Former lawmaker Pete Kott was sentenced today to six years in federal prison for bribery, conspiracy and extortion. Plus, Yukon River fishermen in Alaska and Canada are pleading with the pollock fleet to stop catching so much salmon. 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.
Ex-lawmaker Kott gets six years for corruption
David Shurtleff, APRN – Anchorage
Former lawmaker Pete Kott was sentenced this morning to 6 years in federal prison for his role in Alaska’s ongoing corruption scandal.
Palin wants huge boost in school funding
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
Governor Sarah Palin today presented a $3 billion budget to pay for the state’s education needs for the next three years.
Salmon controversy goes international
Charles Homans, KIAL – Unalaska
In recent months, salmon fishermen in western Alaska have complained that levels of chinook salmon caught by Bering Sea pollock fishermen have hurt their ability to make a living and keep their freezers full of fish.
Obama setting up shop in Anchorage
Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage
Presidential candidates typically ignore Alaska during primary season, but that could be changing.
Federal cuts prompting change for Tongass
Matt Lichtenstein, KFSK – Petersburg
Forest Service managers and employee representatives are negotiating a reorganization plan for the Tongass National Forest in Southeast.
Falconers may get limited access
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering allowing the capture of more Northern Peregrines.
Vandalism spree closes school in Craig
Deanna Garrison, KRBD – Ketchikan
The Craig Middle School was closed today after 2 men vandalized the school and set at least two separate fires overnight.
Students start own relocation effort
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
Students in the erosion-threatened community of Shishmaref say they won’t wait for the federal government to help relocate their community.
The Nutcracker coming to Kodiak
Casey Kelly, KMXT – Kodiak
Kodiak dancers are getting ready to perform Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet. It’s an event that happens just once every 3 years in the community.
