Legislation that passed in the U.S. Senate today will help fishermen who are plaintiffs in the Exxon Valdez punitive damage case. Plus, an Alaska Airlines pilot welcomes a new federal law that will allow him to keep flying into his sixties. Those stories and more on tonight’s Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.
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New law helps Exxon Valdez spill plaintiffs
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
The U.S. Senate today passed tax legislation that is designed to help fishermen who are plaintiffs in the Exxon Valdez punitive damage case currently in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Pilot retirement age increased by government
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
Pilots can stay on the job 5 more years under a new federal law. Yesterday, President George Bush signed a bill raising the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots from age 60 to 65.
A look at the life of Thomas Stewart
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau
Alaska Constitutional Convention secretary Thomas Stewart was nearly finished with a history on the making of the convention when he died Wednesday.
Sitka herring fishery set at highest level ever
Melissa Marconi-Wentzel, KCAW – Sitka
The Sitka Tribe of Alaska calls the commercial quota “shocking”, and predicts it will jeopardize the subsistence herring egg harvest.
Foxes test positive for rabies on North Slope
Janelle Everett, KBRW – Barrow
The North Slope Borough Health Department has issued a quarantine for two communities after foxes there tested positive for rabies.
Seattle couple quests toward Aleutian island
Amy Bracken, KCHU – Valdez
Last June, Bretwood Higman and Erin McKittrick started out on a walk. A half a year later they still haven’t reached their destination: the Aleutian Island of Unimak.
