Legislative move bill held in committee, two members absent due to illness
The legislative session move bill was held by the House State Affairs Committee following its initial deliberations this morning. (Tuesday)

Ketchikan Representative Kyle Johansen suggested to Bob Roses, who was filling in for Chair Bob Lynn that the committee hold off on taking on the bill until two absent members were able to comment.

Lynn and fellow Anchorage Representative Max Gruenberg missed today's meeting due to illness. Roses agreed that the bill should be held.

Testimony in opposition to Anchorage Representative Kevin Meyer's House Bill 293 came from Alaska Committee Chair Win Gruening, Juneau Mayor Bruce Botelho, former Juneau State Senator Jim Duncan and former Assembly member Cathy Munoz, who is running as a Republican against Valley House incumbent Andrea Doll.

Doll, a Democrat in her first term, is a member of the House State Affairs Committee.  She also argued against passage of the measure during committee discussion.

Ferry schedule released
The Alaska Marine Highway issued its long delayed summer schedule this morning. (Tuesday)

The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities says the delay was a one time occurrence that resulted in major changes in the schedule aimed at helping meet the needs of communities like Haines, Skagway and Sitka.

The Malaspina will serve as the day boat in northern Lynn Canal while the fast ferry Fairweather will voyage between Juneau, Sitka and Petersburg.

As a result of the Malaspina's redeployment, the run between Bellingham and Southeast Alaska will be reduced from twice to once a week.

Marine Highway General Manager John Falvey says they have tracked calls from customers who were seeking to make reservations when the schedule was unavailable.

He said staff will now immediately begin returning their calls to book their reservations.

The schedule and online reservations are available  on the web at www.ferryalaska.com 

The department had promised to release the revised schedule by the end of the month after receiving criticism when it initially said it wouldn't be released until March.  

Anchorage lawmaker treated for chest pain
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - State Representative Bob Lynn is recovering from heart surgery at a hospital in Anchorage, according to his staff.

Lynn's aide Mike Sica said the Anchorage Republican suffered a partial blockage in an artery leading to the heart. He was initially treated at Juneau's Bartlett Regional Hospital before he was flown to Anchorage Providence Hospital for surgery.

He had a stent inserted in the artery on Tuesday.

Sica said Lynn was in good spirits. He is expected to return to the legislative session after a short recovery period.

Lynn is one of several legislators who have been absent recently due to illness.

Murkowski returns to push natural gas pipeline
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Governor Palin has long said her office doors are open. And that includes former Governor Frank Murkowski, whom she trounced in a primary 16 months ago.

Murkowski says he wants to help push a natural gas pipeline project for Alaska, and he's back in the state to meet with major petroleum producers.

Murkowski met Monday with officials of ConocoPhillips.

Murkowski also plans to meet with BP, Exxon Mobil and TransCanada, the only gas line bidder the Palin administration says has met guidelines of state legislation.

So, when asked if she welcomes Murkowski back to the Capitol, Palin says, quote -- "sure."

Murkowski says the state can't wait for a long period of litigation.

In the final months of his own term as governor, Murkowski's pipeline deal with the major producers fell apart.

Critics said his proposed tax breaks to producers were too generous and there was no guarantee a pipeline would be built.
Don't look for Palin to change her mind and resume the negotiations which failed under Murkowski.

Palin says, quote -- "we are on two different roads."

Supplemental budget out for review
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Governor Sarah Palin's supplemental budget, which covers unforeseen spending in the current fiscal year, is ready for lawmakers' review.

Initial comments have been positive.

Senate Finance Committee co-Chairman Bert Stedman of Sitka described the spending request as "much more reasonable than in past years."

Half of the $250 million budget will pay for tax credits to oil companies that lawmakers approved last year.

The budget also includes an extra $80 million for agencies, more than $18 million to pay for increased senior benefits and more than $7 million to cover fuel increases.

