Thumbs up. A Fairbanks spur: The Alaska natural gas pipeline is getting a lot of chatter, and so is the question of whether it will include a spurline to Fairbanks. Bills sponsored by Rep. Will Stapp and Sen. Mike Cronk would make it clear: any gas pipeline project must include a Fairbanks spurline. It’s a valid, logical argument with most Interior lawmakers co-sponsoring the bills. The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation argues the main project’s permits don’t support Fairbanks spur, but that it will happen as a separate project under a private company when the time comes. Stapp and Cronk’s bills will make it a certainty in order to provide affordable energy and heating to the Fairbanks area and its two critical military installations. At the end of the day, adding $187 million for a 32-mile pipeline is a drop in the bucket for a $44-billion-plus megaproject — and it’s worth the price.
Thumbs up. Empty bowls success: The Fairbanks Community Food Bank saw a welcome showing at this year’s Empty Bowls fundraiser. Not only did the food bank beat its goal and raise more than $20,000, it did so at a time when every dollar matters even more because of federal program cuts. It’s a touching moment to see the community come together to support neighbors in need — and to do it with so much heart and joy. Thanks to the food bank’s hard work and the generosity of local potters, volunteers and bowl-seekers, thousands of people will have meals they can count on. Food bank Director Anne Weaver and her team deserve a standing ovation for keeping Fairbanks’ giving spirit alive and strong. Here’s to full bowls and full hearts.
Thumbs down. Losing public health workers: The Alaska Department of Health blindsided 30 public health workers with abrupt layoffs last week. These employees, many of whom were union-represented, were informed just days before their termination, all due to the federal government canceling grants that were originally set to last through 2027. This sudden funding cut is part of President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting campaign, spearheaded by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk’s coordination. While DOGE touts savings from eliminating “wasteful” spending, the human cost is evident in Alaska, where these layoffs mark the first significant state-government job losses resulting from these federal cuts. In today’s challenging economy, losing a job with little notice is more than a financial setback; it’s a blow to the essential public health infrastructure that communities rely on.
Thumbs up. Election reassurance: Kudos to Assemblymember David Guttenberg for bringing some common sense and calm to the Fairbanks North Star Borough’s election process. His ordinance to require random hand audits at two precincts after each election is a smart, measured response to the storm of conspiracy theories that dominated the Dominion ballot tabulating contract vote on March 6. Good on Guttenberg for trusting the machines — as every court and audit has already shown they should be — but still recognizing that a little extra verification can help restore public confidence. With more than 20 testifiers spinning debunked myths about Dominion, Guttenberg’s approach gives the borough a way to counter hysteria with facts and accountability. It’s a simple, clear safeguard that confirms what we already know: our elections are secure and accurate. Guttenberg deserves credit for standing firm against fear and finding a solution that respects both the facts and the public’s peace of mind. Here’s hoping cooler heads like his continue to prevail.
Thumbs up. Vacation like a governor: Props to Rep. Will Stapp for proving that when it comes to Alaska’s budget, thinking inside the mansion just isn’t enough — you’ve got to think inside the Airbnb app. His bill to rent out the governor’s mansion when it’s empty is exactly the kind of out-of-the-box, why-not thinking we need more of in Juneau. Sure, it’s unorthodox, but so is trying to balance a state budget on $65-a-barrel oil. Instead of sitting on a 14,000-square-foot money pit, Stapp is asking a fair question: Why not let the place help pay for itself? Even if the idea needs some fine-tuning, the creativity is refreshing compared to the usual doom-and-gloom hand-wringing. Good on Stapp for shaking things up with a little humor and a lot of common sense. Alaska could use a few more leaders willing to chant “Airbnb!” on the sidewalk if it means thinking about old problems in new ways.
Thumbs up. Clearing a backlog: It’s about time the Alaska Supreme Court stepped in to tackle the growing backlog of criminal cases, and good on them for doing it. Chief Justice Susan Carney’s order limiting continuances to 90 days — unless extraordinary circumstances exist — sends a clear message: justice delayed is justice denied. Victims, defendants and communities have waited long enough for real action, and endless court delays have only deepened the harm. Bringing in retired judges and forcing attorneys to justify delays on the record shows the court is serious about cleaning up the mess. It won’t fix every problem overnight, but it’s a strong first step toward restoring trust and functionality in Alaska’s justice system. Clearing out years-old cases is necessary for fairness, safety and basic accountability. Here’s hoping this marks a new era of moving cases — and justice — forward.
Thumbs up and down. You’re gonna need a bigger bridge: Thumbs up to Dr. Carol Gray, Dr. Chanda Meek and Dr. Amy Lovecraft for delivering a sharp, fact-driven discussion about constitutional rights and civic engagement at Saturday’s “Bridging the Divide” panel. The professors were professional, respectful and grounded firmly in facts — a refreshing contrast to the overheated rhetoric so common today. A solid thumbs up also to Mayor Grier Hopkins, who moderated the discussion skillfully, steering audience questions toward bipartisan dialogue despite a tense room. It’s important to note that Hopkins’ office didn’t organize or host the event — he simply did the job of moderator. However, a big thumbs down goes to the event organizers for slapping a “Bridging the Divide” label on a program that focused almost entirely on critiquing constitutional violations, without including a voice from the Trump-supporting perspective. When 150 people show up expecting a two-sided conversation and get a one-lane lecture, frustration is bound to follow. The speakers deserved better framing — and so did the audience.
— News-Miner editorial board
