Reporting From Alaska

View Original

Manh Choh mining investigation deserves your attention

The most comprehensive news article written so far on the Tetlin gold mine and the Kinross ore-hauling plan comes from a freelance reporter for Grist, a nonprofit news site. I recommend it to anyone who wants to be informed about the matter.

Here is the detailed and thorough examination by veteran investigative reporter Lois Parshley, whose work has appeared in publications ranging from The New Yorker to The Atlantic and National Geographic. The winner of numerous journalism awards, she served as the 2019-2020 Snedden Chair of Journalism at UAF and now lives in Homer.

A 2022 account of hers about what melting permafrost will mean to Alaska and the world is featured in “The Best American Science and Nature Writing, 2023.”

Her new work about Tetlin sheds light on the history and current status of the Manh Choh controversy and is far superior to anything that has been published before by any news organization.

The Daily News-Miner should republish Parshley’s investigation.

One thing that Parshley does well in this piece is to highlight the many twists and turns in the convoluted land saga that led to where we are today. Questionable decisions about land rights, contracts and finances are a big part of this history.

Much of what she reports deserves more investigation and analysis.

On Thursday, two statements by Sen. Dan Sullivan about Bidenomics caught my attention:

First, he attached his name to this press release from the Congressional delegation, praising what he called the “excellent news” about $131 million in new federal grants for the Alaska ferry system. Alaska has already received more than $6 billion in infrastructure investments from this element of Bidenomics.

“I commend Senator Murkowski for championing this ferry program in the bipartisan infrastructure law, which continues to bear fruit for Alaska. As a member of the Commerce and EPW Committees, I will continue to press for investments in Alaska’s ports and ferries, which are vital to the economic interests and well-being of Alaskans across Southeast, the Gulf and the Aleutians,” said Sullivan.

Second, Sullivan took to the platform formerly known as Twitter to complain about Bidenomics and the need to stop reckless spending.

“American families are very clear on the devastating hyper-inflation they’ve endured in the name of “Bidenomics.’ It’s time to stop shirking responsibility, stop the reckless spending, stop the war on American energy, and unleash the private sector,” said Sullivan.

Inflation has been dropping for more than a year.

Your contributions help support independent analysis and political commentary by Alaska reporter and author Dermot Cole. Thank you for reading and for your support. Either click here to use PayPal or send checks to: Dermot Cole, Box 10673, Fairbanks, AK 99710-0673.

Write me at dermotmcole@gmail.com.