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Sen. Sullivan condemns harsh sentence of Russian anti-war activist

Suzanne Downing
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15
Sen. Sullivan condemns harsh sentence of Russian anti-war activist

Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chairman of the International Republican Institute, released a statement after Vladimir Kara-Murza, a pro-democracy Russian statesman, was sentenced to 25 years in prison:

“I strongly condemn the unjust sentencing of 25 years in prison for Vladimir Kara-Murza, a prominent advocate for democracy in Russia, for his criticism of Vladimir Putin’s brutal and completely unjust war in Ukraine,” Senator Sullivan said.

Kara-Murza was jailed for 25 years by a judge in Moscow that handed down one of the harshest sentences in recent memory. Kara-Murza was convicted of treason in a trial that appeared politically motivated, as Kara-Murza has spoken out against Putin for years and urged foreign governments to impose sanctions on Russia for human rights atrocities.

“This brazen act of intolerance highlights the fact that the weak and corrupt government in Moscow is truly afraid of those who speak the truth,” Sullivan said. “The Kremlin’s attempts to silence Vladimir and other Russian dissidents will fail to dent their desire for a free and democratic Russia. Those who seek a future of peace and political pluralism will ultimately prevail. Vladimir Kara-Murza and all other political prisoners in Russia, whose courage stands in stark contrast to Putin’s fear of his own people, should be released immediately.”

Kara-Murza is married and the father of three. He has not been allowed to speak with his wife or children, who now live in the United States for their safety, since he was jailed over a year ago.

Last Monday, Kara-Murza addressed the court in his final statement before the judge’s deliberated, saying his only regret was not being able to convince the people of Russia about the danger that Putin poses:

“I was sure that after two decades in Russian politics, with all that I have seen and experienced, nothing could still surprise me. I have to admit that I was wrong. I’ve been surprised by the fact that my trial in 2023 surpassed even the “trials” of Soviet dissidents in the 1960s and 70s in its secrecy and disdain for legal norms, and that’s without even mentioning the harshness of the sentence requested by the prosecution or the use of terms such as “enemy of the state.” My trial had less in common with the 1970s — it was a return to the 1930s. As a historian, I find this something worthy of reflection.

“At one point during my testimony, the presiding judge reminded me that “remorse for the deed committed” could be considered an extenuating circumstance. Though there’s little amusing about my present predicament, I couldn’t help but smile. Criminals are expected to show remorse for their actions, but I’m in prison for my political views. For speaking out against the war in Ukraine. For fighting Putin’s dictatorship for years. For enabling the adoption of personal sanctions against human rights violators under the “Magnitsky Act.” 

“Not only do I not repent of any of this, I’m proud of it. I’m proud of the fact that Boris Nemtsov brought me into politics and I hope he isn’t ashamed of me. I stand by every word I’ve ever uttered and by every word this court accuses me of saying. I only blame myself for one thing: for failing to convince enough of my compatriots and politicians in democratic countries of the danger that the current Kremlin regime poses to Russia and to the world. Today it is obvious to everyone, but at a terrible price — the price of war.

“In their closing statements, defendants usually ask the court to acquit them. For a person who did not commit a crime, the only fair verdict would be an acquittal. But I ask nothing of this court. I know its verdict. I knew it a year ago when I saw people in black uniforms and black masks running after my car in the rearview mirror. This is the price of not remaining silent in Russia today. 

“But I also know that the day will come when the darkness over our country will dissipate. When black will be called black and white will be called white. When it will officially be recognized that two times two is four, when the war will be called a war and the usurper a usurper, and when those who began it rather than those who tried to prevent it will be seen as criminals.

“As inevitably as spring follows even the harshest winter, that day will come. And when it does, our society will open its eyes and be horrified to discover the terrible crimes that have been committed in its name. From this realization, the long, difficult, but vital path toward recovery, Russia’s restoration, and its return to the community of civilized nations will begin. 

“Even today, even in the darkness around us, even sitting in this cage, I love my country and I believe in our people. I believe that we can walk this path.“

Why is Alaska Center trying to take over Chugach Electric Board?

Suzanne Downing
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54
Why is Alaska Center trying to take over Chugach Electric Board?

The “climate change” industry is making a play to take over the board of Chugach Electric. The current election of board members attracted endorsements from The Alaska Center for three candidates: Shaina Kilcoyne, Susanne Fleek-Green, and Jim Nordlund. These are the candidates who have made promises and pledges to the environmental industry to kill natural gas.