Palin's budget office is working with agencies to better foresee their needs in order to cut down on supplemental spending requests.

Troopers release findings of sexual abuse study
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A report released today (Tuesday) shows that rural children in Alaska are being molested at alarming rates.

The study shows that in 13 percent of the cases studied over a two-year period, the victims were younger than 13 years old while their suspected abusers were at least 31.

The study was conducted by the University of Alaska Anchorage's Justice Center.

It looked at 989 sexual assault cases reported statewide to Alaska State Troopers in 2003 and 2004.

Researchers did not look at cases reported during the same period to municipal police departments.

According to the study the average age of the victims was 16. The average for suspects was 29.

Just under half of the cases studied occurred in the troopers' immense, sparsely populated western area known as the C Detachment.

The largely native region contains more than one-third of the state's land mass where few communities are connected by roads.

Alaska Air inspecting 737's wing flaps after 3 emergency landings, including one in Juneau
SEATTLE (AP and KINY) - Alaska Airlines says it's inspecting all 40 of its Boeing 737-400s - about a third of its fleet - for wing flap problems that caused three emergency landings this month in Alaska.

The airline says the flaps were unable to extend fully to help slow the planes on landing.

Airline official Paul McElroy in Seattle says the problem is caused by wear on a wing door that covers the flaps and does not require the planes to be taken out of service.

He said repairs will improve reliability but aren't required by Boeing or the Federal Aviation Administration.

None of the emergency landings on January 11 in Juneau or January 20 and last Saturday in Ketchikan caused any injuries or damage to the planes.

In the Ketchikan cases, the pilots attempting to land at Wrangell found the flaps wouldn't fully extend and continued to Ketchikan where there is a longer runway.

State files amicus brief in Exxon Valdez case
The State of Alaska has filed a "friend of the court" brief with the U. S. Supreme Court supporting the award of punitive damages against Exxon Mobil stemming from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.

That word from Governor Sarah Palin.

The high court agreed in October to hear the oil company's appeal of a 9th Circuit ruling upholding punitive damages of $2.5 Billion.

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A copy of the State’s brief is on the Department of Law website at www.law.state.ak.us.

Federal coordinator Pearce discusses gas pipeline
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Federal gas pipeline coordinator Drue Pearce says she believes Governor Sarah Palin's gas line plan is working - so far.

Pearce also told the Senate Resources Committee Monday that the momentum must continue or Congress could intervene.

For now, Palin's Alaska Gasline Inducement Act has produced a conforming bid from independent Canadian pipeline company TransCanada.

But Houston-based ConocoPhillips says its alternative plan warrants consideration, and it would like further discussion with Palin's energy team.

More hearings with the House and Senate are planned to include both companies.

Pearce, a Republican, held state office for 17 years, including two stints as Senate president.

Palin not ready to back presidential candidate
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Governor Sarah Palin isn't ready to back a presidential candidate, but it looks like she may have narrowed her options.

The Republican said she would like to personally speak with two fellow Republicans, U.S. Senator John McCain or Arizona and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.

Palin said she wants to learn more about their positions on several high-profile issues, including producing oil and gas from Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Palin says she also wants to hear their thoughts on a proposed natural gas pipeline and Alaska's role in national security.

Alaska Republicans and Democrats will hold presidential caucuses Tuesday.

Conservation groups sue seeking documents connected to Chukchi sale
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Two conservation groups say the Minerals Management Service has not properly disclosed documents used to plan next month's Chukchi Sea petroleum lease sale.

The Natural Resources Defense Council and the Center for Biological Diversity today sued the agency to release the documents under the Freedom of Information Act.

An agency spokeswoman in Anchorage says she has not seen the lawsuit and that she could not respond.

The conservation groups say the documents could show harmful effects to polar bears and other marine mammals, and that the sale may be ill-advised and possibly illegal.

The lease sale is scheduled for February 6th in Anchorage.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of New York's Southern District.

