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Wildfire in northern BC closes portion of Alaska Highway, with no detours available for travelers

Suzanne Downing
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Wildfire in northern BC closes portion of Alaska Highway, with no detours available for travelers

June 3, 8:30 am update: The Alaska Highway portion closed by fire has reopened to one-lane traffic. Expect delays and possible further closures.

A fast-moving wildfire near Summit Lake, approximately 58 miles west of Fort Nelson, has led to travel disruptions along the Alaska Highway and forced evacuation alerts for parts of northern British Columbia.

The blaze, designated G90413 by the BC Wildfire Service, has now grown to an estimated 2,158 acres and remains classified as burning out of control.

First discovered on May 28, the wildfire is thought to have been caused by human activity.

Drought conditions, dry weather, and strong winds intensified fire behavior overnight between June 1 and 2, causing the flames to surge southeast toward the Alaska Highway. The corridor is a vital lifeline for communities and tourists traveling between British Columbia, the Yukon, and Alaska.

In response to the advancing fire, the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality issued an evacuation alert for the Tetsa River area. The alert applies specifically to properties along the Alaska Highway between the Steamboat Mountain brake check (mile 333, km 536) and the coordinates 58°42’2.23″N, 124°39’43.41″W to 58°38’16.21″N, 124°39’40.50″W. Residents in the zone have been urged to be ready to leave on short notice.

As of Monday evening, the Alaska Highway remains closed between the Highway 77 junction and Toad River, with no detour routes available. This closure is particularly disruptive for travelers en route to or from Alaska, many of whom rely on this stretch as the only road connection. Toad River is about eight driving hours southeast of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.

Public Services and Procurement Canada temporarily reopened a small portion of Highway 97 between kilometer markers 580 and 589 to single-lane alternating traffic as of 9:25 pm Alaska time on Monday. However, delays are expected, and officials stress that the situation remains fluid. Motorists are being advised to monitor DriveBC for real-time road conditions and follow posted signage.

Local businesses, such as the Triple G Hideaway RV Park in Fort Nelson, have stepped up to support stranded travelers with accommodations and services as they await road access. Campgrounds, fuel stops, and visitor centers in the area are also seeing an uptick in demand due to the highway closure.

The Summit Lake fire is one of 70 active wildfires currently burning across British Columbia, with more than half considered out of control, the BC Wildfire Service said. The service has deployed an incident management team to oversee operations in the Summit Lake area.

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for Fort Nelson, Muncho Lake Provincial Park, and Stone Mountain Park. Residents and visitors in these regions should be prepared for reduced visibility and potential health effects due to wildfire smoke.

Travelers headed to or from Alaska through northern British Columbia should:

  • Monitor DriveBC for the latest road closures and traffic updates.
  • Check EmergencyInfoBC for evacuation orders and alerts.
  • Plan for delays and potential overnight stays in Fort Nelson or surrounding communities.
  • Be prepared for poor air quality and limited services along the Alaska Highway corridor.

Officials have not yet projected when full highway access will be restored. DriveBC and EmergencyInfoBC will issue another update at 8 am, Mountain time.

Alaska’s Sullivan, Murkowski, Begich applaud Interior’s rollback of NPR-A lockup

Suzanne Downing
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Alaska’s Sullivan, Murkowski, Begich applaud Interior’s rollback of NPR-A lockup

Alaska’s congressional delegation is celebrating the Department of the Interior’s decision to begin rescinding a Biden 2024 rule that restricts oil and gas development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.The announcement, made by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum during a town hall in Utqiagvik on Sunday evening, was met with widespread applause from North Slope residents, and strong endorsements from US Sen. Dan Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and Congressman Nick Begich.

Sen. Sullivan, who attended the town hall, emphasized that the Biden-era rule had ignored the voices of Alaskans and undermined the well-being of the North Slope’s Iñupiat communities.

“The announcement was roundly met with cheers from Alaskans of the North Slope, who understand better than anyone the proper balance between responsible oil production and the subsistence way of life they cherish,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan noted that responsible resource development in the NPR-A has helped bring essential services and infrastructure to remote villages.

“Responsible resource development has transformed the lives of the Iñupiat people, supporting the construction of clinics, gymnasiums, water infrastructure — basic amenities most Americans take for granted,” he said. “Thank you, Secretary Burgum, for respecting the voices of Alaskans, for standing up for the self-determination of the Iñupiat people, and for sharing this important announcement among the people who will most benefit from it.”

