Bureau of Ocean Energy Management okays Shell exploration plan
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management yesterday approved Shell's exploration plan for the Chukchi Sea. Shell still must obtain other permits from state and federal agencies.
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State legislature continues inaction
Members of the House and Senate minorities are planning hearings of their own, citing frustration with the lack of progress during the special session. With no budget deal and no other bills to vote on, technical sessions are planned tomorrow in Juneau. In the House, support is needed from the Democratic-led minority to tap a reserve fund to cover costs of government.
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Gov. Bill Walker works to honor travelers' ferry reservations
Gov. Bill Walker has a plan to keep most ferries running during the busy tourist season, to honor reservations by existing travelers.
Alaska Marine Highway spokesman Jeremy Woodrow says the governor is shifting $5.5 million in unused money from this year’s fuel fund to next year’s operating budget.
“That will allow the marine highway system to operate its summer schedule without any major changes, except for one change, which would be to the Taku,” said Woodrow.
That ferry will be out of service from July to September.
The Takucancellation will cut sailings to and from Prince Rupert, British Columbia, from four to two a week. Those sailings also stop in Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Kake and Juneau.
Woodrow says reservations staffers are contacting those who booked travel on the Taku beginning in July.
Officials have said the Legislature’s full budget cuts would cancel travel already booked by about 10,000 people. That number is now much lower.
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Galena elder Sydney Huntington turned 100 on Sunday. Hundreds of family, friends, and community members gathered in Galena to celebrate the occasion on Saturday. KIYU's Tim Bodoni reports.