Alaska News Nightly: June 28, 2012

Individual news stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via email, podcast and RSS.

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Murkowski, Begich Split On Health Care Decision

Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC

Alaska’s members of Congress are reacting with mixed emotions to the Supreme Court’s ruling largely upholding the health care overhaul bill. The break down is along expected political lines.

Gov. Parnell Reacts To Health Care Ruling

Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage & Daysha Eaton, KSKA – Anchorage

Governor Sean Parnell says Alaskans stand to lose more freedom and pay more tax with today’s Supreme Court ruling largely upholding the federal health care overhaul.  Alaska was one of 26 states suing to overturn the Affordable Care Act. At a news conference this afternoon, Parnell said the state may have lost the battle, but isn’t going to stop fighting.

Some Alaskans Relieved By Health Care Ruling

Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage

While the Parnell Administration is strongly condemning  the Supreme Court’s health care ruling, some Alaskans had a different take when they heard the news.

Transportation Bill Would Give Alaska Railroad $31 Million

Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC

Congress is set to vote on a transportation bill by the end of the week. The plan will fund construction projects for the next two years, and both parties are touting it as a major jobs package.

Salazar Signs Off On 5-Year Offshore Oil, Gas Leasing Plan

Steve Heimel, APRN – Anchorage

As expected, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today signed off on a five-year plan for federal offshore oil and gas leasing that includes more sales off the shores of Alaska, despite heavy pressure by environmental groups, who have been campaigning against any more sales in the Arctic Ocean.

NOAA Crew Surveys Beaches For Tsunami Debris

Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau

Marine debris is nothing new, and a NOAA crew found little of note in last week’s survey of outside Panhandle beaches.

Ship Creek Closed To King Fishing

Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage

Anchorage’s urban Ship Creek fishery is the latest Chinook salmon fishery to be closed by the state Fish and Game department, effective July 1.

Forest Service, Conservation Groups Bet On River Restoration

Rachel Waldhoz, KCAW – Sitka

Over 30 years ago, the Sitkoh River watershed on Chichigoff Island was logged, damaging the local salmon habitat. Now, the US Forest Service is partnering with environmental groups to restore the river – and they say the project is a perfect example of broader changes taking place on the Tongass.

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