Congressman Begich echoed Sullivan’s praise, framing the decision as a win for Alaska’s right to shape its energy future and for Americans who support energy independence. “This decision is a major victory for Alaska and for every American who believes in energy independence and the rule of law,” Begich said.

He sharply criticized the 2024 NPR-A rule, saying it had been imposed without serious consultation with local communities and in violation of federal law.

“The 2024 restrictions in the NPR-A were imposed with no serious consideration provided to those who work and live in the region and in clear violation of the law — hindering Alaska’s right to responsibly develop our resources,” he said. “There is no question that the road to American prosperity begins in Alaska with our abundance of critical resources, and I am grateful to President Trump and Secretary Burgum for their leadership in restoring our right to shape Alaska’s energy future.”

Murkowski thanked Secretary Burgum for listening to Alaskans and recognizing the explicit legal purpose of the petroleum reserve.

“This is a victory not only for those who support responsible development, but also those who believe in the rule of law. The 2024 management rule clearly violated the law, establishing restrictions and a presumption against development as part of the last administration’s effort to turn the North Slope into one giant tract of federal wilderness. Repealing the rule will not weaken our world-class environmental standards, but it will enable Alaska to produce more energy as Congress intended. The result will be good jobs for Alaskans, more affordable energy for America, and significant new revenues for government,” she said.

The Department of the Interior stated that a legal and policy review found the 2024 rule “exceeds [the Bureau of Land Management’s] statutory authority under the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976,” and “conflicts with the Act’s purpose.” The rule, finalized during the Biden Administration, had prevented lease sales and added new regulatory barriers to development across the 23-million-acre reserve.

Rescinding the rule will return management of the NPR-A to the regulatory framework that existed before May 2024. These previous rules allowed for responsible development while preserving wildlife and subsistence values through the Integrated Activity Plan process.

“Today another sanction on Alaska was lifted by the Trump Administration. This is great news for state’s economy and the nation’s energy supply,” said Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

Environmentalists were dismayed: “It’s hard to overstate the havoc this could wreak on the Western Arctic’s undisturbed habitat for caribou, polars bears and belugas,” said Marlee Goska, Alaska attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Trump’s fixation on plundering Alaska’s ecosystems for short-term gain is matched only by the stupidity of turning this precious place into a fossil fuel extraction site. Alaska’s vast expanses of wild lands are a big part of what makes our state so special, and we’ll do everything possible to protect these places.” 

Brett Huber of Power the Future Alaska disputed that characterization.

“The usual chorus of overfunded environmental extremists will scream that the sky is falling, but this rollback simply restores the balance Congress intended,” Huber said. “It reopens the door to responsible, previously permitted development — development that protects sensitive lands and sustains the subsistence lifestyle of North Slope communities. This isn’t reckless expansion; it’s common-sense governance grounded in law and local reality. Power The Future considers this sound a timely action great news for energy workers, Alaska, and the nation.”

In Utqiagvik, Burgum announces rollback of NPR-A rule, pledges to unleash Alaska’s energy potential

Kassie Andrews: Pre-conference workshop notes

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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Kassie Andrews: Pre-conference workshop notes

By KASSIE ANDREWS

The fourth annual Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference began with a pre-conference workshop led by Dr. Erin Whitney, director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Arctic Energy Office. As part of the DOE’s ongoing effort to “bring the Arctic to DOE and DOE to the Arctic,” Whitney opened the event by introducing the Arctic Energy Ambassadors, a cohort of 12 professionals selected to represent each of Alaska’s regions.

Launched in 2023, the Arctic Ambassador Program—developed with the Denali Commission and Alaska Municipal League—seeks to build regional energy leadership and support clean energy transitions across Alaska. Ambassadors help link their regions to DOE resources and expertise. Around half of the ambassadors in the lineup referenced regional project goals of expanding renewable energy such as wind, solar, electric vehicles, and batteries, with none mentioning coal, oil, or gas. The Cook Inlet ambassador, Cassidi Cameron, from the state’s most gas-reliant region, emphasized a resiliency project centered on renewables and food security.

