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matt.akmemo.com
Matt Buxton
@matt.akmemo.com
1.4K followers 150 following 2.3K posts
Alaska wonk. Husker. Roller coaster, Magic card and staying in enthusiast. Writes akmemo.com

Hanging out and hanging on.
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matt.akmemo.com
Matt Buxton @matt.akmemo.com · Jan 21
And I'll be at it here throughout session.

Follow my newsletter for even more #akleg wonkery at www.akmemo.com
The Alaska Memo
The What and Why it Matters of Alaska Politics by Matt Acuña Buxton.
www.akmemo.com
Reposted by Matt Buxton
jamellebouie.net
clarence thomas has no jurisprudential argument, he just hates women and thinks the constitution doesn’t protect a varia suit
November 25, 2025 at 5:20 PM
matt.akmemo.com
🔫
November 20, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
marisakabas.bsky.social
New — I wrote about the myriad ways journalism’s moral rot manifests, and how our crumbling institutions have created the conditions for it to fester:
Moral rot in elite journalism is killing the whole field
The Nuzzi/RFK Jr. mess and the revelation of Esptein's journo pals lay bare a profound moral absence at the heart of our free press.
www.thehandbasket.co
November 18, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
lauren.rotatingsandwiches.com
the verge's follow up reporting on the nonexistence of the trump phone is excellent commitment to the bit www.theverge.com/news/820887/...
Why we’re going to keep talking about the Trump phone
It’s not because we’re fans.
www.theverge.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:45 PM
matt.akmemo.com
Palmer Republican Sen. Shelley Hughes, one of the preeminent purveyors of trans panic in the #akleg, is resigning effective tomorrow at 5 p.m. so she can focus on her run for governor.

Her resignation follows GOP Wasilla Sen. Shower, who left the job to run with Republican Bernadette Wilson.
A screenshot of the news release that reads: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Senator Hughes Announces Resignation from Alaska Senate, Launches Full-Time Campaign “Under my leadership, we will unlock Alaska’s potential – responsibly and boldly. My vision is not a series of one-liners, of rhetoric. My vision is an action plan. We will do this, Alaska!” November 13, 2025 ANCHORAGE - AK This morning, Senator Shelley Hughes of Palmer announced she will resign from the Alaska Senate effective tomorrow at 5 p.m., to focus full-time on her candidacy for Governor of Alaska. “After much prayer, reflection, and many conversations with my family and team, I am dedicating myself fully to serving Alaskans in a new way,” Hughes said. “This moment is born of purpose and conviction. Alaska stands at a turning point, and we must choose whether to let opportunity slip away and a downward spiral begin, or to step boldly into the future, into our destiny – a stronger, a greater Alaska for all of us and for generations to come.” Hughes, who has lived in Alaska since 1976 and has called communities from Hoonah to Bethel and Fort Yukon to Fairbanks, Seward, and now Palmer home, spoke powerfully about the state’s resilience, potential, and promise, underscoring that her campaign will focus on moving Alaska from “decades of stagnation to generations of growth.” “As your Governor, we will unlock Alaska’s potential, responsibly and boldly,” Hughes stated. “We will return Alaskan lands to Alaskan hands, achieve affordable energy, build the infrastructure to power our future, empower responsible development of our natural resources, elevate wildlife management, tackle head-on our declining fish, unleash the wealth around us and beneath our feet, and—importantly—unlock the wealth within Alaskans themselves.”
November 13, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
corinne-smith.bsky.social
"Division of Public Assistance Director Deb Etheridge said Tuesday that no state funds had been issued to SNAP recipients through the EBT cards due to constantly shifting federal guidance."

She said ~$2.5 million in state funds for food banks is set to go out later this week.
November 11, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
chasingray.bsky.social
They were already working mandatory overtime & using outdated equipment in one of the most stressful jobs in the country.

This sort of response is amateurish and unacceptable.

I am so sick of this sort of language from DOT.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 14d
Sean Duffy threatens "action" against air traffic controllers who didn't come to work during the shutdown: "I'm concerned about their patriotism."
November 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
alaska.bsky.social
Hey all — I’m trying to take some time off this week, so please stop making news. #akleg #Alaska
November 10, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
nedroid.com
If you die in sudoku you die in real life
November 10, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
screamerjim.bsky.social
Until the sun burns out
November 10, 2025 at 2:38 AM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
thealaskacurrent.com
While SNAP funding hangs in limbo, Alaskans held a food drive outside Rep. Nick Begich’s office — slamming GOP leaders for “starving our community” during the nation’s longest shutdown. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/11/07/g...
Galvanized by success in national elections, progressives turn up the heat on Begich, Sullivan - The Alaska Current
A food drive outside Begich's office featured fiery condemnations of the Republican and his party.
thealaskacurrent.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
corinne-smith.bsky.social
If you are dealing with a lapse in SNAP benefits in Alaska:

The Food Bank of Alaska has a list of food resources - for Anchorage & Mat-Su here's a list of hot meals and food pantry hours:

foodbankofalaska.org/hubfs/Websit...
November 7, 2025 at 8:06 PM
matt.akmemo.com
Thanks to Anchorage Reddit for pointing out how the Anchorage snowplow map includes the names of equipment:

