Government Conference. Additionally, the Borough Assembly paid $50,000 to a lobbyist.

During the February 2024-2025 time frame, Borough member Scott Crass spent $5,000; Savannah Fletcher spent $3600; Brett Rotermund spent $3,500; and Kristan Kelly spent $1,000.

In 2024, according to Ewig, Borough members O’Neall, Crass, and Fletcher spent $125,000 sponsoring a campaign to remove the tax cap and to increase real property land taxes by $10 million. That campaign failed. “These travel expenditures do not represent a wise use of taxpayer-generated revenues,” said Ewig. “Fairbanks residents know that raising the tax cap is not necessary, and that these funds can be better utilized on the proper functions of government.”

Natalie Spaulding, a 2025 Hillsdale College graduate, recently joined the Must Read Alaska team.

NEW LOCATION: UAA Turning Point USA Chapter to Hold Vigil for Charlie Kirk

Brenda Josephson
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6
NEW LOCATION: UAA Turning Point USA Chapter to Hold Vigil for Charlie Kirk

By BRENDA JOSEPHSON

The University of Alaska Anchorage chapter of Turning Point USA will host a public memorial vigil in honor of Charlie Kirk.

This event is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in The Wendy Williamson Auditorium on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. Everyone is welcome to join the gathering to honor the memory of Charlie Kirk and celebrate his life and legacy.

Senator Sullivan Announces $183.4 Million in Federal Highway Funds. 

Jon Faulkner
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23
Senator Sullivan Announces $183.4 Million in Federal Highway Funds. 

By JON FAULKNER

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced that a record-setting $183.4 million in federal funds were redistributed to Alaska’s DOT and Public Facilities through the Federal Highway Administration. 

Redistribution funds allow states with previously approved and designed projects to accelerate their construction timelines through a re-allocation of existing federal funds. The $183.4 million places Alaska as the highest in the nation on a per-capita basis for August redistribution funding. 

Senator Sullivan is a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and has consistently advocated for increased funding for Alaska’s federal highway projects, including efforts during President Trump’s first term to secure funding and permits for the massive Cooper Landing Bypass project. 

The road funds will help advance two large projects currently in progress: the West Susitna Access Road and the Cooper Landing Bypass.  They will also cover other safety, pavement protection, and smaller access projects.   

“We have natural resources that exceed most major countries, yet we have fewer road miles than Connecticut, despite our state being 118 times the size. In my seats on both the Environment and Public Works and Commerce Committees, getting more infrastructure—including roads—built in our state so we can unlock our full potential is one of my top priorities,” said Senator Sullivan in a prepared statement.

Sullivan continued: “We’ve had great success securing major awards for transportation infrastructure projects, with hundreds of millions of dollars in long-term investments coming to our state, but more needs to be done. My team and I have had numerous conversations with Transportation Secretary Duffy and his team about our infrastructure challenges and the necessity of working cooperatively with Alaska DOT to ensure that, unlike the previous administration, federal highway funds aren’t bogged down by unnecessary requirements and red tape. I want to thank Secretary Duffy for following through on his commitments and look forward to working with Alaska DOT to ensure that these funds are used to advance infrastructure projects that benefit our communities.” 

Jon Faulkner is the president of Alaska Gold Communications, parent company to Must Read Alaska.

Anchorage Assembly Advances Housing Proposals 

Brenda Josephson
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14
Anchorage Assembly Advances Housing Proposals 

By BRENDA JOSEPHSON

The Anchorage Assembly held public hearings on two ordinances to advance its housing agenda at its regular meeting on September 23rd. 

One of the ordinances would advance a charter amendment to authorize a tax short-term rentals that would require a public vote.

The other proposed ordinance provides tenant protections by requiring landlords to provide relocation assistance to tenants if their housing is deemed unfit for human habitation.

Ordinance No. AO 2025-97 proposes submitting a ballot proposition to amend the Home Rule Charter of the Municipality of Anchorage. This amendment would authorize a tax on short-term rental transactions, such as those on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. The ordinance includes the ballot language and procedural steps for voter approval. It is sponsored by Assembly Member Daniel Volland and Assembly Chair Chris Constant.

