The Senate passed a key procedural hurdle to immigration reform yesterday evening.
Federal Government
Charter company fined for endangering whales
Alaska Yacht Charters has been fined $5,000 for coming too close to a pod of humpback whales on the western side of Admiralty Island.
US Border Protection backs off controversial rules for foreign boaters
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced it is backing off the enforcement of rules for foreign boaters that recently caused confusion among Canadians who enjoy Alaska waters.
Murkowski says stance on gay marriage rooted in conservatism
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is being applauded by some in her home state for her new-found support for gay marriage.
Alaska couples await Supreme Court decision on DOMA, Prop 8
With only two decision days left for the Supreme Court, rulings that could impact same sex marriage could come as early as tomorrow.
Update: Sealaska lands bill passes Senate committee
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski’s version of the Sealaska lands bill has passed out of its only committee of referral.
Reid promises Senate will pass background check bill
A recent Gallup Poll shows 83% of Americans support expanded background checks; a slight tick down from 91% just a few months ago.
Storis for sale
The historic Coast Guard Cutter Storis — which spent most of its post-World War II career sailing Alaska waters — is on the auction block. The Storis was decommissioned in 2007, and Alaska’s Congressional delegation managed to stave off disposal until now. Heather Handyside is press secretary for Senator Mark Begich. “We had been hoping…
Still no Supreme Court ruling on DOMA, Prop 8 cases
With only two possible days for decisions from the Supreme Court left in this session, rulings in two cases have both sides of the same sex marriage issue on the edge of their seats.
Senators urge caution on Pebble Mine, Partnership says fishing on decline
Pebble Partnership CEO John Shively says the commercial salmon industry in Alaska is losing its importance.