Governor Palin Makes Panel Appointments
October 6, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today announced her nominations and appointments to two panels that support the Pacific Salmon Commission, established by a 1985 U.S.-Canada treaty on managing salmon originating in Southeast Alaska/Northern British Columbia rivers. Details >

Governor Orders Flags Lowered
October 3, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska - Governor Sarah Palin today ordered state flags to be lowered to half-staff on Sunday, October 5, in recognition of National Fallen Firefighters Remembrance Day. Details >

Governor Signs Proclamation
October 1, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin signed a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Alaska, and called on all Alaskans to learn about – and take a stand against – domestic violence. Details >

Tanana Flood Designated a Fed Disaster
September 26, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska - The aftermath of a summer storm system that caused severe flooding, landslides and wind damage throughout the northern and interior parts of Alaska was declared a federal disaster today by President George W. Bush. The declaration provides federal funding for recovery and response efforts in the wake of damaged public infrastructure and for hazard mitigation. Details >

Alaska Stamp Unveiled
September 18, 2008, Fairbanks, Alaska – Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell on Wednesday unveiled the design of a new U.S. postage stamp honoring Alaska’s 50th anniversary of statehood. The stamp bears a photograph taken by Alaska photographer Jeff Schultz, and features DeeDee Jonrowe and her dog team set against a stunning mountain backdrop. The stamp is set for release on January 3, 2009. Details >

Guardsmen Return from Hurricane Support
September 17, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Twenty-six members of the Alaska Air National Guard are returning home today after deploying in support of hurricanes Gustav, Hannah and Ike in the Gulf Coast region. Responding to a request from the states of Louisiana and Texas, the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing deployed two HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and airmen on September 1 to support search-and-rescue efforts. Details >

Speaking Out in Support of OCS Drilling
September 15, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin submitted the state of Alaska’s comments to the federal Minerals Management Service (MMS) on the preparation of a new five-year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program. Governor Palin praised the MMS for embarking on this effort to update the five-year leasing program, and confirmed the state’s support for the proposed oil and gas leasing programs in the Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, and limited areas in the North Aleutian Basin, as well as for the special interest sales for the Cook Inlet planning areas. Details >

Palin Names Public Safety Commissioner
September 12, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today named Joseph A. Masters, security director of Doyon Universal Services and affiliate professor at University of Alaska Southeast, as commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. “Joe Masters brings more than two decades of Alaska law enforcement experience to the Department of Public Safety,” Governor Palin said. “Both the department and all Alaskans will be well-served by his professionalism and knowledge of all facets of the organization.” Details >

Marine Transportation Advisory Board
September 12, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today announced she has appointed William T. Beck, John “JC” Conley, Mark Eliason, Gerry Hope, Capt. William Hopkins, Clay Koplin, Mike Korsmo, Shirley Marquardt, Cathie Roemmich, Maxine Thompson and Robert Venables to the Marine Transportation Advisory Board (MTAB). The 11-member board, comprised of representatives of a cross-section of Alaska communities, advises and makes non-binding recommendations to the state and the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) on issues related to the state ferry system. The board was originally created by administrative order in 2003. Governor Palin reauthorized it by Administrative Order 240 in 2007, and established it in state law by signing House Bill 294 in June. Details >

Palin Calls for a Halt to Offshore Fish Farm
September 12, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today expressed her administration’s objections to elements of the federal government’s proposal to allow decommissioned oil and gas platforms in federal waters to be used for fish farming and other forms of aquaculture. “Alaska’s natural wild fisheries have been well managed on a sustainable basis for years, and are critically important to our state’s economy, especially in our coastal communities,” said Palin. “Disease, parasites, and escapement of non-native stocks from fish farms are just some elements of the threat that aquaculture can pose to wild fish stocks.” Details >