Ranked-Choice Voting Could Come Back to Bite Alaskan Republicans… Again

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Rep. Mary Peltola continues to have support among left-leaning American politicos, after emerging victorious in Alaska’s messy open-primary, ranked-choice general voting system in 2022.

Conservative Alaska voters, faced with a contentious field last year, awarded Peltola enough second-place votes to lock in her win.

As a candidate with low name recognition, Peltola committed to bipartisanship, saying she drew inspiration from the late Congressman Don Young. However, her voting record since November has revealed a different story.

Peltola’s support for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as House speaker, casting 15 votes in his favor, was the first big item that raised eyebrows around the 49th state.

She voted against the Strategic Production Response Act and justified her absence during the final vote by claiming she was unaware voting was about to occur. (Read more from “Ranked-Choice Voting Could Come Back to Bite Alaskan Republicans… Again” HERE)

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Chinese ‘Spies’ Disguised Themselves as Tourists and Tried to Infiltrate Multiple US Military Bases in Alaska

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Suspected Chinese spies disguised as tourists have made multiple attempts to infiltrate US military bases in Alaska, according to US officials.

The attempted breaches may be probes into US military activities in the state, soldiers familiar with the matter told USA Today.

On one recent occasion, a vehicle carrying Chinese citizens blew past a security checkpoint at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks.

The vehicle was stopped and the occupants claimed to be tourists but a search of their car revealed a drone. . .

Iris Ferguson, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Arctic and Global Resiliences, told a September news conference that Chinese leaders have ‘been trying to insert themselves into the Arctic.’ (Read more from “Chinese ‘Spies’ Disguised Themselves as Tourists and Tried to Infiltrate Multiple US Military Bases in Alaska” HERE)

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Russian Lawmaker Threatens Missile Strikes on Alaska

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By New York Post. A Russian lawmaker suggested the country launch a pre-emptive missile attack on Alaska in a television segment that surfaced just as Senator Lindsey Graham appeared to say Russian deaths from United States’ funding to Ukraine was “the best money we’ve ever spent.”

Duma Deputy Andrey Gurulyov said there were missiles stationed near the US “quite capable of scouring Alaska to the ground,” and that Russia should move with them instead of waiting for aggression from its enemies to attack.

Gurulyov’s comments came during an appearance on a state-run Russian news show hosted by Olga Skabeyeva, a commentator so known for her gleeful propaganda she’s earned the nickname the “Iron Doll of Putin TV.”

On the show, Gurulyov — who has previously suggested Britain be wiped “off the face of the Earth,” according to Newsweek — said Russia needed “not for us to respond to the threats we are confronted with, but for them to rush around with no idea what to do next.”

“We have a strategic nuclear force that holds America’s territory. Let me remind you, there’s Alaska across the strait,” he said, before listing off a number of different types of missiles Russia had at the ready. “It doesn’t take much, a couple of brigades will suffice,” he added. (Read more from “Russian Lawmaker Threatens Missile Strikes on Alaska” HERE)

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Russian Lawmaker Threatens Alaska With Missile Strikes

By Newsweek. Russia State Duma Deputy Andrey Gurulyov recently threatened to attack Alaska with an array of different missile strikes. . .

“There are our operational Iskander missiles, ballistic, cruise missiles are quite capable of scouring Alaska to the ground,” Gurulyov said. “It doesn’t take much, a couple of brigades will suffice.”

When another commentator chimed in and asked why Russia would attack Alaska, Skabeyeva responded by saying “to make them feel scared.”

The comments by Gurulyov and Skabeyeva come amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which has lasted over a year with intense fighting between the two nations in several different parts of Ukraine. (Read more from “Russian Lawmaker Threatens Alaska With Missile Strikes” HERE)

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Alaska Passes Bill to Limit Govt From Shutting Down Gun Stores During Emergencies

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Alaska’s Republican-led Legislature has passed a bill prohibiting the authorities from singling out firearm and ammunition retailers when they start shutting down businesses during a declared emergency.

House Bill 61, heading to the desk of Gov. Mike Dunleavy, states that firearm businesses cannot be forced to close, shorten their business hours, limit their sales, or hand over merchandise during a declared state of emergency unless the government equally does that to all other businesses.

The Senate version of the bill initially included language that would allow the government to shut down gun stores while still keeping certain businesses like grocery stores, pharmacies, clinics and hospitals, and hotels and motels open during an emergency declaration. This language was removed with an amendment by state Sen. Bill Wielechowski, a Democrat representing East Anchorage.

According to Wielechowski, firearm, and ammunition stores are just as important as, if not more important than, grocery stores for Alaskans relying on hunting as a way of life and sustenance. (Read more from “Alaska Passes Bill to Limit Govt From Shutting Down Gun Stores During Emergencies” HERE)

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Army Identifies 3 Soldiers Killed in Alaska Helicopter Crash

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The U.S. Army identified on Saturday the three soldiers who were killed when two helicopters collided in Alaska while returning from a training mission.

The helicopters were headed to Fort Wainwright from a mission in the Donnelly Training Area when they crashed at 1:39 p.m. Thursday, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Healy.

The U.S. Army announced Friday that it has grounded aviation units for training after 12 soldiers died within the last month in helicopter crashes in Alaska and Kentucky.

“The move grounds all Army aviators, except those participating in critical missions, until they complete the required training,” the Army said in a statement.

Killed in Thursday’s crash were Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Robert Eramo, 39, of Oneonta, New York; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle D. McKenna, 28, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Warrant Officer 1 Stewart Duane Wayment, 32, of North Logan, Utah. (Read more from “Army Identifies 3 Soldiers Killed in Alaska Helicopter Crash” HERE)

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U.S. Army Grounds Entire Helicopter Fleet

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The U.S. Army grounded its entire helicopter fleet Friday after two recent crashes that killed 12.

