Alaska News Nightly: March 16, 2009

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)State Senate invites Alaskans to comment on Capital budgetDave Donaldson, APRN - JuneauThe Senate Finance Committee today (Monday) opened the Palin administration's four-point-eight-billion dollar capital budget to the public today.Alaskan School District Superintendent Attends White House MeetingLibby Casey, APRN - Washington D.C.Anchorage School District Superintendent Carol Comeau and others met with Education Secretary Arne Duncan today (Monday) at the White House. The focus was how best to use stimulus funds to improve urban, public education.Murkowski Seeks Balance in Energy LegislationLibby Casey, APRN - Washington D.C.Senator Lisa Murkowski warned today (Monday) that passing an energy bill in Congress will get a lot tougher if it's lumped together with climate change legislation.Lance Mackey Has Formidable LeadAnnie Fedit, APRN - AnchorageLance Mackey left Unalakleet late last night, as a crowd of fans from the town looked on.Yukon Quest Champ Running 2nd in IditarodAnnie Fedit,  APRN - AnchorageThe winner of last months Yukon Quest, Sebastian Schnuelle is well acclimated to the sleeplessness that comes with the sport.Iditarod Mushers Dealing with Extreme Cold snapTim Bodony, KIYU - GalenaThe leaders felt a swift drop in temperatures between Saturday night and Sunday morning as they pushed up the Yukon River to Kaltag.Fairbanks At 50 Below Days Before Spring EquinoxDan Bross, KUAC - FairbanksThe Spring Equinox is just a few days away, but it's not feeling very spring like in the interior.State Fish and Game Announces New Salt Water Charter RulesErik Wander, KMXT - KodiakThe Alaska Department of Fish and Game announced that salt water charter guides and crew members will be prohibited from retaining any fish species while paying clients are on board their vessel.New 'Alaska Class' Ferries Offer Enhanced ServiceEd Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - JuneauThe Marine Highway System is moving ahead with plans for a new line of ships.