Knocked on doors today for JKT, Mary, and the lot. Most people dont come to the door. Hardly anyone says who they support. Fewer still will talk with you. But when people did ask for info, it was awesome. I got the opportunity to tell them why I support the candidates I'm volunteering for.

Massive win in my book. Some guy told me about the history of the pipeline and another dude gave me some Mallomars.

I’ve lived in Alaska for three years and have been fatbiking in the same amount of time. I’ve completed the Tanana River Challenge 25 & 50 milers, and want to sign up for the WM100 and Susitna 100.

Obviously there’s no gear requirements for the WM100, but there’s “the list” for the Su. Thankfully I’m able to borrow someone’s -20F sleeping bag and I only need to obtain a few small items to appease the requirements. But it got me wondering what brands/setups other Alaska folks carry on their bikes?

I’m particularly interested to see what people bring for the 3,000-calorie food carry required by the Su and the weight/space considerations given to said food.

What brand sleeping bags, pads, headlamps and blinking lights, water reservoirs, etc are you carrying? Do you go with a seat bag or rear rack? Do you bring dry layers to change into mid-race? (I’m a very sweaty human and this will be crucial for me).

Interested in your whole setup :) cheers.

The former chief executive of a $25bn US gas export venture has accused Russian energy giant Novatek of secretly controlling the project, triggering the mass resignation of the company’s leadership over fears it is violating US sanctions.

The company, Polar Train LNG, is developing a gas export terminal on Alaska’s North Slope, part of a Trump administration initiative to expand US energy exports to Asia and strengthen its position in global energy markets. The venture was launched with the involvement of Gentry Beach, an investor with ties to Donald Trump’s family.

It has also featured in high-level negotiations between Washington and Moscow over potential business deals that could help secure an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Polar LNG was launched in March with plans to repurpose a partially constructed Novatek gas terminal for installation in Alaska. The company sought permission from US sanctions authorities at the Treasury department to negotiate with the Russian group but had not yet received approval.

Joel Riddle, Polar LNG’s American chief executive, told the FT that he discovered Novatek was already financing the venture and directing its operations before the necessary approvals were obtained.

He resigned in September, followed by almost the entire executive leadership team, including chief financial officer Dan Chandra, executive vice-president Jim Smith and executions manager Jody Trantham. The allegations raise questions about the extent to which Russian commercial interests are already seeking a foothold in the US energy industry before any agreement has been reached.

What time do you release your kids, and get porch activities ready? I’ve seen kids as early as 4pm some years ago (mostly weekends) or as late as 7 (because wrangling toddlers is like herding cats).

ADQ - Kodiak’s Main Airport

It’s a scathing bumper sticker 🔥

January iced coffee ☕️ Anchorage’s

"Former CEO of Polar Train LNG tells FT that energy giant Novatek financed and held reins of strategic Alaska project without Washington’s approval"

The intersection between Roman Abramovich, Novatek, and Alaska ties directly to major geopolitical maneuvers surrounding a secret $25 billion Arctic gas venture and a historical effort to model Russian territory after the Alaskan economy.

The connection splits into a shocking current whistleblower scandal and a multi-decade history of regional overlapping interests:

1. The $25 Billion Whistleblower Scandal: Polar LNG
Novatek has been caught secretly financing an Alaska-based energy mega-project.

In March 2026, a venture named Polar LNG (also known as Polar Train LNG) was launched with plans to repurpose a partially constructed Novatek gas terminal for installation in Alaska's North Slope. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Because Novatek is under strict U.S. sanctions due to its ties to Vladimir Putin, the project required U.S. Treasury Department approval to negotiate with the Russian group.