Following Whitney’s remarks, the event transitioned to a panel titled “Perspectives from Headquarters,” featuring representatives from major DOE offices that oversee or collaborate with the national laboratories. Presentations included the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), the Office of Science, and the Office of International Affairs.

The Office of Science, which oversees most of the DOE’s 17 national laboratories, emphasized its work in fundamental research, advanced computing, and climate-related field studies in the Arctic. This includes research sites in Alaska focused on permafrost, sea ice, and atmospheric systems. The office also utilizes supercomputing to model the viability of energy infrastructure placement, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), in Arctic climates.

EERE highlighted projects supporting energy efficiency and cold-climate housing in Alaska’s rural communities. Lou Hrkman cited active partnerships in more than 15 Alaska locations under the  Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project, formerly known as the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project.

The Office of Indian Energy emphasized Alaska’s major role in its portfolio, with 28 percent of its project funding and 42 percent of its technical assistance directed to Alaska Tribes. The office supports planning and implementing viable energy projects with tribal groups and other DOE labs.

The panel noted strong geothermal potential in Alaska, a push to streamline NEPA reviews using AI from multi-year timelines to 28 days and cybersecurity concerns over Chinese-made solar inverters.

A highlight of the event was the participation of directors from nine of the 17 national laboratories, each offering brief overviews of their lab’s relevance to Arctic energy development. Notably, during his Jan. 15, 2025, Senate confirmation hearing, DOE nominee Chris Wright referred to these national laboratories as the “crown jewels of our nation’s scientific research and technology innovation,” each offering brief overviews of their lab’s relevance to Arctic energy development:

  1. Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the nation’s nuclear laboratory, highlighted its work on Arctic energy security, supporting microgrids, and enhancing military base resilience.
  2. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) presented a partnership with the Kuskokwim Corporation to revitalize regional timber and milling industries for efficient housing construction. Absent was any mention of NREL’s research supporting the feasibility of a 100 percent renewable power grid by 2035.
  3. Pacific Northwest National Lab shared its work in predicting “landfast” ice. That is, ice attached to the shore and a separate project in Sitka deploying sensors to better forecast snowmelt and rainfall for their hydropower operations.
  4. Ames Laboratory presented its breakthroughs in rare earth recovery from electronic waste and its leadership of the Critical Materials Innovation Hub.
  5. Sandia National Labs highlighted its “Vanilla” unmanned aircraft system, noting a 39-hour continuous endurance flight in Alaska’s Oliktok airspace.
  6. Los Alamos National Lab focused on AI, advanced Earth system modeling for infrastructure and coastal planning and cryosphere research supporting national security agencies, like the Coast Guard and Navy.
  7. National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) focused on emissions reductions for hydrocarbons, critical mineral recovery, and advanced carbon management. In collaboration with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, NETL is also studying the feasibility of converting the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System to transport liquid hydrogen instead of crude oil—part of a broader effort to transition legacy infrastructure toward long-term decarbonization goals.

It was also announced that 12 of the 14 microgrid projects selected under the DOE’s $8 million Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership (C-MAP) were based in Alaska. These projects received over $4.3 million in direct funding and aim to lower energy costs and increase reliability in rural, often diesel-reliant communities.

As Alaska continues to play a central role in national energy innovation, this pre-conference workshop underscored DOE’s intent to align federal energy policy with regional priorities. However, that direction appears to lean heavily on decarbonization frameworks, raising questions about how Alaska’s hydrocarbon-dependent realities will be addressed in the years ahead.

Begich promotes Alaska gas in Japan, Taiwan, Korea

Suzanne Downing
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Begich promotes Alaska gas in Japan, Taiwan, Korea

Alaska Congressman Nick Begich has returned to to the US following a high-level congressional delegation to Asia, where he made a case for Alaska’s liquefied natural gas to power America’s strategic trade partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

Begich, a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, joined a delegation led by Chairman Bruce Westerman of Arkansas for a multi-nation tour through Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, where they met with leaders of the countries. The goal was to promote Alaska’s pivotal role in future American energy exports and foster deeper cooperation on trade and critical resources in a region central to U.S. foreign policy and economic interests.

“Thanks to US leadership at home and demand abroad, we are on the cusp of transforming Alaska into a global energy hub, and this trip was a milestone in that effort,” Congressman Begich said. “Our LNG project is a strategic tool to reinforce our alliances, reduce global dependence on adversarial energy sources, and rebalance trade in a way that benefits both the U.S. and our allies. These countries are actively seeking reliable, long-term energy solutions and Alaska is the best-positioned partner to deliver.”

