The Pilgrim family talks about Papa’s death…and life. The Permanent Fund Board of Trustees reasserts its decision to keep the Permanent Fund headquarters in Juneau. Plus, turning waste wood into energy in Southeast. Those stories and more on tonight’s Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.
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AGIA education process underway
David Shurtleff, APRN – Anchorage
It’s day two of a 3-day public forum being held in Anchorage to educate state lawmakers and the public about TransCanada’s plan to build an Alaska natural gas pipeline.
Papa Pilgrim’s death leaves family both sad and relieved
Amy Bracken, KCHU – Valdez
Papa Pilgrim’s children are reflecting on their father’s life. Robert Hale died in the Anchorage Correction Complex Saturday night. He was 67 years old and just six months into a 14 year sentence for rape and incest. The former McCarthy resident had been sick with cirrhosis. He is survived by his estranged wife, Kurina Hale, and their 15 children. For the whole family, Hale’s passing has meant both sadness and relief.
US Senate to debate bill on cutting greenhouse gases
Joel Southern, APRN – Washington, DC
Next week, the US Senate plans to start debate on a major bill aimed at curbing human-generated greenhouse gas emissions. Today, the federal government put out a sobering report about the effects of climate change in the U-S and North America, both what’s now being observed and what’s expected in the future.
Permanent Fund Board plans to keep its offices in Juneau
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
The Permanent Fund’s Board of Trustees today reasserted its commitment to keeping its corporate offices in Juneau. In doing so, the members also refused to authorize an outside study that could support a future move. Revenue Commissioner Pat Galvin recognized that the idea of moving government entities is part of the public discussion. But he said any Board action could send the wrong message to the corporation’s staff, the rest of Alaska and to international markets.
50th statehood anniversary celebrations get a jump start in Fairbanks
Libby Casey, KUAC – Fairbanks
It’s nearly 50 years since Alaska officially became a state in January 1959. But it was the prior summer when the drama unfolded in Congress that allowed Alaska into the Union. Yesterday Fairbanks kicked off a series of celebrations to take place around the state
commemorating Alaska’s 50th anniversary.
Palmer Democrat announces run against Senate President Lyda Green
Ellen Lockyer, APRN – Palmer
Senate President Lyda Green will face a challenge for the Matanuska Valley’s District G in upcoming state elections. Palmer resident and Democrat Eric Cordero Giorgana has announced his candidacy for District G. Giorgana has been a Valley resident for about seven years.
Southeast community turns scrap wood into energy
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau
Craig’s wood-waste burner is up and running. The Prince of Wales Island city is using wood chips from a nearby mill to heat two schools and the Craig Aquatic Center.
Seth Kantner “stubborn” about writing
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
Critics have called Seth Kantner’s work poetic, lyrical and magnificent. But he has another word for his writing… stubborn. Kantner grew up on the upper Kobuk river and still lives in Northwest Alaska. And he doesn’t shy away from describing his remarkable life exactly as he sees it- the good along with the bad.