However, a major scandal erupted when American CEO Joel Riddle and almost the entire executive leadership team abruptly resigned. Riddle revealed to the Financial Times and The New York Times that Novatek was already secretly funding the Alaska venture and directing its operations behind the scenes before any U.S. approvals were granted. [1, 2, 3]

2. The Geopolitical and Sanctions Crossfire

The secret Novatek presence in Alaska heavily involves U.S. political elite and sanctions maneuvers:
The Trump Waivers: President Donald Trump temporarily waived certain Russian sanctions, framing it as a necessary step to keep peace talks alive. However, U.S. sanctions enforcement at the Treasury Department had already flagged the Alaska project for "potential Russia-related sanctions concerns".[1, 2]

The Abramovich Shadow:

Historically, Abramovich’s offshore wealth networks have been utilized to insulate key Russian state and private assets—like Novatek's Arctic infrastructure—from Western sanctions. As international eyes scrutinize Novatek's covert entry into the Alaskan energy landscape, the financial playbooks mirror the asset-shielding strategies tied to Abramovich's networks.

3. Historical Ties: Abramovich as the "Oligarch Governor"

Long before the current gas scandal, Roman Abramovich built a personal relationship with the state of Alaska to reshape eastern Russia. [1]

The Alaskan Model: In 2000, after being elected governor of Russia's impoverished Chukotka region (just across the Bering Strait from Alaska), Abramovich visited Alaska. Led by local groups, he met with Alaska state officials, banking executives, and mining experts. [1, 2]

Sibneft Overhaul: Deeply impressed by what he saw, Abramovich openly resolved to develop Chukotka using the "Alaskan model." He injected $1.3 billion of his own wealth into the region to build infrastructure and directed his oil company, Sibneft (the very company he later sold to consolidate the state energy apparatus), to begin exploratory drilling based on Alaskan engineering standards. [1, 2]

The Bering Strait Tunnel Myth: The connection between Abramovich and Alaska became so intense that in 2008, global media widely reported a multi-billion dollar rumor that Abramovich was purchasing the world's largest tunnel-boring drill to build a massive undersea rail link beneath the Bering Strait to connect Siberia directly to Alaska. While his spokespeople ultimately denied the tunnel plan, it underscored his long-standing reputation as Russia's bridge to Alaska. [1, 2]

First, I’d like to congratulate the Mensa members running these campaigns on an incredible strategy and personally thank them from taking time off from their famous high IQ societies to inform us, the Alaskan voter via the most effective medium known to man. I mean, of course, paper flyers via the US Postal Service.

So far we received 40 pounds of political flyers. After reviewing each thoroughly, I use them as bedding for my pet alpaca.

Unfortunately, after receiving so many, I still feel like I’m on the fence.

Certainly if I receive dozens more per candidate, I’ll finally be able to go to the polls with certainty.

But seriously, it would be better if these were printed on multiple soft ply, at least then they’d be of some value.

I've had about enough of these dudes.

A range of legal experts and Alaskans decried a Trump administration lawsuit filed Thursday seeking to block certification of the state’s U.S. Senate election if the president’s preferred candidate, Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan, loses the race.

The lawsuit seeks a court order preventing state election officials from declaring Sullivan’s Democratic opponent, former Congresswoman Mary Peltola, the winner of the Nov. 3 contest if a candidate who shares the incumbent’s first and last name, retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan of Petersburg, wins a share of the vote. Specifically, the lawsuit seeks to block a Peltola win “pending an investigation to determine whether votes cast for Daniel J. Sullivan were meant to be cast for Senator Sullivan.”

. . .

State Sen. Bill Wielechowski, an Anchorage Democrat who’s led efforts to reform the state’s election system, said the suit was “a political stunt” with “zero merit to it.”

“They're throwing the kitchen sink out, doing everything they can to try to tip the scales in Sen. Dan Sullivan's favor,” Wielechowski said.

The Division of Elections sought to remove the Petersburg Sullivan from the ballot ahead of the August primary, arguing he joined the race intending to confuse voters. But the Alaska Supreme Court in June ordered the Division of Elections to place the retired teacher on the ballot. The justices said the state could instead list them differently, to alleviate voter confusion.