At the heart of Begich’s advocacy was the Alaska LNG project, a proposed $40+ billion infrastructure initiative that would transport natural gas from Alaska’s North Slope to a liquefaction facility in Southcentral Alaska, enabling long-term exports to Asian markets.

In meetings across Tokyo, Taipei, and Seoul, Begich emphasized the reliability, environmental benefits, and strategic value of sourcing LNG from a trusted American partner. “Alaska has the energy resources the world needs—and our allies want,” Begich said in prepared remarks upon his return.

One of the most concrete signals of interest came from Taiwan, where CPC Corporation, an energy company, has already signed a letter of intent to purchase up to six million metric tons of Alaska LNG. In Japan and South Korea, government and industry leaders also showed active interest in both investment in the project and long-term supply agreements.

Begich with delegation and South Korea’s top leadership on energy strategy and economic resilience.

The delegation’s schedule included meetings with:

  • Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Foreign Minister IWAYA Takeshi
  • Taiwan President Lai Ching-te and senior leadership at CPC Corporation
  • South Korea’s Acting President Lee Ju-ho and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Dukgeun

In addition to energy talks, the delegation addressed supply chain resilience for critical minerals—particularly those necessary for semiconductors, batteries, and defense technologies. Discussions centered on reducing dependence on Chinese-dominated mineral markets and elevating resource development partnerships with countries like the US.

The congressional group also made key strategic stops with U.S. military leaders in the region, including the US Navy’s Seventh Fleet in Yokosuka, and visited the Demilitarized Zone on the Korean Peninsula.

Congressman Begich stands on the North Korea side of the DMZ for a photo during his visit to the Korean Peninsula.

Begich’s Asia trip highlights a broader push by Alaska’s congressional delegation to position the state not only as an energy powerhouse but as a reliable geopolitical asset for America’s allies in a shifting global order.

“Many leaders I spoke with were unaware that Alaska can produce critical materials like gallium, germanium, antimony, and graphite at scale,” Begich said “This presents another opportunity for the US to strengthen supply chain security while opening new pathways for trade and investment.”

In Utqiagvik, Burgum announces rollback of NPR-A rule, pledges to unleash Alaska’s energy potential
Trump’s new permitting overhaul could get Alaska energy and infrastructure projects back on track
Top Trump officials visit Alaska to push energy projects; Murkowski ducks press questions

In Utqiagvik, Burgum announces rollback of NPR-A rule, pledges to unleash Alaska’s energy potential

Suzanne Downing
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In Utqiagvik, Burgum announces rollback of NPR-A rule, pledges to unleash Alaska’s energy potential

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum on Sunday evening announced that the Department of the Interior is moving to rescind a 2024 rule that placed significant new restrictions on oil and gas development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). The announcement was made in Utqiagvik, where Burgum said the move would restore the original intent of Congress to promote responsible energy production in the reserve.

Burgum, along with Secretary of Energy Chris Wright and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, was in America’s most northern community to meet with residents, officials, and to roll out more of Trump’s American Energy Dominance plan.

“Congress was clear: the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska was set aside to support America’s energy security through responsible development!” Burgum said.

The decision follows a thorough legal and policy review conducted by the Bureau of Land Management and senior officials. That review concluded the 2024 rule under President Joe Biden, formally titled Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, exceeded the agency’s statutory authority under the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976, conflicted with its purpose, and created unwarranted barriers to energy development.

“The 2024 rule ignored that mandate, prioritizing obstruction over production and undermining our ability to harness domestic resources at a time when American energy independence has never been more critical. We’re restoring the balance and putting our energy future back on track,” Burgum said.

The National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska covers approximately 23 million acres on Alaska’s North Slope. It was established by Congress as a strategic energy reserve in the wake of the 1970s oil crisis. The 1976 Act requires the BLM to carry out an “expeditious program of competitive leasing” while also protecting surface resources.

During a media event in Anchorage earlier in the day, Burgum talked about how vast the NPR-A is, comparing it to the size of a state like Indiana.

