WASILLA, ALASKA (BNO NEWS) — Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin on Wednesday evening announced she will not run for the White House during the upcoming presidential elections. It ends years of speculation.

Palin, who was U.S. Senator John McCain’s vice presidential nominee during the 2008 presidential elections, announced her decision in a letter sent to supporters. “After much prayer and serious consideration, I have decided that I will not be seeking the 2012 GOP (Republican) nomination for President of the United States,” she said.

The former governor said she believes she can be more effective in a ‘decisive role’ to help elect others into office, including the White House. “We need to continue to actively and aggressively help those who will stop the ‘fundamental transformation’ of our nation and instead seek the restoration of our greatness, our goodness and our constitutional republic based on the rule of law,” she said.

She added: “From the bottom of my heart I thank those who have supported me and defended my record throughout the years, and encouraged me to run for President. Know that by working together we can bring this country back – and as I’ve always said, one doesn’t need a title to help do it.”

Palin said she will continue to drive discussion for freedom and free markets, including in the race for the presidency. “In the coming weeks I will help coordinate strategies to assist in replacing the President, re-taking the Senate, and maintaining the House,” she said.

The former governor had been the focus of intense rumors for years about whether or not she would participate in the 2012 presidential elections. Late last year, Palin told the New York Times that she was seriously considering a run for the presidency.

She said: “I’m engaged in the internal deliberations candidly, and having that discussion with my family, because my family is the most important consideration here.” Asked by ABC’s Barbara Walters, Palin said she believed she would be able to beat incumbent president Barack Obama.

In the most recent Gallup polls about the 2012 Republican presidential candidate, Palin saw significant declines in the Positive Intensity Scores since late August. On Tuesday she had a score of 13, compared to Herman Cain’s 30.

The U.S. presidential elections are scheduled to be held on November 6, 2012. Obama is running for re-election and is expected to face strong opposition from the Republican party, which has numerous major candidates including Texas Governor Rick Perry, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, U.S. Representative Ron Paul of Texas, and others.

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NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) — A strong earthquake in the Pacific Ocean on early Friday morning prompted a brief tsunami warning for Alaska’s Aleutian Islands, officials said. There were no reports of actual waves or casualties.

The 6.8-magnitude earthquake at 1.55 a.m. local time (1055 GMT) was centered about 27 miles (45 kilometers) southwest of Amukta Island, a small uninhabited island between the Fox Islands and the Andreanof Islands in the Aleutian Islands. It struck about 22.1 miles (35.5 kilometers) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The USGS estimated that several hundred people may have felt very light shaking on nearby islands, but there were no reports of damage or casualties as the region is mostly uninhabited. The Alaska Earthquake Information Center (AEIC) measured the earthquake at a much lower 6.2 magnitude.

Because the earthquake was initially measured at 7.1 on the Richter scale, the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas of Alaska from Unimak Pass to Amchitka Pass. Unimak Pass is 80 miles (128 kilometers) northeast of the Dutch Harbor, while Amchitka Pass is 125 miles (201 kilometers) west of Adak.

Residents in Atka, a town on the east side of Atka Island, briefly evacuated to higher ground when the tsunami warning was issued. When the warning was canceled an hour later, with no tsunami waves observed, residents returned home.

“No destructive tsunami has been recorded, and no tsunami danger exists along the coasts of the U.S. west coast states, Alaska, and British Columbia,” the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center said in a statement. “Local authorities can assume all clear upon receipt of this message.”

Four light aftershocks struck the region in the first few hours after the earthquake, with the strongest measuring 4.8 on the Richter scale. The others had magnitudes of 4.5, 4.5, and 4.3.

Earlier this year, on June 24, a powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck 39 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Amukta Island, a small uninhabited island between the Fox Islands and the Andreanof Islands in the Aleutian Islands. There were no casualties and no tsunamis were observed.

The sparsely populated region of Alaska, which sits on the so-called ‘Pacific Ring of Fire’, is occasionally struck by powerful earthquakes. Most notably, an enormous 9.2-magnitude earthquake struck north of Prince William Sound in Alaska on March 27, 1964, unleashing a tsunami which killed at least 143 people.

