Nation IN BRIEF : ALASKA : Gov. Hickel Cleared of Ethics Charges

A state panel in Anchorage dismissed ethics charges against Gov. Walter J. Hickel after he agreed to divest himself of his shares in a natural gas pipeline company he has promoted. The governor has denied any legal conflict of interest, which could have led to criminal penalties or impeachment hearings. The state Personnel Board unanimously agreed that Hickel could give his stock in Yukon Pacific Corp. to charity in order to end the conflict charge. Hickel has supported building a natural gas pipeline from Alaska’s North Slope to Valdez and founded Yukon Pacific Corp. a decade ago to push for its construction.