Ordinance No. AO 2025-93 amends Anchorage Municipal Code Chapters 15.05 and 15.10 to require residential rental property owners to provide tenants with financial relocation assistance—equal to two months’ rent plus any deposit and prepaid rent—within seven days of issuing a notice to vacate due to the dwelling being unfit for human habitation. 

The ordinance also adds Section 8.30.200 to Title 8, classifying failure to comply with enforcement orders, notices to vacate, or relocation assistance requirements as class B misdemeanors, with civil penalties up to $2,000 per offense and daily fines up to $500. Exceptions apply for violations caused by tenant actions, natural disasters, or eminent domain. If owners fail to provide assistance, the municipality may advance funds to tenants and recover costs through penalties. This ordinance is sponsored by Assembly Members Zac Johnson and Erin Baldwin.

Both ordinances will be back for discussion on October 21.

For more information click on the link below for the September 23rd meeting packet:

Click to access Assembly_Regular_-_September_23%2C_2025_6181_Agenda_Packet_9_23_2025_5_00_00_PM.pdf

October 7th Local Elections Will Shape Our Communities

Brenda Josephson
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12
October 7th Local Elections Will Shape Our Communities

By BRENDA JOSEPHSON

With early voting underway and ballots landing in mailboxes across Alaska, October 7th is your chance to make a real difference in the places we call home.

From borough assemblies to school boards and vital propositions, these municipal elections empower everyday Alaskans to guide education, infrastructure, and local services. With easy mail-in options and early voting already underway, now is the time to grab your ballot and help build the stronger communities we deserve. It is time for Alaskans to make their voices heard together!

In the capital city, the City and Borough of Juneau’s regular municipal election runs by mail from September 19 to October 7, with ballots automatically sent to registered voters. Voters will elect three Assembly seats; two incumbents are running unopposed, and in District 2 incumbent will be facing a challenger.

Juneau candidates will also vie for three board of education seats. Three propositions are on the ballot, including two citizen’s initiatives for reducing the millage rate cap and a sales tax exemption for essential food and non-commercial utilities. The third is a proposal from the local government for a seasonally adjusted sales tax that would increase in the summer months. Affordable Juneau, a local advocacy group, is urging votes of “Yes, Yes, and No” on the proposals. Drop boxes are available 24/7, with in-person voting at City Hall and Valley Library on election day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

In other areas of Southeast Alaska, in Ketchikan Gateway Borough and the City of Ketchikan, voters will choose a borough mayor, assembly members, and school board members across seven precincts, with absentee voting by mail or fax.

The Haines Borough’s general municipal election will fill two seats each for assembly, planning commission, and school board. The community will also have a chance to affirm or reject the government’s proposal for a seasonal tax increase.

Skagway’s October 7th ballot has the mayor’s office running unopposed, three candidates running for two open three-year assembly seats, and a one-year assembly seat that has no names on the ballot. A seasonal sales tax is also on the ballot for Skagway that, if approved by voters, would increase sales tax from 5% to 7% during the months of April through September each year to offset utility bills and fund infrastructure projects.

The City and Borough of Wrangell’s race has two candidates running for two available three-year seats and three candidates running for one open one-year seat. Four candidates have filed to fill two open school board seats.

The City and Borough of Sitka race is competitive this year with six candidates vying for two assembly seats. In the school board race, three candidates are hoping to be elected to two open seats on the board. Also on the ballot is a proposal to allow the Sitka Community Hospital Dedicated Fund to be used for the former hospital’s debt expense and debt expense for athletic and recreation facilities.

In the Fairbanks North Star Borough, the regular municipal election covers three three-year assembly seats and two school board seats. The City of Fairbanks race will decide who will serve as mayor and fill two city council seats. Early voting runs September 22 to October 2, with polling places open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on October 7th.

