Money

Groups appeal air quality permit for Shell Arctic drilling

Environmental and Alaska Native groups are appealing an air permit granted by the Environmental Protection Agency to Shell Oil for a drilling ship the company hopes to use in Arctic Ocean waters.

Cook Inlet lease sale draws bids on 44 tracts

Alaska's annual Cook Inlet petroleum lease sale drew bids on 44 tracts by five bidding groups and individuals, with primary drillers doing fill-in work around existing leases, the state says.

Alaska wins $71,000 in Skechers shoe lawsuit settlement

Claims that Skechers' fitness shoes can help people shed pounds and tone muscles are sketchy at best, says the U.S. government -- and they're going to cost the company millions of dollars.

Group to evaluate how to advance oil tax cuts

Supporters of changes to Alaska's oil production tax structure have called for a meeting to discuss how best to advance the debate after another legislative defeat.

Pebble mine developers earmark $107 million for permitting

A Canadian mining company eyeing development of a huge Alaska copper and gold deposit near one of the world's premier salmon fisheries said Tuesday that $107 million has been allocated to prepare the mine for permitting starting this year.

Tuesday's oil, gas, gold and zinc prices

North Slope oil: $109.88 per barrel, down $0.80

North Dakota passes Alaska to become No. 2 US oil producer

North Dakota, which just six years ago was the ninth-largest oil-producing state, has passed Alaska to become the second-leading oil-producing state in the nation, trailing only Texas.

LYNNE CURRY

Co-worker doesn't want to play matchmaker

Q. One of my co-workers just went through a nasty divorce -- and dragged me through it as well by giving me blow-by-blow accounts of her custody battle and how she planned to take her ex-husband for every dime. At first I felt sympathy for her but I soon dreaded the daily diatribe.

Facebook is more than the year's hottest stock story -- it's a cultural phenomenon

When Facebook goes public -- as it's expected to do this week in what's almost certain to be the biggest stock debut for an Internet company -- it will be more than a milestone financial event. It will also be a reflection of how tightly a company launched eight years ago in a college dorm room has become woven into the fabric of society.

Monday's oil, gas, gold and zinc prices

North Slope oil: $110.68 per barrel, down $1.35

Alaskan Brewing Co. wins 3 awards

Alaskan Brewing Co. received three medals at this year's World Beer Cup competition in San Diego.

IRS crackdown on foreign assets leads many to renounce citizenship

A growing number of U.S. citizens who live abroad and have bank accounts there are making a radical decision to avoid paying taxes: They're giving up their U.S. citizenship.

Tankers return to Valdez laden with crude oil

Normally Alaska North Slope crude oil flows one way -- south, toward refineries on the West Coast. But in recent weeks, something odd has happened. Tankers have returned to the terminal at Valdez still partially laden with Alaska oil. Usually, they come back empty.

Business meetings, seminars, events

Area business meetings and events

Conventions and conferences

Area events

LYNNE CURRY

Employers at risk with employee-owned devices

My employer furnishes all employees with BlackBerries. I don't need one because I have an iPhone that works well for me and is more advanced than the BlackBerry. Corporate, however, issued the policy that I can't access company data from my iPhone, so I have to carry both BlackBerry and iPhone.

Pioneer says test drilling yields 50 million barrel discovery

Pioneer Natural Resources Alaska has announced a 50-million-barrel oil discovery at its budding Nuna development. The find was based on exploration drilling completed this last winter.

BARBARA AND CLAIR RAMSEY

Home inspection is key for buyers and sellers

The home inspection performed by an independent third party can be one of the most frustrating parts of selling or buying a home. It can strain the relationship between seller and buyer, who up to this point may have felt positive about each other.

LAINE WELCH

Alaska towns vie to be called tops for fishing

Several Alaska communities are vying for the title of "Ultimate Fishing Town," a recognition that comes with $25,000 to be used for local fishing-related projects.

Friday's oil, gas, gold and zinc prices

North Slope oil: $112.03 per barrel, down $0.95

Bank's $2 billion bad bet sparks firestorm over regulation

J.P. Morgan Chase's stunning after-hours announcement of a $2 billion loss on a complex bet sent shock waves through Washington as lawmakers blamed regulators for continuing to allow the same risky activity that nearly sank the global financial system four years ago.