The 2024 rule had expanded procedural requirements and placed new limits on development across roughly 13 million acres of the reserve, designating them as “Special Areas.” Under that rule, companies would have needed to prove their operations would cause minimal or no adverse effects to surface resources, criteria that the Department of Interior says have no clear legal basis in the governing statute.

Rescinding the rule aligns with recent Executive Orders issued by President Trump in January 2025: E.O. 14153, Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential, and E.O. 14156, Declaring a National Emergency. Both orders direct federal agencies to reverse restrictive policies and revitalize domestic energy production, particularly in resource-rich regions like Alaska.

When finalized, the rescission would revert the NPR-A’s management framework to the pre-May 7, 2024 regulations. Those rules have historically guided leasing decisions through an “Integrated Activity Plan” process that includes provisions to protect wildlife habitat, subsistence use, and surface values.

The proposed rescission will be published in the Federal Register and open to public comment for 60 days.

Follow Must Read Alaska for more news coming out of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Sustainable Energy Conference.

Top Trump officials visit Alaska to push energy projects; Murkowski ducks press questions

Gold rush: Tectonic Metals launches largest-ever drill program at Flat Gold Project in Alaska

Suzanne Downing
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Gold rush: Tectonic Metals launches largest-ever drill program at Flat Gold Project in Alaska

It’s the season for drilling core samples. Tectonic Metals officially launched its most ambitious exploration campaign yet at the Flat Gold Project on Monday, starting a multi-rig drill program that could be a turning point for gold development in Alaska.

The 2025 Phase One drill program is deploying three drill rigs — two already on-site and a third en route — to the expansive 99,840-acre project located on predominantly Native-owned land managed by Doyon, Limited, one of Alaska’s largest Native Regional Corporations and Tectonic’s second-largest shareholder.

The Flat Gold Project is 25 miles north of the Donlin Gold Project in southwestern Alaska. On Native-owned land belonging to Doyon, Ltd., it is in the Kuskokwim Mountains, about 290 miles from Anchorage and 350 miles southwest of Fairbanks.

The campaign represents a major step toward unlocking the full potential of what Tectonic says is a “tier-one,” intrusion-hosted, free-milling, and heap-leachable gold system. Located near the Donlin Gold Project, one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in the world, the Flat Gold Project is positioned to become a significant player in Alaska’s mining future.

The history of placer gold mining at Flat Creek is part of the broader gold mining legacy of the Iditarod region. Flat Creek is tributary that has been a major site for placer gold production, contributing to the area’s notoriety as one of Alaska’s most productive gold regions, with discovery spanning back to 1908 by prospectors John Beaton and William Dikeman along the Iditarod River. Sometimes this gold mining timeframe is referred to as “The Last Great Gold Rush” in Alaska.

The Iditarod District, including Flat Creek, has produced over 1.5 million ounces of placer gold, making it one of Alaska’s most prolific gold-producing regions. Flat Creek alone is credited with contributing a substantial portion of this total, with historical records indicating over 650,000 ounces of placer gold mined from its gravels.

This figure supports Tectonic Metals’ recent exploration, which identifies Flat Creek as one of Alaska’s most prolific placer gold-producing creeks.

Central to the season’s work is the Alpha Bowl, a high-grade, near-surface oxide gold target that was first drilled in 2024 and is interpreted as the bedrock source of over 650,000 ounces of historic placer gold from Flat Creek.

This breakthrough confirmed Alpha Bowl as part of the Chicken Mountain intrusive system and revealed bonanza-grade gold potential.

The company reported that drill hole CMR24-026 returned impressive intercepts.

“This is our strongest indication yet that we are drilling into the heart of a fertile gold system,” said Tony Reda, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Tectonic Metals. “With two rigs already turning and a third on the way, Phase One is just the beginning.”

The first drill program will generate technical data to support Tectonic’s first mineral resource estimate and a future preliminary economic assessment. Drill targets include deeper structurally controlled feeder zones, oriented core collection, and additional metallurgical sampling.

At Chicken Mountain, which is part of the broader Flat system, mineralization has been confirmed to a depth of 1,066 feet over a 1.86-mile strike length. Metallurgical tests have already shown 96% gold recovery from oxidized material and 91% from non-oxidized samples, confirming the viability of heap leach processing.

Tectonic is also turning its focus to Golden Apex, a smaller intrusion-related gold target with strong placer gold associations and geophysical markers similar to those that led to the Alpha Bowl discovery.

