Alaska News Nightly: February 3, 2010

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)Obama Administration Finishes Missile Defense ReviewLibby Casey, APRN - Washington, D.C.The Obama Administration has finished a review of missile defense that includes plans for Fort Greely in Delta Junction. The first-ever Ballistic Missile Defense Review was made public this week. It offers no surprises and continues the Administration’s current direction.Report Paints Bleak Picture of Alaska's Hunger ProblemLori Townsend, APRN - AnchorageA new report is painting a bleak picture of Alaska's hunger problem. The study shows 74 thousand people in Alaska receive food aid each year that includes 31 thousand children. The report, called " Hunger in America 2010" is released every four years and includes extensive demographic data on the problem in each state.Lawmakers Hear Reasons to Pass Scholars ProgramDave Donaldson, APRN - JuneauThe House and Senate Education Committees today (Wednesday) opened combined hearings on Governor Sean Parnell’s performance scholarship program. It is one of the Governor’s top priorities for this year’s session.Yukon Fishermen Criticize New RegulationShane Iverson, KYUK - BethelA recent decision by the Alaska Board of Fisheries is being criticized by fishers on the Lower Yukon River. The Board says their trying to rescue a dwindling stock of Chinnok, or King Salmon. But fishers in the most impoverished region of the State say the brunt of conservation efforts are again falling on their shoulders. Senator Kookesh's Sitka Comments UncoveredEd Ronco, KCAW – SitkaAfter Kookesh made his remarks, Sitka assembly member Jack Ozment was quoted in two newspapers saying that Kookesh made similar remarks to the Sitka Assembly, during a meeting two years ago.Alaskan Cubs Settle into Bronx ZooRobert Woolsey, KCAW - SitkaThree brown bear cubs orphaned last summer in Sitka have a new home in New York City. The Bronx Zoo last Thursday displayed Sitka, Kootz, and Denali to the public for the first time. A fourth orphaned cub from Montana shares an adjacent habitat, and will join the Alaska bears once they all get to know each other.Native Youth Produce Zombie Film Len Anderson, KSKA - AnchorageThis weekend the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage hosts its annual Indigenous World Film Festival. Beginning Friday evening, audiences can see films from New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, the Pacific Islands and the U.S., including Alaska. But this year, a new event takes place on Thursday evening featuring films created by Canadian and Alaska Native youth.