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AMUKTA PASS, ALASKA (BNO NEWS) — A powerful earthquake struck near an Alaskan island in the Pacific Ocean on Thursday evening, seismologists said, briefly prompting a tsunami warning for local coastlines.

The 7.2-magnitude earthquake at 6.09 p.m. local time (0309 GMT Friday) was centered about 39 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Amukta Island, a small uninhabited island between the Fox Islands and the Andreanof Islands in the Aleutian Islands. It struck about 38.9 miles (62.6 kilometers) deep, making it a shallow earthquake, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The Alaska Earthquake Information Center (AEIC) measured the strength of the earthquake at 6.6 on the Richter scale, significantly weaker than the USGS estimate. Seismological agencies often have different magnitudes during the first few hours after a major earthquake struck.

A seismologist at the USGS however said it did not expect to change its magnitude, although revisions are possible as more information comes in from stations around the world. “7.2, though, is a pretty good magnitude for now,” he said.

The agency further said no damage or casualties were expected from the earthquake itself as nearly all islands in the region are mostly uninhabited. The USGS said several hundred people may have felt light to moderate shaking, which would pose no threat.

Because initial readings put the magnitude of the earthquake at 7.4, the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center decided to issue a tsunami warning for the coastal areas of Alaska from Unimak Pass to Amchitka Pass. It was later canceled after no tsunamis were observed.

“No destructive tsunami has been recorded, and no tsunami danger exists along the coasts of the U.S. west coast states, Alaska, and British Columbia,” the tsunami warning center said in a bulletin. “Local authorities can assume all clear upon receipt of this message.”

Several minor aftershocks rattled the area in the hours after the powerful earthquake, and the USGS warned it would likely continue. “These areas tend to produce lots of aftershocks. As a general rule, they’re usually smaller than the first shock,” a seismologist said.

The sparsely populated region of Alaska is occasionally struck by powerful earthquakes. Most notably, an enormous 9.2-magnitude earthquake struck north of Prince William Sound in Alaska on March 27, 1964, unleashing a tsunami which killed at least 143 people.

And most recently, two strong earthquakes struck approximately 60 miles (100 kilometers) east-southeast of Adak, an island near the western extent of the Andreanof Islands group. The earthquakes, which measured 6.4 and 6.1 on the Richter scale, caused no damage.

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ANCHORAGE, ALASKA (BNO NEWS) — All five passengers a board a small plane died after the aircraft crashed on railroad tracks in the southern region of the state of Alaska, local authorities said Friday.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that a single-engine Cessna 180 aircraft had crashed around half a mile from Alaska’s Birchwood Airport on a set of railroad tracks just north of Anchorage, Alaska, around 15 minutes after taking off at 10 a.m. local time.

The Anchorage Police Department later told the Alaska Dispatch that a total of five people had been killed during the accident, identifying the pilot as Lonn Greiner, 46, his mother, Carolyn Greiner, 69, and the pilot’s three children, Glory, Nathan, and Grace, ages 13, 11, and 10, respectively. All of them were from Eagle River, Alaska and were reportedly heading to Seldovia.

Following the crash, the Chugiak Volunteer Fire Department rushed to the scene and put out the flames. The NTSB has launched an investigation into the accident.

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ANCHORAGE, ALASKA (BNO NEWS) — An Alaskan woman and mother of six adopted children was arrested on Wednesday for child kidnapping and assault charges, local authorities said.

Anya James, 50, of Anchorage, Alaska, between 2000 and 2010, fostered and adopted six children, who were subject to years of emotional and physical abuse, as they were confined to small rooms with doors and windows alarmed that sounded if the children tried to escape. However, the mother was able to collect over $750,000 in adoption subsidies from the State of Alaska during that time.

In addition, James had video and audio monitors so she could monitor the children’s activities and conversations. The children were locked inside the rooms with no access to toilets, as they were forced to use a kitty litter bucket despite three working bathrooms in the home.

According to the police report, James also restricted their eating which led them to become severely malnourished, stunting their growth and preventing them from going through puberty during their teenage years.

The Anchorage Police Department conducted an eight-month long investigation after receiving claims of child abuse. Detective Chris Thomas was assigned the investigation in October 2010, which began with several of the children being removed from James’s house. Many of them suffered from such malnourishment that they had to be hospitalized.

Police are unsure whether James adopted other children before the year 2000.

