Alaska News Nightly: January 26, 2015

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Murkowski Says Obama Plans 3 Gut Punches to Alaska Economy This Week

Liz Ruskin, APRN – Washington DC

Alaska’s governor and congressional delegation are furious over President Obama’s announcement this weekend that he’s seeking wilderness status for the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. That would put the area off-limits to oil and gas development. But permanent wilderness designation would require congressional approval, and this Republican-led Congress is unlikely to grant it.

Aleutian Sanctuary Proposal Stalls Out

Lauren Rosenthal, KUCB – Unalaska

Meanwhile, a proposal to create a federally-protected marine reserve around the Aleutian Islands has stalled out.

Subsistence Community Allowed To Use Set Gillnets On Kenai, Kasilof Rivers

Shaylon Cochran, KDLL – Kenai

A new fishery approved by the Federal Subsistence Board last week will allow the use of set gill nets on the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers.

Fish Commissioner Names New Habitat Director

Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau

A biologist from the U.S. Geological Survey has been appointed to lead the state’s Habitat division.

Bristol Bay Sockeye’s Prey Quality Affected By Ocean Temperature

Josh Edge, APRN – Anchorage

Having healthy and plentiful returns of salmon each season is an important issue to subsistence, sport and commercial fishermen alike. But, relatively little is known about what happens to the fish once they leave their spawning grounds and head out to sea. A group of scientists have started investigating a piece of the puzzle in a survey of juvenile Bristol Bay sockeye salmon.

Foraker Says Bethel Residents Out-Give Urban Alaskans

Daysha Eaton, KYUK – Bethel

A recent study about Alaska non-profits confirms what many in the field know: that federal grant money has been drying up over the past couple of years. On the other hand, it shows that non-profits are developing new revenue streams, and counting on personal giving, particularly in rural areas.

Business Leaders Meet For Innovation Summit

Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau

More than 200 business leaders, researchers and policy-makers gather in Juneau this week for the 2015 Innovation Summit.

Two Indicted After Break-In at Sand Point Post Office

Annie Ropeik, KUCB – Unalaska

Two Sand Point men are facing federal charges after allegedly breaking into the town’s post office in late December.

Family Worried About Missing Ketchikan Man

Leila Kheiry, KRBD – Ketchikan

A Ketchikan man has been missing for nearly a month, with no evidence that he left the island.

Mushers Hand Off Their Drop Bags In Anticipation Of 2015 Yukon Quest

Emily Schwing, KUAC – Fairbanks

Yukon Quest mushers dropped off all the food and gear they’ll need for the 1000-mile sled dog race in both Fairbanks and Whitehorse, Yukon over the weekend.

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