Alaska News Nightly: March 30, 2009

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Volcano Disrupts Cargo Flow at Anchorage Airport
Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage
Alaska Airlines canceled more flights today, as Mount Redoubt produced new ash clouds. The Alaska Volcano Observatory reported several short, relatively low altitude explosions from the volcano today that sent plumes
as high as 27 thousand feet.

Officials Consider Removing Oil at Drift River Terminal
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
A group comprised of state, federal and Cook Inlet Pipeline staff have formed a unified command under the supervision of Coast Guard commander Joe Locuito to develop a plan for the Drift River crude oil facility located at the base of Mount Redoubt.

Palin Picks Grussendorf for Open State Senate Seat
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
Governor Palin has selected a high-ranking legislative employee as the next state Senator representing Juneau. Tim Grussendorf has been appointed to the seat made vacant when Kim Elton left for Washington D.C. to work for the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Democrats Angry over Grussendorf Pick
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau
Grussendorf was one of four people interviewed by the governor for the Senate District B seat. He says he’s not surprised she selected him. He thinks he answered the questions just the way Palin wanted.

State Lawmakers Fight Back Over Washington Tax Plan
Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
Washington State legislators are considering levying a 37-and-a-half cent a gallon tax on refined, blended fuel exported to other states, including Alaska. That would effect some thirty million gallons of fuel coming into the state. And Alaska’s legislators are fighting back

Fisheries Council Considers Contentious Proposal
Paul Korchin, KNOM – Nome
The North Pacific Fisheries Management Council is convening this week in Anchorage to tackle the thorny issue of Chinook Salmon bycatch within the Bering Sea pollock industry.

Senator Murkowski Wants More Funding for Volcano Monitoring
Libby Casey, APRN – Washington D.C.
Senator Lisa Murkowski plans to introduce legislation this week that would establish a national volcano monitoring system. It would include the Alaska Volcano Observatory in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Murkowski announced her intentions on the Senate floor in Washington today.

Historian Bill Holm Honored at Tlingit Conference
Rebecca Sheir, KTOO – Juneau
This weekend saw the conclusion of “Sharing our Knowledge: A Conference of Tlingit Tribes and Clans.” Last week, hundreds of Alaska Native leaders, scholars, elders and visitors gathered in Centennial Hall to learn about Tlingit people and culture.

World Dancers Gather in Bethel
Shane Iverson, KYUK – Bethel
The Cama-ii Dance Festival wrapped up in Bethel Sunday night.
The 3-day event featured over 20 dance groups from the YK Delta to Japan.

Lori Townsend is the news director and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452.

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