James was arrested on charges with 10 counts of kidnapping and 6 counts of assault in the first degree. She was booked into the Anchorage Jail with bail set at $100,000 cash plus third party custodian with conditions that James have no contact with any of her adopted children or minors under 16 years of age.

James is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday afternoon in the Superior Court at the Nesbitt Courthouse.

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HONOLULU (BNO NEWS) — Debris from the powerful tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan last month will impact the U.S. West Coast in early 2014, Hawaiian researches say.

The tsunami triggered by the 9.0-magnitude earthquake on March 11 washed entire houses, cars, and other objects into the Pacific Ocean. Researchers at the International Pacific Research Center have now developed a model that will help predict when and where the debris will be dumped.

The model shows the tsunami debris first spread out eastward from the Japanese coast in the North pacific Subtropical Gyre. It will take about a year before pieces will begin washing up the shores of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands’ Marine National Monument.

In about two years, the center predicts, the remaining Hawaiian islands will see some effects but not as much debris as the U.S. West Coast will likely get around March 2014. The plume will dump debris most notably on the beaches of California and Baja California in Mexico, although the Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaskan coastlines will also be affected.

“The debris will then drift into the famous North Pacific Garbage Patch, where it will wander around and break into smaller and smaller
pieces,” the center said. “In five years, Hawaii shores can expect to see another barrage of debris that is stronger and longer-lasting than the first one. Much of the debris leaving the North Pacific Garbage Patch ends up on Hawaii’s reefs and beaches.”

The International Pacific Research Center said its model will help guide clean-up and tracking operations. “Tracking will be important in determining what happens to different materials in the tsunami debris, for example, how the composition of the debris plume changes with time, and how the winds and currents separate objects drifting at different speeds,” it said.

Even before the devastating tsunami, however, the World Ocean was already a dump for rubbish flowing in from rivers, washed off beaches, and jettisoned from oil and gas platforms and from fishing, tourist, and merchant vessels.

“Marine debris has become a serious problem for marine ecosystems, fisheries, and shipping,” the center said. “The massive, concentrated debris launched by the devastating tsunami is now magnifying the hazards.”

The 9.0-magnitude and its resulting tsunami has left at least 12,800 people killed and some 15,000 people remain missing. Japanese officials have called it the worst crisis since the end of World War II.

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HONOLULU (BNO NEWS) — Tsunami warnings were issued for the U.S. state of Hawaii and the U.S. West Coast on early Friday morning, officials said, prompting evacuations along coastal shorelines.

The warning and watches were issued after a massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Japan, creating huge tsunamis that have devastated parts of Japan. It was followed by a series of major aftershocks, including one of 7.1 on the Richter scale.

“A tsunami has been generated that could cause damage along coastlines of all islands in the state of Hawaii,” the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a bulletin. “Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property.”

Emergency sirens were being sounded across Hawaii, and officials have ordered evacuations of coastlines in case a large tsunami reaches the islands.

For the mainland of the United States, the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas of California and Oregon from Point Concepcion to the Oregon-Washington border. A warning is also in effect for the coastal areas of Alaska from Amchitka Pass to Attu.

In addition, a tsunami advisory has been issued for the coastal areas of California from the California-Mexico border to Point Concepcion. Advisories are also in effect for the coastal areas of Washington.

A Tsunami Advisory means that a tsunami capable of producing strong currents or waves dangerous to persons in or very near the water is expected. Significant, widespread inundation is not expected for areas under an advisory. Currents may be hazardous to swimmers, boats, and coastal structures and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival.

A Tsunami Watch means that all coastal residents in the watch area should prepare for possible evacuation. A tsunami watch is issued to areas which will not be immediately impacted by the tsunami. Watch areas will either be upgraded to warning or advisory status, or canceled.

And a tsunami warning is issued when a potential tsunami with significant widespread inundation is imminent or expected. Warnings alert the public that widespread, dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by powerful currents is possible and may continue for several hours after arrival of the initial wave.

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ANCHORAGE (BNO NEWS) — A U.S. soldier was killed in Alaska on early Sunday morning while playing Russian roulette with another soldier, police said on Monday.