Starting April 19, the board election can be voted on by all customers (members) of the association. Voting takes place electronically, when on that day members with emails on file will receive an election notification email from Chugach Electric.

Since Chugach Electric bought all the accounts from Municipal Light and Power, it now has 90,000 voting members from the northern Kenai Peninsula, Whittier, and greater Anchorage.

Hardly any ratepayers vote in sleepy electric utility elections, which gives The Alaska Center the leg up in stacking the board with people who are anti-natural gas. This election is right down their ally in developing a green energy future, whatever that may be for Anchorage.

The Democrats have pushed this deal from the outset. The arrangement to buy ML&P was brokered by former Mayor (and former Senator) Mark Begich with then-Mayor Ethan Berkowitz. Voters approved the purchase in 2019, and the Regulatory Commission of Alaska approved the merger details in 2020, when the deal was complete.

The total transaction was $986 million and the promise was that ratepayers would have lower rates and would save about $200 million over 15 years.

But then the environmentalists decided to take over the board and keep the rates high. The Democrats have fingerprints all over this latest move.

Sen. Mark Begich’s former press secretary Julie Hasquet now serves as Senior Communications manager for Chugach Electric and runs the communications about the elections.

The Alaska Center, meanwhile, dropped the “for the Environment” part of its name a few years ago, but its mission has remained the same — support Democrat candidates and build a Democrat, climate change and anti-oil political base in Alaska, controlling local, state, and national government.

It endorses almost exclusively Democrats and candidates who identify as nonpartisans or undeclareds in order to get elected in marginal districts. Now the Alaska Center is working to take over the electric association and disconnect Alaskans from their natural gas.

Rick Whitbeck: Vote, because if Chugach Electric board goes woke, we go broke

Candidates supported by the Alaska Center have Mark Begich and former Mayor Berkowitz in common: Susanne Fleek-Green was statewide coordinator for Alaskans for (Mark) Begich and was a key advisor on the staff of Mayor Berkowitz. She now works as the superintendent of Lake Clark for the National Park Service.

Shaina Kilcoyne was Energy and Sustainability Manager for Mayor Berkowitz. She wrote the municipality’s climate change plan and installed solar panels on top of the Egan Center, claiming they would save the municipality $21,000 a year once the $200,000 investment is paid off. The panels are covered by snow for about six months a year and no one has looked to see if they are actually functional. She also worked the Alaska Center, and is associated with the Alaska Venture Fund, an environmental group at alaskaventure.org.

Jim Nordlund is the Alaska Center’s third pick and is a former Democrat member of the Alaska House of Representatives. He was Alaska State Director of USDA-Rural Development and is a reliable vote for the Alaska Center’s mission.

The Alaska Center’s top three donors are the Sixteen Thirty Fund, League of Conservation Voters, and Tides Advocacy Fund, all 501(c)(4) left-of-center advocacy groups, according to InfluenceWatch.org.

The Sixteen Thirty Fund has gotten involved in Alaska politics increasingly in recent years, including supporting Forrest Dunbar for mayor, unsuccessfully, and successfully opposing an Alaska constitutional convention.

Dark money trail: Backing Dunbar for mayor, Sixteen Thirty Fund in hot water over major foreign donor pouring millions into races

The Sixteen Thirty Fund is a dark-money behemoth. In 2020, it poured $400 million into efforts to unseat President Donald Trump, according to Politico. It gets involved in Alaska politics because it’s a cheap state to work in, with a small population and voters that are mostly in the undeclared column.

The Sixteen Thirty Fund also brought ranked choice voting to Alaska by funding Alaskans for Better Elections.

‘Dark money’ special interests wage war on Pebble Mine

In addition, the Alaska Center is funded by the Soros-linked Tides Advocacy Fund, which also helped pay for the expenses of Alaskans for Better Elections, the ranked choice voting group.

Laundry operation: San Francisco group donates funds to Alaska Center, which spends it to support Dunbar, Rivera

Chugach Electric’s election ends on May 19, when it will host a community open house event from 3 pm – 6 pm at ChangePoint Alaska. The voting takes place electronically. On April 19, members will receive an election notification email from Chugach Electric.

