Local Digest
Alaska fish score low in contaminants

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Test results from state and private fish-monitoring programs find that Alaska seafood is free from contamination levels that would raise public-health concerns.

So far, those studies are showing contamination levels far below those deemed dangerous to humans by the Centers for Disease Control, the Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization, according to the Alaska Division of Environmental Health.

Using funding from the EPA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, division researchers are analyzing samples of all five species of Alaska salmon, as well as halibut, Pacific cod, sablefish, black rockfish, sheefish, lingcod and pollock.

They are looking for traces of heavy metals, such as methyl mercury, lead and cadmium. Other tests are done to detect dioxins and furans, pesticides, PCB congeners, inorganic arsenic and chromium VI.

While pollutants are appearing everywhere, including in Alaska, the limited sampling of Alaska fish has revealed no levels of concern that would warrant warnings about consuming the fish.

Medford, Ore.

Audience screened before rally for Bush

The Republican Party in Jackson County is screening audience members for President Bush's upcoming campaign rally in Medford based on support for the president.

Bryan Platt, chairman of the Jackson County Republican Central Committee, said the GOP is making an effort to include as many people as possible.

"The litmus test is supposed to be: Are you going to support the president?" Platt said. "They are going to be asked that question. If their response is, 'No, I'm coming to make trouble at this rally,' obviously they will be denied a ticket," he said.
 
"But I think, legitimately, if someone says, 'I'm undecided and just want to hear what he has to say,' they will be given the opportunity to do that," he added.

The guidelines for handing out the tickets to the Thursday event come from the Republican National Committee, he said.

No one 16 or older can obtain a ticket without showing up in person. Parents can sign for their minor children. Tickets also will be given out at GOP headquarters in Grants Pass, Roseburg and Klamath Falls.

Times staff and news services