The annual Evening at Egan Fall Lecture series at the University Southeast starts Friday with Breaking Ice for Arctic Oil author Ross Coen in the Egan Library at 7 p.m.

JUNEAU - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski will serve on the same committees she did during the last session. The other half of the Alaska Senate delegation, Sen. Mark Begich serves on four committees, adding an appointment to a Senate committee on homeland security.

U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska won't be tucking away his Incredible Hulk tie anytime soon.

VOICE YOUR THOUGHTS

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will not replace its oldest research ship, the John Cobb, due to retire after 57 years of scientific service to Alaska fisheries, a NOAA spokesman said.

A controversial management plan that allocates the bulk of the multi-million dollar crab fishery to vessel owners, skippers, processors and coastal communities - but none for the crew - is heading for further scrutiny that could prove as stormy as the Bering Sea.

The following editorial first appeared in the Peninsula Clarion: