Palin: Alaska will accept sensible stimulus funds
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Gov. Sarah Palin says Alaska will accept federal stimulus funds, if they make sense for the state.

It's not known how much might be available for Alaska, but Palin said at a news conference Wednesday it could be about $1 billion.

She says if the projects make sense for Alaska, those federal dollars would be welcome.

Palin says those that make the most sense are construction projects.

She's worried, however, about funding for other things like social programs, which could wind up costing the state money in the long run once federal dollars run out.

Palin says Colberg made the decision to resign
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - KINY- Gov. Sarah Palin is steadfast that the decision Talis Colberg made to resign as attorney general was his and his alone.

Palin said during a news conference Wednesday that Colberg, a major figure in the Troopergate case, did not give a specific reason for his resignation.

Her office announced the resignation Tuesday morning, quoting Colberg as saying it was in the "best interest" for Alaska.

Palin declined to discuss his resignation further, saying she won't talk about personnel issues and personal conversations with her staff members, "especially cabinet members."

Colberg came under fire last month when lawmakers grilled him over his apparent advocacy role for Palin during the abuse of power investigation over her firing of the public safety commissioner.  

Palin says short-, long-term solutions sought for Western Alaska villages
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Gov. Sarah Palin addressed assistance to western Alaska villages, where cash-squeezed residents are reportedly having to choose between food and fuel

Palin said Wednesday during a news conference in Juneau that the state was working on a number of fronts to find short and long-term solutions.

Fish and Game Commissioner Denby Lloyd outlined efforts to extend moose hunting opportunities in the region.

Labor Commissioner Click Bishop said he planned to look into opening up more seafood processing jobs for village young people. And Deputy Chief of Staff Randy Ruaro said the state is working to expand heating fuel assistance and bulk food deliveries.

Palin has been criticized for not doing enough to ensure state planes were available to take donated food and other supplies to the villages. Her administration has said it is hampered by laws that require an emergency declaration when the need does not fit the legal definition of an emergency.

Her legislative director, Jerry Gallagher, said proposed legislation in the state House that would allow state assets to be used for compassionate aid would be helpful in providing another tool to help communities in crisis.

Energy, living within means top Palin's priorities
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Energy needs and fiscal constraint top Gov. Sarah Palin's priorities for this legislative session.

Her No. 1 priority is getting the process moving along for an in-state gas line, she said Wednesday as a news conference.

Other priorities include getting the process for a joint utility corporation for the Railbelt also moving, and making sure the state lives financially within its means in a troubled economy. 

Palin addresses Planned Parenthood donations in her name
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - At a news conference Wednesday in Juneau, Gov. Sarah Palin was asked about an e-mail campaign that reportedly netted almost a million dollars for Planned Parenthood.

The anonymous campaign asks people to make donations in Palin's name.

The governor called it "interesting theater."

Planned Parenthood runs clinics that offer reproductive services, including abortions. Palin is opposed to abortion rights.

She says both she and Planned Parenthood agree on a mission that they would like to see fewer abortions.

But, Palin admits, they perhaps have different approaches.

Rezone approved for Alaska Mental Health Trust office building downtown
The Juneau Planning Commission last night approved a change to the zoning code to allow construction of a multi-story office building downtown.

That according to Community Development Director Dale Pernula who says the panel approved a recommendation to rezone property owned by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

As we reported last year, the Trust will use the parking lot in front of the Coast Guard station to construct a building that will house several state offices including the Departments of Labor, Public Safety, Corrections and Fish and Game offices now located in Douglas. 

Transmission line on Thane Road repaired
A transmission line damaged by last Saturday's avalanche on Thane Road has been repaired.

Scott Willis with Alaska Electric Light and Power says their crew finished repairs today. (Wednesday)

He says both transmission lines are now back in service.

25 Sitka residents sickened, probably from oysters
SITKA, Alaska (AP) - Alaska health officials say four people in Sitka have tested positive for norovirus infections, and at least 21 more are ill with gastrointestinal illnesses.

The health department says the illnesses have been likely linked to locally grown oysters.

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation says Whiting Harbor Aquafarms, LLC, of Sitka has voluntarily stopped selling oysters until the state again approves sales.

The two states departments began a joint investigation early this month after the first foodborne illness outbreak was reported.

The health departments says if anyone has any of these oysters purchased between Jan. 26-Feb. 1 to discard them.

Health officials say norovirus infection causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Most recover in two to three days without medical treatment.  

