It’s time for another episode of “Elephant on Elephant Violence.” Grab the popcorn Alaska progressives. In our daily slog through the muck of the state’s politics, and to take a much needed mental hiatus from frustration, let’s take our joy where we can. We hear all the time about the cycle of violence – abused [...]

Why? Why do they refuse freedom?

In a political homage to Texas Governor Rick Perry, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell has joined with him today, Saturday, August 6, in a day of prayer for the nation. He won’t be taking Governor Perry up on his invitation to go pray with him in Houston, but he did issue a proclamation here at home [...]

~Chinese children swim along the algae-filled coastline of Qingdao, in eastern China’s Shandong province on July 17, 2011. (STR – AFP/Getty Images) So, last week I was captivated by a story out of China. Apparently for the fourth time in as many years, China has an algae problem. I read about the new and mysterious [...]

OK, kids! Time to buckle up and hit the road to Ninilchik this weekend! Friday, August 5, 2011 – 2:00pm to 1:00am (Saturday) Saturday, August 6, 2011 – 11:00am to 1:00am (Sunday) Sunday, August 7, 2011 – 11:00am to 7:00pm Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds – Ninilchik Salmonstock 2011 is a weekend of music, fun, fish and [...]

Thursdays in the Mud is back after a little summer hiatus! I’ll be back in the studio with Shannyn Moore talking about all your favorite miscreants, ne’er-do-wells, and the news of the day. You can tune in to KOAN 1020am and 95.5fm in Anchorage, KXLJ 1330am in Juneau, or stream it live on the internets [...]

Thanks to Chriz Cillizza at The Fix (Washington Post) for listing The Mudflats as Alaska’s best state-based political blog! Thanks also to those who nominated us, and all of our amazing contributors, forum staff, and Mudflatters who make this community what it is. And yes, Shannyn and Linda, we can have cake!

Sean Parnell is trying again. The thing he seems to be having trouble with is appointing the newest member of the Alaska Judicial Council.  The council vets applicants for judicial vacancies, and evaluates judges’ performance on the job. Last time governor SP 2.0 gave it a shot, he picked Don Haase.  Mr. Haase as you [...]

I loved this photo which was a winner of the National Wildlife Federation’s wildlife photo contest. Now they are looking for captions. Click HERE if you want to enter, and be sure to put your entry in the comments below too! With that head of hair, my entry was: “YOU’RE FIRED!”

Let’s take a little test from the verbal section of the Anchorage SATs. Smoke is to fire, as skullduggery is to: A) Sleeping kittens B) Mayor Dan Sullivan C) Ex-Assemblyman and current Henchman Dan Coffey D) Both B and C. (I push my spectacles down to the end of my nose, examining your answer.) Well [...]

Today I said a final farewell to someone who was dear to me. It was a difficult and sad day, but a beautiful ceremony on base with military custom, shined shoes, folded flag, gun salutes, and gratitude for service. There is a new soul sleeping in the front row tonight, and knowing him he’s made [...]

This week, to the tune of dueling canner whistles on the stove, I packed more than 30 cases of smoked salmon. I smoked fish and applied aloe to my river sunburn. I read the news and rolled my eyes. Too many times I thought, “Oh, I’ll write about that.” Outrage fatigue set in while watching [...]

A beautiful gem from the State Museum in Juneau. Anna Brown Ehlers (Tlingit) Wool, cedar bark Gift of the Rasmuson Foundation Art Acquisition Initiative, 2008 The art of Chilkat weaving has been practiced in southeast Alaska for at least two centuries. This very laborious and challenging technique is used to make ceremonial robes and other [...]