KODIAK — A project that aims to collect labor data on Alaska’s deckhands will be on the agenda when state lawmakers convene in January.

Alaskans should care about the national debt and the deficits that keep it growing because if it is mismanaged, Alaska may catch a cold from lower oil prices, reduced tourism and higher interest rates.

2010 housing outlook is Chamber topic

KETCHIKAN — Three environmental groups have appealed a U.S. Forest Service decision to log 73 million board feet of timber on Prince of Wales Island.

Joel Gilbertson, head of Providence Health Services for Alaska, is moving to a vice president’s job with the Providence system in Renton, Wash., effective Sept. 1. In his new post, he will manage government relations and public affairs for the five-state Providence system, according to a press release. Bruce Lamoureaux, CEO of Providence Alaska Medical Center, became CEO for the Alaska region on Aug. 1 and Dick Mandsager, director of the Providence children’s hospital, succeeded Lamoureaux as CEO of the medical center on Aug. 10.

VALDEZ — Petro Star Inc. plans to reopen its Valdez refinery in October, the company said. The refinery was severely damaged in a fire last December.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is allowing the Kensington Mine to move forward.

Southwest Airlines announced Thursday that its bid to buy Denver-based Frontier Airlines has been rejected.

Alaska Airlines recently announced in a letter to its customers that it is increasing the cost of the companion fares available through the airline’s Visa Signature card from $50 to $99. The cost hike goes into effect Oct. 1, said Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Bobbie Egan. She pointed out that the cost of the companion fare has not increased for 10 years, and said the airline’s companion-fare program remains one of the best deals of its kind in the country.

The UAA School of Nursing was recently awarded continuing accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission. At its meeting in July, the NLNAC board of commissioners approved continuing accreditation of the school’s master’s, baccalaureate and associate’s degree programs, including the post-master’s certificate program. NLNAC’s next evaluation visit is scheduled for spring 2017.