Alaska News Nightly: July 1, 2013

Individual news stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via emailpodcast and RSS. Follow us on Facebook at alaskapublic.org and on Twitter @aprn.

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Oil Sheen Spotted Leaking From Sunken Tender In Bristol Bay

Mike Mason, KDLG – Dillingham

A large response effort is underway to deal with a Trident Seafoods fishing tender that sank Sunday morning near the mouth of one of the major salmon producing rivers in Bristol Bay.

Redistricting Board Puts Another Set Of Maps Up For Review

Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau

Every 10 years, Alaska’s political lines are redrawn to reflect changes in population. In an ideal world, the state’s redistricting board takes the results of the U.S. census, tries to divide the state into regions with equal population, and finalizes a map before the next election cycle. That didn’t happen this go-round. It’s been nearly three years since the redistricting board first came together, and Alaska still doesn’t have its political boundaries settled.

Last month, the redistricting board offered yet another set of maps for review, and they’re now taking testimony on their plans in Alaska’s major cities.

Rate For Subsidized Stafford Loans Doubles

Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC

Interest rates for subsidized Stafford loans double today. The increase affects all future loans, but Congress could intervene and fix the problem. If it does not, students across the country could see higher interest rates come graduation.

Employees Worry About State-Imposed Office Space Standards

Lisa Phu, KTOO – Juneau

The State of Alaska is implementing new work areas in Juneau and Anchorage office buildings. Officials claim new universal space standards will save money and create a better work environment, but some state employees think otherwise.

Bill Puts $35 Million Toward Residential Housing For ANMC

Joaqlin Estus, KNBA – Anchorage

Governor Sean Parnell signed into law a bill last week that’ll put $35 million toward construction of residential housing with a sky-bridge to the Alaska Native Medical Center, a move supporters say will save the state millions of dollars a year.

3 Killed In Nunam Iqua House Fire

Sophie Evan, KYUK – Bethel

A house fire in the Yukon River village of Nunam Iqua killed three people over the weekend and injured others.

150 March In Support of ‘Fairbanks Four’

Bethany Brunelle, KNBA – Anchorage

About 150 people marched Saturday in Anchorage from Town Square to a powwow at Delaney Park Strip in support of the “Fairbanks Four.” Those are the four Alaska Native or American Indian men convicted in 1999 of murdering teenager John Hartman in Fairbanks.

Adak Seeks Processing Plant Operator

Stephanie Joyce, KUCB – Unalaska

The City of Adak and the Adak Community Development Corporation bought $2 million worth of fish processing equipment at auction last month. Now, they’re looking for someone to operate it.

Centennial Denali Expedition Reaches Summit

Phillip Manning, KTNA – Talkeetna

History was repeated last Friday when the Centennial Denali expedition reached the summit of North America’s highest peak.  The summit team is made up of five men representing the first party to reach the summit of Denali as well as four guides from Alaska Mountaineering School.

The team reached the summit on Friday evening, and they are currently descending the mountain.  Unlike most climbers who fly in and out of base camp on the Kahiltna Glacier, the team will be walking out of the Alaska Range and across twenty-two miles of tundra to the Park Road before being picked up.

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