Dear readers,
Civil discourse is a cornerstone value of a well-functioning Democratic-Republic. Responsible citizens need spaces where they can honestly and respectfully discuss the various complex political issues and breaking news of our day. We all too often hear prepared speeches that lack the luster of authenticity. Now, Must Read Alaska is launching its first ever X Space to provide Alaskans with an opportunity to think out loud together.
Join Must Read Alaska live for our first X Space titled What’s Happening in Alaska? on Wednesday, Jan 14, at 7pm!
In this X Space, we will give you a quick list and summary of the past week’s news and commentary published on Must Read Alaska. Then, it is your turn to share your thoughts on recent topics and news. Discussion could include the upcoming election, Alaska political news, national politics impacting Alaskans, Alaska education, Alaska healthcare, the PFD, Alaska industry news, etc. It all depends on what happens this week!
We plan to keep this going every week, each Wed featuring the latest headlines and commentary followed by genuine civil dialogue.
We hope you will join us!
The MRAK Team
We appreciate the generous Alaskans who keep this conservative voice alive! Thank you for being a subscriber to Must Read Alaska.
Visit our website at www.mustreadalaska.com. Also find us on X and Facebook.
Table of Contents
Alaskans’ PFD
Alaska Industry
Forward Thinking: How Venezuelan Oil Could Impact Alaska’s North Slope
By Michael Tavoliero
Venezuelan oil could re-emerge as a meaningful U.S.-linked supply over the medium to long term. Lower prices pose risk of shifting market demand away from the North Slope. If Alaska fails to address competitiveness now, the situation could create real headwinds.
During Maduro, Venezuela’s oil output fell far below its capacity. Its access to U.S. markets swung sharply. In parallel, much of the remaining export flow, especially to China, moved through sanctions-era channels and typically cleared at steep, variable discounts to Brent/ICE Brent.
Alaska Congressional Delegation Introduces Legislation Aimed at Reducing Trawl Bycatch
By Natalie Spaulding
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources will review and consider the Alaska Congressional Delegation’s Bycatch Reduction and Research Act. The Senate version (S.3579) was introduced by Senator Dan Sullivan on Dec 18, 2025, and cosponsored by Senator Lisa Murkowski. Representative Nick Begich III introduced the House version (H.R.6939) on Jan 6, 2026.
Alaska Superior Court Rules Dunleavy’s Creation of Department of Agriculture Unlawful
By Natalie Spaulding
On December 31, 2025, Governor Dunleavy lost his case defending EO 127, his second executive order attempting to establish a State Department of Agriculture. After the Legislature rejected his first attempt to establish a Department of Agriculture for Alaska, Dunleavy reissued the executive order during a special session in August 2025. The Legislature rejected the executive order again, this time on the grounds that Dunleavy issued it unlawfully. The Legislature argued that governors may only issue executive orders during the Legislature’s regular session, not during a special session.
Alaska Politics
Peltola Announces Senate Bid
By Natalie Spaulding
This morning, Jan 12, Mary Peltola announced her Senate bid on X. She will run against Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, who has been serving in the U.S. Senate since 2015. Peltola’s announcement focuses on “fixing the rigged system in DC,” claiming that “systemic change is the only way to bring down grocery costs, save our fisheries, lower energy prices, and build new housing Alaskans can afford.” Peltola states, “My agenda for Alaska will always be fish, family, freedom.”
Clear As a Bell: Alaska Constitution Calls for Transparency in Government
By Edward Martin, Jr.
Alaskans are right to be frustrated. We see delays in Medicaid and SNAP, backlogs in permits, secret contracts, and billion-dollar decisions made with little public explanation. Recent reporting and op-eds, such as Cliff Groh’s “Alaska can’t afford secrecy deals and fiscal fantasy,” have rightly criticized secrecy surrounding investments of the Constitutional Budget Reserve (CBR) and opaque agreements related to the proposed gasline project.
Those concerns deserve to be heard and addressed. Alaska’s fiscal and governance crisis is not only a failure of management, judgment, or political courage, but a deeper failure to follow the Alaska Constitution and the statutes enacted to enforce it.
Division of Community and Regional Affairs Shares 4th Quarter Highlights
By Natalie Spaulding
On Jan 8, the Division of Community and Regional Affairs (DCRA) of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development shared its “Fourth Quarter CY2025 Highlights.” The publication shares updates regarding several programs, grants, and projects under the Division’s purview.
Western Alaska Disaster Recovery…
Action Plans to be Reviewed by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development….
