Alaska News Nightly: June 21, 2007

This is the complete story list and audio recording from today's Alaska News Nightly, as broadcast on APRN stations statewide.Mat-Su fire threatening 20 cabinsDavid Shurtleff, APRN - AnchorageA forest fire south of Talkeetna has already burned 4,500 acres today and is still growing. The fire began last night just south of Trapper Lake where it has already destroyed one cabin and is now threatening 20 others.Kenai peninsula fire continues to grow Mike Mason, KBBI - HomerAnother fire in the Caribou Hills area on the Kenai peninsula has grown to over 9,000 acres today, and is getting bigger.Judge rules Alaska adequately funding educationAnnie Feidt, APRN - Anchorage (read by Lori Townsend, APRN)An Anchorage judge says the state is adequately funding education, despite a lawsuit brought by the National Education Association Alaska. Superior Court judge Sharon Gleason released a 200-page decision today in the case "Moore v. State of Alaska."Group opposing Matanuska Electric Association coal planEllen Lockyer, APRN - Matanuska-Susitna BoroughMatanuska Electric Association (MEA) ratepayers are taking a stand against a proposed circulating fluidized coal fired energy plant that MEA's board plans to build near downtown Palmer.Descendant ruling due from SeaAlaskaEd Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - JuneauSoutheast Alaska's regional Native corporation will soon know whether shareholder descendants will become stockholders themselves.Stevens frustrated by lack of Tongass progressJoel Southern, APRN - Washington, D.C. (read by Lori Townsend, APRN)Senator Ted Stevens has decided to wait and do more negotiating before deciding whether to push for a time limit on filing lawsuits against a new Tongass Forest land management plan due out soon.Bethel wind project comes to a halt Shane Iverson, KYUK - BethelEfforts to create wind energy in Bethel have come to a dead end. Studies have shown the area has good wind for generating electricity, but Bethel's private utility company isn't supportive and they aren't cooperating with the City or its engineers.Dena'ina Civic Center to be locally decoratedLen Anderson, KSKA - AnchorageAn Athabascan artist from Fairbanks will create one of two major art works selected for Anchorage's new Dena'ina Civic Center.