Alaska News Nightly: September 29, 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)White House Defending Decision on Territorial Guard Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DCThe Defense Department is defending the Obama Administration’s opposition to funding pensions for Alaska Territorial Guard members who served during World War II.  Last week the White House objected to paying the Guard’s pensions on the grounds their service during the War was not “active duty.”State Making Final Plans to Distribute Swine Flu Vaccine Annie Feidt and Lori Townsend, APRN – AnchorageThe state is making final plans right now on how it will distribute that vaccine as soon as it begins receiving the first batch. That could happen in early October.Kott Wants Case Dismissed Lori Townsend, APRN – AnchorageA recent court document reveals new evidence in Alaska's long running corruption scandal. The motion, filed last week by a lawyer for former state Representative Pete Kott says the new details should convince the government to dismiss the case against him.New Hunting Rules Focused on Protecting Porcupine Caribou Vic Istchenko, Canadian Broadcast CorporationWildlife managers in Canada are hoping new hunting rules will save the Porcupine Caribou herd from further decline.Biologists Examining Health of Bering Sea Crabs Anne Hillman, KUCB – UnalaskaBiologists are currently considering the health of different Bering Sea crab stocks and how this will affect the fishing industry. This summer’s stock survey’s show that St. Matthew’s blue crab stocks are now healthy, opilio crab stocks are not re-built, and Tanner crabs are almost over-fished.Two Children Drown in Barrow Lori Townsend, APRN – AnchorageBarrow residents are mourning the loss of two small children, who died in a drowning accident yesterday. Harold Curran is the chief administrative officer for the North Slope Borough. Curran says a report was called in at 2:43 on Monday afternoon to both the Barrow police and fire department that someone may have fallen into Middle Lagoon.Illesagvik College Drawing From Around the State Ellen Lockyer, APRN – AnchorageBarrow’s Illesagvik College is attracting notice from college bound students in Anchorage and Fairbanks,  and even Burbank, California.  What makes this two year community college a magnet for Alaska Natives and non-Natives alike?Sand Point Reviewing Comprehensive Plan Kells Hetherington, KSDP – Sand PointA growing number of Alaskan communities are reviewing their comprehensive plans.  One is Sand Point.