In the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, the cities of Palmer, Wasilla, and Houston conduct independent elections. Palmer voters will elect a mayor and three council seats: two three-year terms and one one-year term. Wasilla will be filling three city council seats with two of the candidates running unopposed. Houston will also be electing council seats. These races are separate from the Mat-Su borough-wide election that will be held on November 4th.

In Southwest Alaska, the City of Bethel will be looking to fill four City Council seats with three candidates running, meaning one seat may go unfilled or to a write-in candidate. The City of Whittier has three city council seats on the ballot, with two running unopposed.

The Alaska Division of Elections administers the REAA election for school board seats in 11 rural areas within the unorganized borough, including Aleutian, Lower Yukon, Holy Cross, Lake Minchumina, Shageluk, Ruby, Koyukuk, Minto, Arctic Village, Fort Yukon, Northway, and Tok. Ballots were mailed by September 15, with early voting available from September 22 at regional offices. Polling places are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day, October 7th.

Early and absentee voting is now underway, including in-person options from September 22. October 7th is your moment to prove all politics is local—mark your ballot today and inspire others to join the effort to shape the future of your community. For sample ballots and polling details, visit elections.alaska.gov or contact your local clerk’s office.

Your vote counts!

Brenda Josephson is a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska. You can contact her via email at [email protected].

Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension and The Public Interest Doctrine 

Jon Faulkner
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21
Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension and The Public Interest Doctrine 

Part of MRAK Series “A Jury of the People: You Decide” 

By JON FAULKNER 

Ben Sperry’s article on the suspension of talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC frames the legal issues well and concludes by recommending expanded First Amendment freedoms through reduced regulation of airwaves.  Deregulation or downsizing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) resonates with Americans who have witnessed censorship and suppression of news at every level, in business and government.  

In 1791, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton delivered “position papers” to President George Washington over the constitutionality of the proposed bank of the United States. Hamilton’s argument prevailed largely because of the “general welfare” clause in the Constitution. This widely interpreted mandate has empowered our federal government to enact seemingly limitless domestic programs and regulations in pursuit of the public welfare. However, the Framers did not provide a definition of “public welfare.” 

Our Constitution relegates to the Judiciary the interpretation of laws we create to protect our Constitutional rights to free speech and a free press. What promotes the general welfare, however, is for the American people to decide. 

The public welfare doctrine grants Congress both proactive and reactive powers. These powers are extensive and highly influenced by public opinion. Aside from human rights, which transcend human-imposed limits, our freedoms are limited or expanded by what our representative democracy regards as both reasonable and defensible on the basis of serving the best interests of society.         

Kimmel’s controversial comments about the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk prompted backlash and actions by ABC’s affiliate stations and FCC. The suspension, driven by decisions from affiliate groups Nexstar and Sinclair to preempt Jimmy Kimmel Live!, followed remarks by FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who urged affiliates to “step up” in reaction to Kimmel’s comments, implying that broadcasters must act in the “public interest” or face potential fines for a “pattern of news distortion.”  

The near immediate reaction by Nexstar and Sinclair implies the presence of pressure, but Carr’s statements were transparent and suggestive.  Lawyers like Stout will speculate about the line between censorship and regulatory guidance, but these are distractions from the bigger issue: the growing power of Government to intervene and the arbitrary execution of that power. The Biden-Trump transition is corrective or destructive, depending upon one’s view, but the Twitter Files and many other revelations of abuse are more than worrisome.   

The Kimmel case asks Americans to decide how we defend our right to a free press. The concept of the need to control content on behalf of the public welfare is on the table.  We must decide for ourselves what kind of country we want, and how to safeguard our freedoms.  

Americans who favor de-centralization of corporate power and influence in media, for example, should hold Disney accountable for pressuring affiliates to carry a show their local marketplace does not support. Congress is accountable for more robust enforcement of internal safeguards designed to expose and remove bad actors within the Executive.     

Americans need to decide the degree to which we regulate our airways or tax them. Maybe the FCC is another agency we don’t need. But FCC’s authority over airwaves misses the larger point, which is how Americans wish to regulate media in a manner that promotes the general welfare, and avoids infringements upon Constitutional rights to free speech and a free press.  What constitutes unacceptable levels of deceptive news, “hate speech”, violence or pornography, we Americans—not the courts–get to decide.    

