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Coast Guard Clears Kulluk To Depart For Unalaska
Stephanie Joyce, KUCB – Unalaska & Brianna Gibbs, KMXT – Kodiak
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.
Task Force Report Reveals Ways To Help Victims Of Sex Trafficking
Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau
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.
Senator Murkowski Outlines Off Shore Revenue Sharing Plan
Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC
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.
Lawmaker Pushes Photo ID For Voters
Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau
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.
Labor Slams Ordinance At Work Session, Public Testimony Next
Daysha Eaton, KSKA – Anchorage
Attorneys representing labor unions made a presentation to members of the Anchorage Assembly at a work session at city hall Wednesday (3/20). They outlined their concerns about an ordinance to limit unions that was recently proposed by Mayor Dan Sullivan. The Mayor also launched a media campaign supporting his proposal. KSKA’s Daysha Eaton has the story.
AVCP Wants Tribes To Be Able To Prosecute Non-Members
Angela Denning-Barnes – KYUK – Bethel
The Violence Against Women’s Act that is making its way through Congress has the support of the Association of Village Council Presidents for the most part. However, the Native non-profit organization which represents 56 tribes in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta is opposing part of the legislation, the part that doesn’t allow Alaskan tribes to prosecute non-tribal members.
Alaska Permanent Fund Hits All-Time High
The Associated Press
Alaska’s oil wealth portfolio has hit an all-time high: $45 billion. The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. announced the fund hit the mark Tuesday.
Power Back On In Tuluksak
Mark Arehart, KYUK – Bethel
The village of Tuluksak regained power early this morning after a two-day outage. It took some help from of the Alaska Energy Authority to finally get the lights back on. The lights went out in Tuluksak around 4pm Monday afternoon, when its only generator stopped running.
Alaska House Passes Resolution Opposing Genetically Engineered Salmon
Casey Kelly, KTOO – Juneau
The Alaska House of Representatives has come out against genetically engineered salmon, or as critics call it, “Frankenfish.” Representatives unanimously approved House Joint Resolution 5 on Wednesday. It urges the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reconsider a preliminary finding that genetically modified fish would not significantly impact the environment. The resolution also urges the agency to require labeling for GM salmon, if the product is ultimately approved.
Legislation Proposed To Clean Up Derelict Vessels
Mike Mason, KDLG – Dillingham
The State of Alaska has a problem with derelict vessels and lawmakers in Juneau are looking at how to address it. Municipalities would be given greater authority to deal with derelict and abandoned vessels under a bill introduced by Homer representative Paul Seaton. Seaton introduced HB131 on Wednesday.
