Alaska News Nightly: December 27, 2007

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito chooses to recuse himself from the Exxon Valdez case. Plus, the state asks for proposals for a feasibility study of a gas pipeline spur from Fairbanks to Wasilla. 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. Justice Alito recuses himself from Exxon Valdez rulingDavid Shurtleff, APRN - AnchorageWhen the nation's highest court decides the fate of the Exxon Valdez punitive damages case next year, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito will not be part of the decision. The conservative justice has recused himself from the case, leaving just eight Justices to rule on Exxon's appeal.State wants feasibility study of gasline spurDan Bross, KUAC - FairbanksThe State is requesting proposals for a feasibility study of a gas pipeline spur from Fairbanks to Wasilla. The request is in anticipation of a future main line that would ship North Slope gas to Canada.Sustainable fisheries gaining commercial supportBen Markus, KUAC - FairbanksWal-mart and other large retailers now sell fish from only sustainable fisheries, including a pioneering New England-based company which gets a lot of its fish from Alaska.New mortgage oversight law in Alaska's futureLori Townsend, APRN - AnchorageA new mortgage loan oversight law goes into effect in Alaska in July of 2008. Alaska is the last state to pass such legislation.Online PFD application opens on New Years DayMike Mason, KBBI - HomerAlaskans who are eligible for a permanent fund dividend can apply online for the 2008 dividend beginning on January 1st.Fur Rondy finds new lifeLen Anderson, KSKA - AnchorageNot long ago, Anchorage's Fur Rendevous was on the verge of financial failure and deep in debt. But these day's, the annual winter bash is pretty healthy.Playing mind games with fishRosemarie Alexander, KTOO - JuneauLynn Canal fish are being be tricked into thinking that two artificial reefs north of Juneau are the real thing. Trucano Construction just completed the stone reefs off the shore of the Add-ler-shime Lodge. They’re a joint project of the National Marine Fisheries Service,University of Alaska and state Department of Transportation for the proposed Lynn Canal Highway.SHI receives ancient stone artifactsDuncan Moon, APRN - AnchorageThe SeaAlaska Heritage Institute is the new owner of four ancient stone objects. The items include a bowl, a grinder and an intricately carved seal head. They were donated this week by Ronald Haffner, who's great grandmother uncovered them while she was working in her Auke Bay garden in the 1930'sDenise and Samuel Wallace restrospective in FairbanksEmily Schwing, KUAC - FairbanksThe Museum of the North is currently exhibiting the work of Native American Artists Denise and Samuel Wallace. The exhibit and an accompanying book are a retrospective of more than 20 years of the Wallaces’ work. Denise Wallace recently visited the exhibit in Fairbanks.