Alaska News Nightly: August 20, 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)State Issues Preventive Steps Against Swine FluLori Townsend, APRN – AnchorageAs the school year begins, the state is asking parents and teachers to take steps to guard against the spread of the H1N1 flu virus. The Department of Health has issued six recommendations to schools including making sure children stay home when they're sick and routine cleaning of areas frequented by students and staff.Suit Filed to Prompt New Support for Seniors Dave Donaldson, APRN – AnchorageFour people who believe they could qualify for state assistance under the state’s Seniors and Disabilities Services have filed what they hope will become a class action lawsuit to force the program to begin accepting new applications.Energy Department Awards New Funds for Prince of Wales Deanna Garrison, KRBD – KetchikanThe US Department of Energy recently announced the award of a $1.1 million grant for a small hydroelectric project on Prince of Wales island.Clearcut in Sitka Undergoing Extensive ThinningRobert Woolsey, KCAW – SitkaA forty-year old clearcut along the Sitka road system is undergoing extensive thinning this summer. The effort in the Starrigavan Valley is being funded in part by a consortium of conservation groups.Pacific Salmon Beating Odds On Snake River Tom Banse, Northwest NewsThe most endangered run of Pacific salmon is beating the odds this summer. You can’t get any closer to extinction than Snake River sockeye salmon did last decade.  This is the Pacific Northwest run that gave us “Lonesome Larry,” so named because he was the one and only sockeye to complete the migration in 1992.Legislators Gathering Ideas on Energy Needs Dave Donaldson, APRN – JuneauLegislators are heading back out across the state to listen to the public’s ideas about satisfying local energy needs.Sign of Fall: Sandhill Cranes Arriving Dan Bross, KUAC – FairbanksA sure sign of Fall, Sandhill Cranes are stopping in Fairbanks on their migration south. The birds are congregating at the Creamers Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. One state scientist says they seem to arriving earlier than normal.Couple Tracks Cranes Migrating to Kachemak Bay Marcia Lynn, KBBI – HomerFor the past decade one Homer couple has been dedicated to tracking the habits and movements of Sandhill Cranes that migrate to the Kachemak Bay area in the spring and summer.