HEALTH INSURANCE: Alaska is one of four states that don’t require its state workers, including state legislators, to pay for monthly health care premiums as part of their health care benefits package. The average that other state workers pay is 20 percent. The Legislature could fix this, but then lawmakers would be forced to pay monthly premiums. Source: Alaska Department of Administration.

ABORTION: Fifty percent of American adults describe themselves as pro-life. Sixty four percent of American adults think second-trimester abortion should be illegal. However, according to a review of hospital based studies, 85 percent of American women abort after a prenatal Down-syndrome diagnosis (typically in the second trimester). Source: Atlantic Monthly, May 2013.

TREADWELL’S TRAVELS: In 2012,  Alaska Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell spent $56,589 on official state business travel, which was $15,969 more than Governor Sean Parnell spent on travel in 2012. Source: Alaska Department of Administration

BIGGEST ALASKA CONTRIBUTOR TO THE BUSH LIBRARY AT SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY:  Art and April Hackney ($100,000.00). Source: George W. Bush Presidential Library.

DATE THAT ALASKAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES CAN LEGALLY START RAISING MONEY FOR THEIR 2014 CAMPAIGNS: Tomorrow, May 4, 2013. Source:  Alaska Public Offices Commission.

17 REASONS NOT TO BET ON WILL TAKE CHARGE: Despite the pundits and odd makers, no one really knows which post position in a horse race is best ; however, when it comes to the Kentucky Derby, there is only one post position never in the Derby’s history to produce a winner – – Number 17. The unlucky horse to draw No. 17 this year is Will Take Charge. Place your bets accordingly. Source: Kentucky Derby/Churchill Downs.

SLAVERY:  Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal enterprise in the 21st century – – a $32 billion industry. It is estimated that there are 27 million slaves in captivity today ‘around the world. There are estimated to be 17,500 children, women and men trafficked into the U.S. each year. Source: CAST – Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking.

SIZE MATTERS: The State of Rhode Island could fit inside Alaska 425 times. Source: 50states.com