Weather in Western Alaska was tough sledding on Election Day, as a massive storm covered much of the lower coast, impacting communities from Dutch Harbor all the way to Bethel.
There are gale-force winds in Dillingham on Tuesday morning, with heavy rain on top of icy roads. Winds are at 26 mph.
In Bethel, there’s been a blizzard warning since Monday night, and winds are at 30 mph.
Ketchikan, in southern Southeast Alaska, is expecting two inches of rain.
The Department of Justice has sent officials to Western Alaska to monitor the elections. They are experiencing a fall gale and blizzard that may impact voter turnout, as blowing snow, ice, and rain whip the rural communities along the coast.
The Division of Elections website was dysfunctional on Election Day morning. Visitors were given a message that “The Elections Website is Temporary Unavailable. We apologize for the delay. The Elections website will be available shortly.”
The Division of Elections offered no explanation for why the website was not working. It was down, as of 9 a.m., for at least one hour. Across Southcentral, there have been high winds.
Update: Around 9 a.m. the message on the website said the reason for the dysfunction was due to high traffic volume.
People in line at voting locations, where lines are long, are saying they are having to cast “questioned ballots,” since the website is not working. If you are voting at your local precinct, you should not have to cast a questioned ballot.
For several days, House candidate Ruben McNeil and State Senate candidate Mike Cronk have been waving campaign signs at the corner of Johansen and Geist Road in Fairbanks with a group of supporters.
On Monday, Democrats, led by Senate candidate Savannah Fletcher and House Rep. Ashley Carrick, showed up with their group of sign-wavers. They brought a small wagon in which they had lit and were tending a blazing fire. They had it placed perilously close to cars in the turn lane, endangering everyone in the vicinity.
Law enforcement responded to get the group to move the burning material onto the sidewalk. Meanwhile, the Democrats allowed their unleashed dogs to dart in and out of traffic around the intersection.
Footage of police intervening with Democrat sign-wavers after they created a traffic hazard.
One Democrat sign-waver, trying to muscle into the prime spot, smacked one of the McNeil sign holders on the head with a sign, and the group purposefully tried to push the McNeil and Cronk supporters from their spots.
Through it all, Fletcher’s baby was crying and wriggling in the arms of its father. Savannah kept telling her husband, “No, not now.”
Tuesday is Election Day in America, and Americans will be making a choice about their future.
Rep. Mary Peltola didn’t return to her hometown of Bethel to vote in the general election. Instead, she was in line at Anchorage City Hall, with news cameras trained on her and her new downtown liberal friends on Monday, one day before the election ends.
Peltola gets her absentee ballots mailed to her at her Prominence Pointe address in a dressy neighborhood of south Anchorage. She ordered her primary absentee ballot for that address, but instead voted early. And she ordered her general election absentee ballot for that address. But it appears she voted early in person again.
She and Mayor Suzanne LaFrance were in the line at City Hall, shaking hands and taking selfies with voters. There was not an American flag pin or hat anywhere to be seen.
Nick Begich, who is challenging Peltola for the one Alaska seat in Congress, voted at the Division of Elections office on Gambell Street on Monday.
JayWalk Media’s Matt Miller asked protesters at Madison Square Garden in New York City if Donald Trump is really as bad as Hitler, who killed six million Jews (as well as thousands of Roma gypsies, and homosexuals.)
The protesters said, yes, Trump is actually as bad as Hitler.
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan sent Must Read Alaska his views on ranked-choice voting and why is is voting Yes on Ballot Measure 2:
“The stakes in this upcoming election couldn’t be higher and Alaskans have a real opportunity to elect strong Republican leaders up and down the ballot who will fight for hard-working families, defend our state’s critical interests, and stand up to the Biden-Harris administration’s far-left policies harming our communities and our way of life. With so much on the line, now is the time to do everything we can to ensure strong voter turnout on Election Day,” he said.
“I urge every Alaskan to make their voice heard by voting, bringing a friend, family member, or neighbor to the polls, and helping spread the word about the important issues we’re facing, Sullivan said.
“Alaskans will also face a critical question on Ballot Measure 2 –– to decide whether ranked choice voting should remain in Alaska. As I’ve stated before, I am voting Yes on Ballot Measure 2 to repeal ranked choice voting and encourage Alaskans to join me. Like many others who did not support ranked choice voting in 2020, I still believe this new election system has created unnecessary confusion among voters,” he said. “By returning to our previous election system, I believe we can restore confidence in our elections and reaffirm one of the bedrocks of our democracy: one person, one vote.”
