Why we don't have billboards in Alaska

Also: Governor and lieutenant governor begin a new push to change state elections laws Email not displaying correctly? [View the web version]( [Anchorage Daily News]( Today's sponsor: [Today's sponsor: Northrim Bank]( Support independent reporting on what Alaskans care about most. [Subscribe today.]( Good afternoon. It’s Monday, January 24. In today's newsletter: - Alaska’s governor and lieutenant governor begin a new push to change state elections laws. - With world-class skill and hometown pride, a Fairbanks curler slides toward Beijing. - Curious Alaska: Why don't we have billboards in Alaska? This week's history column from David Reamer tells the story of Judson Lathrop, an Alaska gold prospector who left his family for 14 years, with "no letters, postcards, telegrams, passed-along messages or even rumors." Lathrop finally resurfaced in 1906 to find his wife had divorced and remarried, "not that anyone could blame her," and "had since improved her lot in life, mainly via the absence of Lathrop." [Read the full column here.]( ☁️ Anchorage weather The [warmup]( continues, with a high today of 42 degrees and rain expected by evening. The rain is forecast to evolve into snow overnight as temperatures drop, but little accumulation is expected. It's expected to cool down to more normal winter temperatures by mid-week. Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today. — Elizabeth Harball, eharball@adn.com [Alaska’s governor and lieutenant governor begin a new push to change state elections laws]( [Alaska’s governor and lieutenant governor begin a new push to change state elections laws]( The Alaska efforts come amid national tumult over voting rights, with Republicans much more likely than non-Republicans to believe significant voter fraud is a risk. Speaking in December, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said he wants to make Alaska’s elections “even more credible." The administration’s legislation includes a bill would eliminate automatic voter registration when an Alaskan applies for a PFD. [Read More]( [With world-class skill and hometown pride, a Fairbanks curler slides toward Beijing]( [With world-class skill and hometown pride, a Fairbanks curler slides toward Beijing]( Vicky Persinger is part of a modern era of curlers who have collectively advanced the game to new levels of precision and strategy worldwide. Rules of the game have changed in recent years because players and ice surfaces keep getting better and better. Persinger is the second-ever curler from Alaska to qualify for the Winter Olympics. [Read More]( [Curious Alaska: Why don’t we have billboards in Alaska?]( [Curious Alaska: Why don’t we have billboards in Alaska?]( Very short answer: It’s too beautiful. [Read More]( [Alaska reports 21 COVID-19 deaths, 3 of them recent, and limited Anchorage ICU space]( [Alaska reports 21 COVID-19 deaths, 3 of them recent, and limited Anchorage ICU space]( The combination of rising COVID-19 cases and workers out sick and in isolation are leading to shortages of space at Anchorage hospitals. As of Monday morning, there were just six ICU beds available at Anchorage hospitals, where 14% of patients were COVID-positive. Also, Alaska health officials believe the omicron-driven surge in cases [could peak within just a few weeks](, based on trends they’re seeing in other states. [Read More]( [‘Well, can we just shut it off?’: Anchorage water utility official recounts Mayor Bronson’s decision to temporarily shut off fluoride in city’s water]( [‘Well, can we just shut it off?’: Anchorage water utility official recounts Mayor Bronson’s decision to temporarily shut off fluoride in city’s water]( An official with the Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility told Assembly members Mayor Dave Bronson’s decision to briefly turn off fluoride in the city's water was “done in haste for good intentions” and said he didn't believe the mayor violated city code. But his account also conflicted with some previous statements from the administration about what happened. [Read More]( More from the ADN [Sarah Palin tests positive for COVID, delaying defamation trial against The New York Times]( [Sarah Palin tests positive for COVID, delaying defamation trial against The New York Times]( [Read More]( [Alaska agency plans to halt investment in banks that don’t back Arctic oil and gas projects]( [Alaska agency plans to halt investment in banks that don’t back Arctic oil and gas projects]( [Read More]( [A vaccine scientist’s discredited claims have bolstered a movement of misinformation]( [A vaccine scientist’s discredited claims have bolstered a movement of misinformation]( [Read More]( [Tongans in Anchorage are starting to hear from their relatives in the Pacific]( [Tongans in Anchorage are starting to hear from their relatives in the Pacific]( [Read More]( [4 teens arrested in connection with Anchorage shooting that left girl with life-threatening wounds]( [4 teens arrested in connection with Anchorage shooting that left girl with life-threatening wounds]( [Read More]( [US puts 8,500 troops on heightened alert as tensions with Russia over Ukraine ramp up]( [US puts 8,500 troops on heightened alert as tensions with Russia over Ukraine ramp up]( [Read More]( [Economic report for Alaska fishing industry economic offers some surprising numbers]( [Economic report for Alaska fishing industry economic offers some surprising numbers]( [Read More]( The ADN relies on readers like you. 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