Learn more about the voting process here:

Monday-Tuesday public testimony opportunities

Suzanne Downing
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8
Monday-Tuesday public testimony opportunities

Monday and Tuesday provide Alaskans with ample opportunity to tell legislators what they think about legislation being considered:

HB 139CORRESPONDENCE STUDY PROGRAM FUNDINGH EDUCATIONApril 17 8 am
SB 34CITIZEN ADVISORY COMM ON FEDERAL AREASS FINANCEApril 17 1:30 pm
SB 122APPORTION TAXABLE INCOME;DIGITAL BUSINESSS FINANCEApril 17 1:30 pm
SB 94PROFESSION OF PHARMACYS LABOR & COMMERCEApril 17 1:30 pm
HB 56CONTROLLED SUB. DATA: EXEMPT ANIMAL RXS LABOR & COMMERCEApril 17 1:30 pm
SB 69GEOTHERMAL RESOURCESS RESOURCESApril 17 3:30 pm
SB 77MUNI PROP TAX EXEMPTION/TAX BLIGHTED PROPH COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRSApril 18 8 am
HB 99DISCRIMINATION: GENDER IDENTITY.;SEXUAL ORIENT.H COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRSApril 18 8 am
HB 154AK HOUSING FINANCE CORP: SUSTAIN ENERGYH ENERGYApril 18 10:15 am
HB 128OIL TERMINAL FACILITYH TRANSPORTATIONApril 18 1 pm
SB 79RECLASSIFICATION OF FIRST CLASS CITIESS COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRSApril 18 1:30 pm
HB 116RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ACCT APPROPRIATIONSH STATE AFFAIRSApril 18 3 pm
SB 95LICENSE PLATES: SPECIALTY ORGANIZATIONSS STATE AFFAIRSApril 18 3:30 pm

Legislative Affairs suggests:

  • When calling in to testify, do not use a speaker phone. Speaker phone audio quality is poor and makes it difficult for legislators to understand you.
  • There will be periods of silence – don’t hang up. Prior to a meeting beginning the line will be silent. Be patient and wait for the meeting to begin. After the meeting begins, the committee may take an “at ease”. The line will be silent when the committee is not on the record.
  • Ensure you are in a quiet setting when testifying. Background noise diminishes the quality of your testimony. If you are inaudible, the chairman may ask you to try and remedy the situation. If it is not improved, they may ask you to submit written testimony instead.
  • Written testimony may be provided if time doesn’t allow you to wait. Written testimony should be directed to the committee. Committee email address are located here: http://akleg.gov/docs/excel/Committee-Email-Addresses.xlsx
  • If you need further assistance, contact the Juneau Legislative Information office at 907-465-4648.

Just a little tax: Rep. Galvin tries for ‘starter pack’ income tax

Suzanne Downing
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66
Just a little tax: Rep. Galvin tries for ‘starter pack’ income tax

Rep. Alyse Galvin of Anchorage District 14 is smart enough to know a big income tax will never fly, but she’s hoping that a modest income tax will reopen the door to taxation of Alaskans’ paychecks.

HB 156 is that starter tax to get things going and get the money flowing into state spending accounts. Anyone making over $200,000 a year would pay the state 2% of their income over the $200,000 threshold. Everyone else would pay $20 to the state. She says it will bring in $120-150 million a year in new revenue for state coffers.

The bill will be heard in House Way and Means Committee on Monday evening. It’s one of several bills in the House and Senate that would generate new money for the State of Alaska through income and corporation taxes, or even a statewide sales tax.

The last time Alaska had an income tax was in 1980. There have been many who tried, and all of them said that without an income tax, the State of Alaska would go broke. But even when oil was $9 a barrel, legislators did not bite on the taxation solution. Through the years, the budget has continued to grow, but not quite as fast as Democrats and their no-party allies would like. Alaska is the only state to have repealed an income tax once it was on the books.

Galvin has produced no fiscal note for the bill but past proposals saw the cost of state collection of such a revenue eating up at least half of the revenue.

According to the Tax Foundation, Alaska state revenues were close to $30 billion in FY 2021—about $117,000 per household. The median household income in Alaska is $80,287, according to the Census Bureau, and total personal income in the state was $49.2 billion in FY 2021. While some Alaskan incomes well exceed the median, Alaska’s state government revenues that year were 60.6 percent of state total personal income, the Tax Foundation says.

A starter tax like HB 156 would get a tax back on the books for Alaska and could then be adjusted upward in future years.

In 2017, former Gov. Bill Walker called for an income tax. Walker even called for a special session to consider his tax, but it was a nonstarter and he lost the 2018 election.

Walker doubles down on income tax, but won’t offer it himself
Governor asks for ‘Goldilocks income tax’
Walker’s income tax bill — hell on women, singles, seniors
Day 90 of the Legislature: Where are the budget and bills at for Day 91?

