The federal corruption probe of Senator Ted Stevens takes another turn. Plus, it’s fishing season in Alaska and that means the rivers and bays are crowded, but so are the emergency rooms. Those stories and more on tonight’s Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.
Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.
Stevens investigation examines VECO Arctic services contract
The Associated Press
Federal authorities are turning their focus in the probe of Senator Ted Stevens. The Justice Department recently asked the National Science Foundation for records related to VECO, the oil services fields company at the center of a sweeping corruption investigation.
Military names five Fort Wainwright soldiers killed in Iraq helicopter crash
Libby Casey, KUAC – Fairbanks
The Defense Department released the names this afternoon of five Fort Wainwright soldiers killed in a helicopter crash in Iraq:
- Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Johnson, 31 — Michigan
- Chief Warrant Officer Jackie McFarlane Junior, 30 — Virginia
- Staff Sergeant Sean Fisher, 29 — California
- Staff Sergeant Stanley Reynolds, 37 — West Virginia
- Specialist Steven Jewell, 26 — North Carolina.
Paleontologist Johansen bringing human origins lecture to UAA
Steve Heimel, APRN – Anchorage
Next week, the incoming freshman class at the University of Alaska Anchorage will be treated to a lecture by one of the world’s foremost experts on human origins — Dr. Donald Johansen, the discoverer of the oldest human fossils. Dr. Johansen arrives on a wave of major news in his research field — the discovery that two different species of early humans co-existed at about the same time, about a million and a half years ago.
Fairbanks police officer shoots and kills man during confrontation Tuesday
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
An unidentified Fairbanks police officer was attempting to question Lucky Adams, suspected in a string of thefts at local retailers. Lieutenant Tara Tippet says the officer stopped a van driven by Adams and tried to subdue him with a Taser, but the suspect broke away.
Lottery scam appearing in Alaska — $650,000 “winners” beware
Mike Mason, KBBI – Homer
Many Alaskans have become the target of a counterfeit check scam that appears to originate overseas.
Anchorage Museum preparing for new director
Dixie Hutchinson, KNBA – Anchorage
A member of the Kaw Nation of Oklahoma has been named the new director of the Anchorage Museum. James Pepper Henry will replace long-time museum director Pat Wolf. Wolf, who will retire October 21st, has lead the facility for the past 20 years.
Kisa Gold more than doubling its gold claims on state lands
Angela Denning-Barnes, KYUK – Bethel
Kisa Gold (a division of Gold Crest Mines) — the mining company exploring for gold near Kisaralik Lake in Southwest Alaska — has staked a new area of state land, more than doubling the size of their claim.
Hunting transporters caught and fined for guiding without licenses in Southeast
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau
State wildlife troopers are cracking down on big game transporters in Southeast Alaska who are guiding without a license. A Utah man’s recent guilty plea points to a growing problem, especially on Prince of Wales Island.
Mendenhall glacier bear-viewing tourists may need, well… relocating
John Ryan, KTOO – Juneau
Misbehaving tourists have led the Forest Service to close part of a popular bear-watching trail in Juneau.
‘Hookers’ fill Kenai peninsula emergency rooms every summer
David Shurtleff, APRN – Anchorage
The Silver Salmon Derby is in full swing down in Seward, where each year anglers compete for a chance to win $50,000. But, as the beaches get more and more crowded, some fishermen will win little more than an unexpected trip to the emergency room.
