Week in review

Anchorage-area voles near peak of population cycle

Voles were marching on the mudflats. Dodging merlins and weasels in town. They were, that is, until a protective blanket of snow finally concealed their burgeoning numbers last week, local biologists say. Now the plump country cousins of common house mice are out of sight once again -- safely tucked into their familiar, low-ceilinged "subnivean space" between old grass and new snow, where they remain active all winter long. This year that space might get crowded. Anecdotal reports indicate that Anchorage area voles -- one of the most prolific mammals in the world -- are nearing the peak of their local population cycle.

Exiting mayor leaves his mark with labor contracts

With barely a month to go before Mayor Mark Begich leaves town to become Alaska's new U.S. senator, labor contracts with about half the unions representing city employees are up for approval by the Anchorage Assembly. Together with three other contracts approved this year, passage of the four contracts this month would extend Begich's influence over the city's relationship with most of its workers -- their pay, benefits and work rules -- for five years after he leaves office.

TUESDAY

Recently released felon accused of killing military MP

A convicted felon just 16 days out of jail is accused of shooting and killing a Fort Richardson soldier after a confrontation early Sunday in downtown Anchorage. The suspect, Vongdeuane Vongthongdy, 26, was on probation for felony assault with a weapon at the time of the shooting. He is accused of shooting Army Sgt. Evan Minnear, 24, an off-duty military police officer.

Audit looks into union contracts altered without proper OK

City executives have changed parts of union contracts some 144 times since 2000 without getting a necessary go-ahead from the Anchorage Assembly, according to a draft report by the city's internal auditor. The study found a total of 19 such "side agreements" -- changes made after a contract has been ratified by union members and the Assembly -- between 1990 and 1999, the last full year of Mayor Rick Mystrom's administration -- and a total of 229 between 2000 and the present. George Wuerch was mayor until mid-2003, when Mayor Mark Begich was sworn in.

WEDNESDAY

New city labor contracts cause concern for some on Assembly

A divided Anchorage Assembly passed two labor contracts that will guide wages and work rules for a total of about 870 city employees for up to five years. The term of the deal worried some members, but others noted that contract provisions allow either side -- city managers or union leaders -- to demand wage renegotiations after the first two years. Other members, however, said that only applies to wages, not to other expensive employee benefits. Scores of city employees crowded the Assembly's chambers and spilled over into the lobby Tuesday night, urging passage of contracts, which were with the Anchorage Municipal Employees Association and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

THURSDAY

Biologist continues his tally of bears killed on the Peninsula

While Anchorage residents this summer worried over how to manage problems with local grizzlies, Kenai Peninsula residents solved their problems the old-fashioned way -- by killing lots of bears. A record number were dead by the time snow finally encased the Peninsula in winter, said area wildlife biologist Jeff Selinger. He was still tallying the numbers this week but figures the total is going to end up right around 40 bears shot in self-defense, rundown by cars, killed by authorities after being perceived as dangerous, or gunned down illegally and dumped.

Group sues to have walrus put on threatened-species list

A conservation group has gone to court to force the federal government to consider adding Pacific walrus to the list of threatened species. The Center for Biological Diversity sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne for failing to act on a petition seeking protection for walrus under the Endangered Species Act.

FRIDAY

Governor says state can afford to spend on kids programs

Gov. Sarah Palin is calling for more state spending on children's health insurance, preschool and other programs, even as Alaska oil prices and state revenues plunge. Cash flow into the state is shrinking as oil prices drop below $40 a barrel, the lowest level in nearly four years. Most state general fund money comes from taxes and royalties the state makes from oil. But Palin said the state can afford more than $5 million in new spending on areas like Head Start, obesity prevention, a test program of half-day preschool and expanded Denali KidCare insurance.

SATURDAY

Stevens' lawyers request a new trial in Alaska

Defense lawyers on Friday cited 17 reasons that U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens' month-long trial was unfair, flawed or prejudiced against him and asked that he be tried anew, this time in Alaska. The motion for a new trial, filed Friday afternoon in Washington, D.C., was accompanied by a separate motion asking the judge in the case to overrule the jury and direct an acquittal, voiding the verdict in which Stevens was convicted Oct. 27 of seven counts of failure to disclose gifts and other benefits.