Alaska Watchman News

Before taking PFDs or imposing taxes, Alaska must fairly share the cost of local govt. Alaska can support communities with limited means while expecting reasonable responsibility where means exist. Our land policies and our funding policies should help communities build the capacity to govern themselves Alaska needs a fair way to share the cost of local government. Before lawmakers ask Alaskans to accept another reduced dividend or a new statewide revenue measure, they should explain who contributes toward comparable local services, who has the capacity to contribute, and how those obligations are determined. As a Kenai Peninsula Borough resident, I see local government costs in the taxes our community pays. I also see the consequences when state spending decisions leave less money for dividends. That combination deserves an honest accounting across Alaska. The discussion must begin with accurate facts. Some cities within the Unorganized Borough already levy property or sales taxes. Organized boroughs also differ in... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

Before taking PFDs or imposing taxes, Alaska must fairly share the cost of local govt. Alaska can support communities with limited means while expecting reasonable responsibility where means exist. Our land policies and our funding policies should help communities build the capacity to govern themselves Alaska needs a fair way to share the cost of local government. Before lawmakers ask Alaskans to accept another reduced dividend or a new statewide revenue measure, they should explain who contributes toward comparable local services, who has the capacity to contribute, and how those obligations are determined. As a Kenai Peninsula Borough resident, I see local government costs in the taxes our community pays. I also see the consequences when state spending decisions leave less money for dividends. That combination deserves an honest accounting across Alaska. The discussion must begin with accurate facts. Some cities within the Unorganized Borough already levy property or sales taxes. Organized boroughs also differ in... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

‘They couldn’t steal Christmas’ – Police recover Mat-Su church's Nativity set Less than 48 hours after a large, classical, Italian-style Nativity set and accompanying trailer were stolen from the parking lot of St. Michael Church in Palmer, the Christmas scene was recovered several miles north of town. On Nov. 4, Fr. Michael Shields notified the Palmer Police of the stolen Nativity scene, which was affixed to a large trailer on church property. He also encouraged parishioners to keep an eye out and to post images of the Nativity scene on social media in case anyone spotted it around town. On Nov. 6, someone saw the trailer and Nativity set near Mile 55 of the Glenn Highway. Local law enforcement then towed it back to St. Michael’s that night. According to Fr. Michael, the trailer had two flat tires when it was recovered from the side of the road, which might explain why the heist was abandoned. “They couldn’t steal Christmas from us,” Fr. Michael said upon learning that the religious items were restored. He... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

Here's how Alaska’s Ranked-Choice runoffs might play out Alaska’s screwy election is over, and nobody knows who won the U.S. Senate, U.S. House and governor’s races. That’s right, the supposedly great Ranked Choice Voting system’s biggest accomplishment is that it fails to deliver election results on election day. The results must make a trip through the Division of Elections mystery machine to determine a winner, and it takes two weeks to do so. The winners won’t be announced until November 18, so let’s take a little look at the process and what the outcome might be. Preliminary results of 2026 general election have been released, with 400 of 401 precincts reporting. This total includes all ballots cast at polling places on election day, along with all early votes cast through October 29. November 10, 2026 By statute, the Division of Elections' next vote count must be released seven days after the election. It will include early votes cast between October 29 and November 3, and some of... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

Alaska Supreme Court allows opioid case to proceed against pharmacies Reversing a lower court decision, the Alaska Supreme Court has said the state’s public nuisance lawsuit against major retail pharmacy chains operating in Alaska can proceed In a Nov. 6 decision, the court held that the State of Alaska sufficiently alleges that the pharmacies’ failure to meet their legal duties when dispensing opioids unreasonably interfered with public rights to “health and safety.” Stemming from a 2022 lawsuit filed in Anchorage Superior Court, the defendants in the case include Albertsons Companies, Safeway, Carr-Gottstein Foods, Kroger, and Fred Meyer. Walgreens and Walmart were originally named but have since settled. The state accused pharmacies of contributing to Alaska’s opioid epidemic by systematically ignoring red flags, failing to monitor and report suspicious prescriptions, and otherwise neglecting legal duties under federal law.... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