Day 90 of the Legislature: Where are the budget and bills at for Day 91?

Suzanne Downing
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19
Day 90 of the Legislature: Where are the budget and bills at for Day 91?

April 16 is Day 90 of the 2023 Alaska Legislature. By Alaska Statute, it would be the final day of business, a day to gavel out. But the Legislature has not ended its work by that day since one year after the law was passed by voters in 2006. That’s because there’s also the constitutional limit of 121 days, and lawmakers never have been able to take care of business in the 90-day limit. Once they blow past 90 days, things usually start moving more quickly.

The main job of the Legislature is to pass the various budgets, including supplemental budget, operating budget, capital budget, and mental health budget.

On Monday at 9 am, the Senate Finance Committee will continue working through the pieces of the budget, to include the close-out of the work on the University of Alaska Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The committee will also consider SB 98, a bill establishing a Power Cost Equalization endowment fund, and SB 107, a bill to establish new formula for the Permanent Fund dividend that would give government 75% of earnings from the Permanent Fund and save 25% for Permanent Fund dividends. A committee timeline for the disputes over the Permanent Fund earnings is at this link.

At 1:30 pm, the Senate Finance Committee will hear SB 34, an act reestablishing Act reestablishing the Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska.

The committee will also hear SB 122, a rewrite of Alaska’s corporate income tax by Sen. Bill Wielechowski, for taxpayers who operate in multiple states. To avoid taxpayers having to do separate accounting in each state, states have adopted mathematical formulas to determine tax apportionment. Wielechowski argues that the multi-state compact was designed for a brick and mortar business world.

“In the modern digital economy a corporation can target advertising to Alaska, sell a product through Alaska’s broadband infrastructure, and ship it through Alaska’s roads, ports and airports without having any property or payroll in Alaska,” his briefing paper says. The tax change will impact online commerce. Read it here.

In House Finance Committee at 1:30 pm, the committee will hear HB 3, which reinforces constitutional rights to use gold and silver as legal tender for payment of debts. Read the main sponsor’s statement here from Sen. Kevin McCabe.

The committee will also hear HB 83, similar to SB 34, reestablishing the Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Federal Management Areas in Alaska.

At 6 pm, House Ways and Means Committee will hear HB 156, a bill that would reestablish an income tax in Alaska, sponsored by Rep. Alyse Galvin and Rep. Cliff Groh. There is no fiscal note or documentation and Monday’s hearing will be the first for the bill.

Several other committees meet on Monday:

On the Senate floor calendar:

  • SB 58 MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY: POSTPARTUM MOTHERS
  • HB 78 AK COMMUNITY HEALTH AIDE APPRECIATION DAY
  • HB 103 EXTEND ALASKA MINERALS COMMISSION 3RD READING

On the House floor calendar:

  • HB 75 OWNER & CONTRACTOR CONTROLLED INSURANCE 
  • HB 141 ESTABLISHING DON YOUNG DAY
  • HB 8 ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLES 3RD READING
  • HB 39 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUND; SUPPLEMENTAL
  • HB 41 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
  • HJR 3 CONCEALED HANDGUN RECIPROCITY B/W STATES 3RD READING

Survey: 97% of teachers use ChatGPT to develop lesson plans

Suzanne Downing
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41
Survey: 97% of teachers use ChatGPT to develop lesson plans

A new survey by Intelligent.com shows how the artificial intelligence application called ChatCPT is pervasive in school curriculum as teachers increasingly use it to develop lesson plans, and students embrace it to do their homework.

The downtown Seattle-based company, which is privately funded by unknown entities, assists students through their study challenges, college application process, as well as navigating financial aid.

The company said it surveyed 1,000 teachers and found that 8 in 10 teaches approve of students using ChatGPT, and nearly all teachers are using it to help them manage their work.

Key findings from the survey include:

  • 95% of teachers are aware of ChatGPT
  • 98% of teachers use ChatGPT
  • 79% approve of student use
  • 84% of teachers that approve of its use have spent time teaching their students how to use it
  • 35% believe most or all of their students turn in assignments they used ChatGPT to complete
  • 71% say their school doesn’t have a policy surrounding ChatGPT use

The survey also revealed that 97% of teachers were frequently or sometimes using ChatGPT to write lesson plans, while 93% were using it to help them grade and provide feedback to students. Some 91% of teachers were using it to write emails and 89% to write letters of recommendation.

ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence programs are newly available to the public. ChatGPT was launched in November and has come under criticism for having a strong left-leaning bias.

