AMHS seeks licensed, documented mariners
Alaska Marine Highway System officials say they are continuing to struggle with crew shortages, and that both Washington State and British Columbia ferries are experiencing the same challenges, with a nationwide dearth of licensed and documented mariners.
Navy: More space needed to maneuver during Northern Edge
U.S. Navy officials seeking more space for maneuvering vessels and aircraft during Northern Edge training exercises in Alaska say they are preparing a supplemental environmental impact statement/overseas environmental impact statement.
Legislators cautious of overreliance on high oil prices
In a break from past practice, the Alaska Department of Revenue this year will provide monthly updates to legislators whenever projected oil prices — and state revenues — move up or down more than 10%.
Unemployment rate drops in Valdez-Cordova Census Area
Updates from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development show that unemployment rates in the Valdez-Cordova Census Area decline from 8.2% Dec. 21, 2020 to 7.8% as of Dec. 20, 2021.
Legislative Update: Our fiscal reality remains fundamentally unchanged
Rep. Louise Stutes: With an influx of billions of federal dollars and the price of oil at over $80 per barrel, the next few legislative sessions represent a generational opportunity for Alaska.
More Cordova residents test positive for COVID
A rapid increase is being tabulated by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services of residents testing position for the novel coronavirus, as the omicron variant spreads through the state, and federal authorities rush to provide free at-home rapid COVID antigen tests to everyone.
Coastal legislators dislike governor’s spending plan for ferries
Though they say the level of funding for the state ferry system in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1 is adequate, coastal legislators don’t like that the governor wants to use one-time federal money to pay the bills, eliminating almost 95% of state funding.
SWAMC’s annual meeting set for March 3-4
Members of the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference are planning to hold their annual economic summit and membership meeting March 3-4 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, with some voluntary and required protocols, depending on the pandemic situation at that time.
Princess Cruises pleads guilty to second probation violation
Princess Cruise Lines has pleaded guilty to a second violation of probation imposed after a 2017 criminal conviction for deliberately dumping oil-contaminated waste from one of its vessels and intentional acts to cover up, Justice Department officials said.
State contracts for private ferry operator ‘as needed’
The Alaska Department of Transportation is contracting with Allen Marine to run one of its vessels “as needed” between Ketchikan, Wrangell and Petersburg this winter, though no runs are scheduled and any operations likely would depend on whether the state ferry Matanuska finally comes out of winter overhaul as now expected on Jan. 31.
