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)TransCanada Still Bullish on Alaska Gas Libby Casey, APRN – WashingtonTransCanada Corporation says despite the discovery of massive amounts of natural gas in shale in the Lower 48, it still sees an Alaska Gas Pipeline as a priority.Parnell Remains Optimistic on Gas Line Dave Donaldson, APRN - JuneauGovernor Sean Parnell (R) says he’s still optimistic about the completion of a gas line from the North Slope to North American markets. He said he’s been meeting with companies that could use the project – and he says he doesn’t see any reason for changing the statutory terms at this point.Young Says Democrats’ Health Bill Too Expensive Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DCAlaska’s Republican Congressman Don Young says the health care bill proposed by House Democrats on Thursday is expensive and won’t give Americans better health insurance. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California unveiled Democrats’ 894 Billion dollar package on the steps of the US Capitol today. It would expand Medicaid and includes a government insurance option. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office said in a preliminary report that the bill would trim more than 100 billion dollars from projected budget deficits over the next decade. But Representative Young says the price tag is too steep.Federal Housing Officials Survey Homeless Challenge in Alaska Dan Bross, KUAC – FairbanksA federal housing authority official was in Alaska this week advocating for a unique approach to serving homeless inebriates that’s been successful in the lower 48. Paul Carlson with the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness held sessions with state and local representatives in Anchorage and Fairbanks.SE Alaska Could Foot Bill for Timber Survey in Tongass Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – JuneauSoutheast Alaska communities are being asked to foot the bill for a survey of second-growth timber in the Tongass National Forest. The Juneau Assembly got the ball rolling recently when it promised $10,000. The tree survey is estimated to cost $80,000 dollars. It will help Southeast’s struggling timber industry make the transition from old growth to new.Environmentalists to Sue Over Belugas Annie Feidt, APRN – AnchorageThe Center for Biological Diversity is preparing to sue the federal government to force a critical habitat designation for the Cook Inlet Beluga. The whale is listed under the Endangered Species Act. The Center's Brendan Cummings says by law, the National Marine Fisheries Service should have proposed critical habitat a year ago.State Troopers Stumped by Cruise Ship Death Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - JuneauAlaska State Troopers say they can’t determine how a Washington state woman fell off a cruise ship near Juneau.Cultural Education Should be Top Priority Says Native GroupEd Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – JuneauCultural education should be a top priority for young Alaskans, in and out of school. That’s the message from Tlingit, Haida and other education advocates at the Alaska Native Brotherhood and Sisterhood’s recent convention in Juneau.