Alaska News Nightly: May 8, 2008

Former legislator Vic Kohring is sentenced to 3 and a half years in prison, Plus, the legislature plans to take the special session across the state. Also, the military funds fatigue research that looks for answers from sled dogs. And a new home for the Whitney Museum in Valdez. Those stories and more on tonight's Alaska News Nightly, broadcast statewide on APRN stations.Individual news stories are posted in the Alaska News category and you can subscribe to APRN's news feeds via e-mail, podcast and RSS. Vic Kohring sentenced to prisonDavid Shurtleff, APRN - AnchorageConvicted former lawmaker Vic Kohring was sentenced to 3-and-a-half years in federal prison this morning. He was found guilty in November of bribery, conspiracy, and attempted extortion for his rolein the ongoing VECO corruption scandal.Legislature wants to take special session to the peopleDave Donaldson, APRN - JuneauThe Special Session of the legislature the governor has called next month will have a new twist – it’staking some of its deliberations outside of Juneau.Military funds sled-dog researchLori Townsend, APRN - AnchorageA researcher in Oklahoma State University thinks sled dogs can teach humans how to prevent exercisefatigue. Michael Davis says the dogs have the ability to switch their metabolism to a mode that makesthem immune to the normal effects of exhaustion. He's using more than a $1 million in military fundingto look for clues into what allows sled dogs to make that switch.Anchorage approves curbside recycling, sort ofLen Anderson, KSKA - AnchorageThe Anchorage Assembly has approved curbside recycling, but only for a minority of Solid Waste Servicecustomers, the city-owned garbage operation.Prince Rupert docking a success for AMHSEd Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - JuneauMarine highway managers say a temporary docking setup in Prince Rupert is working well. Officials in the Canadian city shut down the regular ferry dock in late March after determining it was unsafe. But they arranged for use of a nearby dock operated by the British Columbia ferry system. Marine Highway General Manager John Falvey says only one sailing had to be canceled.Ferry system pushes to get schedule out earlyEd Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska - JuneauAlaska’s Marine Highway System is trying to get its fall-winter-spring schedule out early. The draft operating plan shows four of Alaska’s 11 ferries will be laid up for most of the winter: 3 for repairs and one to save money. The schedule has about as many sailings as were planned for the previous off-season. It should be ready for booking by July 1st.Valdez museum has new more accessible homeAmy Bracken, KCHU - ValdezThe Maxine and Jesse Whitney museum in Valdez has a new location to show off its impressive collection of native art.