To support the Vancouver, BC-based company’s rapid advancement, Tectonic granted 3.86 million incentive stock options to directors, officers, and staff. The options are priced at $0.75 per share (Canadian) and vest over 18 months.

“The 2025 drill program is designed not just to expand known zones but to lay the foundation for a future mining operation,” said Reda. “From Alpha Bowl to Golden Apex, we are leveraging every tool—technical, financial, and strategic—to transform Flat into one of North America’s great gold stories.”

For maps, drill cross-sections, and additional project details, visit www.tectonicmetals.com.

US GoldMining advances exploration at Whistler gold-copper project in West Susitna Mineral District

Kevin McCabe: Alaska must reject infringement that is presented as ‘gun safety’

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR
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Kevin McCabe: Alaska must reject infringement that is presented as ‘gun safety’

By KEVIN MCCABE

The Second Amendment is not a footnote in our Constitution; it is a promise. “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” These are deliberate words from our Founders. They meant what they wrote. They understood that the right to bear arms was not granted by government, but a natural right of men that must be recognized by that government. It is a natural, God-given right, fundamental to liberty and self-governance.

Alaskans know this instinctively. We live in a place where self-reliance is not a slogan but a way of life. Firearms are not symbols; they are tools of survival and security. Yet even in Alaska, legislation has emerged that seeks to undercut this right, not through outright bans, but through clever language and incremental encroachment. This year, two bills in the Thirty-Fourth Legislature, HB 134 and HB 89, are nibbling at the edges.

HB 134, introduced by Representative Carrick, is titled the “Alaska Child Access Prevention and Secure Storage of Firearms Act.” While it seems to promote responsible gun storage, it goes further. It amends existing laws and creates a new criminal offense that holds gun owners legally accountable if a minor or prohibited person uses their firearm to commit a crime. Though it stops short of confiscation, it lays the foundation for a legal structure that mirrors so-called “Red Flag” laws. It moves responsibility away from the individual committing the crime and places it on the law-abiding gun owner, a significant and dangerous precedent.

HB 89, introduced by Representative Josephson, creates “gun violence protective orders” that allow law enforcement or family members to petition a court to remove firearms if someone is deemed a threat. These orders can be issued without the gun owner’s presence and require the surrender of firearms within 24 hours. Twenty-four hours, in Alaska? Violations carry stiff penalties, including jail time and heavy fines. This firearm confiscation without due process is not safety, it is big government control.

The Founding Fathers warned us about such measures. Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1776, “No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms within his own land.” Patrick Henry declared at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, “The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.” They did not believe the right to bear arms should be handed out selectively by the state. They believed it was inherent to the dignity and sovereignty of a free citizen.

George Mason, also at the Virginia Convention, stated plainly, “To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them.” John Adams, quoting Cesare Beccaria, considered the father of modern criminal law and criminal justice, warned that laws forbidding arms “disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.” He added that such laws “make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants.” These are warnings written in blood and experience.

The American Revolution began with British efforts to disarm the colonies. In 1775, General Gage ordered the seizure of weapons in Boston, with thousands of muskets and pistols taken from the people. The Founders never forgot that. They lived the reality that a disarmed populace is a controlled populace. Their solution was clear: the citizen must be armed, both for self-defense and as a check on government power.

That dual purpose is embedded in the Second Amendment. James Madison, in Federalist No. 46, wrote of “the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation.” He understood the link between personal liberty and national sovereignty.

These are the principles that shaped our nation. They should be the same principles that guide Alaska’s Legislature today. Yet HB 134 and HB 89 disregard them. They prioritize theoretical safety over constitutional certainty and open the door to abuse, placing power in the hands of judges and petitioners without the presence or knowledge of the accused. They presume guilt and seize property before any crime has occurred.

In rural Alaska, the implications are even more severe. Law enforcement may be hours or days away. Court systems are distant, and legal representation is scarce. The practical result of these bills is not increased safety; it is the criminalization of responsible firearm ownership and the erosion of liberty for those who live farthest from government services.

History is full of warnings. In the 20th century alone, governments that disarmed their citizens:

Turkey in 1911,
Russia in 1929,
Germany in 1938

All paved the way for atrocities that cost millions of lives. The pattern is always the same: disarm, then dominate. While we often assume that such tragedies cannot happen here, the Founders knew better. Their solution for this eventuality was the Second Amendment.

