Eastern interior Alaska under flood warnings
Wed, July 30, 2008
Flood warnings are in effect across the eastern interior until tomorrow afternoon. Heavy rains have swollen rivers over their banks. High water is threatening homes and roads in areas of Fairbanks and Salcha. North Star Borough Emergency Operations spokeswoman Sallie Stuvek says water from the Salcha and Tanana Rivers is overflowing into Salcha subdivisions.
Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks
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Senator Ted Stevens indicted by Federal grand jury
Tue, July 29, 2008
A federal grand jury indicted Senator Stevens this morning on seven criminal counts of making false statements. He is the first sitting U.S. Senator to face federal indictment since 1993. The charges allege that Stevens took hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of gifts from the oil field services company VECO, and didn’t report them on the annual financial disclosure forms required by law.
Libby Casey, APRN - Washington, DC
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Governor and legislators ‘rocked’ by Stevens indictment
Tue, July 29, 2008
Governor Sarah Palin said the indictment “rocks the foundation” of the state. She says she shares with others the concern and dismay over the events.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Anchorage
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Citizens around the state weigh in on indictment
Tue, July 29, 2008
News of today’s indictment against Senator Stevens sparked a very mixed reaction around the state. Here’s a small sample of what the Senator’s constituents are saying.
APRN - Achorage
KTOO - Juneau
KRBD - Ketchikan
KIAL - Unalaska
KYUK - Bethel
KDLG - Dillingham
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Alaska Natives concerned over Stevens indictment
Tue, July 29, 2008
Reaction from the Alaska Native community over the indictment has been mostly one of concern for the future stability of funding for rural communities facing a growing crisis with energy costs and a lack of economic opportunities.
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
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Ted Stevens coverage links
Tue, July 29, 2008
The Ted Stevens indictment is perhaps the biggest Alaska news and politics story of 2008, and it’s getting national attention and coverage. As a service to our site visitors, we’re compiling a variety of links to articles and analyses from around the web. Feel free to add your own suggested links in the comments.
- Google Blog Search (find lots of blog reactions from around the world)
- Stevens interview (from Monday, one day before the indictments) - An Alaskan Abroad
- Quotes on Stevens — An Alaskan Abroad
- The Stevens Fallout, Volume 1 — NY Times
- Ted Stevens indicted on corruption charges — Anchorage Daily News
- Stevens biographical timeline — Anchorage Daily News
- Stevens once thought untouchable — Anchorage Daily News
- Special Alaska Newsreader: Sen. Stevens indictment — Anchorage Daily News
- Alaska Senator Is Charged With Failing to Disclose Gifts — NY Times
- Sen. Ted Stevens Indicted in Alaska Corruption Probe — Washington Post
- Criminal case ices GOP plans — Politico.com
- House Republicans don’t defend Stevens — Politico.com
- Alaska Dems call on Stevens to resign — Politico.com
- Feds Allege Stevens Did Foreign Favors For VECO, But Provide Few Details — TPM
- Sen. Ted Stevens Took Undisclosed Gifts Worth $250K, Including Viking Gas Grill — TPM
- U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens Indicted in Federal Court — TPM
updated 2008-07-29 / 6:45pm ADT
Senator Ted Stevens indicted on corruption charges
Tue, July 29, 2008
Senator Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican senator and a figure in Alaska politics since before statehood, has been indicted on seven counts of making false statements.
Stevens, 84, has been dogged by a federal investigation into whether he pushed for fishing legislation that also benefited his son, an Alaska lobbyist. Authorities have also scrutinized his ties to indicted former VECO CEO Bill Allen, who paid employees to renovate the senator’s home.
None of the seven counts accuse Stevens of bribery. They all relate to the statements he made on financial disclosure forms from 1999 to the 2006 form. The indictment says Stevens “knowingly and intentionally sought to conceal and cover up his receipt of things of value by filing Financial Disclosure Forms that contained false statements and omissions.”
The press release says Stevens received $250,000 in things of value during “the eight year scheme.” The gifts included new and used furniture, a new stationary tool storage cabinet with new tools, and a new professional Viking gas grill. Stevens used these things at his home in Girdwood, Alaska.
Under Senate Republican party rules, an indictment on felony charges compels a member to temporarily give up his leadership posts, and Republican senators were told at their weekly luncheon today that Mr. Stevens would do so. Mr. Stevens has been the ranking minority member on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
Listen to excerpt from Department of Justice announcement
Early Reaction:
Some reactions to the indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, on seven counts of failing to disclose thousands of dollars in services he received from a company that helped renovate his home.
U.S. Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska: “Ted is one of the most effective and honest legislators I have ever worked with. He has worked diligently to serve Alaska and has fought to make life better for people in every region of our state. I hope people will not rush to judgment and will let the judicial process work. The process is based on being innocent until proven guilty.”
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska: “I was shocked to learn of today’s announcement. I know Ted Stevens to be an honorable, hard-working Alaskan who has served our state well for as long as we have been a state. As to the charges, we are at the beginning of the criminal process and there is a judicial procedure in place that will be followed.”
