Imagine receiving a call from a law enforcement agency, state or federal court or some other “official” government entity saying you have an outstanding fine, fee or warrant. Pay it immediately or you’re going to jail. The phone number matches that of the identified agency, thanks to AI, and you’re directed to a nearby “Bitcoin ATM” to send cash.

This isn’t hypothetical. This happens to dozens of Alaskans every day. In 2024, Alaskans lost more than $26 million to online fraud, with seniors bearing a third of those losses. These cryptocurrency kiosks have become a preferred tool for criminals because they offer instant, irreversible and often anonymous transactions.

Unlike traditional banks, these kiosks currently operate in a regulatory “black hole.” Scammers exploit this by using high-pressure tactics to force victims into making untraceable transfers. To protect our most vulnerable residents, I introduced Senate Bill 249. This legislation creates a necessary shield for Alaskans by requiring:

• Clear warnings: Operators must post conspicuous notices warning users about common scams.

• Identity verification: Requiring a government-issued ID creates a vital “speed bump” to break the spell of a high-pressure scam.

• Blocking fraud: Operators must use analytics to block transactions to known illicit or overseas criminal wallets.

• Fee and transaction limits: There are limits on fees for using the machines, but more importantly there are daily and monthly transaction limits to minimize the financial damage from these scams.

Our seniors spent decades building their life savings. They deserve the same financial “guardrails” in the digital age that we expect in every other sector. SB 249 doesn’t ban technology; it simply brings it out of the shadows. It is time to provide our seniors with the protection they’ve earned and stop digital predators from draining Alaskan bank accounts.

Sen. Cathy Tilton represents Senate District M in the Alaska State Senate. Senate District M is composed of House districts 25 and 26 in the Mat-Su. Sen. Tilton is a former speaker of the Alaska House.

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Three men completed a world’s first above Palmer’s night sky, wingsuiting through Alaska’s aurora borealis while catching it all on video.

Jeff Provenzano and Jon Devore jumped together in darkness, along with photographer Mike Brewer.

According to Red Bull, with the help of Red Bull Airforce, a one-shot moment was captured amidst -40°F temperature, pitch-black landscape and a disappearing Northern Lights — all while the photographer was moving as 100MPH.

“It was pretty much the coldest temperature that I ever jumped in,” Provenzano said.

Alaska skydiver returns to sky after crash

Devore’s first jump was in Juneau as a teenager.

“My very first jump was in Juneau and that’s when the addiction set in and I realized I wanted to do that with my life,” Devore said.

He spent three decades skydiving until 2021, when a crash changed everything.

“I had a really bad crash, completely severed my spine in half, open book pelvic fracture, the list goes on,” Devore said. “Was told I’d never walk again, definitely never skydive again.”

Devore said he chose to prove doctors wrong.

“It was a better state of mind for me to be in a, I’m going to prove them wrong instead of accept what I’m being told,” he said.

Teammate completes 50-state mission

Provenzano had his own mission: skydive in all 50 states. Alaska was the last one, and he said he wasn’t going without Devore.

“He couldn’t go to Alaska without Alaska John,” Devore said.

Devore said he didn’t know if he would jump or provide ground support.

“Whether I went there as just ground support and encouraged him jumping or if a miracle happened and I was able to jump with him, who knew back then?” Devore said. “But as miracles go, it happened.”

The two men jumped together above Palmer with photographer Mike Brewer.

“That jump, I actually had a moment where I could truly take a second to look at what was going on and appreciate it,” Provenzano said. “And it was definitely a wow moment.”

For Provenzano, Alaska completed his 50-state goal.

“Alaska was truly the last frontier for me,” Provenzano said. “I just, I was actually really sad. I felt very depressed when I was flying out of there.”

Devore said the experience reinforced the importance of support.

“Surrounding yourself with the right group of people is very important,” Devore said. “People that believe in you and encouraging you to push through barriers that you’re being told aren’t breakable. Even if you don’t achieve the summit, sometimes just getting halfway to it is more than you’re being told you could do.”

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In 1867, Russia’s decision to sell Alaska to America turned out to be a historic mistake that was to go unnoticed for years to come. The sum paid by the US was only $7,200,000. Although, in the light of the circumstances at the time, it appeared logical, retrospectively, the act looks extremely shortsighted. Russia found itself economically constrained, geographically far away from the region and fearful of its falling into the hands of the British without any compensation. In reality, however, the region had proved immensely valuable both strategically and naturally.

Why Russia agreed to the Alaska purchase

The choice of selling Alaska was based on economic and political reasons. By the middle of the 19th century, the Russian Empire experienced financial difficulties as a result of the expensive Crimean War. It had become increasingly hard for the country to manage such remote and thinly populated areas as Alaska.According to EBSCO, “the Russian-American Company was in decline, and the colony failed to yield any profit”. In addition to this, the lucrative fur trade had declined, making the territory much less economically valuable for the empire.At the same time, Russia was afraid that Britain might capture Alaska in case another war broke out between the two countries. Selling the colony to the friendly United States appeared as a logical step. As the Office of the Historian states, William H. Seward, U.S. Secretary of State, “it was a chance to expand its influence in North America and hinder further growth of Britain”.For Russia, the transaction was a chance to minimise the losses. However, it greatly undervalued the potential of Alaska.

The hidden wealth Russia gave away

Another thing that Russia did not expect was the amount of riches that Alaska possessed. Within several decades after the acquisition, the state saw discoveries of enormous deposits of gold, oil, and other minerals.“Alaska has produced more than 40 million ounces of gold,” according to the US Geological Survey. Furthermore, Alaska is home to some of the world’s most significant undeveloped mineral deposits, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). But even more importantly, the state’s oil deposits turned out to be extremely valuable. The Prudhoe Bay oil field was discovered in 1968 and became one of North America’s biggest.In retrospect, the amount paid by the Americans, $7.2 million, or two cents per acre, was rather laughable. According to Howard I. Kushner, the deal “robbed Russia of an enormously rich territory, the true value of which would only be recognised in the twentieth century.”

Strategic and geopolitical consequences

In addition to resources, there is the question of strategy and how important Alaska is to the United States from a strategic standpoint. This is a very good place when it comes to defence strategy. It borders on the Arctic Ocean and also happens to be close to Russia.During the period of the Cold War, the Alaskan region became a frontier area for the United States, becoming home to military facilities and warning systems.According to Col. Michael J. Forsyth, U.S. Army, the closeness of Russia and Alaska, only about ninety kilometres apart across the Bering Strait, meant that this region became highly significant to the United States’ defence plans.From today’s point of view, the strategic location of Alaska makes the state very important to the policies of the U.S. related to the Arctic, energy security, and even environmental policies.Thinking back, what seems clear to us now is that the Russians sold Alaska due to immediate needs rather than future considerations. In order to solve the problem, they lost a valuable resource for Russia.Conclusively, the Alaska Purchase should not have been done as it has had a significant impact that will remain throughout history.