News of the Day : AK bright spots
OIL
Oil heads for another weekly gain on demand hopes and shut-ins
CNBC, May 8, 2020
Oil prices rose on Friday and were on course for a second consecutive week of gains as more countries moved ahead with plans to relax economic and social lockdowns put in place to halt the coronavirus pandemic and as more output was shut in. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 5%, or $1.18, to trade at $24.73 per barrel, while international benchmark Brent crude traded 2.9% higher at $30.32 per barrel.
GAS
Hilcorp’s new development plan for Ninilchik bolsters gas output
MINING
Fort Knox gold output rises amid COVID
Shane Lasley, North of 60 Mining News, May 8, 2020
COVID-19 has not affected gold output at Kinross Gold Corp.’s Fort Knox Mine but did contribute to higher production costs at the open-pit operation in Alaska during the first quarter of this year. During the first three months of 2020, Fort Knox produced 51,667 ounces of gold, which is slightly less than the 53,183 oz of produced during the previous quarter but a roughly 37% jump over the 37,613 oz of gold produced at the Interior Alaska mine during the first quarter of 2019.
POLITICS – Thank you Senators Sullivan & Murkowski!
Senators aim to local governments more flexibility in using COVID-19 funds
The Coronavirus Relief Fund Flexibility Act was introduced by U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski to allow federal relief funds in the CARES Act to be used to replace revenue shortfalls that result from the pandemic. Senator Sullivan said many Alaska mayors, city council, members, and legislators have expressed concern about whether they can use these funds to offset revenue losses this year.
COVID 19
Here’s Exactly Where We Are with Vaccines and Treatments for COVID-19
Healthline, May 3, 2020
- Scientists around the world are working on potential treatments and vaccines for the new coronavirus disease known as COVID-19.
- Several companies are working on antiviral drugs, some of which are already in use against other illnesses, to treat people who already have COVID-19.
- Other companies are working on vaccines that could be used as a preventive measure against the disease.