Alaska Employment Law

New York Times on Valley Hospital abortion litigation:  Today’s NYT carries an article on the battle over abortions at the Valley Hospital in Palmer, which led to the Alaska Supreme Court’s opinion in Valley Hosp. Ass’n v. Mat-Su Coalition for Choice, 948 P.2d 963 (Alaska 1997).  In that case, the Supreme Court (per Compton) unanimously affirmed Superior Court Judge Dana Fabe’s injunction invalidating the hospital’s bar on elective abortions, and holding that the hospital was a quasi-public institution.

Jeff King and hunting in Denali National Park:  U. S. Magistrate Judge John Roberts’ opinion in the case against Iditarod musher Jeff King has now been published at 2008 WL 4710744 (D.Alaska Oct. 24, 2008).  Roberts convicted King of unlawful taking of wildlife in a national park, and acquitted him of operating a motor vehicle in a park area not designated for off-road use.  The opinion discusses entrapment by estoppel, the mens rea requirement for hunting or driving in a park (none), mistake of fact (about the boundary of the Park), and the elements of aiding and abetting.  Stephen Cooper, Fairbanks AUSA, prosecuted.  Myron Angstman, Bethel, defended.

Sen. Stevens and the vote:  The Alaska Attorney General has determined that Sen. Stevens may vote in the November 2008 election, according to this story in the New York Times.  I haven’t been able to find any AG opinion to link to.