Alaska News Nightly: May 19, 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)UPS Plans Alaska LayoffsEllen Lockyer, KSKA – AnchorageAnchorage stands to lose close to 300 pilot jobs at its UPS hub.  The unwelcome news came recently to scores of pilots who make Alaska their full-time home.Alaskans Lobby for Climate Bill in WashingtonLibby Casey, APRN – Washington DCEven though the US Senate unveiled a climate change bill last week, the focus in Washington is mostly elsewhere: on financial reform, the massive oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico and preparing to vet the President’s Supreme Court nominee.  But a group of Alaskans say passing a climate bill this year should be a priority.Salazar Announces New Minerals Management Service StructureAnnie Feidt, APRN – AnchorageInterior Secretary Ken Salazar took another step today (Wednesday) in reorganizing the Minerals Management Service. He signed a secretarial order breaking up the agency into three divisions that will each have distinct roles.Village Prepares for Sewer System, FinallyLen Anderson, KSKA – AnchorageEven as much of village Alaska embraces the infrastructure elements of the 21st century, two third world elements stubbornly remain in many bush communities ­– five-gallon containers for packing water and hauling honey buckets.  Recently, KSKA reporter Len Anderson visited two Southwestern Alaska villages.Tree Harvester Could Tackle Three ProblemsDan Bross, KUAC – FairbanksNew tree harvesting technology could help solve wild fire, energy and pollution problems.  Fairbanks area state forester Marc Lee told the local chamber of commerce yesterday (Tuesday) about a machine made by Ohio based Fecon Corporation that could cut fire breaks through low value black spruce and processes the trees into fuel stock.Renewable Energy Could Fuel Bethel PoolShane Iverson, KYUK – BethelThe Bethel city council recently took action on a proposed swimming pool. An innovative idea for incorporating renewable energy into the business plan for the pool was well received by some council members and panned by others.Aaron Leggett Promotes Dena'ina Knowledge in AnchorageLori Townsend, APRN - AnchorageIt's hard to reconcile Aaron Leggett's 28-year-old boyish features with his job as cultural historian – a title that more easily conjures a craggy-faced octogenarian with a head-full of traditional knowledge. But youth aside, Leggett is no slouch when it comes to knowing a lot about the history of his people – the Dena'ina Athabascan of Southcentral Alaska.