Alaska

Alaska Election Day takeaways

Published

2 years ago

November 9, 2022

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – All ballots have been solid within the first normal election in Alaska that utilized ranked-choice voting. Whereas some candidates constructed insurmountable leads within the outcomes posted on Election Evening by the Division of Elections, many others must wait weeks till the second-place votes of eradicated candidates are redistributed.

Governor

Within the race to find out who will develop into Alaska’s governor for the subsequent 4 years, incumbent Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy and operating mate Nancy Dahlstrom carry a robust lead out of Election Evening.

“We like these numbers,” Dunleavy stated. “We hope they maintain, you recognize. All of the precincts aren’t in but, we’re going to remain up late and watch the numbers however to date we like what we’re seeing and we actually respect the folks of Alaska supporting us.”

Dunleavy has over 53% of the votes with 225 out of 401 precincts reporting their numbers. Dunleavy’s 79,180 are greater than twice the amount some other gubernatorial ticket acquired.

Democrat former Rep. Les Gara and operating mate Jessica Prepare dinner are in second place with 31,829 votes, accounting for 21.54%.

“It’s been nice,” Gara stated. “I’ve realized loads, I’ve gotten to journey the entire state. I believe one factor that binds folks collectively is fish and these manufacturing facility trawlers destroying our fish in Western Alaska, the hazard of the pebble mine, folks need change. They see the governor on the flawed facet of this stuff and I believe it’s time to ensure we make certain our fish come again to our rivers.”

Former Gov. Invoice Walker and operating mate Heidi Drygas are at the moment in third place with 29,404 votes.

“Figuring out what I find out about what’s occurred in Alaska and the alternatives, I can reside with not successful, however I can’t reside with not making an effort to show this state round,” Walker stated. “We’re imploding as a state, I imply our numbers are off the charts. We’re the worst within the nation in our financial system.”

Former Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce acquired 7,116 votes, just below 5%.

U.S. Senate

Republican Kelly Tshibaka at the moment holds a lead of almost 10,000 votes over incumbent Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

“One of many issues I’ve observed in our final couple weeks is a big shift of assist even on the doorways which might be marked undecided or center-left and it looks like virtually each door we go to is now supporting Kelly Tshibaka,” Tshibaka stated. “That’s similar to one thing I by no means anticipated to see and I believe a whole lot of that’s due to the work that we now have put in in connecting with voters one on one.”

Tshibaka’s 47.06% offers her a major distance between her lead and Murkowski, who has 40.51% of the ballots. Simply over half — 225 of 402 precincts — have reported their ballots as of the newest outcomes posted by the Division of Elections at 9:40 p.m. on Nov. 8.

“So most of the people which have helped me have been younger Alaskans, simply high-energy Alaskans which might be giving their all for our state’s future,” Murkowski stated. “They’ve actually helped me lead and construct coalitions which were good, enjoyable, energetic, so we’re all completely satisfied to be on the top of this as a result of it has been an extended yr however we’re prepared, we’re prepared.”

Democrat Pat Chesbro has 9.17% of the votes and Republican Buzz Kelley — who withdrew his candidacy for Senate — acquired 4,407 votes which account for 3.02% of the ballots counted on Tuesday.

“We acquired began late and we didn’t have some huge cash however we’ve accomplished the most effective we will,” Chesbro stated. “We’ve had plenty of folks assist us.”

U.S. Home

Within the race to find out who will serve the subsequent time period as Alaska’s solely consultant within the U.S. Home, incumbent Democrat Mary Peltola gained momentum from her Aug. 16 particular normal election win to serve out the rest of the late Rep. Don Younger’s time period.

“I believe simply having an actual Alaskan message and Alaskan practicality about issues and not likely boxing anybody in by occasion or the nationwide rhetoric, I believe Alaska is exclusive and Alaskans actually respect being messaged to in a singular Alaskan means,” Peltola stated. “I’m optimistic. I wish to be optimistic and it’s simply so enjoyable being with supporters in downtown Anchorage.”

Peltola carries a sizeable lead out of Election Evening with 65,769 votes, which accounts for 44.63% of all ballots solid. Republican former Gov. Sarah Palin at the moment sits in second place with 40,917 votes and Nick Begich is at the moment in third place with 37,672 votes.

“Figuring out the those who I do know working in Division of Elections, I’ve the entire religion on the earth in these people,” Palin stated. “They’re nice folks. They most likely are labeled bureaucrats however regardless of that label, they’re good bureaucrats. They do need to guarantee voter and election integrity.”

