Alaska News Nightly: January 18, 2010

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via email, podcast and RSS.Download Audio (MP3)Legislature Enters New Session with a Focus on Energy Dave Donaldson, APRN – JuneauThe Legislature goes into its annual session on Tuesday with a major focus on energy-related issues. Fuel development and supply, as well as taxes, are at the top of  the agenda for both parties, although how much gets to the governor’s desk is still up in the air.Parnell Wants to Reduce Sexual and Domestic Violence Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – AnchorageTV viewers may have noticed some recent late evening advertisements aimed at men – ads asking men to respect women. Those ads are part of a comprehensive plan by the Parnell Administration to reduce the state’s epidemic of sexual assault and domestic violence.Exxon Tanker Back Under Way Lori Townsend, APRN – AnchorageAn Exxon tanker that lost power Sunday while leaving Alaska's Prince William Sound is under way again. Coast Guard Lt. Herbert Law says the tanker Kodiak departed early this morning from a safe harbor at Knowles Head, where tugboats had towed the 831-foot vessel. The tanker departed from Port Valdez early Sunday morning but lost power when an aft steam generator overheated. Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council spokesman Stan Jones says these types of incidents are exactly why the RCAC is pushing to preserve the use of escort tugs for tankers.John Baker of Kotzebue Wins Kuskokwim 300 Angela Denning-Barnes, KYUK – BethelThe Kuskokwim 300 sled dog race wrapped up Sunday night with John Baker of Kotzebue finishing first.Yukoners Win Trophies in Alcan 200Tara Bicknell, KHNS – HainesOver the weekend, Yukoners took home the two biggest trophies from the Alcan 200 snow machine race outside of Haines.NEA President Recalls Her Rural Experiences Lori Townsend, APRN – AnchorageBarb Angaiak witnessed a turning point for education in rural Alaska. The president of the National Education Association Alaska did her student teaching in Tununak, west of Bethel. High Schools were just starting to be built in the villages so rural students didn't have to leave home to attend boarding school after eight grade. Angaiak taught in rural schools for more than two decades. We invited her to the APRN studios to talk about her experiences and her vision for education in Alaska as part of our occasional series on Native education. She says she saw big changes in communities as their high schools opened up.Frontier Airlines to Enter Fairbanks Summer Market Dan Bross, KUAC – FairbanksFrontier Airline’s will be getting into the Fairbanks summer market and that prospect is having a downward impact on ticket prices between the interior city and Lower 48 destinations.Porcupine River Rescue Requires Help from Military Leonard Linklater, Canadian Broadcasting CorporationThe extreme cold weather that gripped much of the northern territory last week also meant the Alaska military had to be called in for a rescue on the Porcupine River.