Earlier this year, Must Read Alaska asked ChatGPT to write about why drag queen story hour was a bad idea for children, and the chat bot would not do it, but did provide a glowing story on the benefits of drag queen story hour for children.

Drag queen story hour: As far as artificial intelligence chat bots are concerned, it’s great for children

Others have conducted similar experiments and found strong biases. Some express concern about whether students are really learning when they are relying so heavily on a chat bot to do their homework.

An example of how chat bots can do assignments is beyond just answering a series of questions: A computer programming teacher can assign students to write some code that performs certain functions. The students can ask ChatGPT to write the code for them and complete the assignment in a few seconds.

ChatGPT can also write creative stories, academic reports, poems, and compositions of various types. As artificial intelligence, it learns quickly and improves its quality by the second, as it picks up new information from the internet constantly.

Other forms of AI can produce completely realistic-looking photographs and artwork that looks like it was painted by a master.

The top reason the surveyed teachers give for using ChatGPT was time-saving, with 42% of teachers citing it as a factor. Many teachers also found that it provided good suggestions (41%) and helped them understand ChatGPT’s capabilities (17%).

The survey indicated that teachers who used the tool generally approved of their students using it as well. Two-thirds of teachers surveyed believed that many students were turning in assignments generated by artificial intelligence. The results showed that 6% of teachers believed all of their students turned in work generated by ChatGPT, with 30% believing most students did so, and 30% thinking many students used it. Conversely, 25% of teachers thought only some students used it, and only 1% believed none of their students used it.

The survey also found that a third of teachers believed that all (6%) or most (28%) of their students used ChatGPT during class. Another 25% thought that many students used it, while 27% thought that only some did. Only 5% believed none of their students used it in class.

Nearly three-quarters of teachers survey (71%) said that their school did not have a policy surrounding ChatGPT use.

Learn more details about this survey at Intelligent.com.

eLearningIndustry.com says there are many good reasons to incorporate AI into the classroom.

“One of the key benefits of incorporating AI into the classroom is the ability to provide students with a more personalized learning experience. AI algorithms can analyze student data and adapt to their learning styles, providing feedback and recommendations that are tailored to their individual needs and abilities. This can help to keep students engaged and motivated and can lead to improved academic performance. Another benefit of incorporating AI into the classroom is the opportunity to deepen students’ understanding of this rapidly-evolving technology. By incorporating AI into the curriculum, teachers can help students develop a critical perspective on this technology, and prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. Finally, incorporating AI into the classroom can also help students develop important 21st-century skills, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. These skills are essential for success in the digital age, and they can be developed through hands-on experience with AI tools and applications,” the trade group writes.

The group also cautions that there are drawbacks, including training and integration of the technology among teachers, and ethical challenges. But in general, the education industry group speaks favorably of the new technology.

Judge: Alaska-based USA Powerlifting ordered to leave Minnesota due to group’s trans policy protecting women

Suzanne Downing
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39
Judge: Alaska-based USA Powerlifting ordered to leave Minnesota due to group’s trans policy protecting women

The twisted world of males playacting as women and competing in women’s sports competition categories continues to find its way to court.

Now, Anchorage-based USA Powerlifting, a national organization that hosts competitions around the country, has been ordered by a district judge to leave Minnesota, while a lawsuit proceeds that would force the competition organization to allow transgenders to compete in the women’s division.

Judge Patrick Diamond made the order despite the fact that the transgender who is suing the organization not requesting it.

JayCee Cooper, a transgender weightlifter, won a discrimination lawsuit earlier this year against USA Powerlifting, after being banned from competing in the women’s powerlifting division in Minnesota due to the fact he is a biological male. Judge Diamond has already indicated that he sides with Cooper in this dispute.

“The harm is in making a person pretend to be something different, the implicit message being that who they are is less than,” Judge Patrick C. Diamond in his earlier ruling in March, ordering the organization to immediately revise its policies.

“The USAPL’s evidence of competitive advantage does not take into account any competitive disadvantage a transgender athlete might face from, for example, increased risk of depression and suicide, lack of access to coaching and practice facilities, or other performance suppression common to transgender persons,” Diamond wrote in his March decision.

Now, with USA Powerlifting standing its ground, Diamond has banned the organization from the state while an appeal is under way.

The decision impacts the organization’s ability to host the Central and Midwest regionals May 27 and 28.

