December-Issue-1 2012

 

Archive »AJC Issue Archive Departments

State forecasts $700M revenue decline next year

Revenues to the state of Alaska are expected to decline next year by about $700 million, the state Department of Revenue said Dec. 4.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

LA ports reopening after crippling strike

Work resumed Wednesday at the nation's busiest port complex after a crippling strike was settled, ending an eight-day walk-off that affected thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in cargo.
JOHN ROGERS, Associated Press

Citigroup to cut more than 11,000 jobs

Citigroup said Wednesday that it will cut 11,000 jobs, a bold early move by new CEO Michael Corbat. The cuts amount to about 4 percent of Citi's workforce of 262,000.
CHRISTINA REXRODE, AP Business Writer

Stock indexes are little changed; financials gain

Stocks were mixed on Wall Street Wednesday as gains for financial companies and optimism about the Chinese economy helped offset news that U.S. business added fewer jobs last month.
STEVE ROTHWELL, AP Business Writer

Obama warns against another debt ceiling fight

President Barack Obama warned Republicans on Wednesday against picking another fight over the nation's debt ceiling, telling business leaders that it's "not a game that I will play."
JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press

Trials reset for Native fishermen in salmon cases

A Bethel court magistrate has rescheduled the trials of 22 Alaska Natives who are charged with illegal fishing during a weak king salmon run.
Associated Press

Recount affirms upset in Southeast House race

A recount has affirmed a victory for a Sitka Democrat in a race for a southeast Alaska state House seat.
Associated Press

LA mayor in talks to end 8-day port strike

The mayor of Los Angeles has joined talks aimed at ending an 8-day strike that's paralyzed the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
JOHN ROGERS, Associated Press

Oil falls as 'cliff' negotiations drag on

Worries over the looming "fiscal cliff" and the health of the U.S. economy are driving oil prices lower Tuesday.
Associated Press

Stocks little changed as budget talks continue

Stocks were little changed Wall Street in midday trading Tuesday as budget talks continued in Washington.
STEVE ROTHWELL, AP Business Writer

Treadwell considering US Senate run in 2014

Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell says he's forming an exploratory committee to look at the possibility of a run for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in 2014.
Associated Press

No end in sight to cold snap

It appears there is no end in sight for the frigid weather gripping Fairbanks.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Grounded tug, barge recovered from Aleutian island

The tug and barge that ran aground last month along the Aleutians and leaked diesel fuel have been recovered.
Associated Press

Stocks mixed after weak manufacturing report

Stocks were little changed on Wall Street Monday after a surprisingly weak manufacturing report heightened concern that fiscal deadlock in Washington is already hurting the economy.
STEVE ROTHWELL, AP Business Writer

'Cliff' talks: White House waiting on GOP move

Republicans have to stop using "political math" and say how much they are willing to raise tax rates on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans and then specify the spending cuts they want, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said in an interview that aired Sunday.
ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press

Grant Aviation begins service to Akutan airport

Residents of a remote community in Alaska's Aleutians once again have access to scheduled flights that fill a void left when an airliner suspended service there in late October.
RACHEL D'ORO, Associated Press

Whaling panel's former director gets prison time

The Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission's former director was sentenced to more than three years in prison and ordered to pay back more than $393,000 to the organization, which works to preserve subsistence hunting of bowhead whales for Alaska Eskimos.

Recount affirms state Senate victory for French

A critic of Gov. Sean Parnell's plan for reducing oil company taxes has retained his seat in the state Senate. A Senate District J election recount affirmed a victory for Anchorage Democrat Hollis French over Republican Bob Bell.
DAN JOLING, Associated Press

Congress looks at doing away with the $1 bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — American consumers have shown about as much appetite for the $1 coin as kids do their spinach. They may not know what's best for them either. Congressional auditors say doing away with dollar bills entirely and replacing them with dollar coins could save taxpayers some $4.4 billion over the next 30 years.
KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press

Oil up slightly on Europe debt deal

The price of oil rose slightly Friday as traders weighed a new debt deal in Europe against political bickering in the U.S. over looming tax increases and budget cuts.
The Associated Press

Federal appeals court allows railroad extension

Work on a railroad extension in Southcentral Alaska will move forward after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday reversed its earlier order to halt work.
MARK THIESSEN, Associated Press

Recount OK'd for Southeast legislative seat

State Rep. Bill Thomas has requested a recount of this year's election results that saw him losing by 34 votes to Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins of Sitka.
Daily Sitka Sentinal

