On the eve of the general election, a new “Troopergate” report has cleared Governor Sarah Palin of ethics violations. Plus, a Stevens juror admitted to lying about why she vanished during his recent trial. Those stories and more tonight on Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.
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Personnel Board clears Palin of misconduct in Monegan firing
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Anchorage
The investigator for the State Personnel Board has found there is quote “no probable cause” to believe Governor Palin did anything unlawful in firing former Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan.
Stevens trial juror admits to lying about absence in strange press meeting
Libby Casey, APRN – Washington, DC
A juror who disappeared from Senator Ted Stevens’ federal trial admitted today that she lied to the court about why she left town suddenly during deliberations. The juror’s father did not die — instead, the woman flew to California to attend a horse race.
Stevens and Begich react to juror announcement; tell everyone to vote
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
Senator Ted Stevens says his attorneys found the juror’s bizarre behavior confusing this morning in the DC court.
Alaska on track for record voter turnout
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Anchorage
Alaska is on its way to a huge voter turnout for tomorrow’s general election, if the people voting early and casting absentee ballots are any indication. The 50,000 people who have already cast their ballots equal about 20% of the total number of people who voted in 2006, and about 15% of the voters in the 2004 presidential election.
To find out where to vote tomorrow, call 1-888-383-8683 statewide, call 269-8683 in Anchorage, or visit the Division of Elections website.
Alaska Natives registering to vote in record numbers
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
Alaska Natives are also working to get Natives to the polls. Executive Director of the Association of ANCSA corporation presidents, Vicki Otte, says for the past month she and others have been working to get people registered.
Election Profile: Senate District K
Len Anderson, KSKA – Anchorage
In Anchorage’s Senate District K, the Democrat incumbent, Bettye Davis, finds herself fending off a determined campaign by Republican Dave Harbour.
Election Profile: Senate District G
Ellen Lockyer, APRN – Matanuska-Susitna Borough
When state senator Lyda Green announced earlier this year that she was choosing not to run for another term, Republican challenger Linda Menard won the Republican candidacy for Senate District G by default. Now the outcome of the race for District G is a toss-up. Menard declined to be interviewed for this report, but newcomer Democrat Eric Cordero is challenging the former Matanuska Susitna Borough school board member for the seat.
Election Profile: House District 7
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
One of the more hotly contested Fairbanks area state legislative races is in House District 7.
Election Profile: House District 4
Weld Royal and Matt Miller, KTOO – Juneau
A one-term incumbent is facing a serious challenge in one of Juneau’s two legislative races. Democrat Andrea Doll is defending her Mendenhall Valley-based District 4 House seat against Republican Cathy Munoz.
Reed pleads guilty to filing late lobbying reports
Matt Miller, KTOO – Juneau
Ashley Reed says it was never was his intention to conceal his client list or his lobbying activities. One of the legislature’s most influential lobbyists pled guilty in Juneau district court this morning to 7 charges stemming from filing late reports with the state. Reed says much of the information in the tardy quarterly or monthly reports was already disclosed during initial registration statements.
