Alaska News Nightly: July 9, 2008

The Legislature embarks on a second special session. Plus, presidential candidate Barak Obama opens offices in Anchorage and Juneau. Also, processors struggle to keep up with the masses of fish in Bristol Bay, the Kings return to the Yukon, and a strong early run of reds drives into northern Cook Inlet. Plus,  Alaska will host the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships the next two years. Those stories and more on tonight's Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN's news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS.Second special session begins as legislator complete statewide road showDave Donaldson, APRN - Juneau & Deanna Garrison, KRBD - KetchikanThe legislature began its second special session today to consider whether to approve a license to TransCanada to build a gas pipeline from the North Slope to North American markets. Yesterday, lawmakers wrapped up their month long road show on the gasline in Ketchikan. Barak Obama campaign establishes a beachhead in AlaskaLori Townsend, APRN - Anchorage & Dave Donaldson, APRN - JuneauDemocratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is opening campaign offices across the state. At an Anchorage event last night, organizers were pleased and a bit overwhelmed with the turnout. Processors struggling to keep up with Bristol Bay onslaughtAdam Kane, KDLG - DillinghamMillions of fish are speeding through the Bristol Bay, and processors are having trouble keeping up.Strong early run of reds surprises upper Cook InletEmily Schwing, KBBI - HomerSockeye salmon have shown up early in upper Cook Inlet this year. Last Thursday’s opener brought in catches that were closer in number to those expected at the peak of the season.King run rebounds on the Yukon, but is it too little, too lateTim Bodony, KIYU - GalenaThe king salmon run on the Yukon River has bounced back, after a very weak start. But it still won’t be enough, fishery managers predict, to meet the combined requirements for escapement, average subsistence harvests in Alaska, and border passage into Canada.BAHT timber sale will require new roadLisa Phu, KSTK - WrangellThe Tongass National Forest is moving forward with the second phase of the BAHT timber sale on Zarembo Island, about 20 miles west of Wrangell.  This phase of the sale is located in roadless areas in the forest, and the sale will require the construction of just over two miles of road. Kodiak drivers would like a little road in their pot holeMary Donaldson, KMXT - KodiakDriving down Mission Road in Kodiak is almost like playing a game of dodge ball, except you aren’t dodging a ball, you’re dodging potholes. Kodiak motorists have been dealing with the growing potholes for years now, and some wonder if anything will ever be done to fix the problem.Anchorage to host US Nordic Ski Championships next 2 yearsEli Menaker, APRN - AnchorageAnchorage's Kincaid Park will host the U.S. Cross Country Ski Championships for the next two years, the highest level of nordic skiing for US skiers.