Ballot Measure 2 undoes the scheme caused in 2020, when Outside dark money convinced Alaskans to adopt a controversial voting method called ranked-choice voting. This year, Ballot Measure 2 asks voters if they want to return to normal elections. Over $13 million in dark money has been spent by the Democrats and their operatives who are trying to prevent normal elections.
On Tuesday, our nation brings the 2024 election cycle to a close. People have poured their hearts into campaigns and candidates, ballot initiatives, and bond issues. No matter what the outcome, emotions will run high on Tuesday night. Whether your family is celebrating or in need of solace, there is no better way to nurture them than with some delicious old-fashioned comfort food.
Tomato soup and a grilled cheese are my go-to comfort foods. The simple soup and sandwich combo evokes memories of my childhood, warming me up after a cold day. The most enjoyable part was always the generous amounts of cheddar cheese on the grilled bread, which melted onto the plate. Dipping the sandwich into the tomato soup enhanced its decadence, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that soothed both body and soul.
Taking a break to savor some homemade comfort foods is a wonderful way to unwind and appreciate the small things. Tomato soup is a basic dish with a variety of options. I especially enjoy a roasted tomato and red pepper variation that uses fresh vegetables.
If the idea of roasting fresh vegetables for soup overwhelms you, below this first recipe is a simple tomato soup recipe using common pantry staples. Continue reading toward the end for that basic recipe.
All the right stuff: Ingredients for Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup
Roasted Tomato and Red Pepper Soup
Ingredients:
2 pounds of ripe tomatoes
5 large red peppers
6 tablespoons of butter
2 large onions (yellow are preferred)
1 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
4 cloves garlic minced
6 cups of bone broth, stock, or bouillon of your choice
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for extra spice)
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra spice)
For garnish: sour cream and basil, parsley, or cilantro
Makes about 3 quarts (approximately twelve 1-cup servings)
Start by cleaning and cutting the red peppers into strips, then cut the tomatoes in half and place them cut side up on a sheet pan. Melt half of the butter (3 tablespoons) and drizzle over the vegetables. Place them in a preheated oven set at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes or until the red peppers are tender and the tomatoes start to dry.
Roast the tomatoes and red peppers in an oven.
While the red peppers and tomatoes are roasting, dice the onions and melt butter in a large sauce pan. I use a 3 1/2-quart enameled pot for this purpose. After melting the butter, add the diced onions and salt, then cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, until the onions begin to caramelize into a light golden color. This will take about 20 minutes more or less.
Carmelize the onions.Add roasted tomatoes and red peppers.
Add the minced garlic to the onions and cook for one to two minutes until the garlic starts to soften and become aromatic. Then add the roasted tomatoes and red peppers to the caramelized onions and garlic.
Next, add the broth or stock to the onions, tomatoes, and red peppers. You can use any type of broth or stock, such as beef, chicken, or vegetable. I use moose bone broth for soups and stews.
Add broth to vegetables.
Next, blend the ingredients until you achieve the desired soup consistency. If you have an immersion blender, this step is simple. While a regular blender can serve the purpose, it requires transferring the hot ingredients into the blender before returning them to the pot for the final simmer.
Blend it all up, taking care not to burn yourself with hot ingredients.
The final step is to add the other seasonings. Add black pepper and paprika to the soup. Add the optional cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes for a spicier taste. Bring the soup to a boil, then turn it down and simmer for ten to twenty minutes to allow the flavors to combine. Taste the soup to check if it needs additional salt or other seasonings and adjust it to taste.
Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and fresh basil, parsley, or cilantro. My preference is to use cilantro on the roasted tomato and red pepper soup. Serve with a grilled cheese sandwich and enjoy!
The roasted tomato and red pepper soup is a delicious twist on a classic comfort food. If you prefer to prepare a basic tomato soup, you probably already have the ingredients on hand. Here’s my take on a classic:
Basic Tomato Soup
Basic Tomato Soup
Ingredients:
2 each 14 ounce cans of tomatoes (I use fire roasted tomatoes)
2 tablespoons of butter
1 medium onion
½ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
1 to 2 cups of bone broth, stock, or bouillon of your choice
1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for extra spice)
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra spice)
For garnish: sour cream and basil or parsley
Makes about 1 quart (approximately four 1-cup servings)
Start by cutting the onion and melting butter in a small sauce pan. I use a 1-quart enameled pot for this purpose. After melting the butter, add the onions and salt, then cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, until the onions begin to caramelize into a light golden color. This will take about 20 minutes more or less.
Then add the canned tomatoes and one cup of broth, bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Simmer, covered with a slightly ajar lid, for 45 minutes. The simmering time is important because it diminishes or eliminates any unpleasant aftertaste that commercially canned tomatoes may have.