US economy grew at 2.7 percent rate in summer

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.7 percent annual rate from July through September, much faster than first thought. The strength is expected to fade in the final months of the year because of the impact of Superstorm Sandy and uncertainty about looming tax increases and government spending cuts.
MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer

Stock gains dented over twists in budget talks

An early gain on the stock market shrank Thursday after House Speaker John Boehner said little progress was being made in budget talks in Washington. The Dow Jones industrial average had been up as much as 77 points in morning trading Thursday, then briefly turned negative after Boehner's remarks at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. Shortly after noon the Dow was up 20 points at 13,005.
MATTHEW CRAFT,AP Business Writer

Researchers count just 57 Denali wolves

Researchers counted just 57 wolves this year in Denali National Park and Preserve.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Archive »Transportation

LA mayor in talks to end 8-day port strike

The mayor of Los Angeles has joined talks aimed at ending an 8-day strike that's paralyzed the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
JOHN ROGERS, Associated Press

Grounded tug, barge recovered from Aleutian island

The tug and barge that ran aground last month along the Aleutians and leaked diesel fuel have been recovered.
Associated Press

Federal appeals court allows railroad extension

Work on a railroad extension in Southcentral Alaska will move forward after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday reversed its earlier order to halt work.
MARK THIESSEN, Associated Press

Archive »Construction Articles

Federal appeals court allows railroad extension

Work on a railroad extension in Southcentral Alaska will move forward after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday reversed its earlier order to halt work.
MARK THIESSEN, Associated Press

Archive »Oil & Gas

State forecasts $700M revenue decline next year

Revenues to the state of Alaska are expected to decline next year by about $700 million, the state Department of Revenue said Dec. 4.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Oil falls as 'cliff' negotiations drag on

Worries over the looming "fiscal cliff" and the health of the U.S. economy are driving oil prices lower Tuesday.
Associated Press

Oil up slightly on Europe debt deal

The price of oil rose slightly Friday as traders weighed a new debt deal in Europe against political bickering in the U.S. over looming tax increases and budget cuts.
The Associated Press

Golden Valley seeks grant for LNG project

Golden Valley Electric Association, the Interior Alaska electric cooperative, says it intends to pursue construction of a $200 million liquefied natural gas project on the North Slope without its former partner, Flint Hills Resources, if a state grant can be secured.
TIM BRADNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

Utilities make first draw from gas storage

Just in time for recent cold weather, Southcentral Alaska utilities are now making their first withdrawals from a new natural gas storage facility near Kenai.
TIM BRADNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

Alyeska “disappointed” by ruling on right-of-way lease

Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. said Nov. 26 it was disappointed in an Alaska Supreme Court decision upholding a state Department of Natural Resources valuation of a state right-of-way lease.
JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

Hilcorp boosts oil in 2012, gas continues drop

Hilcorp Energy has been able to rebuild Cook Inlet oil production since taking over ownership of producing properties in early 2012, but natural gas production continues to fall in fields the company has interests in, according to information made available by the company.
TIM BRADNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

Archive »Technology

Biomass saves big bucks to heat, power rural schools

Rural entities across Alaska are looking for alternative sources of energy as a solution to unsustainable fuel and power bills. The Gateway School District, headquartered in Tok, appears to have found its answer to both in the woods.
ELWOOD BREHMER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

Archive »Alaska Politics

State forecasts $700M revenue decline next year

Revenues to the state of Alaska are expected to decline next year by about $700 million, the state Department of Revenue said Dec. 4.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Recount affirms upset in Southeast House race

A recount has affirmed a victory for a Sitka Democrat in a race for a southeast Alaska state House seat.
Associated Press

Treadwell considering US Senate run in 2014

Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell says he's forming an exploratory committee to look at the possibility of a run for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in 2014.
Associated Press

Recount OK'd for Southeast legislative seat

State Rep. Bill Thomas has requested a recount of this year's election results that saw him losing by 34 votes to Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins of Sitka.
Daily Sitka Sentinal

Archive »National Politics

Obama warns against another debt ceiling fight

President Barack Obama warned Republicans on Wednesday against picking another fight over the nation's debt ceiling, telling business leaders that it's "not a game that I will play."
JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press

Treadwell considering US Senate run in 2014

Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell says he's forming an exploratory committee to look at the possibility of a run for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination in 2014.
Associated Press

