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Alaska’s Senators Propose Boost in Oil Tax for Spill Disasters
Libby Casey, APRN – Washington D.C.
Alaska’s Senators have introduced a bill that would boost the amount of money oil companies are taxed to pay for spill disasters. Their legislation comes as BP struggles to plug and clean up a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Anchorage Records Drop in Serious Crime
Len Anderson, KSKA – Anchorage
The latest Uniform Crime Report for Anchorage shows burglaries and thefts rose in 2009, while crimes in the overall “crimes against persons” category fell. Two exceptions in the second group were murder and rape.
Young Pushes for Arctic Sea Floor Mapping
Libby Casey, APRN – Washington D.C.
Mapping the ocean and what lies beneath is especially challenging in the arctic, where ice jams the sea. But as the north warms and ice-melt opens up water-ways, countries are competing to know more about the sea bed, especially about potential oil and gas deposits.
Proposed Railroad Would Connect Port MacKenzie to the Interior
Diana Haecker, KTNA – Talkeetna
The Alaska State legislature appropriated 57 million dollars for the design and further studies on the proposed railroad extension, connecting Port MacKenzie to the Interior. The Mat-Su Borough says the rail extension would stimulate the regional and state economy.
Ballot Measure One Supporter Says its Not a Gag Law
Lori Townsend, APRN – Washington D.C.
The authors of ballot measure One call it an Anti-corruption act. Opponents say its a gag law and held rallies against the initiative last weekend. But supporters say the law would not limit free speech or stop citizens from talking to lawmakers. This morning Anchorage attorney Ken Jacobus spoke to the Resource Development Council about what he sees as the merits of the Anti corruption act.
Iditarod Mushers Test Positive for THC
The Associated Press
Two mushers in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race have tested positive for THC, the pyschoactive compound in marijuana, race officials said today.
Anchorage Exhibit Highlights Alaska’s Mountain Landscapes
Annie Feidt, APRN – Washington D.C.
As the Denali climbing season gets underway, some of the most dramatic photographs of the mountain are back on display at the Anchorage Museum. Forty aerial shots from the museum’s collection of Bradford Washburn’s photos are featured in a summer exhibit. The late mountaineer spent as much time as he could on Alaska’s highest peak.
Local Artist Wins Praise but Attracts Controversy
Ellen Lockyer, APRN – Anchorage
Anchorage artists and arts organizations were honored at a ceremony last night when the Mayor’s Arts Awards were presented. The University of Alaska Anchorage’s arts chair Mariano Gonzales is among the recipients. Gonzales is being recognized as this year’s outstanding individual artist.
