Alaska News Nightly: May 27, 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) Roads Money Under Special Scrutiny Libby Casey, APRN - Washington DCStimulus money headed to tribes in Alaska through the Bureau of Indian Affairs roads program is under special scrutiny because ofa recent report that says the  program is mismanaged. However supporters of the roads program say the problems are at the federal level, not centered in Alaska.Stimulus Money to Finance Alaska Research Vessel Dave Donaldson, APRN - JuneauA new, 242-foot research vessel is on the way for the University of Alaska's School of Fisheries and Ocean Science. To be paid for with federal economic stimulus money, it will be owned by the National Science Foundation and operated by the University out of Seward.Cooler Temps Helping Battle With Wildfires Dan Bross, KUAC - FairbanksCooler temperatures and higher humidity are aiding crews battling wildfires in the interior. The biggest blaze, the Broken Snowshoe fire, north east of McGrath doubled in size to nearly 12 thousand acres Tuesday, but State Fire Information Andy Alexandrou says west winds are now pushing flames away from the populated area along the Kuskokwim River. State Corrections Officers Suing The Associated PressThe union representing state corrections officers is suing Governor Sarah Palin's administration over failed contract arbitration. The Alaska Correctional Officers Association filed its lawsuit ton Wednesday. The lawsuit claims the Palin administration sabotaged negotiations by taking too long to send its funding requests to the Legislature.State Hiring Freeze to End in June Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO - JuneauThe State of Alaska's hiring freeze will be rescinded on June first. It's unclear just how much money was saved since it went into effectfive months ago.Geothermal Energy Drawing Interest Dan Bross, KUAC - FairbanksA form of geothermal energy that's seldom tapped Alaska is drawing interest in Fairbanks and  some interior contractors are proving that "heat pump" technology can work even in the interior.Sealaska Closes High-Tech FirmEd Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - JuneauThe Sealaska regional Native corporation has closed one of its out-of-state businesses. Synergy Systems was a high-tech firm that lost out to the secession.Artist and Educator Grounded in Aleut Cultural Tradition Robert Woolsey, KCAW - SitkaPatrick Lind is a contemporary artist and educator thoroughly grounded in Aleut cultural tradition. The Homer-based carver and painter spent a week in Sitka participating in the Native Art Demonstrator program at the Sheldon Jackson Museum.Prince of Wales Hosts Marathon Jay Marble, KRBD - Prince of WalesOver the Memorial Day Weekend the 9th annual Prince of Wales Island marathon was held. Runners, walkers bikers and even some skateboarders covered the 26-miles from near-Hollis to the ball park in Craig.