Radical socialists aim to infiltrate and transform Alaska Democratic Party In an effort to push Alaska’s Democratic Party increasingly leftward, the Social Democrats of America (SDA) has just launched a systematic effort to establish beachheads all across Alaska. Founded in 2021, the national organization describes itself as the “Democratic Party’s Socialist Caucus. It operates through the website socialists.us, which is now promoting “socialist political salon” events and branch-forming groups in multiple Alaska boroughs and communities. Initial “salons” are planned for the North Slope, Fairbanks, Juneau, Haines, Kenai, Mat-Su, Northwest Arctic Borough, Petersburg, Ketchikan, Kodiak and elsewhere. These events carry the repeated call “Help us get to 100 members!” and direct participants to short explanatory videos on “Social Democratic Socialism,” along with monthly national Zoom calls. The salons are designed as low-barrier entry points for discussion and recruitment, consistent with SDA’s broader... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

Beloved Nativity set stolen from St. Michael Church in Palmer A classical Italian-style Nativity scene and accompanying trailer were stolen from the parking lot of St. Michael Church in Palmer this week. The Nativity set and trailer are valued at over $26,000 and had become a regular holiday fixture for Palmer residents. St. Michael’s pastor, Father Michael Shields, reported the missing property to the Palmer Police and is hoping the local community can help locate the figurines, which include images of baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, shepherds, angels and several other traditional characters. Starting in 2020, parishioners began sharing the Nativity display with the wider community by erecting a lighted manger scene in the town center ahead of the annual Colony Days Christmas celebration, which draws in thousands of Mat-Su residents. The Nativity set, which sat on a large flatbed trailer, was driven off church property and reported stolen on Nov. 4.... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

OPINION: Amid looming storm, conservative Alaskans must bear their cross Hard as it is, keep your sense of humor. You cannot win every election. Maybe it will blow over, but pretending Alaska was a safe haven for common sense and conservative values was an illusion. This is a state that accepted a socialist constitution in 1955, coached along by a Rockefeller think tank at the University of Chicago. We legalized abortion in 1970, three years before Roe v. Wade, allowed legal marijuana by judicial decree at about the same time, then cemented it recently by citizen initiative. We have had stolen elections since Walter Hickel’s in 1978. With the nearly 24/7 open dope dens, brazenly advertising slogans on expensive electronic marquees, perhaps that is the #1 reason many of us can’t think or vote straight. Here’s a sampling: “Stay lifted!” “Elevate your day.” “Vibes above everything.” “Quality buds, happy lives.” “Shoot the Moon Monday Sale!” “Magical Gardens.”... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

Alaska Senate Majority rewards lawmakers who ditch GOP caucus for Democrat-controlled alliance Alaska’s bipartisan coalition in the Alaska State Senate has, once again, handed out key positions to GOP lawmakers who are willing to abandon fellow conservatives in order to join a left-of-center majority in Juneau. On Nov. 4, the majority coalition announced it will continue its reign for the upcoming 35th Alaska State Legislature. The coalition is typically made up of all the Democrats, along with a handful of left-leaning independents and Republicans. The coalition was first formed in 2022 under the leadership of Senator Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), who is retiring in January. Stevens is widely regarded as a “RINO” Republican in conservative circles, and he formed the coalition shortly after Alaska held its initial ranked-choice election. This year’s incoming Senate President is Cathy Giessel, a left-of-center Anchorage Republican who has served in the Senate for 14 years.... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

Alaska’s commercial fishermen net 99M salmon worth $648 million Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game published its preliminary figures for the 2026 commercial fishing season, which entailed 99 million salmon caught for a value of more than $648 million. While the overall catch was down 49% from the 195 million harvested last year the value of the 2026 haul represents a 20% increase from the $541 million in 2025. This was thanks to an increase in the price of salmon, which offset the reduced harvest. The lower harvest total was expected by Fish and Game due to a decrease in pink salmon harvests related to the even-year abundance cycle. “During recent decades, Alaska-wide pink salmon returns were larger during odd years and smaller in even years, although there is much regional variation to this trend,” the department noted. “The 2026 harvest of 99 million salmon was similar to the 2024 harvest of 103.5 million salmon. This pattern is largely driven by sockeye and pink salmon, which comprise the... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

