Anchorage Daily News

News for Friday, April 6
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Really big, really old: Chris Wilson at NOAA fisheries lab measures monster rockfish caught by trawler in Bering Sea last month. Estimated age: between 90 and 115 years. See item below. (NOAA fisheries photo).

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Is there a casino in Eklutna’s future? KTUU reported last night that Native Village of Eklutna has applied for a federal Indian gaming permit that would allow electronic bingo and pull tabs on eight acres of Native allotment land near the Birchwood Airport. Machines allowed under Class 2 permit would resemble slot machines; regular casino games wouldn’t be permitted, story says. Eklutna tribal officials aren’t saying much, but Alaska Star reports the group and its attorney recently met with Rep. Bill Stoltze to discuss plans. Paper reports rumors are rampant in the Chugiak-Eagle River area.

If approved, it would be the third Indian gaming permit issued in Alaska – the others are in Southeast – but it’s a big if. Alaska Star story notes that it’s open to debate whether Alaska tribal lands are legally similar to Lower 48 Indian Country..

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That’s a big, old fish. Associated Press story is getting play all over the world: Bering Sea pollock fishing trawler pulled up a 60-pound rockfish thought to be between 90 and 115 years old. (Also Far North Science blog)

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"...he said goodnight to his family and went on duty." Colorado media, including Greely Tribune, reports more on Staff Sgt. Shane Becker, the latest Fort Richardson soldier killed in Iraq. Paper reports he talked by Web cam to his wife and daughter in Anchorage the night before he was killed in firefight.
> Also: More Alaska guardsmen headed to Afghanistan (ADN)

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“There was constant feuding...really immature stuff.” The Tundra Drums (PDF download only) reports on bickering, in-a-huff walkouts and what sounds like general dysfunction on the Bethel city council these days. Story says council has trouble agreeing on much of anything since last October’s election.

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New warming report paints grim picture. Hardly a day’s passed this week without significant news about how the world is warming, with Alaska and the Arctic usually right in the middle of it. One of two stories today: New research shows the Arctic sea ice this winter covered the second-smallest area since satellites began measuring it (and was just short of last year’s record.) AP and Far North Science.

The other story, this one getting headlines everywhere: A new international report out today, drawing on research from hundreds of scientists, shows the reach of climate change (it’s extensive, mostly bad, and getting worse). Much of the coverage focuses on arguing between scientists and government officials over how far the report should go, and complaints that the final report was watered down. It’s not all bad: New York Times notes global warming has its up sides: “More rainfall and longer growing seasons in high latitudes, opening Arctic seaways and reduced deaths from cold.” But the report says continued warming is mostly going to mean trouble, “with consequences ranging from the likely extinction of perhaps a fourth of the world’s species to eventual inundation of coasts and islands inhabited by hundreds of millions of people.” Times has an interactive map showing winners and losers, and BBC has an interactive map where you can track the shrinking ice pack year by year.
   Also: KTUU (with video) does a what’s-it-mean-for-Alaska? piece. Story says continued warming could mean a longer growing season, but a UAF scientist who contributed to the report says the government may need to move people away from the coast.

Conservative media in U.S., meanwhile, glommed onto an Anchorage angle the past day or two that keeps being rehashed on talk radio, blogs and elsewhere: If it’s getting so warm, they ask, how come fire hydrants burst in Anchorage a couple weeks ago from the cold? Rush Limbaugh couldn’t resist it.

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Papa Pilgrim in prison, but Hale family presses on with land case. Alaska Public Radio Network reports the family is working on an appeal to U.S. Supreme Court over access to their private inholding in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. Family wants to drive a bulldozer on abandoned mining road; Park Service says they can reach property only by air or on land by nonmotorized travel. They’re being represented by Outside property-rights law firm.

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Harris bushwhacked as he steps off plane. Valdez Star reports sign-waving residents ticked off about proposed cuts to school funding met House speaker at the airport when he came home last weekend. Earlier, students protested pink slips to three teachers because there’s not enough money.

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Alaska businesses looking to new B.C. port. Toronto Globe and Mail reports on big new container port about to open at Prince Rupert, which is closer to China than Vancouver is and is connected by rail to Lower 48.  “Now resource-rich Alaska wants in,” story says. “The state's seafood, forestry products and minerals could be brought down by ferry along the Alaska Marine Highway to reach both the Asian and the U.S. markets.” Officials in Ketchikan call new port “incredible opportunity” for getting goods out of Alaska faster.

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Young might return campaign cash from indicted casino developer. ADN reports congressman’s aide says, "Mr. Young wouldn't know Dennis Troha if Mr. Troha walked in and hit him with a bat." Troha  faces charges for funneling campaign money to Wisconsin governor and Democratic Party to win approval for casino. Troha and associates were among Young’s top contributors, and Troha company benefited from trucking provision he helped pass. A separate federal probe is looking at Troha’s involvement in that legislation.

MORE ALASKA HEADLINES:
> Developer fights with Air Force, might move 300 houses off Eielson. (News-Miner)
> Body of homeless woman found in tent in Anchorage (ADN)
> Did talk radio play a role in Anchorage city election? (KTUU)
> Bragg on lawmakers' cruise-ship tinkering:: Is it a ballot box or suggestion box? (ADN)
> Juneau road loses staff money, will proceed anyway (Juneau Empire)
> Trouble at Jim Creek – residents say calls for help ignored (ADN)
> Apartment fire leaves 18 homeless (Juneau Empire)
> Another sign of spring: Denali road open to Savage River (News-Miner)
> Nanooks hockey coach resigns for unspecified “opportunity” (News-Miner)
> Bookkeeper charged with stealing $111,234  from medical practice (News-Miner)
> New Homer city hall on fast track (Homer Tribune)