'Cliff' talks: White House waiting on GOP move

Republicans have to stop using "political math" and say how much they are willing to raise tax rates on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans and then specify the spending cuts they want, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said in an interview that aired Sunday.
ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press

Archive »Money Talks

Congress looks at doing away with the $1 bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — American consumers have shown about as much appetite for the $1 coin as kids do their spinach. They may not know what's best for them either. Congressional auditors say doing away with dollar bills entirely and replacing them with dollar coins could save taxpayers some $4.4 billion over the next 30 years.
KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press

Market strategist: Dividend safety could be myth

BOSTON (AP) — Timing matters. All too often investors succumb to the temptation to buy a stock that’s been a hot performer, only to get in when it’s about to go cold.
MARK JEWELL, AP PERSONAL FINANCE WRITER

Archive »Finance

State forecasts $700M revenue decline next year

Revenues to the state of Alaska are expected to decline next year by about $700 million, the state Department of Revenue said Dec. 4.
Tim Bradner, Alaska Journal of Commerce

Citigroup to cut more than 11,000 jobs

Citigroup said Wednesday that it will cut 11,000 jobs, a bold early move by new CEO Michael Corbat. The cuts amount to about 4 percent of Citi's workforce of 262,000.
CHRISTINA REXRODE, AP Business Writer

Stock indexes are little changed; financials gain

Stocks were mixed on Wall Street Wednesday as gains for financial companies and optimism about the Chinese economy helped offset news that U.S. business added fewer jobs last month.
STEVE ROTHWELL, AP Business Writer

Obama warns against another debt ceiling fight

President Barack Obama warned Republicans on Wednesday against picking another fight over the nation's debt ceiling, telling business leaders that it's "not a game that I will play."
JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press

Oil falls as 'cliff' negotiations drag on

Worries over the looming "fiscal cliff" and the health of the U.S. economy are driving oil prices lower Tuesday.
Associated Press

Stocks little changed as budget talks continue

Stocks were little changed Wall Street in midday trading Tuesday as budget talks continued in Washington.
STEVE ROTHWELL, AP Business Writer

Stocks mixed after weak manufacturing report

Stocks were little changed on Wall Street Monday after a surprisingly weak manufacturing report heightened concern that fiscal deadlock in Washington is already hurting the economy.
STEVE ROTHWELL, AP Business Writer

'Cliff' talks: White House waiting on GOP move

Republicans have to stop using "political math" and say how much they are willing to raise tax rates on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans and then specify the spending cuts they want, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said in an interview that aired Sunday.
ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press

US economy grew at 2.7 percent rate in summer

The U.S. economy grew at a 2.7 percent annual rate from July through September, much faster than first thought. The strength is expected to fade in the final months of the year because of the impact of Superstorm Sandy and uncertainty about looming tax increases and government spending cuts.
MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics Writer

Stock gains dented over twists in budget talks

An early gain on the stock market shrank Thursday after House Speaker John Boehner said little progress was being made in budget talks in Washington. The Dow Jones industrial average had been up as much as 77 points in morning trading Thursday, then briefly turned negative after Boehner's remarks at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. Shortly after noon the Dow was up 20 points at 13,005.
MATTHEW CRAFT,AP Business Writer
Anchorage unemployment at five-year low

Anchorage unemployment at five-year low

Unemployment in Anchorage fell to 4.7 percent and a five-year low in October, according to a report from the Anchorage Economic Development Corp. It’s the lowest monthly unemployment figure since November 2007.
ELWOOD BREHMER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

Archive »Editorials

EDITORIAL: Reviews in: EPA study is shoddy, sloppy, biased

Roy Stein is no fan of the Pebble mine.
ANDREW JENSEN, MANAGING EDITOR

FISH FACTOR: Fishing fleet still graying; pollock harvest could increase

The “graying of the fleet” continues in Alaska as fewer young folks obtain permits for various fisheries.
LAINE WELCH, FOR THE JOURNAL

Archive »Features

Light up the holidays

Light up the holidays

Archive »Movers and Shakers

Movers & Shakers 12/02/12

Archive »Bulletin Board

BULLETINS 12/02/12

Bell to seek recount in Senate race, ADFG forecasts drop in 2013 for Bristol Bay sockeye, EPA fines vessels

