Ted Stevens

by Dan Fiorucci Thursday, July 31, 2008 WASHINGTON -- Alaska's senior senator was arraigned in federal court in Washington, D.C., Thursday. He pleaded not guilty. Sen. Ted Stevens entered court wordlessly dressed in a cream colored suit. At some point he'll be fingerprinted and have his mug shot taken. Stevens -- indicted just 98 days before the general election on corruption charges -- wants a trial, and he wants it now, his lawyer said.

Thousands of mourners paid their last respects to Sen. Ted Stevens Wednesday afternoon. Stevens' funeral service was held at Anchorage Baptist Temple, and drew crowds of military service members, former staffers, U.S. dignitaries and Alaskans. His casket was escorted in by military pallbearers and a large number of honorary pallbearers to "Amazing Grace" played on bagpipes. On stage were displayed Stevens' set of giant green fists, representing the Incredible Hulk, to whom he was often compared for his attitude on the floor of the Senate.

by Jason Moore Tuesday, July 29, 2008 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., indicted Sen. Ted Stevens on seven felony counts Tuesday. The charges allege that Stevens accepted more than $250,000 in gifts from VECO Corp. and its CEO Bill Allen and deliberately failed to report those gifts on disclosure statements. "Earlier today, a federal grand jury here in the District of Columbia returned an indictment charging United States Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska with seven felony counts of making false statements," said Matthew Friedrich, acting assistant attorney general, announcing the indictments Tuesday.

Channel 2 will present an hour-long special Tuesday night at 7 p.m., “Remembering Ted Stevens.” We will take a look back at the former U.S. senator's life and career, and talk to some of the people who were impacted by his work. We will also be airing Stevens' memorial service Wednesday at 2 p.m live from the Anchorage Baptist Temple, with a live stream here on KTUU.com. The event is open to the public. We are inviting you to share your memories as well. You can e-mail your thoughts or photos with Stevens to news_desk@ktuu.com, or add comments to our Ted Stevens memorial page.

The man many Alaskans came to know as "Uncle Ted" served longer in the U.S. Senate than any other Republican in history. “My motto has always been here, to hell with politics. Let's do what's right for Alaska.  And I've tried every day to live up to those words,” former-Sen. Ted Stevens said on the Senate floor. On August 9th Stevens was enjoying life after the Senate aboard a small plane during a fishing trip near the small town of Dillingham when the unthinkable happened.

When Syun-Ichi Akasofu first approached Ted Stevens, the Japanese-American leader of the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Geophysical Institute was desperate - the institute's rocket range had no money to maintain or improve its structures and equipment. Akasofu traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet the powerhouse Alaska senator. When Akasofu reached Stevens' office, the senator informed him that he needed to head to Capitol Hill. “Can I come with you?” Akasofu asked. “I don't see why not,” Stevens said.

Sen. Ted Stevens, a pioneer of Alaska statehood and a decorated World War II veteran, was laid to rest Tuesday at Arlington National Cemetery. Alaska has never known a day of statehood without Ted Stevens living in the Last Frontier. The Indiana native was an early pioneer -- way back in the Eisenhower administration -- of bringing Alaska into the union. Tuesday afternoon he was interred right next to the city where the battle for Alaska statehood began -- Washington, D.C. The U.S. Air Force band played "Going Home" as the casket carrying Sen. Ted Stevens was carried into Arlington.

The prosecutors involved in the dismissed corruption trial of former-Sen. Ted Stevens will not face any charges. According to National Public Radio, a Washington attorney has been investigating the case for more than a year and his report will not recommend criminal prosecution for any of the government's lawyers. Separately, the Office of Professional Responsibility has completed its own report, but did not make misconduct findings against the prosecutors. The U.S. attorney general abandoned Steven's 2008 conviction on corruption charges because of evidence-sharing failures by the government.

by Jill Burke Friday, October 10, 2008 WASHINGTON -- Former Secretary of State Colin Powell testified Friday on behalf of Sen. Ted Stevens. During his brief testimony he detailed his extensive military experience, ultimately rising to the prestigious rank of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He spoke of the long and often spirited discussions he and the senator would frequently have about issues pertaining to national security, generally centered on funding international U.S. operations.

by Rebecca Palsha Friday, July 11, 2008 JUNEAU, Alaska -- Sen. Ted Stevens made a stop in Juneau during the special session, where lawmakers are debating if TransCanada should be given the license to build the natural gas pipeline. Stevens told lawmakers that the country is facing an energy crisis and now is the time for solutions. "The price of energy is hurting all Alaskans, every Alaskan," Stevens said. Stevens said it's up to lawmakers to help. He also said that it's time to invest in alternative energy.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) held a press conference Tuesday at Ted Stevens International Airport to announce the opening of a TSA "Pre-Check" lane at the the South security checkpoint. Passengers, who qualify for the Pre-Check program, can pass through the security checkpoint without removing shoes, belts, or light jackets.  Another perk is leaving laptops in the bag and leaving liquids in the carry-on during inspection. TSA spokeswoman Lorie Dankers said Tuesday there are two ways to qualify for the Pre-Check lane.  An airline passenger, who is a member of one of the Customs and Border Protection's "Trusted Traveler Program", is already qualified to use the "Pre-Check" lane.

