Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019

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Former state workers sue, saying they were unconstitutionally fired

Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau

A lawyer and two doctors are suing the state, saying they were fired from their jobs by Governor Mike Dunleavy for unconstitutional reasons.

Alaska gasline project board ousts its $1 million man

Rashah McChesney, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Juneau

The state’s highest paid employee was fired from $45 billion gas line project today.

In Congress, Alaskans are split over shutdown

Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington D.C.

Republicans in Congress remain mostly united behind President Trump and his rejection of legislation to re-open government departments unless it includes $5 billion for a border wall. But the Alaska delegation is split on this.

2 drivers die in east Anchorage head-on collision

Associated Press

Two drivers died in Anchorage in a head-on collision on the city’s east side.

2-year-old dies in Fairbanks mobile home fire

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

Alaska State Troopers report that the two-year-old girl was in a bedroom of a mobile home in Gold Rush Estates that burned in the early morning hours of January 7th .

Trump administration responds to criticism of continued work on Arctic drilling during shutdown

Elizabeth Harball, Alaska’s Energy Desk – Anchorage

The Interior department has responded to questions from a Democratic congressman about its continued work to advance oil development in Alaska during the partial government shutdown.

Ask an Economist: What does the partial government shutdown mean for Alaska’s economy?

Abbey Collins, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

That’s because the federal government is in its third week of a partial shutdown. Around 5,700 people in Alaska work for unfunded federal agencies. So right now, they’re furloughed or working without pay.

Dunleavy administration could revive debate over contentious Kachemak Bay State Park hatchery

Aaron Bolton, KBBI – Homer

About a month ago, former Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Andy Mack abruptly signed off on a draft management plan for Kachemak Bay State Park. After Mack left the job and a new governor was sworn in, DNR rescinded the plan.

Elite medics mix combat and wilderness training in Alaska Search and Rescue

Zachariah Hughes and Joey Mendolia, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

If you get stuck or injured out in the middle of nowhere, Alaska isn’t the worst place to do it. The state hosts some of the most elite, specialized rescue operators and equipment in the world.

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