Eaglexit Petition Under Review…
Alaska Education Funding…
Broadband for Alaska’s Rural Communities…
Alaska Rural Bulk Fuel…
A Better Machine: Tavoliero Responds to Sarber’s Op-Ed “How Alaska Elects RINO Traitors and What to Do About It”
By Michael Tavoliero
Alaska’s 2026 legislative fights are not going to be won by better insults; they will be won by a better machine: one built for Alaska’s election rules and one disciplined enough to translate voter anger into replacement candidates who take power.
The Alaska Republican Party is publicly signaling a 2026 plan in broad strokes to build a stronger grassroots network, recruit and develop a deeper bench of candidates, expand outreach by constructing a GOTV operation for 2026, raise money to staff up through efforts like “Freedom Club,” and run the normal district-to-state convention pipeline while framing 2026 as a critical cycle for volunteers, donors, and voters.
Cowardice Is Not Leadership: Inaction Undermines Accountability and Our Party’s Future
By Zack Gottshall
Leadership is not measured by how well conflict is avoided, but by whether responsibility is embraced when it is most uncomfortable. In 2025, the Alaska Republican Party has failed that test— not because its grassroots have been silent, but because its leadership has been unwilling to act.
Across Alaska, multiple House District Committees have exercised their authority under Party rules to demand accountability from elected Republicans whose actions have diverged from the Party’s platform and stated principles. These actions were not impulsive or emotional. They were formal, deliberate actions taken through established district processes.
Shelley Hughes: RIP AIP…. Where Now? The Resurrection of Alaska’s Birthright
By Shelley Hughes
Last week, we saw the dissolution of an historic idea in Alaska’s unique political landscape when the Alaska Independence Party ceased to exist. The AIP may have passed away but allow me to assert that the ideas it embodied did not. They will live on in many of us who believe that Alaska has not been well treated since our creation as the 49th state.
We are all aware to one degree or another that the federal government has betrayed Alaska over the years by failing to honor the Statehood Compact, declaring roadless rules, disregarding the 90/10 resource split on federal lands, leaving incomplete ANCSA land transfers, imposing harsh EPA treatment, administering disastrous game mismanagement, locking-up oil and gas projects, and on and on.
Faith Watch
The Nicolás Maduro – Jharrett Bryant Nexus
By Jim Minnery
In my church right now, we’re studying the Book of Habakkuk, an Old Testament minor prophet who many think lived the same time as the more well-known prophet Jeremiah. Both preached about how God’s plans are often beyond human comprehension, and yet He remains faithful and sovereign over all history.
A few things have stood out as our pastor lays the groundwork for a deep dive into this man of influence from generations ago.
Clearly, there have always been really nasty leaders in this world and yet God never leaves His throne and even uses those people to give us insight and food to contemplate where our help ultimately comes from. And, as followers of Yahweh, we are called to keep our covenant, walk with His light at our feet and impact the world for His glory in part by helping those in our sphere of influence become aware of and in line with God’s plan for human flourishing.
More From Must Read
By Natalie Spaulding:
By Todd Lindley:
Facts and Figures
Southeast and Interior Continue to Break Weather Records
This winter, both Southeast Alaska and the Interior have broken decades long weather records.
Juneau’s official snowfall for December sits at 82 inches, approximately 27 inches more than 1964 record.
With temperatures between -40 and -60 degrees, the Interior continues to experience its coldest stretch since the 1980s.
Key Industry Numbers
Alaska Oil: ~$60.62 per barrel
Henry Hub Gas: ~$3.39 per mmBTU
Alaska North Slope Production: ~469,997 barrels per day
Permanent Fund (Principal + Earnings Reserve): ~$88.4 billion
Community Meetings
Do you want to know more about what is going on in your local community? Consider showing up to a local political or utilities meeting, learn the details for yourself, and add your own voice to the conversation.
Download the pdf below to see upcoming community meetings happening this week in Alaska!
In Pursuit of Wisdom
Nor do I doubt that
[Alaska] will be forever true in its republican instincts and
loyal to the American Union, for the inhabitants will
be both mountaineers and sea-faring men. I am not
among those who apprehend infidelity to liberty and
the Union in any quarter hereafter, but I am sure that
if constancy and loyalty are to fail anywhere, the fail-
ure will not be in the States which approach nearest
to the north pole.”
Must Read Alaska Show
We hope to get our podcast back up and running in the near future. Plus, we are continuing to develop our sortable audio-files for easy listening of our stories.
Submit Your Feedback
Do you have story ideas? Do you want to submit an op-ed for consideration? Or perhaps you have feedback for us on how we can improve your experience. If that’s you, please reach out to us at [email protected]. We love to hear from our readers!
Thank you for reading! Until next time,
The MRAK Team
A Force for Good