Darth Grader
Taylor Drift
Plowasaurus Rex
Big Leplowski
Snowbi-Wan Kenobi

and

Sorry, Kids
November 7, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
thealaskacurrent.com
Trail Blazers: After moving from South Korea to Alaska, Wongi Kim discovered a love of the outdoors — climbing, biking and fishing. Now, he’s redefining what adventure means and finding joy in slowing down.
Trail Blazers: Wongi Kim - The Alaska Current
When Wongi Kim was growing up in South Korea, outdoor recreation was not a central part of his life.
buff.ly
November 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
thealaskacurrent.com
Nearly 70,000 Alaskans could lose SNAP benefits this weekend amid the federal shutdown, just as the state recovers from Typhoon Halong. Advocates warn of strain on food banks and call for community support.
There’s no good time to halt SNAP benefits, but now is particularly bad - The Alaska Current
More than 66,000 Alaskans are set to lose access to federally backed food aid this weekend.
buff.ly
October 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
thealaskacurrent.com
While politicians bicker, families go hungry. Murkowski tried to fund SNAP during the shutdown — Sullivan voted no. Meanwhile, kids are left with only tricks, no treats.
Illustration and commentary by Holly Todd.
October 31, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
ktoopublicmedia.bsky.social
"Space Trucker Bruce" is a locally made sci-fi film about a space trucker hauling hog fat through the galaxy who picks up a hitchhiker whose ship has broken down. Hijinks ensue.
University of Alaska Southeast students gather to watch sci-fi film starring campus handyman
A beloved maintenance employee at the University of Alaska Southeast starred in a low-budget sci-fi comedy a decade ago, so UAS students hosted a screening.
www.ktoo.org
October 31, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
corinne-smith.bsky.social
Grapevine reports of suspected roofying, or date rape drugging, at the bars in Juneau this weekend, please be aware this Halloween.

Sadly, this predatory behavior is nothing new in Alaska. I wrote about it in 2023 - watch out, and call out the creeps if you see them.

www.kbbi.org/local-news/2...
Homer grapples with date rape drugging at local bars
Earlier this spring, the Homer Police Department issued an alert on social media that several bar patrons had reported that their drinks had been spiked. But advocates say it’s an ongoing problem in H...
www.kbbi.org
October 27, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
thealaskacurrent.com
Turning CBD into THC? A new “innovation” has Alaska’s cannabis regulators scrambling — and one company facing fines, product destruction and industry backlash.
Alaska’s marijuana industry is getting heated over a dubious THC shortcut - The Alaska Current
Meetings of Alaska’s Marijuana Control Board this year have been a source of top-shelf drama.
buff.ly
October 27, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
adn.com
About 170 dogs have been rescued from Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, two of the communities hardest hit by this month's storm in Western Alaska. Rescuers anticipate more to come. www.adn.com/alaska-news/...
The race is on to rescue dogs that Western Alaska storm evacuees had to leave behind
www.adn.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
chasingray.bsky.social
I got nothin' to add to this.
thedailyshow.com The Daily Show @thedailyshow.com · Oct 23
The shutdown has air traffic controllers moonlighting as Uber drivers. What could go wrong?
October 23, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
thealaskacurrent.com
Think horror games are all jump scares? Not these. Matt Buxton's bi-weekly column The Great Indoors dives into multiplayer “horror” games that are more goofy chaos than terror. thealaskacurrent.com/2025/10/23/t...
Three odd and unusual horror games to get spooked with friends this October - The Alaska Current
In addition to nerding out about Alaska's political world, I'm also a big nerd about video games — I know, who would have guessed?
thealaskacurrent.com
October 23, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
pocono.bsky.social
Always read Will's columns

Gift Link
share.inquirer.com/8lC7CX
October 23, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
alaskannah.bsky.social
Here's a screenshot!
In her recent Community Perspective (10/19/2025), Pamela Samash quotes an unnamed study's abstract - but not its conclusion - confidently claiming the study "reveals" exactly what she already believes about abortion. However, as with all instances of cognitive bias, Pamela's subjective reality is not universally shared & the uncited study she gestures towards is not confirming what she claims it does. A quick search names the study, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research (v. 187, pgs. 304-310): "Induced abortion & implications for long-term mental health." Reading beyond the first paragraph, it is obvious the paper's efforts are not moralistic pearl-clutching but nuanced & genuinely interested in the human condition. They say their "findings are not evidence of a causal link between abortion & long-term mental health sequelae" but that abortion might be a marker of an increased risk for mental illness. The conclusion is that pre-screening for mental disorders could benefit women who need support. But that's Canada, where they enjoy universal health care. In America, bottomless corporate greed prices it as a personal luxury. The U.S. has the highest maternal death rate of any high-income country. Per the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2020, there were 23 maternal deaths for every 100,000 live births. That is more than double, sometimes triple, other Western nations. That same year, six women died from complications of induced abortion. Total. Winding herself up with more apocryphal & uncited statistics, Pamela continues her lament, saying over 70% of "women who have abortions are pressured" to. A comparative study from the Guttmacher Institute in 2004 found that 73% of respondents specified not being able to afford a(nother) child as a contributing pressure. Without a living wage, mandated paid leave, good health care, affordable childcare, fully funded public education & politicians who care more about people than profit the pressure to not bear…
October 22, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Reposted by Matt Buxton
lizruskin.bsky.social
President Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration for Western Alaska. His social media post doesn't answer a crucial q for survivors — is he granting access to Individual Assistance? (But it does recount his election victories in Alaska!) Stay tuned for more ...
October 22, 2025 at 8:46 PM