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Judge Rejects Amended Redistricting Plan
Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage
A State Superior Court judge has sent an amended redistricting plan back to the Alaska Redistricting Board. Fairbanks judge Michael McConahy ruled Friday that the Board must draw a redistricting plan “solely compliant with the Alaska Constitution,” requiring the Board to “make findings of fact sufficient to allow the courts to independently measure each district against constitutional standards.”
Court Says 2008 Sitka Citizen’s Initiative Was Legal
Robert Woolsey, KCAW – Sitka
The Alaska Supreme Court ruled Friday that a controversial 2008 citizen’s initiative in Sitka was legal and should have gone before voters. The decision reverses a lower court ruling.
The proposed initiative was seen by many as a way to control further development at Sitka’s former pulp mill site – including a possible cruise ship dock. But the litigation doesn’t mention ships at all. The underlying issues may be much larger.
Governor’s Oil Tax Plan Meets Legislative Opposition
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
No new support for Governor Parnell’s oil tax plan has shown up in the Senate during the Special Legislative Session that began this week. The bill now before the Resources Committee has actually gotten bad reviews from those who previously supported the administration.
Over 100 Offshore Miners To Set Up Shop In Nome
Ben Matheson, KNOM – Nome
Thanks to attractive gold prices, a slow job market in the Lower 48, and a recent reality TV show, over 100 offshore miners will set up shop in Nome’s waters this summer. Recreational mining is regulated by the state, but the city of Nome is moving ahead with developing its own permitting and fee system.
Herbert Glacier Developers Anticipate Over 245,000 Ounces Of Gold
Matt Miller, KTOO – Juneau
Developers of a proposed mine at the Herbert Glacier believe there’s at least 245,000 ounces of gold. That’s based on an independent resource estimate of exploratory drilling over the last two years and recent assays.
UAA Takes Stand Against Domestic Abuse
Heather Aronno, APRN – Anchorage
Rates of domestic violence and sexual assault in Alaska are some of the highest in the country. In order to help raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault, UAA is taking steps to educate students and the larger Anchorage community about how to stop the abuse of others and themselves.
AK: A Journey
Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK – Petersburg
Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood leaders made a unique boat trip through the waters of the inside passage this month. Their voyage harkened back to the days when local camp officials from towns and villages around the region would travel on fishing boats to attend Grand Camp conventions. The brotherhood was founded a century ago, followed a year later by the sisterhood. So this journey had special meaning for the cultural and civil rights organizations. KFSK’s Matt Lichtenstein caught up with them when they stopped in Petersburg.
300 Villages: Lime Village
Now its time for 300 villages. Today were heading to Lime Village, a tiny community directly west of Anchorage. Ursula Graham is the Tribal Administrator for the Lime Village.
