Peter Granitz, NPR- Washington DC
pgranitz (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | 202.488.1961 | About Peter
Senate Republicans to Continue Earmark Ban
Senate Republicans are vowing to continue a moratorium on earmarks this coming Congress. It could have repercussions in Alaska; a state that relies heavily on federal funding.
Senate May Waive Duck Stamp For Subsistence Hunters
Congress reconvenes today after more than a month away. With less than two months until the end of the year and the close of the session, members clearly feel the heat. Today, the Senate picked up a collection of bills known as the Sportsmen’s Package. If it passes, it could waive the duck stamp fee for subsistence hunters.
GCI Buys 3 Alaska Television Stations
GCI is purchasing three television stations: KTVA in Anchorage, KATH in Juneau, and KSCT in Sitka. The company says it’s the first of potentially more media buys. David Morris is vice president at GCI. He says the deal has been in the works for about a year.
Democratic Groups Urge Congress To Protect Entitlement Programs
Just two days after the election, traditional Democratic groups are pushing Republicans in Congress to protect entitlement programs as they attempt to reduce the deficit. Labor leaders in Alaska want Congress to tax the wealthy instead.
14 Bids Accepted In NPR-A Lease Sale
The Department of Interior conducted its own lease sale today, as well. The Bureau of Land Management accepted 14 bids in the NPR-A. The 160,000 acres bid on today is a fraction of the 4.5 million that were available.
State Announces Winners Of Oil, Gas Rights Lease Sales
The State of Alaska announced winners of oil and gas rights in a lease sale held in Anchorage on Wednesday. The state took in more than $14 million.
New Faces Coming To Alaska Legislature
Alaska was assured of new faces in the Legislature, as redistricting pitted incumbents against one another. But that was just the beginning of the changes. As usual Alaska went overwhelmingly Republican for President, and only one state-wide office was in contest. Republican Congressman Don Young had no trouble defeating Democrat Sharon Cissna and will go on to pass Ted Stevens record of 40 years representing Alaska.
North Slope Drilling Lease Winners To Be Announced Tomorrow
There will be two lease sales in Anchorage on Wednesday. The state will announce the winning bids for its annual North Slope drilling lease sale in conjunction with a federal lease sale for drilling rights in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.
Third Parties Seek Popular Votes in Alaska
Alaskans voting for president have four, not just two, choices. Green Party and Libertarian Party candidates qualified for spots on Alaska's ballot and could siphon popular votes away from the major parties.
Shell Concludes Exploratory Drilling Operations In Arctic Ocean
Shell Oil must stop its drilling operation in the Arctic Ocean by midnight. The Department of Interior established Oct. 31 as the deadline for drilling to prevent any possible disaster from sea ice. Environmental groups call this year’s drilling season was a failure.
Congress Waving Wind Energy Tax Credit Goodbye?
Congress will debate whether to extend a whole host of tax credits when it returns a week after the election. One key tax provision could affect the future of wind energy in Alaska.
NPS, Hoonah Indian Association Planning New Tribal House
The National Park Service and Hoonah Indian Association are planning to build a tribal house at Bartlett Cove in Glacier Bay National Park.
Arctic Sculpture Exhibit Comes To Smithsonian Museum
There’s a new exhibit of Arctic sculpture at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. APRN’s Peter Granitz caught up with sculptor Abraham Ruben in the museum and talked about his goal to bring Arctic history and stories to the rest of the world.
Natives Lobby Obama Administration On Subsistence Rights
Alaska Natives from the North Slope are meeting with Obama administration officials this week. They hope to sway officials to support subsistence rights in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.
Trade Group Launches LNG Export Campaign
A liquefied natural gas trade group launched what it calls a major campaign to promote LNG exports. The initiative aims to sway public support behind exporting LNG, something Alaska has done for decades, but the rest of the country is just beginning.
Alaska’s Unemployment Rate Falls In September
The unemployment rate in Alaska fell last month. It continues to be lower than the national average.
Don Young Eyeing Record 21st Term
Representative Don Young is running for his 21st term in Congress. He’s running against long-shot candidate Sharon Cissna, If Young wins reelection, he doesn't plan on changing his legislative ways.
Obama Raises More Alaska Money than Romney
Few people doubt Alaska will cast its three electoral votes for Republican Mitt Romney. But, President Barack Obama is out raising the former Massachusetts Governor in the state.
Cissna Challenging Young For U.S. House Seat
Election Day is three weeks from today. Neither of Alaska’s U.S. Senators is up for reelection this term. But there is one statewide race, that hasn’t received much attention. APRN’s Peter Granitz reports on Democrat Sharon Cissna’s uphill bid to unseat Representative Don Young, and what it means for her party in Alaska.
Senator Blasts Federal Spending in Alaska
A Senate report released this morning criticizes some private enterprises in Alaska for relying too heavily on federal funding.