Barrow mayor resigns
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Barrow Mayor Michael Stotts has resigned at the request of his community's city council.

Stotts is accused of running up thousands of dollars in personal charges on city credit cards.

One credit card charge was the posting of $1,000 bail after his arrest in June for driving under the influence. He later pleaded guilty to the charge.

The 44-year-old Stotts tells the Anchorage Daily News that the city council began investigating his credit car use in December.

He resigned Wednesday and says he has paid some of the money back but still owes $17,000.

Stotts says it's his opinion that his actions were within his authority but council members disagreed. He says he plans to pay all the money back.

Stotts became mayor in June 2007.
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Information from: Anchorage Daily News

Murkowski to deliver response to Obama's radio address
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski will deliver the Republican radio response to President Obama's weekly radio address this Saturday.

A release from her office says the senator will speak on the economic stimulus bill under consideration this week in Congress.

The Republican Congressional leadership tapped Senator Murkowski to give the GOP response.

Lawmakers listen to State of the Judiciary Address
The State Legislature convened in joint session today to hear the annual State of the Judiciary Address.

Chief Justice Dana Fabe marked the 50th anniversary of statehood with a look back on how far the state's court system has come since then.

"On our 50th anniversary, it's important to recognize that when it comes to Alaska's judiciary, our state's founders, got it right."

The chief justice noted that fellow Justice Warren Mathews will retire this year after nearly 32 years on the high court.

Matthews was appointed by Governor Jay Hammond in 1977.

He was in the gallery this morning for Fabe's address and received a standing ovation by lawmakers.

Matthews was joined in the gallery by Justices Robert Eastaugh, Walter Carpeneti of Juneau, and Daniel Winfree, the newest member of the court who was appointed last year.

Proposed deal would extend current Alaska Airlines' flight attendant contract
Alaska Airlines has struck a proposed agreement with its flight attendants to extend the current contract through April of 2012.

The joint announcement was made Tuesday with the Association of Flight Attendants - CWA.

The proposed two year contract extension was presented late Tuesday to the airline's 2,830 flight attendants for review and a ratification vote.

The ratification process is expected to be completed by mid-March.

The current agreement expires on May 1 of this year.

Colberg steps down
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP and KINY) - Alaska Gov. Palin's office says Attorney General Talis Colberg has resigned.

A release from the Governor's Office  Tuesday says Governor Palin accepted his resignation.

Colberg is quoted as saying, “I determined that it was in the best interest of the State of Alaska to move on and pursue other opportunities."

Palin is quoted in the release as stating, "“Talis is a highly intelligent, thoughtful and reserved scholar who brought considerable legal knowledge and great personal integrity to the position. “I appreciate his willingness to serve and as the search for a new attorney general begins, I will look for someone with the same strong moral character as Talis. I wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Colberg was appointed to office when Palin was elected in 2006.

Bill McAllister, Palin's Communication's chief said it was a personal decision on Colberg's part and that Colberg was neither fired nor forced out of office.

In the Troopergate investigation last fall of Palin's firing of her public safety commissioner, a legislative panel had subpoenaed nine state employees and Palin's husband. They all initially refused to testify.

Colberg, who represented seven stat employees, said he advised them of their options, then went to court to challenge the subpoenas, an argument he ultimately lost.

Earlier this session, the House Judiciary Committee raked Colberg over the coals for his role in the employees' initial decision not to honor the subpoenas.

Deputy Attorney General for the Criminal Division Rick Svobodny has been named acting attorney general, according to the release.  Svobodny served as Juneau's District Attorney in the past.

Elton and French comment on Colberg resignation
Anchorage Senator Hollis French was in charge of the Senate's Troopergate probe.

"As to what led to his resignation, I'm not going to speculate on it", he said. "I don't see any point in it and from my perspective, its time to move on."

When asked if Troopergate led to Colberg's demise, Juneau Senator Kim Elton said he didn't have the slightest idea.

Elton co-chaired the Legislative Council that voted to conduct the investigation.

He added that he thought it was good for Colberg, the Governor and the Legislature. He thinks it kind of clears the way toward restoring communication on some issues that are important to the state.  

Kohring says he asked Bush for pardon
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A convicted Alaska lawmaker sought but didn't receive either a pardon or reduction in his federal prison sentence from former President Bush.

Former state Rep. Vic Kohring tells the Anchorage Daily News in a handwritten letter dated Feb. 2 that he knew the odds were against him. But, Kohring says, he needed to ask or he'd always wonder if either would have been granted.