The lease sale will make available nearly 46,000 square miles for petroleum leases.

The conservation groups want the release of documents that they say could show that the MMS understated the potential development that might occur.

The conservation groups say development could include liquefied natural gas facilities and tanker traffic in the Chukchi Sea and the Bering Sea.

Wind chill advisory issued for Juneau
The National Weather Service has issued a wind chill advisory for Wednesday morning.

Meteorologist Rick Fritsch in the Juneau Forecast Office says the wind chill will dip to 30 below zero between midnight and 6 a.m.

Lows from 9 below ranging to 3 above coupled with east winds to 25 miles per hour will produce the wind chill.

The wind chill temperature is expected to  go to 35 below zero late tonight even before the advisory takes effect.

"Brown out" caused on one street in Valley when grader hits transformer
Some residents of James Boulevard in the Mendenhall Valley experienced "brown outs" this morning.

It occurred at about 5:15 when a CBJ grader struck an electrical transformer that was covered by snow.

Police contacted Alaska Electric, Light and Power who dispatched a crew to make repairs.

Compassionate gift bill on fast track
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A legislative staffer who wants to donate a kidney to an ailing lawmaker will not run afoul of new ethics rules under a bill being fast-tracked through the state Legislature.

Sue Stancliff, an aide to a Fairbanks lawmaker, was barred from donating a kidney to Nome Democrat Richard Foster because of the expense surrounding the donation.

A new ethics law last year put a $250 limit on compassionate gifts.

The kidney itself has no monetary value under federal law but the bill would lift the limit on donations of expenses such as travel and medical costs.

House Bill 317 moved out of the House State Affairs Committee today. (Tuesday).

The bill is next scheduled to go to Judiciary, but Chair Jay Ramras says he intends to waive it on to the House floor.

Alaska Senators join effort to delay border crossing rules
Nineteen senators, including both from Alaska, asked the Department of Homeland Security yesterday (Monday) to delay new border-crossing rules.

The restriction are will mean longer lines and stiffer demands for identification for people entering the United States from Canada.

In a letter to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff, the senators said commerce will be stifled and lives disrupted if federal officials go ahead Thursday with plans to end the practice of allowing people to enter after showing a document, such as a driver's license, and declaring their nationality.

But federal officials say the "honor system" must end now.

Alaska Senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski were among 10 Republicans who signed the letter.

Stevens says if these restrictions go in effect, it will severely cripple travel from Alaska and other border states.

The senators say that implementing the new rules now would violate the spirit of a law passed last month that delays until June 2009 a requirement that people carry passports or similar documents when entering the United States by land or sea.

The lawmakers want Chertoff to delay the new identification requirements until the so-called Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative is fully implemented.

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Senator Ted Stevens sent a letter to Mayor Bruce Botelho asking him to do what he could to notify Juneau residents that starting this Thursday there is new requirement for travelers trying to cross the border to re-enter Alaska.

For those 19 years of age or older, a U. S. passport, a passport card, or a state issued enhanced driver's license is acceptable.

To those who do not have one of those documents, it is acceptable to have a combination of either a driver's license or a U. S. military I.D. card.

Also accepted are a U. S.  birth certificate, certificate of naturalization, or citizenship or a U. S.  citizen I-D card.

Traffic analysis change approved
The Assembly has approved an ordinance relating to traffic impact analysis.

The amendment reduces the minimal acceptable Level Of Service from C to D.

L-O-S is measured at intersections.

C level is defined as an average stopped delay at intersections of 21.1 to 35 seconds with a significant number of stopped vehicles.

D level is defined as an average stopped delay at intersections of 35.1 to 55 seconds with a noticeable congestion and cars not making it though the intersection when the light turns green.

The reduction from C to D level was recommended by traffic consultant Rick Purvis after reviewing existing traffic conditions in Juneau and traffic codes for similar communities.

He has 30 years of experience studying Juneau's traffic and was hired by CBJ to review the current traffic code.

