Alaska News Nightly: October 15, 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)Search for Plane Underway in Denali Dan Bross, KUAC - FairbanksA search is underway in Denali National Park for a missing small plane. Two Denali Park residents are known to be on board the blue and white Cessna 185: the aircraft’s owner and pilot Daniel McGregor, and independent wildlife scientist Gordon Haber. National Park Service spokeswoman Kris Fister says McGregor flew Haber out to observe wolves on Wednesday.Homeless Team Meets in Anchorage Len Anderson, KSKA - AnchorageRepresentatives from over 30  agencies, organizations and government departments gathered at Anchorage City Hall for the initial meeting of the "Homeless Team." They came at the request of Mayor Dan Sullivan, who from the start of his administration has made dealing with the city homeless, chronic inebriate population a major goal of his administration.Parnell to Run for Governor in 2010 Dave Donaldson, APRN - JuneauThe Alaska Public Offices Commission confirms an e-mailed press release saying that Governor Sean Parnell has filed for election to the state’s highest office. The filing is not yet posted on APOC’s website. A letter of intent on record with the Commission allows a candidate to organize a campaign committee and to begin accepting contributions for the 2010 election cycle.Young Paying Off Old Debts With Campaign Funds Libby Casey, Washington DCAlaska Congressman Don Young (R) spent more campaign money than he brought in during the last quarter. The 19-term Republican filed disclosure forms this week with the Federal Election Commission. They show Young’s campaign brought in about $87,000 n the past three months. It spent over $93,000 and more than half of that was on legal fees. Young’s campaign manager Pamela Day says most of the legal bill money, $46,000, paid off old debt.New Study Says Arctic Could Become Emitter of Carbon Dioxide Lori Townsend, APRN - AnchorageA study that looks at the Arctic's role in absorbing carbon dioxide finds that the job of storing CO2 could be over in coming decades and the Arctic may become an emitter of carbon dioxide and methane. David McGuire is a USGS and University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist who reviewed past studies and compiled the latest findings. He says since the end of the last ice age, the Arctic has absorbed about 800 million metric tons of global carbon.Bristol Bay Tribal Suit Moving Ahead Adam Kane, KDLG - DillinghamA court challenge against the Murkowski administration's takeover of coastal zone management will go ahead. A judge has denied the state's motion to throw the case out. The suit was filed last May by 6 Bristol Bay Native tribal organizations against the state Department of Natural Resources' 2005 Bristol Bay Area plan. Tuesday, Judge Fred Torrisi made the decision to deny parts of the State of Alaska’s Motion to Dismiss the case.Begich Tries to Debunk Rationing Argument Libby Casey,  APRN - Washington DCSenator Mark Begich railed on the Senate floor today about what he called a myth: that Democratic-led health care legislation will lead to rationing.First Nation Education Might Want to Start From Scratch Leonard Linklater - Canadian Broadcasting Corp.A First Nation education forum has heard if you want to change the education system, then you've got to start from scratch. The executive director of Classroom Connections told delegates its time to look at a new model other than the classroom. That's something some Yukon teachers are trying.New Authority to Deal with Southeast TrashJoe Viechnicki, KFSK - PetersburgA new authority set up to deal with trash in southeast Alaska will be forming a board of directors and adopting bylaws over the next year.Pelican Gets Disaster Relief Funds Ed Ronco, KCAW - SitkaIn Southeast Alaska, the village of Pelican has received $100,000 in state disaster relief money to help rebuild a flume that collapsed in August. The collapse caused an immediate shortage of water and power to Pelican. A temporary solution is in place, but now officials are looking at another serious issue: the potential release of ammonia from the Pelican Seafoods plant.Vessel Sinks off Admiralty IslandThe Associated PressA fishing vessel caught fire and sank off Admiralty Island in southeast Alaska.Two Species of Spotted Seals Not Endangered The Associated PressA federal agency says it will not list two populations of spotted seals off Alaska's coast as threatened or endangered.