The Wasilla Republican was convicted of taking bribes to push legislation for a major natural gas pipeline and oil taxes. He is serving a 3 1/2-year prison sentence in California.

Kohring insisted in the letter to the newspaper that he is innocent. He is awaiting word on an appeal.

Kohring is one of four former Republican state lawmakers convicted in the ongoing federal probe of corruption in Alaska politics.
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Information from: Anchorage Daily News

Could Permanent Fund losses preclude dividend payment?
There was a question raised during this morning's meeting of the Finance Committee in the State Senate on whether a Permanent Fund Dividend will be issued because of losses in the stock market this fiscal year.

The question was raised by Michael O'Leary of Callan Associates, the state's principal investment advisor, during a performance review of the Permanent Fund.

Anchorage Senator Hollis French said afterwards that the question is whether a dividend can be paid when the value of fund is less than the investments that were put in to it.

A legal opinion issued during the Murkowski Administration said the issues is whether unrealized profits or losses can be counted. Greg Renkes, the Attorney General then, determined they did not count and that an unrealized loss doesn't lower the value of the fund.

French thought that until there was an opinion to the contrary, the Legislature is working under the assumption that the law allows payment of a dividend despite the significant losses the fund took in the stock market this year.

Senate Finance Committee Co-Chair Bert Stedman said the question hasn't been raised during audits in past years. He expects there will be no problem paying a dividend this year.

Governor Palin's Department of Law is reportedly reviewing the Renkes opinion.

Senate passes Obama's economic recovery plan
WASHINGTON (AP) -KINY- President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan has passed the Senate and is on its way to difficult House-Senate negotiations.

Just three Republicans helped pass the plan on a 61-37 vote and they're already signaling they'll play hardball to preserve more than $108 billion in spending cuts made last week in Senate deal making.

Alaska Senator Republican Lisa Murkowski voted against the bill saying the plan was excessive, not sufficiently stimulative and leaves states on the hook for future spending.

Alaska Senator Mark Begich voted for the bill. He said the measure include funds for Alaska infrastructure projects and tax relief for many Americans in the middle class.

Obama wants to restore cuts in funds for school construction jobs and help for cash-starved states.

Those cuts are among the major differences between the $819 billion House version of Obama's plan and a Senate bill costing $838 billion. Obama has warned of a deepening economic crisis if Congress fails to act. He wants a bill completed by the weekend.

CBJ submits more than $226 Million in projects for stimulus package
The City and Borough of Juneau has submitted possible projects to be funded under President Obama's economic stimulus package at the request of the state's congressional delegation.

City Manager Rod Swope says they dug out the six year capital improvement program and pulled out shovel ready qualified programs.

He says the list exceeds 226 million dollars worth of projects.

Basically it includes everything from A to Z, the Augusta Brown swimming pool to the Zach Gordon Center.

In between are the Transit Center, the Consolidated Public Works facility, the DZ Middle School covered playground area, as well as airport, sewer, hospital and street improvements.

Cost estimate provided for Knik Arm Crossing
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The state Department of Transportation says a two-lane bridge across the Knik Arm and roads connecting to it would cost $686 million.

The estimate was prepared by a consultant for the state, and is the first independent assessment of how much the long-talked about span would cost.

Salazar rejects Bush drilling plan
By H. JOSEF HEBERT - Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has rejected a Bush administration plan to open vast waters off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts to oil and gas drilling.

Salazar criticized what he said was "the enormous sweep" of the Bush drilling proposal announced four days before President Barack Obama took office. He said it did not take into consideration the views of states and coastal communities.

Instead Salazar on Tuesday directed studies into how much oil and gas might be found off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. He also plans to hold regional meetings to get comments from the public before proceeding with an offshore energy plan.

Congress lifted a broad ban on offshore oil and gas drilling last fall. But the Interior Department must issue the a plan for oil and gas leases.

Oil prices fall
NEW YORK (AP) - Crude oil futures prices ended lower on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

The near-month contract for the benchmark grade fell $1.99 -- closing at $35.94 a barrel.

Denali awards treatment plant engineering contract
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A company wanting to build a competing natural gas pipeline says it has awarded an engineering contract for a gas treatment plant at Prudhoe Bay.

Denali spokesman Dave MacDowell says the contract was awarded Tuesday to Fluor WorleyParsons Arctic Solutions.

He says the price of the contract was confidential, but did say it was worth several million dollars.

The plant would be part of a $30 billion-plus Alaska natural gas pipeline project, which is in competition with TransCanada Corp. The latter has been awarded an exclusive state license.