OPINION: Lt. Gov. candidate admits mistakes, urges Alaska to seek God “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV) God did not begin by calling unbelievers to repentance. He called His own people to humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways. When we look at the moral decline of our nation, the destruction of families, the shedding of innocent blood, and the failures of government, we ask how we arrived here. The first place we should look is the mirror. Christians - including pastors, churches, Christian organizations, and I myself - bear responsibility for the condition of our communities and our nation. Repentance is not merely acknowledging that something is wrong. Repentance requires change. Some argue that the church should stay out of politics, that our only duties are to... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

Sullivan camp projects narrow win over Peltola once RCV runoffs occur According to a campaign memo released Wednesday that analyzes raw voting data from Alaska’s election division, incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan would defeat Democratic challenger Mary Peltola by 328 votes if Alaska’s ranked-choice voting tabulation were run today based on the ballots currently in hand. The Sullivan camp’s analysis, released by Alaskans For Dan Sullivan, projects a final tally of 105,037 votes for Sullivan to 104,709 votes for Peltola. If correct, that would give Sullivan a 50.08% to 49.92% victory after the two lesser candidates – Gerald Heikes and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. - were eliminated and their second-choice votes were redistributed. In the Nov. 4 first-choice results from more than 213,000 ballots, Peltola leads with 102,701 votes (48.2%) to Sullivan’s 102,075 (47.9%), a margin of only 626 votes. Republican Gerald Heikes has 4,821 votes (2.3%), and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a no-party candidate with a... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

OPINION: Alaska's 2026 election and the cost of GOP fragmentation On November 18, 2025, I published “The Hard Truth of Alaska's 2026 Gubernatorial Election.” On April 17, 2026, I followed with “I Cannot Agree with the Alaska GOP.” Both articles warned that Alaska Republicans' fragmented gubernatorial field would squander resources, weaken their message, overshadow legislative races, and leave the next governor constrained by the same entrenched political establishment. Did we witness the consequences of precisely what I warned against? As of November 4, Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins leads with 49% of first-choice votes, followed by Republicans Wilson at 29%, Bronson at 14%, and Taylor at 7%. Alaska's ranked-choice voting process may still determine the outcome, and additional ballots remain to be counted. No responsible analysis should pretend the election is over. But one fact is already apparent: three Republican candidates remained on the general-election ballot, dividing first-choice... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

Mat-Su rejects taxes, elects conservative candidates in most borough contests Unofficial results from the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s November 3 regular election show voters returning Assembly members in contested races while narrowly approving a longer term for School Board members and rejecting three other propositions, including a new alcohol tax and a property-tax exemption paired with a sales tax. With 36.14% of the borough’s 98,738 registered voters casting ballots, early and poll votes totaled 35,686, according to the borough’s unofficial results released Wednesday. Absentee ballots issued numbered 4,845, with 1,051 questioned ballots and 38 special-needs ballots also reported. Results remain unofficial pending the count of remaining ballots and certification. Assembly races In Assembly District 1, long-time conservative Thomas E. Bergey led with 3,337 votes (52.9%), ahead of Michelle Heun with 2,275 (36.1%) and Chris Chiavetta with 651 (10.3%), plus 40 write-ins.... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

BREAKING: Peltola now leads Sullivan; Begich & JKT still ahead; RCV repeal failing With 98% of Alaska precincts now reporting election day results, and approximately 215,335 ballots counted (35.57% of registered voters), the unofficial results show Democrat Mary Peltola with a narrow lead over Republican U.S. Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. Republican Nick Begich continues to enjoy a sizable lead in the U.S. House race, and Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins remains ahead in the governor’s contest. The effort to repeal Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system is trailing by nearly 3%. The candidate figures represent first-choice votes only. Under Alaska’s contentious ranked-choice system, final results in races without a majority will not be determined until all eligible ballots are counted and ranked-choice runoffs are tabulated where no candidate received a majority of first-place votes. Because the initial results include only votes cast at the polls, early votes cast before Oct. 30, and some absentee ballots, many votes remain... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