Next, blend to puree the ingredients. If the soup is too thick, add more broth until you achieve the desired consistency.
The final step is to add the other seasonings. Add basil, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to the soup. If you prefer a bit of spice, add the optional crushed red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then turn it down and simmer for ten to twenty minutes to allow the flavors to combine. Taste the soup to check if it needs additional salt or other seasonings and adjust it to taste.
Garnish with a dollop of sour cream and fresh basil or a few flakes of dried basil leaves. Serve with a grilled cheese sandwich and enjoy.
If tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches do not appeal to you, try a large bowl of moose stew with sourdough toast. Most Alaskans have their own special way to prepare this comforting cold weather staple. I look forward to sharing my recipe in a future post.
Brenda Josephson is a Haines resident. She is an accounting and tax professional, real estate agent, professionally trained chef, and advocate for good governance. She spends her time fishing, foraging, and savoring Alaska’s abundance of natural and wild foods with her family.
The Valley Republican Women’s club held a candidate convoy rally in the valley Saturday. They had a great time crisscrossing the valley from Palmer to Wasilla. After the event a group of participants went to the local Noisy Goose restaurant for lunch.
The “tolerance” of the Left was once again on display. One vehicle had Trump signs on it as it was parked at the rear of the establishment. A worker about to come on shift happened to be sitting in his car and noticed an individual placing a nail under the tire of the vehicle with the Trump signs. Video was taken as the man walked toward another vehicle with flags and signs on it.
The Palmer police were called and promptly responded. The man left the parking lot after noticing he was being watched, although Palmer police intercepted the man, Charles Davis IV, not far from the restaurant; he was found to have nails in his pockets. The investigation is ongoing in what appears to be a politically motivated crime.
In Fairbanks over the weekend, the windows of the building housing the Interior Republicans were shot out, and last week a home and car in Anchorage were vandalized with the word “TRAITOR” and a Swastika, in apparent response to the Trump signs on the house.
Of course, these crimes pale in comparison to the assassination attempts on Donald Trump’s life over the past few months.
Alaska’s position on the national stage is critical for our Nation’s national security and energy independence. Developing Alaska’s vast natural resources is more crucial than ever if we want to continue fighting towards energy dominance.
Under the Biden/Harris Administration we have seen increasing restrictions on resource development, particularly in Alaska. Congresswoman Mary Peltola, my Democrat colleague, is taking an approach that threatens to stifle these critical industries, risking thousands of jobs and pushing energy prices higher for Alaskans already facing economic challenges.
As a Vice Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, I am committed to fighting for rural America and supporting policies that aim to unleash American energy.
Alaska and her vast natural resources are no exception.
In Congress, Peltola has supported restrictive policies that put rural America last.
Oddly, she was the only Western Caucus member to vote against the Lower Energy Costs Act. This key, bipartisan legislation was championed by the Western Caucus and would have slashed red tape and allowed American workers to responsibly produce our abundant natural resources while lowering energy costs for hardworking Americans.
I have seen first-hand how the Biden-Harris Administration has targeted Alaska from day one and has sought to lock up the state’s resources.
That’s why I sponsored Alaska’s Right to Produce Act thatwould have nullified the Administration’s executive action which blocked oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the National Petroleum-Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A).
When the legislation came before the House, Peltola cynically became a “co-sponsor” of the bill for nothing more than political theater and she refused to vote for the legislation, urging her Democrat counterparts to oppose.
This alone should outrage Alaskans.
It is unfortunate that Peltola has refused to stand up and support commonsense legislation that would advance many of the priorities of the Western Caucus and champion rural America.
Peltola’s top-down policies often overlook the needs and voices of those who know our state best – its residents.
On Tuesday, Alaskans have the opportunity to choose a candidate who understands the importance of developing Alaska’s natural resources and be a critical voice for our state.
In stark contrast, Nick Begich understands that there is no better jurisdiction than Alaska to harness our abundant naturalresources that will open the door for energy independence and economic renewal.
Nick Begich’s vision for Alaska is one of opportunity and economic growth, ensuring that we can leverage our resources responsibly. Sadly, Peltola’s approach risks curbing our economic potential and jeopardizing the livelihoods of countless Alaskans.
It is time to elect leaders who will champion our state’s interests and put Alaskans first.
I urge my fellow citizens to stand with Nick Begich as we work together to secure a prosperous future for Alaska.
Pete Stauber is in his third term in U.S. Congress. He represents Minnesota’s 8th congressional district in northeastern Minnesota.
