Fairbanks legislator proposes far-north Nanuqsaurus as Alaska's state dinosaur
This artist's depiction shows a female Nanuqsaurus near the prehistoric Colville River in northern Alaska. (Image by Raven Amos/Not for republication)
In an effort to boost awareness of the University of Alaska's research success, a Fairbanks Republican has proposed that the state name an official state dinosaur.
Nineteen other states have official state dinosaurs, said Rep. Will Stapp, R-Fairbanks, who has proposed picking Nanuqsaurus, a carnivorous dinosaur whose remains were discovered in the North Slope Borough in 2006.
'It's a chance to talk about all the great research that UAF does. So that's why I introduced the bill, because, if nothing else, we can have a conversation bringing up the visibility of our university system and some of the work that they did,' he said.
Other states with an official state dinosaur made their declarations to honor local scientific or paleontological feats.
Idaho and Washington state are the most recent of those. In 2023, Washington declared the Suciasaurus rex as its official state dinosaur to honor the first dinosaur fossil discovered in the state. That same year, Idaho named the Oryctodromeus as its state dinosaur.
Both state legislatures passed the dinosaur-naming legislation by wide, bipartisan margins and little debate.
Alaska, like other states, has a list of official state symbols in law, including an official fossil (wooly mammoth), mineral (gold), sport (dog mushing) and bolt-action rifle (pre-1964 Winchester Model 70).
Nanuqsaurus, literally 'polar bear lizard,' is one of a number of dinosaur species whose remains have been discovered in Alaska in recent decades.
'If you look at all the dinosaurs and megafauna and stuff like that we have in Fairbanks, that's something that's really exciting and it's not really well known, and we should get some visibility on that,' Stapp said.
Pat Druckenmiller, director of the University of Alaska Museum of the North and a paleontologist who has studied Nanuqsaurus, had limited comment when reached by email on Monday.
He suggested a different dinosaur species might be a better fit.
'All I am ready to say is that there are existing problems with this species scientifically speaking (a long story), and for that reason alone, I don't think this is a good choice,' he said by email.
Stapp's legislation picking the state dinosaur, House Bill 82, has been referred to the House State Affairs Committee. No hearing date has been set.
SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Braveboy wins special election for new Prince George's County Executive
The Brief A special election is being held in Prince George's County Tuesday as residents decide on the next county executive. The election was triggered by the departure of former County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who was elected to the U.S. Senate in November. Voters are choosing between two candidates: Democratic State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy and Republican Jonathan White. PRINCE GEORGE'S CO., Md. - Voters headed to the polls in Prince George's County on Tuesday for a special election to choose a new county executive. The race was between two candidates: Democratic State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy and Republican Jonathan White. Polls closed at 8 p.m. Just before 9 p.m., it was announced that Braveboy had won the election and she delivered a victory speech. READ MORE:Prince George's County Election Day: Voters to elect new County Executive Big picture view The election was triggered by the departure of former County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, whose move to a higher office — in the U.S. Senate — set off a chain reaction of vacancies and resignations across local government. The winner of the election will serve the remaining two years of Alsobrooks' term. Whoever wins will inherit a series of major challenges. This year alone, Prince George's County has seen the Washington Commanders announce plans to return to D.C., the cancellation of the new FBI headquarters project and confirmation that Six Flags will close at the end of the year. Braveboy previously told FOX 5 that she views these issues as opportunities and is especially concerned about the impact on federal employees in the county. "I recognize how critical the federal government has been to the success of Prince George's County," she said. "But that is not our only success. What we have to do now is shift. We have to pivot, and we have to grow our commercial tax base and bring more industry into Prince George's County." "It affects everything," she added. "It affects also our tax base, because a lot of these federal government employees are also homeowners. They own property here in Prince George's County, so we are very concerned about our federal employees." Like Alsobrooks, Braveboy currently serves as Prince George's County State's Attorney. However, Alsobrooks did not endorse her, instead backing another candidate in the Democratic primary. What they're saying Election officials say they have seen strong turnout through early voting and mail-in ballots. Still, turnout in special elections—especially in June—can be a challenge. But many voters say they believe showing up to the polls is part of their civic duty. "I care about who is going to be our county executive, so it's important as taxpayers as we move along," one voter said. "We have to support our candidates. We have to make sure voting counts. It's a privilege to make sure we do it every year," another voter added. "Democracy. Representation. And in order to have representation, you have to participate," another told FOX 5. Some voters stressed that local elections matter just as much as national ones. "Local elections, in my opinion, are almost more important—or just as important—as voting in national elections," one resident said. "I teach my kids about the election to understand it's our right to vote. It's given to us," said one parent. What's next Braveboy was considered the front-runner in the race and held her rally in Lanham Tuesday night. FOX 5 reached out to Republican Jonathan White, who responded by email that he was not available for an interview.
Yahoo
11 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Voters return to the polls today for general election
TUPELO — Voters will return to the polls today for the final municipal election of the year, with two of Tupelo's seven seats still up for grabs. The polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Residents from Ward 3 and Ward 5 have their chance to decide who will represent their area for the next four years. In Ward 3, incumbent Republican Travis Beard, a retired teacher, will face Democrat Shirley Hendrix, owner of R&B Specialty Printing. Beard is running for a third full term. Neither opponent had challengers during the April 1 primary elections, which secured their seats without need for voting. In Ward 5, Democrat Candria Lewis and Republican Bentley Nolan both hope to take the seat left vacant when incumbent Republican Councilman Buddy Palmer, who decided not to run for reelection, leaves the council in July. While Nolan defeated two Republican opponents in the primary and subsequent runoff election, Lewis had no primary opposition. Whomever claims the reins for Ward 3 and Ward 5 will join the other candidates who either won in the primary election or ran unopposed. They include Republican Ward 1 Councilman Chad Mims, Republican Ward 2 Councilman Lynn Bryan, Democrat Ward 4 Councilwoman Nettie Davis, Republican Ward 6 Councilwoman Janet Gaston, Democrat Ward 7 Councilwoman Rosie Jones and Republican Mayor Todd Jordan. New terms will begin July 1, giving Palmer one more month as part of the council before becoming councilman emeritus.
Politico
20 minutes ago
- Politico
White House allies ‘disappointed' at Musk's opposition to the megabill
Republican allies close to the White House are privately argue that the former special government employee — who spent Tuesday afternoon blasting the spending bill and threatening to retaliate against its supporters — is opposing the bill because it harms the tech billionaire's business interests. The House-passed megabill represents the president's chief — and potentially only — major legislative priority this Congress. But Musk's opposition suggests that the coalition that vaulted Trump to the White House is still facing internal disagreement over it as it makes its way through the Senate. It marks another dust-up between the MAGA and Tech Right. And it raises the possibility some members face pressure from Musk if they ultimately support it. 'The West Wing is perplexed, unenthused, and disappointed' with Musk, who left the White House to attend to his ailing business empire, according to one White House official, who like others interviewed for this story were granted anonymity to be candid about an ally who spent hundreds of millions to ensconce them in the White House.