In 2008, the United States Supreme Court ruled in District of Columbia v. Heller that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to possess firearms for lawful purposes, including self-defense within the home. That ruling, like the Amendment itself, is not subject to Alaska reinterpretation or legislative dilution.

The right to bear arms is not something to be balanced against the whims of political pressure or temporary fears. It is a bedrock of a free society. As Jefferson wrote in a letter to his nephew in 1785, “Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks. Not because violence is inevitable, but because freedom must be preserved.”

In Alaska, where isolation and wilderness are part of life, that right is essential. HB 134 and HB 89 may appear measured and moderate, but they start us down a path we cannot afford to walk. They represent a retreat from the vision of our Founders, from the realities of our state, and from the rights of our people. 

We must reject them. 
The Constitution is not a suggestion.
The Second Amendment is not conditional.
In Alaska, we will not be disarmed.

Despite what you may hear from Alaska Gun Rights, Representative McCabe is an ardent supporter of the second amendment, he is a shooter, a reloader and a hunter. He serves in the Alaska House where he represents District 30.

Kevin McCabe: Political gamesmanship masquerades as Bristol Bay conservation in House Bill 233

David Boyle: Anchorage School District wants to promote kids who cannot read

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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David Boyle: Anchorage School District wants to promote kids who cannot read

By DAVID BOYLE

What should be done with a student who can’t read at grade level?  

Should that student be retained in the current grade or be promoted even though he/she cannot read at grade level?

The Anchorage School Board knows what the Alaska Reads Act says regarding the retention of elementary students who cannot read at grade level. It just doesn’t seem interested in following the law.  

Major improvement: Data shows Alaska’s youngest students advancing after Alaska Reads Act passed

The district is planning changes to the current policy that states holding back a student in the early elementary grades may be necessary:

“The School Board recognizes that, especially in lower elementary grades, retention may be necessary to ensure student proficiency in reading and mathematics.”

This policy follows the Alaska Reads Act statute and the corresponding Administrative Regulations. The Reads Act states:

“Following that meeting, the parent or guardian shall determine whether the student will progress to the next grade.”

The Reads Act provides many types of interventions to help the student reach grade level reading, including extra tutoring, helping parents with at-home reading lessons, and even summer school for those students falling behind.

The intent of the law is that those students who are deficient in reading in their early grades should be retained in their current grade. Passing them on to the next grade does not help the child learn to read so he/she can be successful in future courses.  

In contrast, the newly revised ASD policy on student retention states:

“The School Board recognizes that research indicates that very few children benefit from being retained during the elementary and middle grades.” 

But no board member could point to the research mentioned. Even board president Jacobs, who approved the policy revision, could not identify that research.

It appears as if the Alaska Association of School Boards has suggested the policy change, but its web page shows none of this student retention research.

Board member Donley said that a study done in the Los Angeles Unified School District showed that retention helped English Language Learner students.

Donley said that the district had a non-retention policy for more than 20 years and the students did poorly on reading and math tests. He stressed that we need to do what is in the best interest of the student.  

Superintendent Bryantt stated, “As someone who has a doctorate in education policy, I would highly recommend that one look at the meta-analyses. I did find one from 2001 that said on the subject of student retention…most studies showed negative impact.”

Dr. Bryantt may also want to look at much more recent research done by the Harvard Graduate School of Education, which showed that test-based retention in third grade improved student performance in Florida. Here are the results: 

  • Students retained in third grade under Florida’s test-based promotion policy experienced substantial short-term gains in both math and reading achievement. They were less likely to be retained in a later grade and better prepared when they entered high school.
  • Being retained in third grade led students to take fewer remedial courses in high school and improved their grade point averages.
  • There was no negative impact on graduation. Being held back did delay students’ graduation from high school by 0.63 years, but being older for their grade did not reduce their probability of graduating or receiving a regular diploma.