Today would have been the 89th birthday of Senator Ted Stevens. Stevens, who died in a plane crash in 2010, served as a United States Senator from December 24, 1968 to January 3, 2009. His 41 years in office make him the longest-serving Republican senator in history. In honor of Stevens' birthday, Senator Lisa Murkowski visited his gravestone at Arlington National Cemetery and reflected on the memory of the former senator. "A great man who did wonderful things that will live beyond for decades and centuries into the future," says Murkowski.

  Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is updating its master plan. Planners encouraged the public to get involved early with comments about the future of the airport at an open house and presentation on Tuesday night. The master plan will include a vision for the airport, a forecast of future aviation demand and an inventory of existing conditions. A large turnout at the open house was attributed to public interest in the West Anchorage plan. The airport plan will be completed by December of 2013.

The late Senator Ted Stevens joins other inductees including sprinter Gail Devers, softball player Lisa Fernandez and swimmer Gary Hall Junior in the Olympic Hall of Fame, class of 2012. According to the U.S. Olympic Committee, Stevens was one of the great champions of the Olympic movement in the United States and will be recognized as special contributor. He led the support to pass the Olympic and amateur sports act, which allowed the appointment of the U.S. Olympic committee as the coordinating body for all Olympic-related athletic activity in the United States.

Birds are returning to Alaska by the millions and a non-stop effort is now underway to keep them from getting close to aircraft. A team from USDA Wildlife Services will tell you it's a constant challenge -- trying to outsmart flocks of geese and seagulls. They're now working around-the-clock, patrolling the major airports in Alaska, harassing birds and other wildlife that might get in the way. “We've harassed probably 1,200 animals so far this year and 500 were last week,” said Quinton Fiscus, the USDA wildlife specialist responsible for Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, “they've gotten the picture that they're not supposed to be around here.” Pyrotechnics called “bangers” and “screamers” shot from a pistol appear to be the most effective deterrent.

A report conducted by an independent investigator -- and commissioned by a Federal Judge in Washington -- confirms in detail allegations of prosecutorial misconduct in the trial of the late Ted Stevens. The report was released publicly today -- after some of those named in it tried to have it delayed. In all, it finds no criminal wrongdoing on the part of the prosecution. But it does find that the U.S. Justice Department acted improperly in not handing over "exculpatory evidence" to Stevens' attorneys.

A corporate-type jet slid off a runway at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport Monday night, according to an airport official. John Parrott, the airport manager, told Channel 2 News the plane was a LifeMed Lear Jet that had a patient on board. The incident happened around 10:00 p.m. on runway 7-R and officials closed the east-west runways. The north-south runways remained opened. Parrott said there was a malfunction of the aircraft's windshield de-icing system and the pilot couldn't see. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident.

Things are not looking good for a stalled federal construction project in midtown. The National Archives and Records Administration purchased a large plot of land in 2004, hoping to build a new facility, but the money ran out and lawmakers in Washington D.C. say it's not coming back any time soon. The site, near 40th and Denali Street, next to Cuddy Park and the Loussac Library, has been cleared and is ready for construction. There are fire hydrants, electrical hookups, and a road leading in, but that's about it. The National Archives bought the land with the help of some earmarks from former-Sen.

Alaskans honored a late U.S. senator considered a legend in the state on Saturday, the first official Ted Stevens Day. After Stevens died last August in a plane crash near Dillingham, the state Legislature unanimously passed a measure to devote a day each year to him after 40 years serving the state. The bill was signed into law early this year by Gov. Sean Parnell, who designated the fourth Saturday of July as Ted Stevens Day. Thousands of Alaskans turned out on Anchorage's Delaney Park Strip for the Governor's Picnic on the same day, many of whom fondly remembered Stevens.

May 8, 2007: Sen. Ted Stevens responds to a federal indictment of Bill Allen, head of oilfield services company VECO Corp., for allegedly bribing his son, then-state Senate President Ben Stevens, in 2002. July 18, 2007: Stevens files a report on his personal finances after a two-month delay. July 30, 2007: FBI and IRS agents search Stevens’ Girdwood home, looking for records related to their investigation of VECO. July 29, 2008: Stevens is indicted on seven federal felony counts, alleging that he received $250,000 in VECO gifts and work on his home but failed to report it on federal forms.