Two recent news items out of Norway caught my attention. The first happened April 30 when Governor Parnell went there to discuss tax policy. The second was the announcement on May 6 that Norway had decided to make a change to its oil tax laws.

...Development Grants: Artchange, Inc., Sitka ($2,500); Cyrano's Theatre Company, Anchorage ($4,000); Institute of the North, Anchorage ($2,000); Kachemak Bay Writers Conference, Homer ($4,000); Kodiak Arts Council, Kodiak...

...Development Grants: Artchange, Inc., Sitka - $2,500; Cyrano's Theatre Company, Anchorage - $4,000; Institute of the North, Anchorage - $2,000; Kachemak Bay Writers Conference, Homer - $4,000; Kodiak Arts Council, Kodiak...

Alaskans are fond of saying "it's our oil" when talking about the North Slope. Yet we as Alaskans have never invested in the development of "our oil.

The other day I was introduced to someone with the comment that I was "a geographer.

The Institute of the North is hosting a gathering for young Alaskans interested in discussing the state's rich history, vibrant present and thriving future.

Fifty-five delegates from around Alaska are attending the Conference of Young Alaskans at University of Alaska Southeast campus. The conference is fashioned after the state's Constitutional Convention.

An article on page A1 of Monday's Empire gave an incorrect name for the Chairman of the Board of the Institute of the North. The correct name is Ira Perman.

Seated around tables in a U-shape with microphones and remote voting devices, discussing Alaska's hot-button issues with confidence, it wouldn't be a big surprise if this group were the Alaska State Legislature. In 10 or 20 years.

Young Alaskans gathered in Juneau last week to debate the state's future and try to solve some of the problems it is facing, just like another generation of Alaska leaders did more than 50 years ago at the state's Constitutional Convention in Anchorage.