Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell has certified a ballot initiative about parental consent for abortion backed by Gov. Sarah Palin, the governor’s office announced today.

The body of a 16-year-old Juneau boy was found Wednesday evening on the side of Mount McGinnis.

Alaska State Troopers have identified the boy as Cameron Clark of Juneau.

ART, EVENTS &PERFORMANCE

Thursday, July 2

As Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s professional and personal lives are combed for clues in advance of her hearing for a Supreme Court justice slot, one juicy tidbit stands out for me:

Juneau resident Shirley Ann Nygard died peacefully on June 7, 2009, at Wildflower Court in Juneau. She was 79.

FAIRBANKS – A pro-Palin Web site has accused Rep. Jay Ramras, R-Fairbanks, of a conflict of interest for owning BP stock. The Fairbanks Republican denies any breach of ethics and says he has made a full disclosure of his stock trading.

The National Society of Newspaper Columnists chose Gov. Sarah Palin last week as the winner of its annual Sitting Duck Award, a tongue-in-cheek honor that pokes fun at “the crème de la crème of the most ridiculed newsmakers in America.”

ANCHORAGE – The Democratic state senator who oversaw the “Troopergate” investigation of Gov. Sarah Palin filed a letter of intent Wednesday to run for her job.

ANCHORAGE – A union representing 16 bus mechanics, radio technicians and warehouse workers at Denali National Park says the employees have gone on strike.