Libertarian Chris Bye acquired 2,844 votes.

“The numbers have been tightening because the outcomes have are available in,” Begich stated. “We’re fairly excited in regards to the alternative to signify Alaska. We knew this was going to be a decent race from the very starting and that’s precisely what we’re seeing proper now.”

Poll Measure 1

The one poll measure earlier than Alaskan voters this cycle is the query of whether or not or to not maintain a constitutional conference — a proposition that seems on the poll as soon as each 10 years. After being dramatically out-fundraised in the course of the marketing campaign season, votes solid in opposition to a constitutional conference complete greater than twice the quantity of votes solid in favor of a constitutional conference.

There are at the moment 98,601 “no” votes and 45,152 “sure” votes.

Alaska Senate

The Alaska Senate is prone to see quite a lot of new faces, in addition to some extra established names as effectively. On the Kenai Peninsula, Republican Jesse Bjorkman holds a 730-vote lead on former Chief of Workers for Gov. Dunleavy, Republican Tuckerman Babcock. Bjorkman has 48.14% of the ballots solid in Senate District D whereas Babcock has 40.76%. Nevertheless, the winner of Senate Seat D is nearly sure to be a Republican, however every physique of the Legislature might find yourself with a bipartisan coalition when legislators arrive to Juneau to arrange.

Incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Holland narrowly leads former Senate President Cathy Giessel by simply 39 votes with 12 out of 15 precincts reporting their poll counts. It’s possible that the second-place votes for Democrat Roselynn Cacy — who has 2,566 votes — will decide who wins the Senate District E seat.

Additionally with the potential to alter the stability of energy within the Senate, Democrat Rep. Matt Claman trails incumbent Republican Sen. Mia Costello by 288 votes with 11 out of 13 precincts reporting.

In Fairbanks, Sen. Scott Kawasaki holds a 161-vote lead over Fairbanks Mayor Republican Jim Matherly with six out of eight precincts reporting. Republican Alex Jafre acquired 300 votes.

Alaska Home of Representatives

Within the Alaska Home of Representatives, as many as 10 races are nonetheless up within the air as ballots are counted. Utilizing Election Evening totals, roughly 24 Republicans and 16 Democrats could also be elected to the Home. Lower than 5 proportion factors separate candidates in Home Districts 1, 7, 11, 13 and 16.

Incumbent nonpartisan Rep. Dan Ortiz holds a 65-vote lead on Republican Jeremy Bynum in Home District 1. Republican Julie Coulombe leads nonpartisan Walter Featherly by simply 13 votes. Nevertheless, it’s possible that the 905 votes for third-place candidate Ross Bieling will play an element when first-place votes for Bieling are eradicated and his second-place votes are tabulated.

In Anchorage, incumbent Democrat Rep. Andy Josephson at the moment trails Republican Kathy Henslee by simply 141 votes with all 5 precincts reporting in Home District 13. In Home District 16, Democrat Jennie Armstrong holds a 39-vote lead over former Rep. Liz Vazquez. Nevertheless, Armstrong’s eligibility as a candidate is being challenged in a lawsuit, as Republican Rep. David Eastman’s is as effectively. No matter the results of the votes, the winner of the election in Armstrong and Eastman’s districts could also be determined by the courts.

In Fairbanks, Democrat Maxine Dibert holds a sizeable lead over incumbent Rep. Bart LeBon. Dibert’s 1,112 votes account for 51.55% of the ballots with half of the precincts reporting. LeBon acquired 473 votes and Kelly Nash acquired 468. If Dibert prevails, that will flip Home District 31 from Republican to Democrat.

Nevertheless, additionally in Fairbanks, Democrat Rep. Grier Hopkins trails Republican Frank Tomaszewski by over 500 votes, which might flip Home District 34 from Democrat to Republican.

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Alaska

‘Drag racing for dogs:’ Anchorage canines gather for the ‘Great Alaska Barkout’

Published

5 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

‘Drag racing for dogs:’ Anchorage canines gather for the ‘Great Alaska Barkout’

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Alaska’s first “flyball” league held its annual “Great Alaska Barkout Flyball Tournament” on Saturday in midtown at Alyeska Canine Trainers.

Flyball is a fast-paced sport in which relay teams of four dogs and their handlers compete to cross the finish line first while carrying a tennis ball launched from a spring loaded box. Saturday’s tournament was one of several throughout the year held by “Dogs Gone Wild,” which started in 2004 as Alaska’s first flyball league.

