Alaska News Nightly: September 24, 2009

Photo by Eric V. Regehr. Marine Mammals Management, Polar Bears. U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe US/Russia bilateral polar bear commission is getting underway in Moscow to discuss bears in the Chukchi Sea.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) Masek Gets Six Months Prison Term The Associated Press A former Alaska lawmaker will serve six months in a federal prison following her conviction on corruption charges. Beverly Masek, a Republican who had represented Willow, was sentenced on Thursday in U.S. District Court in Anchorage. Polar Bear Commission Meets in Moscow Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage The first meeting of a US/Russia bilateral polar bear commission is taking place in Moscow this week. State and federal game managers are meeting with their Russian counterparts to work on developing a framework for how to manage the shared polar bear population in the Chukchi Sea for long term sustainability. Human Remains Undergo DNA Testing; Council Hopes for Clues Ellen Lockyer, APRN – Anchorage The Knik Tribal Council is anticipating  that DNA testing will reveal more information on 100-year old human remains recently unearthed near Wasilla.  An excavation project at the old Knik town site brought the remains to light in August. Murkowski Loses Bid to Limit EPA Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC Senator Lisa Murkowski’s attempt to temporarily limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s power died on the Senate floor today. Democratic leadership blocked a vote on the Alaska Republican’s amendment. It would have kept the EPA from regulating greenhouse gas emissions from stationary sources like industrial plants. Congress Told Rockets in Alaska Key to Overall Defense Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC The directors of the US missile defense program assured Congress on Thursday that interceptor rockets in Alaska are a key component to the country’s overall defense strategy. Wrangell Walks for Child with Rare Disorder Tom Gorman, KTSK – Wrangell Wrangell residents were geared up last weekend in support of a local child who has a rare disorder.  Carter Hammer was diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech or CAS when he was three years-old.  Since then, his family had to make adjustments and receive outside help in order to accommodate his needs.  The 2009 Wrangell walk for CAS took place last weekend in an effort to raise awareness about Carter’s disorder. Fairbanks Considering Recycling Commission Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks The Fairbanks Borough Assembly considers an ordinance tonight that would re-establish a long dormant recycling commission.  Thursday night’s action follows the assembly’s passage earlier this month of a 5-cent plastic shopping bag fee to fund recycling. Homer Film Festival Kicks Off Casey Kelly, KBBI – Homer The 6th annual Homer Documentary Film Festival kicks off Thursday night at the Homer Theater. The festival brings some of the year’s most acclaimed documentary films to town.