UPDATE #4: AK vote shows Sullivan, Begich leading, JKT ahead, RCV repeal trails With 313 of 401 Alaska precincts now reporting (78.05%) and 206,783 ballots counted (34.15%) as of 10:48 p.m. on Nov. 3, the unofficial first-choice results from the Alaska Division of Elections show Republican U.S. Sen. Dan S. Sullivan maintaining a slim lead over Democrat Mary Peltola. Republican Nick Begich continues to lead the U.S. House race, and leftwing Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins remains ahead of his GOP opponents in the governor’s contest. Meanwhile, the effort to repeal Alaska's controversial ranked-choice voting is still narrowly trailing. The candidate figures represent first-choice votes only. Under Alaska’s contentious ranked-choice system, final results in races without a majority will not be determined until all eligible ballots are counted and tabulated. Given that the initial results only include votes cast at the polls, early votes cast before Oct. 30 and some absentee ballots, there are many votes left to... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

UPDATE: Peltola lead shrinks, Begich pulls ahead, RCV repeal effort improves With 209 of 401 precincts reporting (52.12%) and roughly 165,124 of 605,433 ballots counted (27.27%), the picture has shifted significantly from the very early returns. These remain first-choice totals only. Final ranked-choice runoffs (if needed) will not occur until the full count is complete. U.S. Senate Mary Peltola (DEM) holds a razor-thin lead over incumbent Dan S. Sullivan (REP): Peltola: 78,961 votes (48.11%) Sullivan: 78,709 votes (47.96%) Gerald L. Heikes (REP): 3,260 (1.99%) Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.: 2,693 (1.64%) Write-in: 501 (0.31%) The race is essentially tied at this stage—far tighter than the early ~54%–43% Peltola lead. U.S. House Incumbent Republican Nick Begich has taken the lead over Bill Hill: Begich: 80,503 votes (49.25%) Hill: 66,824 votes (40.88%) Eric Hafner (DEM): 11,599 (7.10%) James C. “Jim” McDermott (LIB): 4,303 (2.63%) Write-in: 238 (0.15%)... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

Early Alaska results show Peltola, Hill and Kreiss-Tomkins ahead With just over 11% of precincts reporting statewide, and roughly 11% of ballots counted, early unofficial returns from Alaska’s Nov. 3 general election show Democratic and nonpartisan candidates ahead in the state’s three top statewide races. Additionally, the early data shows that the effort to repeal ranked-choice voting is trailing. The very first glimpse from Alaska’s Division of Elections includes just 45 of 401 precincts reporting for a total of 10.8% of the voter population. These are first-choice totals only. Given Alaska’s use of ranked-choice voting, the final winners in races without a majority will not be determined until all eligible ballots are counted and tabulated. U.S. SENATE Nevertheless, early returns have former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola leading incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan 35,324 votes (54.1%) to 27,940 (42.8%). Republican Gerald L. Heikes has 843 votes (1.29%) and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. (aka “Decoy Dan”) has... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

AK Grand Jury defenders to amass at governor’s office to demand corruption probe The founder and leader of a tenacious watchdog group dedicated to restoring and defending the constitutional powers of Alaska grand juries is calling on Alaskans to gather outside the governor’s office to demand that he appoint an independent citizen commission to publicly investigate evidence of corruption and cover-up. David Haeg, the founder and leader of the Alaska Grand Jurors Association, posted a Nov. 3 video, urging Alaskans to show up on Dec. 11 outside Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s Anchorage office at the Atwood Building on 7th Ave. “For nearly two years, an Alaska Grand Jury investigated evidence that the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct is falsifying official investigations to keep corrupt judges on the bench and ruling over we the people,” Haeg explained in the newly released video. “At the end of their investigation, the Grand Jury wrote a recommendation to we the people, but Alaska's judges sealed it before we could see... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…

Mat-Su poll worker reports election interference with voting signs The first reports of election interference in the Mat-Su came around 9 a.m. on Election Day, when a poll worker noticed official election signs had been turned around to confuse would-be voters about where to cast their ballots. The District 28 polling place at the Alcantra National Guard Armory, located off Bogard Road in Wasilla, had signs posted to help Mat-Su voters find their polling place. By 9 a.m. on Nov. 3, the signs had been turned around – not once – but twice. The incident has already been reported to Republican Party leaders. The Mat-Su is arguably Alaska's most conservative area, and many statewide candidates are counting on strong turnout from the region. One local Republican Party leader is encouraging Mat-Su conservatives to consider standing near the polling areas today to wave to passersby in order to deter further shenanigans. SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING... Read the whole story here --> alaskawatchman.com/2026/11/0…