State lawmakers are about to start the special session on the gas line proposal. Plus, running the Iditarod will cost a lot more next year and getting a spot in the race won’t be as easy as it has been. 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.
Palin’s gas line plan in legislative minds on eve of special session
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
The legislature is gaveling into special session this evening to consider the Palin administration’s proposal for a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to North American markets. The governor has proposed giving a license for the project to TransCanada — a pipeline specialty company — along with $500 million to help get through the regulatory process.
Murkowski and Stevens share concerns over climate change bill
Joel Southern, APRN – Washington, DC
As debate continues on the Lieberman-Warner climate change bill, Alaska senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski say they have serious concerns about the economic effects it could have on the state.
Aleutian fuel summit seeks to head off future shortages
Charles Homans, KIAL – Unalaska
Aleutian region organizations, legislative staffers and fuel providers met in Anchorage today to discuss how to put an end to the kind of fuel crises that have wracked villages in the region in the past two years.
Iditarod musher costs up, race prizes down for 2009
Libby Casey, KUAC – Fairbanks
Mushers who want to enter the 2009 Iditarod will have to pay more, and they can expect to win less in prize money. Iditarod officials say the decision to increase the entry fee was made at a Board of Directors meeting Friday.
Nikiski LNG plant gets green light to export gas to Asia
Mike Mason, KBBI – Homer
The Federal Department of Energy extended the export license for the Cook Inlet Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) facility.
UAA completes election security review for state of Alaska
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
The second phase of a two-part study on the security of Alaska’s election system was completed recently by UAA researchers. The study was commissioned by Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell. It delved into hardware and software security and made recommendations about how to strengthen the system.
Southeast Alaska medivac provider limits airlift services to 250 pounds
Deanna Garrison, KRBD – Ketchikan
One of the primary medivac providers in southeast Alaska recently issued new weight guidelines for transporting medivac patients. Airlift Northwest says it cannot guarantee air transport for patients over 250 pounds.
Yakutat lodge rebounds less than a year after fire
Melissa Marconi-Wentzel, KCAW – Sitka
A landmark Southeast fishing lodge has bounced back after a fire destroyed a major portion of the facility last September. “Leonard’s Landing” in Yakutat is rebuilding and anticipating a good season.
