Alaska News Nightly: July 16, 2008

The word is out: portions of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska will be up for bids this fall. Meanwhile Shell Oil is conducting pre-drilling research in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas and Denali National Park is getting into the hybrid bus business. 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.NPR-A petroleum lease sale set for OctoberSteve Heimel, APRN - AnchorageThe Bush administration plans an oil and gas lease sale in the northeastern part of the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska (NPR-A) this October.Dutch Harbor hosting Shell Oil research vesselsAnne Hillman, KIAL - UnalaskaShell Oil is using Dutch Harbor as a staging ground for its research in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas.Candidate Begich calling for national middle class tax reliefDave Donaldson, APRN - JuneauMark Begich released his plans for reducing the nation's tax burden on middle class Americans.Federal election Q2 filings are in: Begich raised more than $1 millionThe Associated PressSecond quarter Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings for candidates running for federal office were due yesterday. The report period covers contributions and expenses from April 1 through June 30.Gas-electric hybrid buses headed to Denali; emissions expected to drop 90%Eli Menaker, APRN - AnchorageVisitors to Denali National Park will soon have an energy-efficient way to travel through the nature preserve.South Kenai counselors calling for expanded mental health careEmily Schwing, KBBI - HomerIn Homer, licensed care providers and counselors are seeing an increase in the need for behavioral and mental health care.Citizens Advisory Commission on Federal Lands to re-open in FairbanksDan Bross, KUAC - FairbanksA state commission aimed at helping Alaskans mediate disputes with federal land managers will be headquartered in Fairbanks.Anchorage reverses course on I/M testing requirementsLen Anderson, KSKA - AnchorageAnchorage's vehicle emissions/maintenance test will continue.M/V Susitna ferry will serve Anchorage, Mat-Su and TyonekEllen Lockyer, APRN - Matanuska-Susitna BoroughThe Matanuska-Susitna Borough has signed a memorandum of agreement with the village of Tyonek to provide ferry service between the Cook Inlet village and Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley.Winter Southeast ferry schedule to include significant changesEd Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - JuneauThe new winter ferry schedule will be out in a few weeks. It will reflect changes to Bellingham, Sitka, Lynn Canal and Tenakee sailings.Red salmon surge leading to raised dipnetting limitsDan Bross, KUAC - FairbanksA surge of red salmon moving up the Copper River has allowed the Department of Fish and Game to liberalize fishing for dip netters at Chitina.Download Audio