Federal Highway Bill Gets Another Extension
Congress couldn't agree on re-authorizing the highway act. It melted down in the House, which just couldn't agree to get behind efforts by House...
House Ethics Committee Extends Probe of Rep. Young
The House Ethics Committee is extending an investigation into possible violations by Rep. Don Young of Alaska. Today’s announcement was the first public confirmation that the ethics panel is probing into Young. The Congressman's office says the investigation centers around donations made to his legal defense fund and whether they exceed the legal limit.
Probe Into Stevens Prosecutors Reveals Concealment But Does Not Call For Charges
A special independent investigator who probed into misconduct by prosecutors in the case of the late Alaska Senator Ted Stevens says they should not face criminal charges. Despite that the investigator found widespread concealment of evidence that could have helped Stevens mount his defense.
Fort Yukon Man Receives Presidential Honor
Yesterday in Washington, D.C., Clarence Lee Alexander of Ft. Yukon received the Presidential Citizen's Medal from President Barrack Obama. Alexander was one of this year's 13 recipients nationwide.
Anchorage Municipality Withdraws Lawsuit over Knik Arm Crossing
Anchorage mayor withdraws lawsuit against Federal Highway Administration over Knik Arm Crossing project.
Alaska’s Senators Push Legislation to Protect Rural Post Offices
Alaska’s U.S. Senators are part of a congressional effort to stop the Postal Service from closing branches in rural areas.
Sitka Crabber Rescued After Boat Sinks in Chatham
A search and rescue team from Angoon rescued a Sitka crab fisherman whose boat rolled over and sank in Chatham Strait yesterday (Thursday).
Congressman Young Says War in Afghanistan Can’t Be Won
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the war in Afghanistan, a mission that has cost nearly 18 hundred American lives, and many struggle to justify. Alaska Congressman Don Young has always opposed the war, he says America cannot win.
Alaska Airlines and Mechanics Union Reach Tentative Agreement
Alaska Airlines and the carriers aircraft maintenance mechanics union along with related employees have reached a tentative agreement on a new, five-year contract, according to the Seattle Times. The over 600 union members still must ratify the agreement. That vote's expected next month.
Bethel Jury Finds Two Guilty of Second Degree Murder
Jeffrey Hout, age 47 of Bethel, and Harry Williams, age 33 of Kwethluk, were found guilty of second degree murder of 19-year-old Benjamin Kaiser of Hooper Bay. The jury turned in their verdicts this (Thursday) morning. The jury also found both men guilty of kidnapping.
No Bond for Three Men Accused in Bribery Scandal
The men accused in a massive government contracting bribery case involving Alaska Native Corporation EyakTek are staying behind bars – three of them until trial and the fourth at least through the weekend. At a hearing in Washington D.C. today (Thursday) the lawyer for EyakTek executive Harold Babb asked for a few more days before making his argument as to why Babb should be released on bond.
Few Studies Track PFD Impact
The state is sending out nearly 650 thousand Permanent Fund Dividends today. Its the 30th dividend paid to Alaskans. In all that time, there have been very few studies on how Alaskans spend the extra cash and how that spending affects the state’s economy. But retailers say their sales around dividend time take a big jump.
Dividend Checks Pay for Fuel in Rural Alaska
In rural Alaska, dividend checks do more than pay for new sofas. Meera Kohler is the President and CEO of the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative or AVEC. Kohler says, many people in village pre-pay their winter electric bills with their PFD. She says the day checks get deposited is the busiest day of the year for AVEC.
Two Boroughs Still Need Mayors and Barrow Rejects Liquore Store
In the North Slope Borough mayor contest. Charlotte Brower is leading but doesn't have the necessary 40 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff. In that race she will face either Fenton Rexford or George Ahmaogak. It's too close to call.
Palin Won’t Run for President
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin says she will not run for president. Her announcement today left little doubt that the eventual Republican nominee will come from the current field of contenders.
Congress Considers Hearings on EyakTek Investigation
The arrest yesterday (Tuesday) of an executive at the Eyak Alaska Native Corporation’s subsidiary EyakTek and two Army Corps of Engineers employees has some members of Congress clamoring for hearings, and has Alaska’s delegation worried about the fallout.
Jury Deliberates Bethel Murder Case
The fate of two men accused of torturing and beating a man to death now rests in the hands of a jury. Jeff Hout of Bethel and Harry Williams of Kwethluk are facing first degree murder charges at the Bethel Courthouse for the killing of 19 year old Benjamin Kaiser of Hooper Bay last October.
Poll Finds Support for Mid Level Dental Providers
A concept based on an Alaskan program to make dental care more accessible is gaining support across the nation.
Valley Voters Approve Bonds
Matanuska Susitna Borough voter turnout was light yesterday (Tuesday), but those who made it to the polls elected two new Borough Assembly members and approved all three bond proposals. KSKA's Ellen Lockyer has the unofficial results of the Valley election.
Feds Arrest EyakTek Executive in Multi-Million Dollar Scam
An executive of Alaska Native Corporation Eyak Tek was arrested yesterday for his alleged role in a major 20 million dollar bribery and kickback scheme. Harold Babb was director of contracts for Eyak Technology LLC, which operates under the Eyak Native Corporation.