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11/17/14 - Gov. Sean Parnell concedes race to Bill Walker

Walker leads with 4,634 more votes than Parnell

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell has conceded in the state's gubernatorial race. He issued a statement Saturday, after the Associated Press named Bill Walker the winner Friday evening. A count by the Division of Elections Friday showed Walker with 4,634 more votes than Parnell. About 10,000 absentee ballots remain to be counted.

Parnell wrote on Facebook Saturday he'd met with Walker and offered him office space to help with the transition. Walker is scheduled to be sworn in on Dec. 1.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski asks Department of Defense Inspector General to take another look at its investigation into Alaska National Guard misconduct

Last May the Department of Defense issued a report saying claims of misconduct in the Alaska National Guard were unsubstantiated, findings that are at odds with an October report by the National Guard's Bureau of Complex Investigations. The Bureau stated some victims reported retaliation for reporting they'd been sexually assaulted. It reported a lack of confidence in Alaska Guard leadership. The Guard Bureau also reporting findings of misconduct such as fraud, and use of government equipment for personal gain.

Pavlov volcano quiet

As KUCB's Annie Repeik reports, Pavlov Volcano on the Alaska Peninsula suddenly went quiet this weekend after a brief, intense eruption that began on Nov. 12. The Alaska Volcano Observatory says Pavlov is known to pause during eruptions, and may become active again with little or no warning.

Sealaska announces dividends, no earnings

The board of directors for the Southeast regional corporation Sealaska Friday approved dividends of $8.99 per share. Eligible elders will receive another $80. Most shareholders will received $899. That amount is based on 100 shares of stock. Some of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimpshian shareholders have more or fewer shares due to inheritance, gifting, and other factors.

The winter dividends reflect earnings from Sealaska's investments and its share of a natural-resource-profits pool of earnings from other Native corporations.

Corporate officials were not immediately available for comment.

Board President Joe Nelson, in a prepared statement, said he's not satisfied with dividends without corporate earnings.

He said Sealaska is in better shape than it was in 2013, when net losses totaled $35 million. Three-quarters of that came from a construction subsidiary, which badly underestimated two federal projects in Hawaii.

Flu season off to an early start

The flu season in Alaska typically peaks in December and January. KTUU reports there have been about 120 reported cases already this month, compared to 50 cases in all of November last year. Health officials encourage Alaskans to get flu shots, particularly children, the elderly, and people with health conditions.

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