Trump and Kennedy Spotlight Tylenol-Autism Link, Push New Autism Research Agenda

Ben Carpenter
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51
Trump and Kennedy Spotlight Tylenol-Autism Link, Push New Autism Research Agenda

By BEN CARPENTER

President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered a bombshell today from the White House. Mounting evidence suggests that acetaminophen (commonly sold as Tylenol) may be linked to higher rates of autism when used during pregnancy.

The announcement marks a sharp break from years of government silence on the issue. It also signals the administration’s willingness to challenge entrenched pharmaceutical interests that have long dismissed concerns raised by parents, clinicians, and independent researchers.

A Long-Ignored Signal

For years, studies have pointed to a troubling association between prenatal acetaminophen exposure and increased risks of autism and ADHD. Research published in JAMA Psychiatry, Environmental Health Perspectives, and NIH-backed cohort analyses shows a dose-dependent relationship. The more acetaminophen exposure in utero, the higher the likelihood of a child later being diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder.

Elite universities have echoed the warning. Harvard, Johns Hopkins, and Mount Sinai researchers have published reviews urging caution and transparency. A 2025 Environmental Health study added biological evidence, finding that acetaminophen disrupts fetal brain development through oxidative stress pathways.

Until today, Washington largely ignored these signals.

Trump and Kennedy’s Agenda

The administration announced three immediate steps during a press conference Monday:

  1. Federal research funding to aggressively examine acetaminophen’s developmental impact.
  2. Expansion of Leucovorin trials, a folate-based therapy already showing promise for subsets of children with autism.
  3. Updated clinical guidance for physicians and expectant mothers weighing the risks of Tylenol use during pregnancy.

Trump framed the move as a commitment to transparency and families. “Parents deserve the truth, not cover-ups. We will not let Big Pharma silence science when children’s futures are at stake.”

Kennedy, a longtime critic of regulatory capture at the FDA and NIH, was blunter. “For too long, the medical establishment has treated concerned parents like conspiracy theorists. Today we begin setting the record straight.”

Breaking the Consensus

Acetaminophen is taken by an estimated 65% of pregnant women. If federal research confirms these risks, public health could face its biggest reevaluation since the government admitted the dangers of tobacco.

Critics may call this political theater. They point to the uncertainty that still surrounds causation. But the administration’s move shifts the burden of proof. Instead of parents defending their instincts, the pharmaceutical industry must explain why red flags were ignored.

The Trump-Kennedy alliance on autism policy represents something larger. It challenges the bipartisan consensus that has long allowed corporate medicine to dictate the debate. With autism rates climbing as high as one in thirty-one children and trust in public health institutions collapsing, today’s announcement may resonate far beyond Tylenol.

Why It Matters

  • For Families: Expectant mothers now face new questions about what was once considered the safest pain reliever on the shelf.
  • For Medicine: Federal dollars are being redirected toward independent autism research, not just industry-friendly studies.
  • For Politics: Trump and Kennedy are rebranding the GOP as the party willing to confront Big Pharma’s taboos. That message is likely to energize parents who feel abandoned by the medical establishment.

This announcement is not just about Tylenol. It is about who Americans trust to tell them the truth about their health, and who has been hiding it.

Ben Carpenter is a former Alaska state legislator, combat veteran, small business owner, and host of the Must Read Alaska Show.

UAA Turning Point USA Chapter to Hold Vigil for Charlie Kirk

Brenda Josephson
-
7
UAA Turning Point USA Chapter to Hold Vigil for Charlie Kirk

By BRENDA JOSEPHSON

The University of Alaska Anchorage chapter of Turning Point USA will host a public memorial vigil in honor of Charlie Kirk.

This event is scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in The Den at the UAA Student Union on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. Everyone is welcome to join the gathering to honor the memory of Charlie Kirk and celebrate his life and legacy.

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