The case goes back to 2021. Cooper was born male and up until 2015 he participated in competitive sports as a male. He had been a member of the U.S. Junior National curling team and competed in the the World Junior Curling Championships in 2007. Cooper then changed his name from Joel to JayCee and started presenting as a female. In 2016, in his mid-20s, Cooper started competing in women’s roller derby, and in 2017 or 2018, he started powerlifting.

Cooper, now a 35-year-old Minneapolis transgender, filed the discrimination lawsuit in 2021 against USA Powerlifting, after the organization said Cooper could not compete in the women’s division.

“The judge acted solely on his own, and consistent with his prior stance in advocating for the plaintiff’s position. We believe the judge has misinterpreted Minnesota law in this regard and exceeded his authority in terms of the conduct of our service to our members. We will appeal this highly unusual ruling. However, while these proceedings play out, we are ordered to suspend competitions in Minnesota and cease selling memberships to Minnesota residents. We are investigating relocating Midwest Regionals and further information will be forthcoming,” the organization said through its President Dr. Larry Maile of Anchorage, a retired psychologist.

Maile says that studies show men have a 43% advantage over women in weightlifting. The study his group did looked at 17,000 appearances of powerlifters, and balanced out things like weight to come up with the statistic.

“That’s a concern for us,” he said. “And the question is, how do you normalize that and how do you make it fair in that circumstance. Our objective is to include everybody. But it’s not to include everybody in a way that’s unfair to one group. And so our decision that trans women can’t compete in the women’s division is based on data. We have offered several alternatives.”

Among those is the organization’s MX division, which provides a safe, inclusive option for athletes of all genders and gender identities to compete within USA Powerlifting.

A women’s group of athletes agrees with USA Powerlifting’s stance to protect women’s divisions in sports. The Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), a network of women athletes and supporters advocating for female-protected categories in sports, said “The sport of powerlifting has been destroyed for both men & women in MN. We applaud USA Powerlifting for its commitment to fighting this injustice & offer our support in this battle to #savewomenspowerlifting.”

Anchorage-based USA Powerlifting ordered to allow trans-women to compete in Minnesota meets
In 2019, the hip-hop artist known as Zuby set out to demonstrate that athletes who are genetically male were unfairly competing as women.

Ruby posted a video of him smashing the British women’s deadlift record, while he said he was “identifying as a woman”. The video has had millions of views on Twitter.

Dark Sky Week: April 15-22

Suzanne Downing
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3
Dark Sky Week: April 15-22

Night owls are in luck: The Lyriad meteor shower will be visible later this week in the north sky, on the tail end of International Dark Sky Week, and also about the last time Alaskans will see a dark sky until autumn.

The orbital path of Comet Thatcher signifies the end of a meteor shower drought that lasted for the past few months. In Alaska the shower runs annually from about April 16 through April 25, and this year will peak the night of April 22. The meteors can sometimes produce bright trails of dust that can be seen for several seconds.

At the same time, a thin crescent moon will set early in the evening. Best viewing time for the meteor shower will be after midnight from a dark location, according to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Those in the Arctic probably won’t see the starry show because the skies are now not getting dark enough. But Southeast may have partly cloudy weather and a chance for star gazing midweek.

The new moon is April 19, at about 8:15 pm Alaska time, and late that night will be a great time to observe fait objects like star clusters and galaxies, if the skies are clear enough.

The Lyriad meteor shower has been recorded for as far back 687 B.C by Chinese astronomers. Learn more about the meteor shower at DarkSky.org.

Photo: Night sky, Lake Clark by D. Khalsa National Park Service

Peltola campaign cash report

Suzanne Downing
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Peltola campaign cash report

Rep. Mary Peltola has raised $369,000 in the first quarter of 2023 for her reelection campaign for next year’s congressional race.

She has spent more than $579,000 in the same time period. Much of the spending was on fundraising. She has $483,556 cash on hand, a 30% decrease over what she started with in January.

Peltola’s campaign spent lavishly, and has purchased over 40 airline tickets from Alaska Airlines, eight tickets from American Airlines, more than a dozen tickets from Delta, and tens of thousands of dollars in hotels and catering in Alaska and elsewhere.

She has contracted with GA Campaigns, also known as GrassRoots Analytics, a Washington, D.C. company that also gave its best effort to the Bill Walker/Heidi Drygas campaign for Alaska governor/lieutenant governor last year.

FEC records show Peltola’s campaign, whose treasurer is Democrat former State Rep. Eric Croft, has paid GA Campaigns over $220,000 in the first quarter.

Other than Peltola, no other candidates have filed with the FEC for the 2024 congressional race.

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