Anchorage Police spokeswoman Anita Shell said police responded to a shooting at a home in the community of Eagle River at 2.07 a.m. local time. First responders found a 26-year-old army soldier who was suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

“According to witness accounts, the victim had stayed Friday night at the Eagle River home of Jacob Brouch, 25, stationed in Alaska from California,” Shell said. “At some point in time on Saturday, the two men began drinking and posing for photos with a revolver belonging to Brouch. Eventually the gun-play resulted in a game of Russian roulette.”

Detectives believe the victim, who is from North Carolina, was holding the gun to his stomach when he accidentally fired the weapon. Brouch, his wife, and their teenage children were in the home at the time of the incident, but there were no other injuries.

Police have since charged Brouch with Murder in the Second Degree for knowingly providing the weapon which resulted in the death of his friend. He has been transported to the Anchorage Jail.

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SEATTLE (BNO NEWS) — Alaska Airlines on Tuesday announced it has placed an order with Boeing for fifteen additional aircraft, valued at $1.3 billion at list prices.

Boeing said the order for 15 Next-Generation 737 airplanes comprises of thirteen 737-900ERs (extended range) and two 737-800s. he 737-900ER is a new model for the Alaska Airlines fleet and the order comes only seven months after the airline ordered two other Boeing aircraft.

The largest and newest model in the 737 family, the 737-900ER can carry up to 26 more passengers or fly about 500 nautical miles (926 kilometers) farther than the 737-900. Alaska Airlines plans to operate the 737-900ER in a two-class configuration with 178 to 184 seats.

“The reliability and efficiency of our 737 fleet has been a direct contributor to our strong financial performance,” said Brad Tilden, president of Alaska Airlines. “The 737-900ER will be a perfect fit for our transcontinental, high traffic west coast and mid-continental markets and will be the most fuel efficient airplane in our fleet. We look forward to adding the same ‘Proudly All Boeing’ logo to these airplanes that already adorns the rest of our 737 fleet.”

The Next-Generation 737s will add capability to Alaska Airlines’ fleet of 114 737s currently serving 61 destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. “Alaska Airlines has established a strong record of operational and financial performance by operating a highly efficient and flexible all-Boeing 737 fleet,” said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The addition of these Next-Generation 737s demonstrates our hometown partner’s strong investment in its future growth. It also speaks to the continuous improvements we are making to the Next-Generation 737 in terms of efficiency, economics, reliability and passenger comfort.”

In June 2010, Alaska Airlines ordered two additional Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s in a deal valued at approximately $153 million. The deal was not announced until late July 2010.

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JUNEAU, ALASKA (BNO NEWS) — Lisa Murkowski on Wednesday won the Alaska Senate seat and became the first candidate in over fifty years to win a Senate seat in a write-in campaign.

Murkowski defeated Joe Miller, her tea-party rival, after a two week-long count of hand-written votes. Murkowski has a lead of about 10,000 votes with only 700 votes left to count. Miller’s observers challenged 8,153 ballots over misspellings, extra words or legibility issues.

Miller won by a wide margin in the GOP primary which prompted Murkowski to run as a write-in. Murkowsky is reportedly flying back to Alaska to address her supporters after what she called an historic victory.

Murkowski ran as a write-in after saying she was encouraged by Alaskans who wanted a reasonable alternative between the conservative Miller and the Democratic candidate. The last Senate candidate to win as a write-in was Strom Thurmond in 1954.

Miller and his advisers have vowed to take legal action over what they believe was an unfair tally in Murkowski’s favor. However, he said that if the math is not in his favor, he will stop challenging the results.

Murkowski’s victory is a major blow for Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate who backed Miller as well as the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The new Alaska Senator said that she plans to caucus with the Republicans but added that she will not be beholden to any special interests or party, a probable sign that she may not try to reclaim her leadership post within the GOP conference. She voluntarily resigned in order to engage in her write-in campaign.

The victory of Murkowski featured an unique process unlike any Alaska had seen. Observers scrutinized the handwriting of thousands of ballots during the long process of vote counting. The rules for conducting the election were written as the race went on.

Murkowski, 53, was appointed to the Senate seat long held by her father when he became governor in 2002. She won the seat in her own right two years later, in a narrow win over Democrat Tony Knowles. Her father was defeated in the 2006 gubernatorial primary by Palin, contributing to the tense relationship between the two families.

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