Constitutional Delegate Wary of Education Funding Amendment
One of the drafters of the state constitution has weighed in on a proposed amendment to that document. Vic Fischer appeared before the House education committee on Friday to oppose a resolution that could allow for public funding of religious schools through vouchers. He cautioned legislators against taking a casual attitude when considering constitutional changes.
Coast Guard Clears Kulluk to Depart for Unalaska
The Coast Guard lifted an order restricting movement of Shell’s Kulluk drill rig Thursday morning. Petty Officer David Moseley says the company had to provide information about assessments of the rig and their tow plan to the Coast Guard for review.
Senator Murkowski Outlines Off Shore Revenue Sharing Plan
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski says she’ll soon introduce a revenue sharing bill for off-shore energy production. Speaking to the Alaska state legislature this morning, Murkowski said she’s still working out final details of the bill with Louisiana Democrat Mary Landrieu.
Task Force Report Reveals Ways to Help Victims of Sex Trafficking
The scope of Alaska’s sex trafficking problem remains unclear, but there’s plenty that can still be done to help victims -- that’s the conclusion of a report issued by astate task force charged with studying the issue.
Lawmaker Pushes Photo ID for Voters
A measure that would require voters to show photo identification at the polls got its first hearing today (on Thursday). Rep. Bob Lynn, a Republican from Anchorage, sponsored the bill, and he views it as a simple way of preventing voter fraud.
Tugs in Kulluk Response Effort Collide
Two tugs scheduled to tow a damaged Royal Dutch Shell PLC drill barge collided while maneuvering in a bay off Kodiak Island. KTUU-TV reports the collision happened Friday when the tug Corbin Foss hit the other tug, the Ocean Wave.
Power Out In Tuluksak
Power has been out in the village of Tuluksak the past few days. The village is located 50 river miles upstream of Bethel.
School Voucher Resolution Will Be Heard In Judiciary, Finance Committees
The normally dry subject of committee referrals is creating a bit of a stir in the Capitol. Last week, a group of five senators introduced a resolution to amend the Alaska Constitution to allow for a school voucher program. The measure was supposed to be heard in the education committee. That is, until it suddenly wasn’t, as Sen. Gary Stevens – a Republican from Kodiak and chair of the education committee – discovered while traveling in Kentucky on business.
Bypass Mail Likely Target Of Postal Reform Bill
The U.S. Postal Service recently announced an end to Saturday delivery. People will stop receiving letters on Saturdays by the end of summer. A postal reform bill is expected before then, and bypass mail will likely be targeted for reforms.
Fish & Wildlife To Survey WWII Debris, Contamination On Attu
Attu Island is overdue for some spring cleaning. Seventy years after World War II, the island is still littered with shards of old Coke bottles, lead-based batteries, leaking fuel drums and unexploded artillery.
Albert Kookesh Remains Hospitalized In Anchorage
An Alaska Native leader and former lawmaker remained in the hospital Tuesday after suffering a heart attack Monday in Juneau. Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage listed Albert Kookesh in critical condition as of late Tuesday afternoon.
King Cove Residents to Meet With Interior Secretary
An intense lobbying campaign by Alaska’s congressional delegation has paid off for residents of the Aleutian community of King Cove. A group of them will have the chance to meet face-to-face with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar at the end of the month.
Cruise Ship Waste Water Bill Goes To Gov. Parnell
The first bill to land on Gov. Sean Parnell’s desk will be one that he introduced. The measure relaxes regulations on cruise ships, and lets them use mixing zones when they release waste. By doing that, it strikes part of a citizens’ initiative requiring vessels to meet clean water standards at the point of discharge.
Murkowski: Government Needs To Look At All Aspects Of Shell’s Arctic Drilling Operations
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski says in light of the Kulluk’s grounding, the government needs to look at all aspects of Shell’s Arctic drilling operations.
New Sealaska Land Bills Introduced In Congress
Alaska’s congressional delegation today introduced new Sealaska land-selection bills. Senator Lisa Murkowski authored her chamber’s version, which is co-sponsored by Senator Mark Begich. Congressman Don Young released the House version.
Kodiak Murder Suspect to Appear in Court This Week
Suspect James Michael "Jim" Wells is expected to appear in court this week. An arrest was made on Friday for a double-murder at the Communications Station on Coast Guard Base Kodiak last spring.
Interviews, Physical Evidence Led to Arrest in Kake Homicide
Numerous interviews and physical evidence led Alaska State Troopers to arrest the 14-year old Kake boy they believe is responsible for the death of 13-year old Mackenzie Howard. That’s according to the Deputy Commander of the Major Crimes Section for the Alaska Bureau of Investigation.
Sealaska Chairman Kookesh Flown to Anchorage After Heart Attack
Former state senator Albert Kookesh was medevaced to Anchorage Monday morning after suffering a heart attack. His eldest daughter Elaine says the 64-year old Kookesh was in Juneau preparing for a trip out of state, when he called his wife saying he was having chest pains and was going to the hospital. He was stabilized and flown to Providence Hospital and Medical Center.
Wife Says Husband Innocent of Shooting Deaths on Kodiak Island
The wife of an Alaska man arrested Friday in last year's shooting deaths of two employees at a Coast Guard air station on Kodiak Island says her husband is innocent.
Parnell Says Gas Pipeline Has Reached New Milestone
Governor Sean Parnell gave an update in Fairbanks Friday on what he called a significant milestone in plans for building a gas pipeline in
Alaska. In his state of the state address a few weeks ago, the governor had given the companies, BP, ConocoPhillips, Exxon and Transcanada a deadline of February 15th to come forward with details of their proposed project. A letter from the companies, delivered on Friday, stated they had made a project concept selection. The governor called that an important phase in building a line.