Matthew Friedrich, chief of the Justice Department’s criminal division: “According to the indictment, the total amount of gifts that Sen. Stevens is alleged to have received over the duration of the offense is greater than $250,000. Also according to the indictment, these items were not disclosed on Senator Stevens’ financial disclosure forms, which he filed under penalties of perjury, either as gifts or as liabilities, and further, that Senator Stevens did not reimburse or repay VECO or its chief executive officer for these items.”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada: “I have served with Sen. Stevens my entire congressional career. It’s a sad day for him, us, but you know I believe in the American system of justice and he’s presumed innocent. ”
Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pennsylvania: “I’ve known Ted Stevens for 28 years and have always known him to be impeccably honest.”
Sen. John Warner, R-Virginia: “All of us have times that we have to deal with that are tough. I wish him the best.”
Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group: “Taxpayers have a right to demand that their elected officials maintain the highest ethical standards and today’s events have made it even more clear that Sen. Stevens traded political favors for personal gain.”
Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a watchdog group: “With this indictment, members of Congress have been put on notice that the Justice Department, on behalf of the American people, will not tolerate members abusing their positions for private personal gain.”
More on this developing story tonight on Alaska News Nightly, on APRN stations across Alaska.
The Associated Press and APRN
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Legislature opens investigation into Monegan firing
Mon, July 28, 2008
The Legislative council today ordered an outside investigation into the firing of former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan and the possible abuse of administrative authority that led to his dismissal. The Council will have to decide whether to refer the report of the investigation to other legislative committees if any action is needed.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
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FAA report details why LAB Flying Service was grounded
Mon, July 28, 2008
A Federal Aviation Administration report says LAB Flying Service lacks the care, judgment and responsibility required to hold an air carrier certificate. The 28-page report released after the FAA grounded the Southeast air carrier last week indicates all LAB planes were in deplorable condition.
- FAA “Emergency Order of Revocation” dated 24 July 2008 (PDF)
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO - Juneau
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Air Force General dies at Elmendorf AFB
Mon, July 28, 2008
Brigadier General Thomas Tinsley was declared dead last night at 10:30 p.m. following an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest. It’s unclear whether the shooting was accidental or a suicide. Tinsley was the 3rd Wing Commander at Elmendorf Air Force Base since May 2007. Air Force Institute of Pathology investigators are in route to Alaska and will make the final determination about his death. General Tinsley is survived by his wife and daughter, both of whom were in the home at the time of his death. He was also the legal guardian of his teenage nephew.
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
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Former governors tell Senators to vote down gas line plan
Mon, July 28, 2008
Former governors Wally Hickel and Tony Knowles today told the state Senate the same thing: “Vote No” on Governor Palin’s proposal to allow TransCanada to develop the natural gas pipeline to North American markets. Hickel has taken the lead on support for an All-Alaska gas line to Valdez where it would be liquefied for transport to markets by ship. The Alaska House has already authorized the license, and under the statute enabling the project, the Senate must ratify it by Saturday night or it will be considered disapproved.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
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Delegation seeks protection for Alaska-Native bowhead quota
Fri, July 25, 2008
The Alaska congressional delegation introduced legislation yesterday that seeks to protect the bowhead whaling quota for Alaska Natives. Currently the International Whaling Commission, sets the quotas for a five year period, but the IWC has become increasingly political and growing divisions over nations such as Japan who seek to resume commercial whaling have threatened Alaska Eskimo subsistence whaling quotas in past meetings.
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
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FAA grounds LAB flying service
Fri, July 25, 2008
The Federal Aviation Administration has shut down LAB Flying Service. The report released this morning shows seven counts against the company for poor maintenance and inspections.Loose and missing rivets; oil, fuel and hydraulic-fluid leaks;incorrectly installed and worn brake disks – these are just a few of the problems pointed out in a 28-page FAA report revoking a small Southeast Alaska air carrier’s operating license.
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO - Juneau
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State energy plan on special session agenda
Fri, July 25, 2008
The House and Senate are working their way toward putting together a state energy plan during the current special session.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
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Bear mauls woman near Kenai Princess Lodge
Thu, July 24, 2008
State troopers are reporting that last night a 911 call was received from the Kenai Princess Lodge stating employee Abby Sisk, 21, of Odgen, Utah, was walking on a trail when she was attacked by a brown bear. Lodge visitor, Wasilla resident Robert VinZant, heard the attack, looked out and saw the bear standing on top of Sisk with her head in its jaws. He managed to chase the bear off. The bear is described as a very large male brown bear standing 7-8 feet tall and between 500-800 pounds. Sisk suffered severe facial and head lacerations and was transported to Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.
Lori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage
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Resource Rebate bill gets hard look from Senate committee
Thu, July 24, 2008
The Resource Rebate bill the governor gave the special session ran into some problems today as the Senate Finance Committee began its review of the program that would give all Alaskans a one-time twelve hundred dollar check.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
Download audio
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Alaska House votes for AGIA / TransCanada plan
Wed, July 23, 2008
The gas line is on its way to the Senate. Last night and again today the House gave approval for the Palin administration to issue a license with TransCanada to begin work on developing the project taking North Slope natural gas to North American markets. But the measure picked up some legislative baggage going out the door.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
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Senate Finance Committee takes up $500,000,000 for TransCanada
Tue, July 22, 2008
In its first hearing on the bill that would provide $500 million dollars to TransCanada to help with the development of a natural gas pipeline, the Senate finance committee today indicated the administration should not expect the money all at once.
Dave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau
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