Archive »Science

Biomass saves big bucks to heat, power rural schools

Rural entities across Alaska are looking for alternative sources of energy as a solution to unsustainable fuel and power bills. The Gateway School District, headquartered in Tok, appears to have found its answer to both in the woods.
ELWOOD BREHMER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

Archive »Mining

More gold found at Pogo, Fort Knox expansion under way

More gold found at Pogo, Fort Knox expansion under way

TIM BRADNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

Archive »Fishery Stories

Trials reset for Native fishermen in salmon cases

A Bethel court magistrate has rescheduled the trials of 22 Alaska Natives who are charged with illegal fishing during a weak king salmon run.
Associated Press

Grounded tug, barge recovered from Aleutian island

The tug and barge that ran aground last month along the Aleutians and leaked diesel fuel have been recovered.
Associated Press

IPHC meeting format changes, model bias may be fixed

The numbers presented at the International Pacific Halibut Commission’s interim meeting looked a little different than they have in the past.
MOLLY DISCHNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

Board of Fisheries to talk salmon, herring in Naknek

Alaska’s Board of Fisheries is going to Naknek to discuss Bristol Bay finfish Dec. 4 to Dec. 12.
MOLLY DISCHNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE
Alaska seafood industry still aiding Japanese peers after 2011 tsunami

Alaska seafood industry still aiding Japanese peers after 2011 tsunami

The Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission Inc. had good news from Japan just in time for Thanksgiving.
MOLLY DISCHNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

North Pacific council to discuss bycatch, set 2013 harvests

The 2013 fisheries harvests and preliminary discussions of certain bycatch top the North Pacific Fishery Management Council’s December agenda.
MOLLY DISCHNER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE

FISH FACTOR: Fishing fleet still graying; pollock harvest could increase

The “graying of the fleet” continues in Alaska as fewer young folks obtain permits for various fisheries.
LAINE WELCH, FOR THE JOURNAL

Archive »General News

LA ports reopening after crippling strike

Work resumed Wednesday at the nation's busiest port complex after a crippling strike was settled, ending an eight-day walk-off that affected thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in cargo.
JOHN ROGERS, Associated Press

LA mayor in talks to end 8-day port strike

The mayor of Los Angeles has joined talks aimed at ending an 8-day strike that's paralyzed the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
JOHN ROGERS, Associated Press

No end in sight to cold snap

It appears there is no end in sight for the frigid weather gripping Fairbanks.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

'Cliff' talks: White House waiting on GOP move

Republicans have to stop using "political math" and say how much they are willing to raise tax rates on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans and then specify the spending cuts they want, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said in an interview that aired Sunday.
ANNE FLAHERTY, Associated Press

Grant Aviation begins service to Akutan airport

Residents of a remote community in Alaska's Aleutians once again have access to scheduled flights that fill a void left when an airliner suspended service there in late October.
RACHEL D'ORO, Associated Press

Whaling panel's former director gets prison time

The Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission's former director was sentenced to more than three years in prison and ordered to pay back more than $393,000 to the organization, which works to preserve subsistence hunting of bowhead whales for Alaska Eskimos.

Recount affirms state Senate victory for French

A critic of Gov. Sean Parnell's plan for reducing oil company taxes has retained his seat in the state Senate. A Senate District J election recount affirmed a victory for Anchorage Democrat Hollis French over Republican Bob Bell.
DAN JOLING, Associated Press

Congress looks at doing away with the $1 bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — American consumers have shown about as much appetite for the $1 coin as kids do their spinach. They may not know what's best for them either. Congressional auditors say doing away with dollar bills entirely and replacing them with dollar coins could save taxpayers some $4.4 billion over the next 30 years.
KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press

Researchers count just 57 Denali wolves

Researchers counted just 57 wolves this year in Denali National Park and Preserve.
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Anchorage unemployment at five-year low

Anchorage unemployment at five-year low

Unemployment in Anchorage fell to 4.7 percent and a five-year low in October, according to a report from the Anchorage Economic Development Corp. It’s the lowest monthly unemployment figure since November 2007.
ELWOOD BREHMER, ALASKA JOURNAL OF COMMERCE
Why must we buy? Black Friday’s powerful pull

Why must we buy? Black Friday’s powerful pull

BEAVER FALLS, Pa. (AP) — Gravy was still warm. Dallas Cowboys were still in uniform. Thanks were still being given across the country as the pilgrimages to the stores began, heralding a new era of American consumerism.
JESSE WASHINGTON, ASSOCIATED PRESS