Dan Bross, KUAC - Fairbanks

The company contracted with the state to manage Alaska’s new on line medical records data base is defending its privacy protections. The Alaska E-health Network, like many across the country, resulted from state and federal mandates designed to improve efficiency and privacy of health information transfer. It was piloted in Fairbanks, and went live this summer statewide. Alaskans are required to opt out of the system if they don’t want their medical records in the data base. The American Civil Liberties Union is critical of that, and has also raised concerns about access by hackers and government agencies. Download Audio

Fairbanks Police are expected to play a support role in the review of new data raised in the Fairbanks 4 case. The new information filed in court last month points to other suspects than the 4 local men convicted of the 1997 murder of John Hartman. Last week the state announced that it would conduct a review of the information raised by the Alaska Innocence Project, including a confession by a former Fairbanks resident imprisoned for other murders. Download Audio

The State of Alaska has ordered a review of the Fairbanks Four case. The Department of Law announced the move on Thursday, saying new information in the 1997 murder of John Hartman led to the decision. Download Audio

The Air Force’s decision to retain an F-16 squadron at Eielson F-16 could bode well for it basing a squadron of the new F-35 fighter jet. Eielson is one of two bases in the Pacific region under consideration for getting the new stealth aircraft. Download Audio

The shutdown of much of the federal government has closed National Parks. In Interior and Northern Alaska, that means just a few staff remaining on to carry out essential work. Download Audio

Circle has made progress rebuilding after this past spring’s break up flood. Yukon River water and ice damaged homes, other buildings and roads in May. The state reports that sink holes have been filled. Village corporation president Charles John says the clinic is being operated out of trailers brought in this summer, and he’s one of three who’ve had new homes put up. Download Audio

The State Department of law says it’s just beginning to review post conviction relief applications filed on behalf of the “Fairbanks 4.” The applications center on sworn statements from two individuals tying the 1997 murder of John Hartman to people other than the men jailed for the crime. The state and local criminal justice officials are proceeding cautiously. Download Audio

The American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska is raising concerns about health information exchanges online in Alaska. The regional data bases allow doctors to access medical records, but ACLU of Alaska interim executive director Joshua Decker says people have no choice about whether their information is included. Download Audio

A state Department of Environmental Conservation official says proposed new fine particulate pollution regulations are designed more to meet federal requirements, than clamp down on Fairbanks area residents who depend on wood for heat. Download Audio

An iPhone map that led drivers across the Fairbanks International Airport runway has been deactivated. Airport spokeswoman Angie Spear says the map errantly directed users to the east side of the facility. Download Audio

Hundreds of Alaska Natives gathered outside the state court house in Fairbanks Wednesday afternoon to hear news about a murder case that’s long raised questions about whether justice was served. Four Fairbanks men, three of whom are Alaska Native, are serving long sentences for the 1997 stomping death of local teen John Hartman. The case of “the Fairbanks Four” lacked physical evidence and has been reexamined in recent years by local Native advocates and the Alaska Innocence Project. The groups say new evidence shows the jailed men are innocent. Download Audio

There’s new hope that a derelict downtown Fairbanks landmark can be spared the wrecking ball. The Polaris building could be torn down, but its Anchorage based owner isn’t giving up. Download Audio

The State has released draft fine particulate pollution regulations. They’re designed to be part of an overdue implementation plan the DEC is required to submit to the Environmental Protection Agency, which designates Fairbanks as a non attainment area due to wintertime emissions from wood and coal burning. Download Audio

University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Brian Rogers warned of budget constraints in his annual fall convocation address Thursday. Download Audio

Two school bond propositions go before Fairbanks borough voters in the Oct. 1 municipal election. Download Audio

The Alaska Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal of a Healy area natural gas license. The high court will consider the appeal filed by the Denali Citizens Council on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Download Audio

A Lower 48 environmental group is trying to force the Environmental Protection Agency to clamp down on fine particulate pollution in nine states, including Alaska. The Center for Biological Diversity has filed formal notice of intent to sue the E.P.A. for failing to enforce the Clean Air Act.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks wants to develop a mobile app around energy efficiency research at its Sustainable Village student housing project. The university will use a $40,000 donation from Verizon to run a contest for ideas and develop the app.