Dear readers,
Why do you think Anchorage stays liberal?
Last week we asked, “How much of a role does faith play in politics?” Check out the Nifty Numbers section for results!
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Table of Contents
Alaska Industry
Coast Guard Seizes $65,000 of Pollock roe in Dutch Harbor; American Seafoods Denies Alleged Underreporting
By Natalie Spaulding
On Monday, April 6, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL-751) seized approximately 5.4 metric tons of Pollock roe, worth about $65,000, from Northern Eagle, which is owned and operated by American Seafoods. The seizure took place near Dutch Harbor, AK.
The press release from the U.S. Coast Guard claims Northern Eagle underreported its catch, a major violation of federal fishing regulations. The seizure “was initiated based on reasonable suspicion of a significant Living Marine Resources (LMR) violation, following a pre-boarding audit by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement (OLE), which revealed major discrepancies between the vessel’s production reports and electronic logbook.”
Alaska Law and Order
Court Convicts Fort Wainwright Soldier in Major Child Sexual Abuse Case
By Natalie Spaulding
On April 3, 2026, Fort Wainwright Soldier David Andres Mayoral was sentenced to 32 years of prison and lifetime supervision following release for the crimes of producing and possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Mayoral was arrested on March 13, 2025, and indicted by a federal grand jury on March 20, 2025. He pleaded guilty as charged on August 15, 2025.
Opinion: How I Will Restore Alaska’s Grand Jury, the People’s Independent Check on Government
By Shelley Hughes
In Alaska, the grand jury was never meant to be only a charging body for criminal cases.
It was designed to be something more: a citizen-led check on government itself. A body that could investigate agencies, raise concerns about public welfare and safety, and report findings to the people. The framers made clear the grand jury’s power to investigate and make recommendations must never be suspended.
Anchorage Politics
Anchorage General Election: Assembly Remains Left of Center
By Natalie Spaulding
The Municipality of Anchorage held its General Election yesterday, April 7, 2026. Despite conservatives’ efforts to flip the Assembly and position Anchorage right-of-center, the unofficial results show only two conservative candidates won their races: Donald Handeland (District 2, Seat C) and Dave Donley (District 4, Seat G). District 1, Seat B was taken by Syndey Scout; District 3, Seat E by Anna Brawley; District 5, Seat I by George Martinez; and District 6, Seat K by Zac Johnson.
Anchorage General Election: School Board Seats Go to Left-wing Candidates
By Natalie Spaulding
In yesterday’s General Election, Anchorage voters decided on two School Board seats. According to the unofficial election results, Seat C went to Rachel Blakeslee and Seat D went to Paul McDonough.
Blakeslee won against Alexander Rosales with 54.38% of the vote. She was a former educator in Texas and Colorado before moving to Alaska. Her priorities include environmental justice, equity and inclusion in education, and growing and retaining a diverse teaching workforce.
Majority Says No to Funding Proposals for Anchorage School District
By Natalie Spaulding
Among the 12 propositions on the Municipality of Anchorage’s General Election ballot, props 1 and 9 drew the most public attention. Prop 1 asked for voter approval of $79,460,000 in general obligation bonds to pay for capital improvements for the Anchorage School District. Prop 2 asked for voter approval of a special tax levy to provide funding for the Anchorage School District’s operational costs.
According to the unofficial results, the majority voted “no” on both proposals by a slim margin. Prop 1 received only 123 more “no” votes than “yes” votes, causing a 49%/ 51% split. Prop 2 was also quite close with 378 more “no” votes than “yes” votes, also resulting in a 49%/51% split.
Faith Watch
Mainstream Media Reports on Self-Proclaimed “Christians” Offended by the Gospel
By Natalie Spaulding
On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, CNBC reported on an Easter email containing the Gospel message sent by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. According to the article, some self-proclaimed “Christians” were deeply offended by Rollins’ email.
Rollins email read: “Happy Easter — He is Risen indeed. From the foot of the Cross on Good Friday to the stone rolled away from the now empty tomb, sin has been destroyed. Jesus has been raised from the dead. And God has granted each of us victory and new life. And where there is life — risen life — there is hope.”
Shroud Season
By Bob Bird
Well, it’s what we lecturers call “Shroud Season” again. There are men and women, amateurs like myself, professional touring caravans, authors and Biblical scholars with PhDs, giving talks throughout the U.S. and the world, on the greatest and most important relic in human history. They are interviewed on Tucker Carlson, podcasts of various formats and professional documentaries. They are not all Catholics, which is a fact of utmost importance. They are increasingly evangelicals, mainline Protestant scholars and even Mormons. They possess their own life-sized replicas. Wherever we go, audiences are floored. Speechless. Amazed. Grateful. Renewed.
Nifty Numbers
How much of a role does faith play in politics?
1) A person's faith is always essential in political discussions and decisions: 72 votes
2) A person's faith could be important in some political discussions and decisions: 32 votes
3) A person's faith is irrelevant to political discussions and decisions: 7 votes
4) A person's faith hinders political discussions and decisions: 6 votes
Total Votes: 117
Key Industry Numbers
Alaska Oil: $105.78 per barrel
Alaska Residential Gas Price: $12.92/kcf
Henry Hub Weekly Spot: $2.95/mmBTU
Alaska North Slope Production: ~477,000 barrels per day
Permanent Fund (Principal + Earnings Reserve): ~$81.0 billion
Must Read Alaska Show
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The MRAK Team
A Force for Good