Under the new amendment, the Assembly has the ability to override Level Of Service D for large intersections that might be dealt with CBJ or state funds.

The reduction from C to D level was recommended by traffic consultant Rick Purvis after reviewing existing traffic conditions in Juneau and traffic codes for similar communities.

He has 30 years of experience studying Juneau's traffic and was hired by CBJ to review the current traffic code.

CBJ staff and the Assembly have been updating Title 49, the CBJ code that encompasses regulations dealing with everything from parking to building codes.

Appointments announced to CBJ panels
The Assembly has appointed several new members to boards and commissions.

Diane Slater was appointed to the Affordable Housing Commission; Norman Kirshbaum, to the Emergency Planning Commission; Bill Gissel, to the Juneau Economic Development Council; Melissa Goldstein, to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee; former school board member Mary Becker was named to the Social Services Advisory Board and Michael Mouses Andrea Campbell and Meg Cartwright were appointed to the Wetlands Review Board.

Anchorage fire victim identified
Anchorage Police have identified a burned body as that of the occupant of the apartment where the body was found.

Police say dental records were used to identify the remains of 29-year old Brandon Wilson. He lived in the apartment off Tudor Road with his wife until a fire forced them out last week.

Investigators say there was nothing suspicious about the cause of that fire. A second fire occurred at the same apartment on Saturday, when firefighters discovered the burned body.

The circumstances of the death are still unknown.
(KENI- Anchorage)

Man draws a century in jail for murder
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A man who took part in a killing on a trail in Houston two years ago has been sentenced to 100 years in prison.

Twenty-seven-year-old Tommie Patterson denies taking part in the killing of 23-year-old Terrell Houngues. Both were from Anchorage.

Superior Court Judge Eric Smith sentenced Patterson to 85 years for his role in the killing and 15 for kidnapping. Prosecutors say Houngues was killed because he stole cocaine.

Judge rules in Stevens' favor in ethics dispute
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Former state Senate president Ben Stevens has been embroiled in political scandal over the past year.

But he's won a small victory in a dispute with the state's Legislative watchdog over financial disclosure laws.

The Alaska Public Offices Commission had recommended last year that Stevens pay a fine of $630 for failing to disclose more than $70,000 in deferred compensation.

That money came from his serving on the board of directors at Semco Energy, parent company of Alaska's largest utility.

Superior Court Judge Mark Rindner ruled against the commission on Friday.

Rindner wrote that the laws that would have compelled Stevens to report the income were not in place at the time.

Stevens didn't run for re-election in 2006.

Semco is the parent company of Enstar Natural Gas Company, Alaska's largest utility.

The complaint against Stevens, R-Anchorage, was brought by the Republican Moderate Party.

APOC says a separate lawsuit over income Stevens received from a consulting firm in which he held an interest has yet to be decided.
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Stevens is one of six Alaska lawmakers who had their offices raided by the FBI in 2006 in an ongoing federal probe into corruption in the state Legislature.

Two lawmakers have been convicted for ties to VECO Corp., a former oil field services company.

Two former VECO executives have testified in those trials that they bribed Stevens, but he has not been charged.

Stevens, through his lawyer, has denied any wrongdoing.

Member of Coast Guard stationed in Alaska escorts First Lady to State of Union
A member of the military based in Alaska escorted first lady Laura Bush to the president's State of the Union address last night.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Will Milam, a rescue swimmer, got the honor.

The Phoenix native is currently assigned to Air Station Kodiak.

He met with Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen and attended a reception at the White House with his wife before joining the first lady for the address.

Milam entered the Coast Guard in 1992 after six years in the Navy.

He transferred to Alaska in 1997.

Mat Su Borough office flooded
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A Palmer office of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough is cleaning up from a burst pipe. Hundreds of gallons drenched the office Saturday night.

Officials say the problem occurred after an unlatched window on the top floor of the three-story building blew open.