One of the jurors from Ted Stevens trial talks about the trial how they reached the guilty verdict. Plus, the Fairbanks Roman Catholic Diocese calls for last-minute abuse claims before a court-ordered deadline expires. And on this Veterans’ Day, interior vets call for a cemetery of their own in Fairbanks. Those stories and more tonight on Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.
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Juror from Ted Stevens trial speaks publicly
Libby Casey, APRN – Washington, DC
One of the jurors who deliberated in the trial of Senator Ted Stevens is revealing what went on behind the scenes. Stevens was convicted last month on seven counts of lying on his financial disclosure forms about gifts worth more than 250-thousand dollars. At the time of the verdict, none of the jurors on the Washington DC panel wanted to speak publicly. But one is now coming forward – and even has a blog about the trial.
Fairbanks Catholic Diocese highlights abuse claim deadline
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
The Fairbanks Catholic Diocese is trying to get out the word about an upcoming legal deadline for people who claim abuse by clergy. The Diocese filed chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year under a hail of sex abuse lawsuits dating back decades, primarily in western Alaska villages. The filing began a process that includes a deadline by which all abuse claims must received by the court.
Alaska Energy Authority examines energy use across the state
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
The Alaska Energy Authority is in the final weeks of preparing its short and long-term plans to help cut back on the use of non-renewable energy in the state. The first and perhaps the most difficult step is determining what fuels Alaskans are currently using.
Exploring gas and oil lease sales in the northern Cook Inlet
Ellen Lockyer, APRN – Anchorage
The state’s oil and gas division is working on updating a document that would outline a new areawide oil and gas lease sale. Its called a “best interest” finding. Public comments are being taken until December first. The sale covers Northern Cook Inlet shoreline from the City of Kenai to the river drainages of the Mat- Su Valley.
Pollock fishery closes with near all of the quota caught
Anne Hillman, KUCB – Unalaska
The pollock fishery has closed for the year. All together the sectors caught nearly all of the quota. NOAA Fisheries in-season manager Josh Keaton says this indicates good things about the fishery.
Interior Vets push for a veterans cemetary in Fairbanks
Duncan Moon, APRN – Anchorage
On this Veterans Day, activists in the interior are renewing a long term goal to establish their own cemetery. Vietnam Vet Raymond Clark has been a leader in that effort. He was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps from 1967 to 1969. Currently their are only two veterans cemeteries in Alaska – in Sitka
and Anchorage.
Yukon Quest trail shaping up nicely
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks.
Consistent cold weather this fall is boding well for the Yukon Quest trail. Trail Coordinator John Schandlemier says ice on the Yukon River is setting up smoother than normal.
