Alaska News Nightly: May 19, 2009

Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN’s news feeds via email, podcast and RSS.Download Audio (MP3)Skwentna Man Facing Charges for Feeding BearsDave Donaldson, APRN - JuneauA Skwentna man who has gotten international attention for feeding bears outside his cabin faces twenty counts of criminal misdemeanor charges for his activities.Target Range Draws Fans and Foes Ellen Lockyer, APRN - AnchorageBodenberg Butte, just Southwest of Palmer, is a rural community edging the Knik River. The area is popular with local folks forits fishing, canoeing and hiking opportunities.. and, for some less -than- quiet recreational fun.. like target practice.Conditions are Ripe for Wildfires Dan Bross, KUAC - FairbanksWild fire conditions are ripe across much of Alaska right now, as warm dry weather evaporates moisture released from snow andice melt.Homer Pulled Together While Fighting Wildfire Casey Kelly, KBBI - HomerOne of the big stories of last week's East End Road wildfire in Homer was how well the local community pulled together tosupport the firefighting forces.Organizers Narrowing Requests for Flood Victims Dan Bross, KUAC FairbanksAn organization managing flood relief is narrowing its request for help. Arlen DeYoung with the Alaska Volunteer OrganizationsActive in Disaster or VO-AD, which includes the Red Cross and many other groups, says they're trying to organize donations so that residents of flood damaged villages get what they need.Some Southeast Communities Might Get Own Village Corporation Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - JuneauAlaska Natives with roots in five Southeast communities would get their own village corporations under new federal legislation.Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced the landless Native bill as part of a package aimed at improving the region's economy.Sitka Senator Says Legislature Wouldn't Overturn a Veto on Stimulus Funds Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - JuneauSitka Senator Bert Stedman says the legislature will not overturn Governor Sarah Palin's decision to reject stimulus money tied toenergy standards. But he says she should accept the funds. And he says concerns about "strings attached" were overblown.New State Building to Take Name of Statehood Pioneer Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO - JuneauAlaska statehood pioneer Tom Stewart is now remembered in law as the namesake for a new legislative building.Little Norway Draws Large Crowds Alex Hotz, KFSK - PetersburgPetersburg streets were packed with locals and visitors over the weekend during the 51st annual Little Norway Festival. The celebrationof Norwegian culture included four days of food, music, art and more.