Entries in Dermot Cole for October, 2008
"Fairbanks vs. the Congressman for All Alaska"
The group "Fairbanks Versus the Congressman for All Alaska" included a flyer in the News-Miner today promoting its Web site, http://donyoungshistory.com.
Palin offers distorted view of gas pipeline challenges
In her remarks today on energy independence, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin offered an oversimplified view of the past, present and future of the gas pipeline debate in Alaska.
While Alaska GOP calls on voters to back Stevens, Palin and McCain call on senator to resign
The split between Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and the Alaska Republican Party extends to conflicting positions on whether Sen. Ted Stevens should resign in the wake of his felony convictions.
Palin finds fault with former Bush aides advising her campaign
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is frustrated with the advice of the former aides to the Bush campaign working on the McCain-Palin ticket, the Web site Politico.com reports.
"Four Republicans close to Palin said she has decided increasingly to disregard the advice of the former Bush aides tasked to handle ...
IRS has 977 'stimulus' checks waiting to be delivered to Alaskans
The IRS says that 977 people in Alaska have yet to claim their so-called “economic stimulus checks” and that 411 Alaskans have regular tax refunds waiting to be delivered.
All told, the checks total $1 million, the tax man says.
The tax refund checks were “returned by the ...
Internal memo claims GOP already counting Don Young out
The Web site Politco.com quotes "an internal document circulating among Houe Republicans" as saying that Rep. Don Young and four other GOP incumbents are being written off as likely losers in the election.
The document lists 58 seats at risk.
"Drafted by a Republican consultant, the document ranks ...
Former Fairbanksan takes over as Arizona basketball coach
Mike Dunlap, who is taking over as basketball coach at Arizona, is from Fairbanks. He replaces Lute Olson, who resigned today for health reasons.
Dunlap is a Lathrop graduate and a veteran coach.
Dan Raley, a sports writer at the Seattle P-I, who worked at the News-Miner before ...
Palin talks to People Magazine about books and reading habits
In an interview with People Magazine, Gov. Sarah Palin was asked, “Do you think you're intellectual?”
SP: Yessss. And you have to be up on not only current events, but you have to understand the foundation of the issues that you're working on as a governor. I had to ...
OPEC actions and world oil demand will again determine Alaska's short-term financial future
If oil prices remain in the $70 range for the rest of this fiscal year, the state should take in enough to balance its budget without dipping into savings, according to Jerry Burnett, director of the division of administrative services in the Department of Revenue.
But Alaska North Slope ...
Bargain home prices are relative
We had a story today on home sales in which a resident was quoted on plans to move to San Diego to be nearer to relatives and to take advantage of the rock-bottom real estate prices.
Rock-bottom is relative.
According to KPBS in San Diego, there were 3,366 ...
Colin Powell finds Palin not ready to serve as vice president, questions McCain's judgment
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell appeared on "Meet the Press" today to endorse Sen. Barack Obama over Sen. John McCain.
Powell also was blunt in his assessment of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her selection as the VP nominee:
"She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to ...
Wall Street price swings mean billions for Alaska's Permanent Fund
The Alaska Permanent Fund recovered about $1 billion of its recent losses in the stock market rally Monday, but falling prices today seem likely to cut into the rebound.
In a period of extreme volatility, the fund dipped to $30.5 billion last Wednesday and $29.6 billion Thursday.
The ...
School district reaches tentative settlement with teachers
The Fairbanks North Star Borough School district and the Fairbanks Education Association reached a tentative contract agreement Saturday.
Sliding oil prices are a silver lining in Lower 48, but not in Alaska where oil revenues fund most state and local government services
With oil prices at the lowest level in 13 months, Alaska’s leaders will need to pay more attention to the dollars flowing in and out.
The summer dreams of nearly inexhaustible surpluses have ended, with oil dropping to the $80 range, down from a high of $145.
We ...
High winds force 20 jets to divert to Fairbanks before calmer weather returns to Anchorage
High winds in the Anchorage area forced at least 19 cargo flights and one Alaska Airlines passenger flight to divert to Fairbanks early today.
Anchorage operations were back to normal by mid-day.
The National Weather Service said there were high winds along Turnagain Arm and higher elevations in ...
State creates roadblock on access to annual report of Alaska State Troopers
The written response by Todd Palin to the “Troopergate” questions includes a comment about the 2007 annual report by the Alaska State Troopers.
“There was an e-mail on June 30, 2008 from (former Commissioner Walt) Monegan that had the annual AST 2007 report,” Palin said.
“I was aware ...
Palin comment exaggerates size of Alaska Permanent Fund
With dropping stock values, the fund is nowhere near $40 billion
During governor's race, Palin found fault with personal attacks, character assassination
In campaign interviews in 2006 with the News-Miner during the governor’s race, we asked all of the candidates about how they would attract young people to the political process.
In her response, Republican Sarah Palin said she saw a need to change the tone of politics in Alaska.
...