I have an Air Force friend who is stationed in Florida and whose daughter has had a difficult time with her reading. Guess what?  Her mother took her under her wing and worked hard to bring her daughter up to speed on her reading skills. Look at the proud mom’s Facebook post:

“Proud mom post!! Madison has struggled this year with her ELA and reading scores. The state of Florida requires a level 2 (below grade level) or higher scored to pass the 3rd grade specifically. It’s been a stressful few weeks of preparing, taking a week off of ball to spend time in her room studying to prepare for these hard tests. She has struggled all year to pass them and had one last chance this week for the end of year testing, or she would be retained and have to retake 3rd grade next year. She scored a LEVEL 4, ABOVE GRADE LEVEL!”

It seems as if Florida law was successful in assisting this child to stay with her classmates.  Her mom was informed that Madison needed help and needed focus time to study.  Her mom provided her with that environment. And Madison was successful in meeting the goal.  She even exceeded that goal.

So, a child can be brought up to speed in reading with parent’s help.

In Anchorage we would just push her on to the next grade, doing her a disservice in the long run. 

But it would make it much easier to manage and be less work for the school staff.

The Alaska Reads Act was modeled after the very successful Florida law.  It is working.  

As board member Donley said, “What is in the best interest of the child?”

As the Harvard research stated, “Retention is not an academic death sentence.”

It’s no wonder Alaska high school graduates going to college need remedial reading skills and math skills.   

Finally, we need to ask, “Will your child be able to read his/her diploma?”

David Boyle is the education writer at Must Read Alaska.

David Boyle: Anchorage School Board uses DEI to disadvantage a top-performing charter school
David Boyle: Anchorage School District is shortsighted fiscally, ignoring huge budget deficit

Pedro Gonzalez: With HB 57, more funding is less

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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Pedro Gonzalez: With HB 57, more funding is less

By PEDRO GONZALEZ

It didn’t take long for Alaska superintendents to go from celebrating a proposed school funding increase to insisting that more would still not be enough.

On May 19, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a former superintendent and school board president himself, vetoed House Bill 57, which would, among other things, raise base student allocation by $700 per head. Most of his reservations stemmed from the ways in which the money would be spent and how it would manifest. 

In a column, Dunleavy called out what he called the “education cabal,” an “entrenched coalition of special interests, lobbyists and status quo defenders,” for caring more about dollar signs than student outcomes.

But the Alaska Legislature had other plans. Following what was Dunleavy’s third veto of an education bill in two years, it overrode him, eliciting cheers from Clayton Holland, a school official.

“All of our communities are really wanting public education funding to be increased and to support their communities,” he told YourAlaskaLink. “And so it is wonderful to have the legislature in the same space.” 

In a statement, the Anchorage School District echoed Holland, but added a word of caution. 

“We applaud the Legislature’s override of the Governor’s veto,” the district said. “But even as we celebrate that progress, uncertainty still remains.”

Suddenly, the idea of an additional $184 billion per year increase to the base student allocation seemed a lot smaller. Superintendents warned that it would quickly prove insufficient against the backdrop of rising inflation and costs. 

Even HB 57 wouldn’t save positions that are on the chopping block in the Kenai Peninsula. Indeed, some superintendents characterized the funding increase as a step backward.

In a prepared statement, Juneau Superintendent Frank Hauser said that although “the $700 increase does not fully keep pace with inflation or the rising costs of delivering quality public education across our vast and diverse state, it represents the most substantial investment in our students and schools in many years and introduces new, bipartisan-supported policies.” 

Hauser, in other words, means that the schools need more, much more.

Apart from disagreements over policy items, Dunleavy’s central point of opposition against HB 57 has been that more funding has not translated into better outcomes. The governor has reiterated that he does not oppose allocating more dollars for education but rather wants to ensure that the state is “investing strategically, with every dollar tied to outcomes” as Alaska faces a variety of economic and demographic headwinds, including declining oil revenues and demographic stagnation. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, too.

Alaska schools have become so hard up for teachers that they are turning to the Philippines, where they are going to find fresh recruits. It’s an expensive and complex process that involves immigration lawyers and visa fees. It has naturally drawn a lot of criticism. School districts say that this route allows them to cut out the agencies that serve as the middlemen and charge as much as $27,000 per teacher. 

But what happens to those who cannot afford or do not want to hire foreign teachers but are also unable to attract domestic ones? The Alaska Council of School Administrators has relied on grant funding from the US Department of Education to enhance recruitment and retention efforts. It’s a desperate measure with uncertain fruit.

The irony of the override, then, is that it more or less leaves the debate more or less where it started amid a darkening picture for education in Alaska. 

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