Bill Wielechowski

The vast majority of US adults are stressed about grocery costs, an AP-NORC poll finds A new poll finds the vast majority of U.S. adults are feeling some stress about the cost of groceries, as prices continue to rise and concerns about the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs rema...

President Trump said during his presidential campaign, “Starting on Day 1, we will end inflation and make America affordable again.” Do you think things are more affordable or is this just fake news?

apnews.com/article/poll...

8.7 magnitude earthquake near Russia prompts tsunami alerts in California, Alaska and Hawaii Tsunami alerts were issued for Alaska and Hawaii on Tuesday after a major, 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia, according to officials.

Massive 8.7 earthquake off Russia
abcnews.go.com/amp/US/tsuna...

Dunleavy tells Republicans to skip part of special session to prevent veto overrides Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Wednesday morning a special session would be called to debate the topics of education reform and the creation of a Department of Agriculture.

“The Governor has asked house minority members to not show up for the first five days of the special session to prevent his vetoes to be overturned in the special session,” spokesperson for Dunleavy, Jeff Turner, said in a statement

www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/07/02/u...

Teacher housing has been a big problem in rural Alaska. In response the Legislature passed HB 174 which allows rural school districts to seek funding for teacher housing through the regional educational attendance area and small municipal school district school fund.

Gov Dunleavy vetoed this bill

This year the Legislature passed SB 39, a bill to ban predatory lending schemes that saw some payday lenders charge interest rates of over 500%. It was supported by Food Bank of Alaska, Alaska Children’s Trust, AARP and YWCA Alaska.

Gov. Dunleavy just vetoed it.

In another hit to Anchorage education funding, Anchorage School District just received word that due to President Trump's cancellation of a grant previously approved, the ASD will be losing $11,712,538 million in funding that was to be used for computers & technology skill training for students

Iconic US Steel now 100% owned by Japan’s Nippon Steel, despite past Trump opposition | CNN Business Nippon Steel has finalized its deal to buy 100% of US Steel, the iconic steelmaker that was once the world’s most valuable company and a cornerstone of American industrial might.

After President Biden blocked this deal, and President Trump opposed it on the campaign trail, Pres. Trump has now reversed course and allowed US Steel, once America’s biggest company, to go under 100% foreign ownership
www.cnn.com/2025/06/18/b...

More Dunleavy veto shenanigans

Mysteriously, tax settlements have dropped by hundreds of millions of dollars under Dunleavy. Several months ago a former Dunleavy Deputy Commissioner wrote that he was told “point blank” he was “expected to violate statute to enrich oil companies on public money they weren't legally entitled to.”

Since the “oil situation has deteriorated” maybe it’s time to cut back on the $655 million in oil tax credits, the $500 million in oil tax subsidies for the Willow project (for which AK gets zero royalties) and the $120 million to a single Texas oil billionaire due to a loophole

Wow! The students and faculty at West High just made the best possible argument in support of the arts in our schools with their amazing, sold out performance of Hadestown at the Performing Arts Center last night. Well done!

Great coverage of the SCorp loophole that costs Alaska $120 million every year

Many are asking what the impacts are of the Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education. It’s not entirely clear, but the impacts would greatly impact special education programs, low and moderate income families and those federal student loans and grants for college and career training

77% of Alaskans support closing S-Corp loophole that costs Alaska over $100 million per year

Oil Taxes, Rural Subsistence, Public School Funding: These Are a Few of Alaska Voters’ Favorite Things Alaska voters, especially parents, support the majority caucus’s push for a broad increase in per-student funding.

Recent polling on issues in Alaska
www.dataforprogress.org/memos/2025/3...

🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 to @wielechowski.bsky.social's mentee for their excellent and thorough presentation as to why cell phones should not be allowed in schools.

The kids are definitely all right. #akleg

(Personally, I am not a huge fan of cell phone bans, but this young person almost has me convinced)

Numerous Alaska projects worth over $1B remain uncertain weeks after Trump order froze funds, consumer advocacy group reports Affected projects include renewable energy programs, weatherization efforts and erosion protection, often in Alaska villages.

www.adn.com/business-eco...

Unless Congress acts, Medicare members will lose many of their telehealth benefits next month

www.msn.com/en-us/news/t...

US joins Russia to vote against UN resolution condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine — CNN The United States joined Russia to vote against a UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine Monday in a stunning shift from years of US policy.

apple.news/A6qVKTph6QKa...

Gov. Dunleavy wants fish farming in Alaska. What do you think?

I have sponsored resolutions urging overturning of Citizens United

Here’s what will get more expensive from Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China — CNN On Saturday, President Donald Trump made good on his promise to impose steep tariffs on America’s three largest trading partners — Canada, China and Mexico — citing a national emergency on the flow of...

Impact of Trump tariffs stocks.apple.com/AAEmcDmqPRtK...

"Excluding Indians": Trump admin questions Native Americans' birthright citizenship in court The Trump admin is leaning on a pre-14th Amendment law in its fight to redefine birthright citizenship

Where would they deport them to?

“In the Trump administration’s arguments defending his order to suspend birthright citizenship, the Justice Department called into question the citizenship of Native Americans born in the United States under the 14th Amendment”

www.yahoo.com/news/excludi...

Trump executive order puts dozens of clean energy projects in rural Alaska in limbo The projects aim to decrease emissions, lower energy costs and support local infrastructure in rural communities.

Over $130 million in grants allocated to clean energy projects in rural Alaska are now frozen, following one of President Donald Trump’s executive orders.

FDA announces ban on red dye No. 3. Here's what to expect — and why some families already avoid the food coloring. Parents say that red dye No. 3 causes behavioral issues in their kids so they avoid foods with the questionable ingredient.

Long overdue. Time to get these toxins out of our food
www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/fd...

Former AK State Senate Minority Leader Hollis French moved to AK when he was 20 to work in the oil industry. As a Senator he led the rewrite of oil taxes & famously subpoenaed Todd Palin in Troopergate. He ran for governor in 2010 & 2014. Listen to the interview: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

This explains the natural gas crisis in Cook Inlet clearly and concisely. A Texas billionaire controls 90% of the gas in Cook Inlet, is legally obligated to produce that gas, yet refuses to do so while the State turns a blind eye
adn-ak.newsmemory.com?publink=16cf...

Jimmy Carter, 39th US president and noted humanitarian, has died Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States and a global force for peace after his presidency, has died at 100.

Rest in peace, Mr. President
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...

Of course - character limit!