Below is the complete story list and audio from today’s Alaska News Nightly, as broadcast on APRN stations statewide. Individual stories are available in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to our news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS anytime.
Disappearing polar sea ice leading toward increasing polar traffic
Joel Southern, APRN – Washington, D.C. (read by Lori Townsend, APRN)
A three-day symposium on the naval and maritime effects of diminishing Arctic sea ice kicked off today in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Navy, the Coast Guard, NOAA and the Arctic Research Commission are sponsoring it to talk about of a range of issues that will have to be dealt with as climate change melts more sea ice and more open water appears.
Underwater archaeology work in Southeast may expand human migration history
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau
Scientists researching human migration are looking for underwater evidence off the coast of Southeast Alaska. They’re appealing to the public to help them find ancient settlements that have long been covered by the ocean.
Denali Kid Care health coverage expanded
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau (read by Lori Townsend, APRN)
More low-income children and pregnant women have access to medical care through a bill Governor Palin signed into law last night. The bill renews the Denali Kid Care program and extends coverage to an additional 1,300 children and 300 women by raising the cap on family income.
Federal government may review Alaska Native tribal status
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
A letter sent to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne in May sought to prompt a review of the legal status of tribes in Alaska. The letter was sent to Interior by Senate president Lyda Green and House speaker John Harris and asked for a new review of Interior’s position on the existence of tribes in Alaska. The letter was crafted after the Eklutna tribe requested a permit for a bingo and pull tab gaming license.
Retail eye for the Salmon Guy
Johanna Eurich, KDLG – Dillingham
Direct marketing fish in some parts of the world consists of a fisherman pulling up to the dock and selling their catch off the boat — but not in Bristol Bay, where markets are thousands of miles away. But the fisherman behind Salmon Guy’s seafood sells his Bristol Bay catch at farmer’s markets and small markets on the east coast. His success is based upon marketing directly to customer desires and expectations.
Alaska wildfire management balancing against Lower 48 fires
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks (read by Lori Townsend, APRN)
Hundreds of firefighters are at work across interior Alaska, but with cooler, wetter weather expected, some response personnel are beginning to be sent south. Wildfire suppression in Alaska annually ratchets back on July 10th, after which, on average, our weather tends to be less conducive to fire. Alaska Fire Service Spokeswoman Lori Heupel says Interior blazes are still getting attention, but that Alaska agencies are balancing the response with the demands of major fires burning in western lower 48 states.
Fairbanks hosts public Q&A tonight to explain proposed new taxes
Libby Casey, KUAC – Fairbanks (read by Lori Townsend, APRN)
Fairbanks Borough officials are hosting a meeting tonight to talk about proposals for new taxes. Two options to change the Borough’s tax structure are before the Assembly and would have to be approved by voters before becoming law.
Troller sinks off Sitka, offering life lessons to crew
John Hunt, KHNS – Haines
The commercial trolling boat “Prospector” sank 75 miles north of Sitka late last week. No injuries were sustained by the two man crew, who were fishing in the waters near Pelican.
