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Table of Contents
Alaska’s Permanent Fund
NYU Study Finds PFD Payouts Do Not Contribute to Serious Injury or Death
By Jon Faulkner
An eleven year-long study focusing on a possible link between Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend program and the risk of traumatic injury or death discredits the view that recipients use their dividends unwisely.
The study, entitled “Do Cash Transfers Lead to Traumatic Injury or Death?” found no causal link between the Permanent Fund Dividend and an increase in the risk of traumatic injury or death.
Alaska Industry
Alaska-Based Director of National Seafood Marketing Coalition Sends Letter to President and Alaska Congressional Delegation
By Natalie Spaulding
Bruce Schactler, Director of the National Seafood Marketing Coalition, from Kodiak, Alaska, wrote to President Trump regarding his Executive Order titled “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness.” Schactler’s letter contains comments on various sections of the EO and a “few suggested modifications [which] will be of huge benefit to the ailing US seafood industry.”
Sitka-Based Cruise Line Unexpectedly Ends Operations
By Natalie Spaulding
Alaska Dream Cruises, owned by Bob and Betty Allen, has shut down operations indefinitely in a swift and shocking decision. Guests had already booked their 2026 trips, excited for jaw-dropping views of glaciers and natural beauties across Southeast Alaska. Guests and travel agents have been notified and refunds will be issued.
Alaska Governor’s Race
Survey Series: Gubernatorial Candidates Share Specific Amount They Would Propose for Education Funding
By Nathaniel Herz
We're back with a new edition of our recurring survey of the more than dozen candidates running to be Alaska's next governor.
This week's survey explores a subject that has commanded huge amounts of political debate and discussion at Alaska's Capitol in recent years: How much money should the state share with school districts on a per-student basis?
We also asked about what kind of car each candidate drives — because a car can tell you a lot about a person.
Republicans Bernadette Wilson, Nancy Dahlstrom, Adam Crum, Treg Taylor and independent Jessica Faircloth did not respond to the survey despite multiple requests.
Anchorage Muni Elections
Complete List of Anchorage Assembly Candidates Released
By Natalie Spaulding
Anchorage’s Municipal Clerk’s Office has released the complete list of Assembly candidates for the April 7, 2026 election.
District 1 – Seat B – North Anchorage
Danger, Nick
Scout, Sydney
Milette, Justin
Powers, Max
District 2 – Seat C – Chugiak, Eagle River, JBER
Handeland, Donald
Walker, Kyle
District 3 – Seat E – West Anchorage
…
Meet the Anchorage School Board Candidates for April 7 Election
By Natalie Spaulding
Two seats on the Anchorage School Board will be voted on this year on April 7. Here is who is running:
School Board – Seat C
Rosales, Alexander: a conservative-minded, retired Air Force Vet with 20 years of service. He states, “I envision safe, supportive schools with robust parent involvement and true school choice.” His priorities include school safety, parental choice, quality education, local control, and U.S. values in education. Learn more about Rosales here: Alexander Rosales for Anchorage School Board | Vote April 7 2026.
Blakeslee, Rachel: …
Alaska Legislative Session
Senate Republican Caucus Holds Its First Press Conference
By Natalie Spaulding
Today, Feb 12, 11-11:30 a.m., the Senate Minority Caucus (also known as the Senate Republican Caucus) held its first press conference of the session. The Senators began with brief introductions, talked about their current individual focuses, and then answered media questions related to the State budget and the governor’s fiscal plan.
The Senate Republican Caucus has six members: Mike Cronk (District R- Tok/ Northway), Cathy Tilton (District M- Wasila), George Rauscher (District O- Sutton), Robb Myers (District Q- North Pole), James Kaufman (District F- Anchorage), and Rob Yundt (District N- Wasilla). Senator Yundt did not attend the meeting.
Rep. Stapp (R-Fairbanks) and Sen. Tobin (D-Anchorage) Introduce Veterans Justice Act
By Natalie Spaulding
Representative Will Stapp (R-Fairbanks) and Senator Loki Tobin (D-Anchorage) introduced House Bill 299 and Senate Bill 236 on Monday, Feb 9. The joint bill is known as the Veterans Justice Act, which establishes the “veteran sentencing program.” The veteran sentencing program seeks to reduce recidivism and help veterans exhibiting “one or more indicators of mental or physical symptoms of a condition from military service that may have contributed to an offense.”
Opinion: Every Baby Has a Right to Life; HB 64 is a Good Start
By Michael Tavoliero
Alaska Watchman’s piece on baby boxes confronts a specific horror: a newborn left outside in an Alaska winter. That danger is real. The article notes HB 64 expands safe-surrender options through secure, climate-controlled baby boxes to keep panic and secrecy from becoming a death sentence. If lowering that final barrier, fear, saves even one life, it is a tool worth taking seriously.
But the article’s power, its focus on shocking and rare cases of infant abandonment, risks narrowing the public imagination. The last twenty years of infant loss in Alaska is not defined by abandonment (as few as 3 by some records, Alaska Public Media, 10/13, KTOO, 01/22, and Anchorage Police 11/24).
Alaska Education
Sen. Kawasaki Introduces Bill Protecting Library Employees that Provide Indecent Material to Children
By Natalie Spaulding
On Monday, February 9, Senator Scott Kawasaki (D-Fairbanks) introduced Senate Bill 238, “An Act relating to access to library material; and relating to affirmative defenses to the offenses of enticement of a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and distribution of indecent material to minors.” SB 238 has been referred to the Senate Education Committee.
Galena Superintendent Calls Out Anti-School-Choice Misinformation from Mat-Su Superintendent
By Natalie Spaulding
The Mat-Su Borough School District (MSBSD) held a board meeting on February 4, 2026, during which Mat-Su Superintendent Randy Trani presented on the impact of other districts’ statewide correspondence schools on MSBSD enrollment numbers. According to Galena City School District Superintendent Jason Johnson, the presentation was riddled with misinformation that would “be humorous if not for the fact that he is using these falsehoods to advocate for major changes to State policy.”
Facts and Figures
Alaska’s Largely Untapped Resource
Alaska’s lands contain nearly half of U.S. coal reserves. However, with only one operating mine (Usibelli Coal Mine), Alaska ranks 20th in the nation among coal suppliers.
President Trump was recently honored by Lower 48 coal miners as “The undisputed champion of beautiful, clean coal.”
Key Industry Numbers
Alaska Oil: $66.0 per barrel
Alaska Residential Gas Price: $13.95/kcf
Henry Hub Weekly Spot: $3.25/mmBTU
Alaska North Slope Production: 435,548 barrels per day
Permanent Fund (Principal + Earnings Reserve): ~$89.3 billion
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 or stories.
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Thank you for reading! Until next time,
The MRAK Team
A Force for Good