Alaska News Nightly: December 31, 2008

Alaska legislators push for answers for why Alaska gasoline is so expensive. Also, we look back at the year in news. And SEACC appoints a new Executive Director. Plus, a look back at 2008 with "Bob Babble." 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)Legislators want to know why Alaska gasoline is so expensiveRosemarie Alexander, KTOO - JuneauAlaska gas prices remain the highest in the nation, and some legislators say they want to do something about it. A legislative research report commissioned by Anchorage Democrat Les Gara shows Alaska refineries spend about twice as much as outside refineries to take a gallon of gasoline to the retail market. 2008 brought a bumper crop of news to AlaskaRosemarie Alexander, KTOO - JuneauEnergy, presidential politics and political corruption captured Alaska headlines in 2008. As the year draws to a close, we take a look at just a few of the big stories that kept the media hopping. New Executive Director for SEACC Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - JuneauSoutheast’s largest environmental organization has a new top official. Linsdey Ketchel took over as the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council’s executive director a few weeks ago. She’s from Vermont, where she worked with farming and food-relief groups.The changing face of agriculture in AlaskaEllen Lockyer, APRN - Wasilla/PalmerUntil recent years, farming has been an economic mainstay in the Matanuska Valley.  But changing times, and climate, have been both a curse and a boon to local vegetable producers. Now new challenges, and new ideas, are shaking up old conceptions about Alaska's agricultural capabilities.Sweating Honey unveils new CDLori Neufeld, KUAC - FairbanksSweating Honey has been playing on stages and at packed venues throughout Alaska for most of this decade. This Fairbanks band just released their third CD entitled “When We Were Young.” The year in review with "Bob Babble"Jeff Brown, KTOO - JuneauThe holiday season has its share of celebrations, some real, some virtual. To close off this last program for this year, veteran reporter "Bob Babble" reports from one such virtual party.