Alaska News Nightly: March 20, 2013

Individual news stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via emailpodcast and RSS. Follow us on Facebook at alaskapublic.org and on Twitter @aprn.

Download Audio

CONFESSED: Leroy Dick Tells Judge He Killed VPSO Madole

Dave Bendinger, KDLG – Dillingham

Leroy Dick Jr is confessing to killing an unarmed Village Public Safety Officer in Manakotak. Dick allegedly shot VPSO Thomas Madole yesterday afternoon. Madole was a former pastor who leaves behind a wife, a son and a daughter. Leroy Dick made his first court appearance today in Dillingham, telling the magistrate he killed Madole.

‘Stand Your Ground’ Bill Passes Alaska House

Casey Kelly, KTOO – Juneau

The Alaska House of Representatives passed a “Stand Your Ground” bill on a 33-5 vote on Wednesday.

Oil Tax Debate Continues On Senate Floor

Alexandra Gutierrez, APRN – Juneau

Debate on whether the state’s oil tax system should be overhauled continued in fits and spurts throughout the day. By early evening, the Senate had considered seven amendments to a bill flattening the tax rate on oil companies and shifting incentives for credits.

Murkowski Introduces New Revenue Sharing Bill

Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC

Senator Lisa Murkowski is introducing her version of a revenue sharing bill for both offshore and onshore energy production. It’s the second bill this Congress, and it faces an uncertain future.

Group Says It Will Keep Up Logging Road Challenge

The Associated Press

A conservation group said Wednesday it will continue pushing federal authorities to more closely regulate muddy logging roads, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that sided with the timber industry.

Muni Sues Port Designers, They Fault Construction

Daysha Eaton, KSKA – Anchorage

After years of problems, which halted the Port of Anchorage project, the municipality of Anchorage is suing the designers.

Iditarod Officials Release Results Of Investigation Into Unalakleet Dog Death

Emily Schwing, KUAC – Fairbanks

On March 15, volunteers with the Iditarod Trail Committee discovered a five year old husky had been buried and asphyxiated by drifting snow in Unalakleet.  Today ITC released the results of an investigation into the death.

Bethel Man Pleads Guilty To Fraud

Sophie Evan, KYUK – Bethel

A Bethel man has pleaded guilty to fraudulently using the official letterhead for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The forgery was used in letters he mailed out to several local villages last spring.

Borough Exports Include Housing, Labor

Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage

The Matanuska Susitna Borough’ s unique economy is affecting many other areas of  the state.  That’s the word from a noted economist, who outlined his findings before the Borough Assembly on Tuesday.

Previous articleVPSO Thomas Madole Killed in Manokotak
Next articleBorough Exports Include Housing, Labor