The special session adjourns with a new oil-tax rewrite. Plus, a new Supreme Court justice steps into his new role. And alternative energy and recycling. Those stories and more on tonight’s Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.
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Special Session passes oil-tax bill and adjourns
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
The House this afternoon passed the oil tax re-write bill, closing out the special session that began thirty days ago. The vote was twenty six to thirteen.
Climate “Synthesis Report” ready for release
Steve Heimel, APRN – Anchorage
Today in Valencia, Spain negotiators from 130 nations finished writing a summary of the science and consequences of climate warming. Known as the “synthesis report,” it will be publicly released tomorrow, to guide negotiators who meet next month in Bali to talk about what should happen after the Kyoto Protocols expire in 2012.
New State Supreme Court Justice appointed
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
Governor Sarah Palin has appointed Daniel Winfree, a Fairbanks attorney to the State Supreme Court.
NCAI convention meets in Denver
Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, APRN – Denver, Colorado
The 64th Annual Convention of the National Congress of American Indians wrapped up in Denver today. Denver was also the meeting place of the first NCAI convention in 1944. About three thousand people attended the week-long conference which focused on issues ranging from health care to dealing with high crime in Indian country and strengthening tribes’ government to government relationships.
Small-scale alternative energy in Dillingham
Anne Hillman, KDLG – Dillingham
A Dillingham man isn’t waiting for large-scale alternative energy to become available in his area. He recently installed a personal-use wind turbine system.
Pellet stoves about to take off in Alaska
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
Pellet stoves are the cleaner burning more efficient cousin of the wood stove. Their use is limited in Alaska by poor availability of fuel, but that’s about to change.
Dumpster divers get a break in Fairbanks
Ben Markus, KUAC – Fairbanks
The Fairbanks Borough Assembly has voted down an ordinance that would have banned people from picking items out of dumpsters at local transfer stations. The proposal, sponsored by assemblyman Charlie Rex was a reaction to safety and liability concerns, as well as fears about identity theft.
Taking recycling to a new level
Amy Bracken, KCHU – Valdez
Improving recycling options in all of Alaska, especially the bush is the focus of an Anchorage company called Total Reclaim. The company concentrates mainly on the things many of us don’t even think of when it comes to recycling.
Walter Soboleff celebrates 99th birthday
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau
Alaska’s most pre-eminent Presbyterian minister and Tlingit elder, the Reverend Doctor Walter Soboleff, is now 99 years old. Several hundred people turned out at a community birthday party in his honor last night at Northern Light United Church, where he is pastor emeritus.
