Alaska News Nightly: October 16, 2008

Senator Ted Stevens takes the stand in his own defense at his trial in Washington, DC. Plus, the city of Sand Point searches for a missing diver. And seemingly random murders by Fairbanks man shock a quiet Colorado town. Those stories and more tonight on 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.Download Audio (MP3, 30 min) Candidates for US House raking in campaign contributionsDave Donaldson, APRN - JuneauThe campaigns for the two congressional seats on next month's ballot are drawing a lot of money for the candidates. And according to Federal Election Commission reports, they have plenty of money left. Team of scientists publish assessment of arctic climate changeDan Bross, KUAC - FairbanksAn international team of scientists is out with a yearly assessment of climate change in the arctic. The report shows wide spread and in some cases dramatic affects of warming across the northernmost tier of the globe. Forum looks at coal to liquids technologyDan Bross, KUAC - FairbanksA public forum at the University of Alaska Fairbanks last night focused on the local potential for coal to liquids technology.  Fairbanks Mayor Jim Whitaker and Department of Energy representative Brent Sheets participated in the discussion put on by the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, which recently completed a local green house gas inventory.  Center director Gwen Holdman says emissions from a coal to liquids plant are a key issue. Ted Stevens takes the stand in his own defenseLibby Casey, APRN - Washington, DCSenator Ted Stevens took the stand this afternoon in his trial in Washington, DC.  His wife, Katherine testified this morning. Gasline construction truck traffic a worry in the interiorDan Bross, KUAC - FairbanksA committee is out with a draft list of area infrastructure projects needed to handle the influx of heavy truck traffic gas pipeline construction would bring.  The Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System or “F-MATS” committee of city, borough and state representatives has identified 23 potential projects.  Committee coordinator Donna Gradino says they’re aimed at facilitating the movement of freight through the area. Learning about survival in Juneau John Ryan, KTOO - JuneauWith presidential politics in high gear, and the stock market in turmoil, about 100 people showed up at Juneau’s centennial hall last week to learn about a much more fundamental concern- survival.The state updates Southeast's transportation planEd Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - JuneauThe state is updating its transportation plan for Southeast Alaska. That’s the document listing priorities for new roads, ferries and other major projects. Sand Point searches for missing diverTony Gorman, KSDP - Sand PointLocal authorities in Sand Point have launched a city-wide search for a Trident diver who disappeared Tuesday night. Murders by Fairbanks man shock local Colorado townDan Bross, KUAC - FairbanksThe murders and seemingly random violence committed by a Fairbanks man in Grand Junction, Colorado has shaken the community.  Local police spokeswoman Kate Porras says the killing last weekend of two Grand Junction residents by Stephan Martin Urban of Fairbanks was a shock for the small Colorado city. Fast Ferry Fairweather to add Angoon to its route by the end of 2010Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - JuneauThe Alaska Marine Highway System plans to start sailing the fast ferry Fairweather into Angoon by the end of the decade.