The stand-down order will remain in effect for noncritical pilots forcewide until they undergo mandatory safety training. Gen. James McConville promised the training “will focus on safety and training protocols to ensure our pilots and crews have the knowledge, training and awareness to safely complete their assigned mission,” according to a statement.

Two Apache helicopters crashed in Alaska on Thursday. The crash claimed the lives of three soldiers who were on training flights. The crash comes after two helicopters collided flying out of Fort Campbell in Kentucky in March. That crash killed nine. (Read more from “U.S. Army Grounds Entire Helicopter Fleet” HERE)

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Two Apache Helicopters Crash in Alaska

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Two AH-64 Apache helicopters based at Fort Wainwright crashed today near Healy, Alaska, according to the 11th Airborne Division.

According to a tweet from the 11th Airborne account, the two helicopters are with the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment and were returning from a training flight.

First responders are on scene, according to information posted to Twitter. When reached by Army Times, 11th Airborne spokesman John Pennell said he had no further details at this time. . .

This is the second serious Apache crash in Alaska this year. In February, two soldiers were injured when a military helicopter was involved in a rollover accident in Talkeetna. The crash occurred when the helicopter was taking off. Those soldiers were treated and released from the hospital. (Read more from “Two Apache Helicopters Crash in Alaska” HERE)

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Alaska Airlines Defends Decision to Kick Woman off Plane amid Viral Video

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Avideo of a passenger who was “kicked off” a plane after she had an alcoholic drink called a “mimosa” has gone viral on TikTok.

The clip, which had 1.1 million views at the time of writing, was shared by Kandace H (@kandace_h) from Oregon’s Portland International Airport after being taken off an Alaska Airlines flight traveling from Portland to Las Vegas.

[Warning: video contains explicit language.]

@kandace_h SPREAD THE WORD ! @alaskaair THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE !! I AM LIVID !!! The flight attendants on flight #714 from Portland to Vegas need to be fired !! I was BLATANTLY lied on & removed from the plane…UTTERLY embarrassed by your staff !!! I have flown with this company too many times & have only had pleasant things to say about it, until today ! #pdx #alaskaairlines #discrimination #foryou #fyp ♬ original sound – Kandace H

A spokesperson for the airline told Newsweek: “One of the passengers exhibited concerning behavior during the pre-boarding process and was asked to exit the aircraft due to safety concerns. After resolving our concerns, we booked the passenger on the next scheduled flight to their intended destination.

“At Alaska, safety is our top priority. We train and empower our crews to make decisions that ensure the safety of all on board the aircraft. Part of keeping a flight safe is making sure all guests are fit to fly,” the spokesperson added. (Read more from “Alaska Airlines Defends Decision to Kick Woman off Plane amid Viral Video” HERE)

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Murkowski Claims She Was Duped by Pro-Life, Anti-Tranny Trump Judge

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Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) is upset that a controversial Trump-appointed judge concealed his involvement in an article attacking abortion rights and transgender people during his confirmation hearing, reported POLITICO on Wednesday.

District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of Amarillo, Texas, whom Murkowski had voted to confirm at the time, is responsible for the ruling that suspends the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the abortion medication mifepristone, which happened over two decades ago and is threatening to upend abortion access even in states that still allow the procedure.

“A Washington Post report that he switched out his name on an article not disclosed during his confirmation process criticizing Obama administration policies on abortion and transgender people has the Alaska Republican hopping mad,” reported Burgess Everett. “‘You want to talk about the ultimate bait and switch? I feel like I got duped. I feel like voted for somebody based on what had been presented to me. And you do this? That is totally, totally wrong,’ Murkowski said in an interview on Wednesday.”

“When he was confirmed, he received no Democratic support and further opposition from Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). If the same vote were held today, you can probably bet Murkowski would have joined them,” said the report. “‘Do I feel good about my vote on this judge now having learned how he was able to get a path to his confirmation because he perhaps didn’t honestly disclose that? That to me is as troubling as anything else’ Murkowski asked rhetorically. She said when it comes to judicial nominees, ‘I hold you to a higher standard than if you’re gonna be a deputy undersecretary for housing. I just, I do.'” (Read more from “Murkowski Claims She Was Duped by Pro-Life, Anti-Tranny Trump Judge” HERE)

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Military Leaders in Hawaii Look to Strengthen Forces in Alaska

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As U.S. relations fray with China and Russia, American military leaders in Hawaii are increasingly giving attention to their forces in Alaska.

Recently, U.S. Army Pacific’s Oahu-based commander, Gen. Charles Flynn, visited Alaska to observe training at the Alaska portions of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center—a series of training ranges in Hawaii and Alaska the Army is using to train troops for potential combat operations amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Pacific.

The training also takes place amid increasing concern by some American policymakers about China’s aspirations in the Arctic. . .

Chinese military forces aren’t strangers to the Aleutians. In 2021 the U.S. Coast Guard encountered Chinese warships moving near the island chain, and in September the Coast Guard again saw Chinese vessels near the Aleutians—this time joined by Russian warships. Though American forces watched them closely, U.S. officials stressed they did not violate any rules.

The U.S. military also regularly conducts operations near China, including the South China Sea—a critical trade route that more than a third of all international trade travels through. Beijing claims nearly the entire waterway as its exclusive territory and is locked in a series of disputes with neighboring countries over territorial and navigation rights. (Read more from “Military Leaders in Hawaii Look to Strengthen Forces in Alaska” HERE)

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