Opponents of Chukchi leases file suit in federal court
Thu, January 31, 2008
Alaska Natives and environmental groups have filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Juneau. They hope the court will stop a proposed oil and gas lease sale slated for next Wednesday. The Minerals Management Service, the MMS, plans to offer nearly 30,000,000 acres in the Chukchi sea for oil and gas exploration and drilling.
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
Candidates reveal how much they’ve raised
Thu, January 31, 2008
Candidates for congressional offices have to file their fundraising reports for the 4th quarter of 2007 with the Federal Elections Commission by the end of today.
Joel Southern, APRN - Washington, DC
Alaskans prepare for Super Tuesday
Thu, January 31, 2008
Alaskans will weigh in on the United States Presidential race next week. Like 22 other states in the Country, Alaska is selecting party delegates on February 5th, known as Super Tuesday, for the unprecedented number of delegates up for grabs. With tight races in the both the Democratic and Republican parties, Alaskans will have a unique opportunity to determine the outcome of the race.
Shane Iverson, KYUK - Bethel
House discusses what rules should define a conflict of interest
Thu, January 31, 2008
A House of Representatives committee today opened consideration of one of several bills that would allow members to abstain from voting on issues where they have conflicts of interest.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
Knik Arm ferry will be first of its kind
Thu, January 31, 2008
Senator Ted Stevens got $20,000,000 appropriated for it, the Navy wants to study it, and the Matanuska Susitna Borough expects to reap economic benefits from its use. Some call it a Super Ferry, but its actually the first E-craft, and it is coming soon to a port in Southcentral Alaska.
Ellen Lockyer, APRN - Palmer
House redefines compassionate gifts
Thu, January 31, 2008
The House voted without opposition today for a bill that would lift the limit on gifts to legislators for what are called “compassionate gifts.” The practice currently carries a $250 limit. The fast pace on the bill is to accommodate Nome representative Richard Foster’s need for a kidney transplant – and legislative staffer Sue Stancliff willingness to donate one of her kidneys. The issue arose when the ethics issue was brought into the situation.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
Mushers prepare for 25th Yukon Quest
Thu, January 31, 2008
Officials and volunteers are making final preparations in anticipation of the February 9th start of the 25th running of Yukon Quest international sled dog race.
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
Alaska News Nightly: January 31, 2008
Thu, January 31, 2008
Tonight in Alaska news… Alaska Natives and environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against Chukchi leases. Also, candidates for congressional offices have to file fundraising reports with the FCC. And preparing for Super Tuesday and…the 25th Yukon Quest. Those stories and more on tonight’s Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.
Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.
Don Young opens legal defense fund; protects campaign funds
Wed, January 30, 2008
Congressman Don Young has setup a legal defense fund. The fund will help him cover rising legal costs that stem from federal investigations into allegations about illegal fundraising and corruption — and it should free up campaign funds that so far have been tapped to pay for lawyers.
Joel Southern, APRN - Washington, DC
Is ‘threatened’ status of polar bears being held up for Chukchi oil & gas leases?
Wed, January 30, 2008
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service director Dale Hall was back before another congressional panel today answering questions about why a decision on whether to give polar bears a “threatened species” listing has been delayed.
Joel Southern, APRN - Washington, DC
Yukon-Koyukuk school district and teachers at odds over labor deal
Wed, January 30, 2008
A labor dispute is brewing in the Yukon-Koyukuk School District, after the School Board rejected a 3-year labor agreement with teachers last week. The rural school district includes 9 schools scattered across the Interior, only one of which is on the road system. At the heart of the dispute is the question of how to reward teachers who choose to stay in a district that is burdened by a high rate of teacher turnover each year. The teachers union also accuses the administration of violating the rules of labor negotiations.
Tim Bodony, KIYU - Galena
Update (12 Feb 2008): Title updated to match story content.
Gasline Port Authority appeals AGIA decision; denied
Wed, January 30, 2008
The Alaska Gasline Port Authority has been rejected a second time by the Palin Administration. The administration selected TransCanada as its potential developer of the natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to the Continental U.S. The Port Authority appealed that decision and today Revenue Commissioner Pat Galvin and Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin said the previous decision stands.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
Senate proposing easier access to Budget Reserve cash
Wed, January 30, 2008
The state Senate today took up a bill that would make major changes to the Legislature’s savings account — the Constitutional Budget Reserve. The Reserve began in 1990 and collected all settlements or litigation relating to back taxes on oil and mineral production, leases and royalties. The reserve can be spent if three-fourths of the House and Senate agree to withdrawing money to cover appropriations. Currently the Reserve has $3 billion available and another $5 billion spent over the years is due to be repaid.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
Kidney transplant driving Legislative ethics rule changes
Wed, January 30, 2008
The House Judiciary Committee said today it doesn’t need a hearing on a bill that would change the state’s ethics laws to increase the allowable amount for what is called a “compassionate gift.” The bill is on a very fast track to allow Nome representative Richard Foster to receive a needed kidney transplant. The ethics committee ruled the transplant would exceed the current $250 gift limit.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
Sitka’s winter drought forces utility to fire up diesel generators
Wed, January 30, 2008
Faced with increased power demand and lower-than-average rainfall this winter, the Sitka electric department is playing the odds, running diesel generators to supplement the city’s two hydro projects. The strategy — which costs roughly $7,000 per day in fuel — is intended to conserve water behind the dams for Sitka’s more typical dry season in March and April.
Robert Woolsey, KCAW - Sitka
Juneau’s Johnson Youth Center takes national safety award
Wed, January 30, 2008
Juneau’s youth detention center is an unusually safe place to work. In fact, the Johnson Youth Center has received a federal award for its efforts to reduce workplace accidents. Only two state facilities have received the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) award to date: the Juneau Pioneer Home and Juneau’s detention and treatment center for youth.
John Ryan, KTOO - Juneau
Alaska News Nightly: January 30, 2008
Wed, January 30, 2008
Tonight in Alaska news… Don Young begins to raise money for legal defenses while the U.S. Senate investigates whether Bush administration officials are defending oil and gas leases in the Chukchi Sea against “threatened” polar bears. Meanwhile, liquified natural gas (LNG) proponents appeal the Palin administration’s AGIA decision to bypass an all-Alaska gasline plan. Plus, kidney transplants and the Constitutional Budget Reserve are the subject of bills and debate in the Alaska Legislature. Those stories and more on tonight’s Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.
Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.
Governor would not veto legislative session move to Anchorage
Tue, January 29, 2008
The Governor’s comments came in a news conference this afternoon – just after the House State Affairs Committee held a two-hour hearing on legislation to relocate sessions to Anchorage and repeal the law that requires Alaskans vote on the costs of relocating the capital or the legislature.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
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