“We have here in Alaska, we’ve got, I think it’s about 6 tournaments per year,” said competitor and handler Maija Doggett. “So you know every other month or so there will be a tournament hosted. Most of them are hosted right here at Alyeska Canine Trainers.”

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Alaska

State of Alaska will defend its right to facilitate oil and gas development

Published

14 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

State of Alaska will defend its right to facilitate oil and gas development

Last week, Superior Court Judge Andrew Guidi indicated he will rule that Alaska does not have authority to permit access across its lands to facilitate oil and gas development on the North Slope.

The Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources plans to fight and appeal any final adverse ruling that undermines the state’s constitutional interests in resource development.

The Department of Natural Resources has issued a permit allowing Oil Search Alaska (OSA) to cross the Kuparuk River Unit, operated by Conoco Phillips Alaska, to develop the Pikka Unit. As described in the State’s brief to the court, “the denial of such access implicates the delay of development of millions of barrels of oil and billions of dollars of public revenues.”

“The State of Alaska has a constitutional obligation to maximize the development of our resources,” DNR Commissioner John Boyle said on Nov. 22. “We have to confirm with the Supreme Court that we have the authority to permit access for all developers to ensure we can meet this obligation.”

Once the Superior Court issues the final judgement, Alaska will be able to file its appeal. This is expected to occur in the coming weeks.

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Alaska

Close encounters with the Juneau kind: Woman reports strange lights in Southeast Alaska skies

Published

22 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Close encounters with the Juneau kind: Woman reports strange lights in Southeast Alaska skies

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – For Juneau resident Tamara Roberts, taking photos of the northern lights was just a hobby — that is until a different light altogether caught her eye.

Capturing what she’s called strange lights in the skies of Juneau near her home on Thunder Mountain, Roberts said she’s taken 30 to 40 different videos and photos of the lights since September 2021.

“Anytime I’m out, I’m pretty sure that I see something at least a couple times a week,” Roberts said. “I’m definitely not the only one that’s seeing them. And if people just pay more attention, they’ll notice that those aren’t stars and those aren’t satellites.”

Roberts has been a professional photographer for over 20 years. She said she changed interests from photographing people to wildlife and landscape when she moved to Juneau 13 years ago.

Once she started making late-night runs trying to capture the northern lights, she said that’s when she started encountering her phenomenon.

Roberts said not every encounter takes place above Thunder Mountain: her most recent sighting happened near the Mendenhall Glacier while her stepmom was visiting from Arizona.

“She’d never been here before, so we got up and we drove up there, and lo and behold, there it was,” Roberts said. “I have some family that absolutely thinks it’s what it is, and I have some family that just doesn’t care.”

Roberts described another recent encounter near the glacier she said was a little too close for comfort. While driving up alone in search of the northern lights, she expected to see other fellow photographers out for the same reason as she normally does.

But this night was different.

“I’ve gone up there a million times by myself, and this night, particularly, it was clear, it was cold and the [aurora] KP index was high … so as I’m driving up and there’s nobody there. And I was like, Okay, I’ll just wait and somebody will show up.’ So I backed up into the parking spot underneath the street light — the only light that’s really there on that side of the parking lot — and I turned all my lights off, left my car running, looked around, and there was that light right there, next to the mountain.”

Roberts said after roughly 10 minutes of filming the glowing light, still not seeing anyone else around, she started to get a strange feeling that maybe she should leave.

“I just got this terrible gut feeling,” Roberts said. “I started to pull out of my parking spot and my car sputtered. [It] scared me so bad that I just gunned the accelerator, but my headlights … started like flashing and getting all crazy.

“I had no headlights, none all the way home, no headlights.”

According to the Juneau Police Department, there haven’t been any reports of strange lights in the sky since Sept. 14, when police say a man was reportedly “yelling about UFOs in the downtown area.”

Responding officers said they did not locate anything unusual, and no arrests were made following the man’s report.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service in Juneau also said within the last seven days, no reports of unusual activity in the skies had been reported. The Federal Aviation Administration in Juneau did not respond.

With more and more whistleblowers coming forward in Congressional hearings, Roberts said she thinks it’s only a matter of time before the truth is out there.

“Everybody stayed so quiet all these years for the fear of being mocked,” Roberts said. “Now that people are starting to come out, I think that people should just let the reality be what it is, and let the evidence speak for itself, because they’re here, and that’s all there is to it.”

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