Countdown clock to 100 million on Medicaid, or one out of every three Americans
By the end of February, nearly one out of every three Americans will be enrolled in Medicaid, the safety-net health care program that includes Obamacare, all paid for by tax dollars for those without private insurance. It’s a sign that the nation is well on its way to the tipping point that will result in fully socialized medical care. How many in Alaska? Read it here.
Randall Kowalke, who tried to overthrow a legally elected legislator, won’t appeal ruling on Rep. David Eastman
The Wasilla political activist who challenged the right of Rep. David Eastman to represent his district in the Alaska House of Representatives will not appeal the ruling made against his attempt to overthrow a legally elected legislator. Read more here.
Six degrees of separation: FTX scam-man Bankman-Fried to go before judge with curious link to Alaska
Sam Bankman-Fried, the bad boy of cryptocurrency crime and illegal Democratic Party and candidate donations, appeared in a Manhattan courtroom on Jan. 3, before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams. Read about it here.
Peltola announces major staff changes that ditch the bipartisan appeal she led with earlier
Rep. Mary Peltola announced the departure of three key members of her official Washington, D.C. staff, including Senior Policy Advisor Larry Persily, Interim Communications Director Josh Wilson, and her Interim Director of Scheduling and Operations Paula Conru. Who did she hire? Read about it here.
Rep. Peltola votes for Russian conspiracy theorist and election-denier Hakeem Jeffries for House Speaker
Alaska’s only voice in the U.S. House of Representatives cast Alaska’s vote for election-denier Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a radical Democrat from Queens, New York, for Speaker of the House. Read more here.
Update: The House will meet at approximately 8 am Alaska Time today to take a fourth ballot on electing a new speaker. GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy has lost the first three ballots. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump endorsed McCarthy on his social media platform TruthSocial today:
Trump wrote: "Some really good conversations took place last night, and it’s now time for all of our GREAT Republican House Members to VOTE FOR KEVIN, CLOSE THE DEAL, TAKE THE VICTORY, & WATCH CRAZY NANCY PELOSI FLY BACK HOME TO A VERY BROKEN CALIFORNIA,THE ONLY SPEAKER IN U.S. HISTORY TO HAVE LOST THE “HOUSE” TWICE! REPUBLICANS, DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT & EMBARRASSING DEFEAT. IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE, YOU DESERVE IT. Kevin McCarthy will do a good job, and maybe even a GREAT JOB - JUST WATCH!"
(Someone should take away his cap keys.)
Passing: Dick Knapp, former commander of Coast Guard in charge of rescue of Prinsendam passengers, crew
Richard Knapp, retired U.S. Coast Guard commander in Juneau and former Alaska Department of Transportation commissioner under Gov. Bill Sheffield, passed away on Jan. 2, 2023. He was 93 and had lived in Juneau since being assigned there by the Coast Guard in 1980. He was in charge when a fire broke out on a cruise ship that required a massive and complicated rescue. Don't remember the Prinsendam? Read more here.
Amy Demboski takes over drive-time morning radio on 650 KENI, after departure of Dan Fagan
At 6:10 am Tuesday, drivers in Anchorage who were used to hearing Dan Fagan’s voice on the Dan Fagan Show on 650 KENI, were greeted by another well-known voice — Amy Demboski, who has agreed to host the show ... after lots of people pressured her to. Read more here.
Murkowski sworn in as senator
She has served Alaska for 20 years in the U.S. Senate. Her father, Frank, attended the ceremony, but mom Nancy was not well enough to attend. Read more here.
Make 2023 your best year yet through positivity
Are you going to be a happy warrior or what? 21 top tips from 'Energy Bus' coach Jon Gordon. Read more here.