Both pipeline operators plan an open season next year.
(Alaska Journal of Commerce)

Hoonah resident among finalists for for Kodiak city post
KODIAK, Alaska (AP) - The next city manager in Kodiak will either be an Alaskan or an Oklahoman.

The Kodiak City Council has narrowed its list of applicants for manager from 18 to five.

The Alaska finalists are David Richards of Hoonah, Rich Walker of Kotzebue and Kodak's Aimee Kniaziowski (Kenya-JOW'-ski).

The two finalists from Oklahoma are David Fuqua (FOO'-kwuh) of Cushing and Timothy Rooney of Owasso.

The five will now be interviewed and complete questionnaires.
(KMXT-FM - Kodiak)

Anchorage residents supporting tax cap initiative
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - City Hall in Anchorage is being swamped with support for a tax cap.

An estimated 13,000 signatures gathered during a petition drive is paving the way for a ballot measure this April.

The proposal would lower property taxes, and reduce the rate at which taxes increase in Alaska's largest city.

Eaglecrest search proves unnecessary
A search at Eaglecrest earlier this week turned out to be unnecessary.

The Ski Patrol contacted Alaska State Troopers shortly after 5 p.m. Monday on a report that a 17 year old boy was missing.

The boy had made arrangements with a friend for a ride at the end of the day. When he didn't show up at the appointed time, the friend contacted the Ski Patrol who started a search with six members, four instructors and two snow cats.

Troopers started a search in town with the help of Juneau Police and located the boy at his home. He told Troopers he could not find his ride so he hitchhiked home.

State Troopers stress the importance of good communication to prevent unnecessary searches like this one.

Gold Medal Basketball Tournament line up set
The drawings for the Gold Medal Basketball Tournament sponsored by the Juneau Lions Club were picked on KINY's Capital Chat Tuesday morning.

The week long tournament begins Sunday, March 22nd.

In "B" Bracket action the initial pairings have Haines taking on Metlakatla; Angoon playing Sitka; Hoonah versus Kake; and Klukwan playing Yakutat.

In the Legendary "C" Bracket, it will be Sitka versus Ketchikan; Klukwan plays Hoonah; the Juneau Filipino Community against the Klawock Totems, and Kake versus Angoon.

In the Masters or Old Timers Bracket, Klukwan and Hoonah will have first round byes.

In the initial round, it will be the Klawock Old Totems versus Sitka Shee-Atika.  The winner will play Hoonah.

The other first round match has the Juneau Green Team against the Yakutat Old Timers with the winner playing Klukwan.

Tickets will go on sale later this month. The price will be the same as last year.

NW computer forensics lab earns accreditation
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The crime lab that serves the Pacific Northwest has earned national accreditation for handling computer and electronic evidence.

FBI officials joined representatives of regional law enforcement agencies on Wednesday to honor the Northwest Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory in Portland for its accreditation from the American Society of Laboratory Directors.

The regional lab is one of fewer than three dozen around the world to earn the accreditation for processing evidence from computers, cell phones and other electronic devices.

The lab is managed by a coalition of federal, state and local law enforcement organizations and is funded by the FBI.

Lady Seawolves top national poll again
The University of Alaska, Anchorage women's basketball team tops the NCAA Division Two poll for a third week in a row.

The Lady Seawolves, with a 22-and-1 record, were once again the unanimous choice for the number one team in the USA Today / ESPN Division Two poll.

However, a new rule from the NCAA will prevent UAA from hosting any post-season games, if the Seawolves make it to the playoffs.

The top-ranked team traditionally hosts the regional playoffs. but the NCAA announced a rule change Tuesday so that teams don't have to fly to Alaska or Hawaii.

UAA Athletic Director Steve Cobb says he's protesting the rule.
(KENI Radio - Anchorage)

Stamp prices to go up 2-cents in May
By RANDOLPH E. SCHMID - Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - The post office will be getting an extra 2-cents worth when you mail a letter starting in May.

The Postal Service announced Tuesday that the price of a first-class stamp will rise to 44 cents on May 11.

That gives plenty of time to stock up on Forever Stamps, which will continue to sell at the current 42-cent rate until the increase occurs. They will remain valid in the future regardless of rate hikes.

Postage rates go up annually in May, with the new prices announced in February. The overall change is tied to the rate of inflation in the year before.

While the new 44-cent rate covers the first ounce of first-class mail, the price for each additional ounce will remain unchanged at 17-cents.
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