ExxonMobil and spill plaintiffs face off in U.S. Supreme Court
Wed, February 27, 2008
Lawyers for ExxonMobil and Exxon Valdez oil spill plaintiffs faced off before the U.S. Supreme Court today. At issue was the $2.5 billion punitive damages award by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in favor of the spill plaintiffs. The punitive damages case ping-ponged for 13 years between the Federal District Court of Alaska and the Ninth Circuit court. The award was originally set at $5 billion but after all the legal back-and-forth, the Ninth Circuit reduced it.
- Download and read the oral arguments transcript (PDF, 372K)
Joel Southern, APRN - Washington, DC
Mayor Begich takes first step towards U.S. Senate campaign
Wed, February 27, 2008
After months of speculation, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich has announced he is forming an “exploratory committee” for a possible run for Ted Steven’s U.S. Senate seat. Today’s first step doesn’t make Begich an official candidate, but it does edge him closer to a full declaration.
Len Anderson, KSKA - Anchorage
Fire aboard Bering Sea trawler extinguished
Wed, February 27, 2008
A fire that forced the evacuation of a factory trawler in the Bering Sea 136 miles northeast of Dutch Harbor late yesterday has been extinguished, and the ship is headed back to the port this evening. The blaze started in the laundry room of the Pacific Glacier, and burned for almost half a day before the ship’s crew was able to get it under control. There have been no injuries or deaths reported among the more than one hundred people onboard at the time.
Charles Homans, KIAL - Unalaska
Senate bill would empower state Department of Education
Wed, February 27, 2008
The State Department of Education would have more authority to intervene in local school management under a bill the Senate Education committee opened today. The measure is a response to the Moore v. Alaska lawsuit that indicated the state isn’t taking an active role in improving education in poorly-performing schools. In its decision, the court found the state is providing sufficient funding, but called for more oversight of schools that don’t meet state standards.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
Transportation officials say Lynn Canal Highway will pay for itself
Wed, February 27, 2008
There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but Alaska transportation officials say there is such a thing as a free highway. They told the Senate Transportation Committee yesterday that the proposed Lynn Canal Highway would more than pay for itself by reducing the need for ferries.
John Ryan, KTOO - Juneau
Kivalina sues energy companies for global warming damage
Wed, February 27, 2008
The Northwest coastal village of Kivalina is suing 24 oil, power, and coal companies for their role in global warming. The small village has been struggling with coastal erosion for years, and now residents want a federal court to force the energy companies to pay for their relocation.
David Shurtleff, APRN - Anchorage
Sealaska makes adjustments to lands transfer bill
Wed, February 27, 2008
Southeast Alaska’s regional Native Corporation, Sealaska, is making major changes to a controversial lands transfer bill. The Sitka Tribe of Alaska has endorsed the bill, but the legislation has met significant opposition from the wider Sitka community. Hoping to earn broader support, Sealaska has amended its claims.
Melissa Marconi Wentzel, KCAW - Sitka
Alaska News Nightly: February 27, 2008
Wed, February 27, 2008
The Supreme Court justices asked tough questions of both sides during the Exxon Valdez punitive damages hearing today. Plus, Anchorage mayor Mark Begich announced he’s exploring a possible run for Ted Stevens’ U.S. Senate seat. 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.
APRN’s Joel Southern appears on KCRW
Tue, February 26, 2008
Public radio station KCRW (Santa Monica, CA) aired a program today (Tue, Feb 26) including APRN’s own Joel Southern. On a show called “To the Point,” the discussion focused on gray wolves, polar bears and the endangered species list.
The audio clip included below runs about an hour. The relevant discussion appears starting around 7 minutes in, and Southern can be heard starting around 34:45.
Supreme Court ready for Exxon Valdez arguments
Tue, February 26, 2008
Tomorrow, lawyers for ExxonMobil and Exxon Valdez oil spill claimants go before the U.S. Supreme Court to argue whether the $2.5 billion punitive damages award by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ought to stand.
Joel Southern, APRN - Washington, DC
California considers Alaska’s Ocean Ranger program
Tue, February 26, 2008
California state Senator Joe Simitian introduced Senate Bill 1582 last week to create the California Ocean Rangers. The program is modeled after Alaska’s Ocean Rangers, part of an initiative passed in 2006 that taxes cruise ship companies doing business in Alaskan waters.
John Hunt, KHNS - Haines
House laments lack of leadership on new energy resources
Tue, February 26, 2008
Alaska House members say they are frustrated in watching Alaska miss the opportunity to become a leader in new energy resources. Bethel’s Mary Nelson says 600 rural families this year simply moved away because they could not afford home energy. And Anchorage Representative Harry Crawford says people are freezing in their homes.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
U.S. Senate approves Indian Health Care Improvement Act
Tue, February 26, 2008
Legislation to renew the Indian Health Care Improvement Act crossed a big hurdle today when it was overwhelmingly approved by the U.S. Senate. Efforts to reauthorize and expand programs offered by the Indian Health Service have gotten snarled up in the Senate for more than a decade. But Senator Lisa Murkowski, a main co-sponsor of the health bill passed today, says the 83-to-10 vote bodes well for the steps ahead. She says the bill’s emphasis on wellness and prevention would benefit Alaska Natives.
Joel Southern, APRN - Washington, DC
Senator Stevens to make earmark requests public
Tue, February 26, 2008
There’s been a lot of debate recently about the Congressional practice of earmarking federal funds for programs and projects — the Alaska delegation in particular has gotten a lot of flak from earmarking critics. Last year Congress initiated some reforms to make the earmarking process more transparent. Now Senator Ted Stevens has decided to post earmark requests that have come in for Fiscal Year 2009 on his website. The first batch from state, borough and local governments should start appearing by the end of the week. About halfway down on the right side of Stevens’ site, you’ll be able to click a link and see who’s asking for what.
Joel Southern, APRN - Washington, DC
Rockfish Pilot Program still controversial
Tue, February 26, 2008
Supporters of the Rockfish Pilot Program, a controversial rationalization plan for Gulf of Alaska groundfish species, have been trumpeting the successes during the first year of fishing under the system. But some critics still call into question the program’s fairness and some of the ways in which it achieves its goals.
Casey Kelly, KMXT - Kodiak
Electric cars nothing new to Sitka
Tue, February 26, 2008
History has just turned a corner in Southeast. A little over a month after two electric ZENN cars debuted in Kodiak, one of the “Zero Emmission No Noise” vehicles has appeared in Sitka. But the new ZENN is not the first electric car in Sitka. That prize was awarded over 30 years ago.
Robert Woolsey, KCAW - Sitka
Dog teams not the only racers on the Iditarod Trail
Tue, February 26, 2008
The world’s longest human-powered winter race is underway in Alaska. The Iditarod Invitational started on Sunday at Knik Lake. 46 competitors are skiing, biking or walking the trail this year.
Lacie Grosvold, KUAC - Fairbanks
Alaska News Nightly: February 26, 2008
Tue, February 26, 2008
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Exxon Valdez lawsuit tomorrow. Plus, California takes a look at Alaska’s Ocean Ranger program. And the U.S. Senate approves the Indian Health Care Act. 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.
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