Alaska News Nightly: April 17, 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.

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U.S. Senate Votes Down New Gun Control Regulations

Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC

The U.S. Senate voted down a host of new gun regulations, including a new assault weapons ban. Senators bucked public opinion and voted against expanding background checks to online sales and gun shows. And it nixed a plan to limit the size of ammunition magazines.

Alaska Senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski voted against those three provisions.

Immediately following the vote, a liberal group, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, blasted an email saying it will run ads opposing Senator Begich in his reelection campaign next year.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid canceled the vote on the overall bill, a maneuver that technically keeps it alive. But today’s vote effectively killed any attempt to reform the nation’s gun laws, 124 days after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school.

Treadwell Uneasy On Arctic-Wide Oil Policy

Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC

At an Arctic energy summit in Washington, D.C. federal regulators pushed back against ConocoPhillips.

Citing “regulatory uncertainty” ConocoPhillips recently announced it is suspending its Arctic drilling campaign indefinitely.

Oxycodone Pills Seized at Anchorage Airport

Dave Bendinger, KDLG – Dillingham

State narcotics officials say unsuspecting travelers are being used as drug mules to carry illegal pills to rural Alaska. Earlier this month, authorities intercepted a package of oxycodone pills at the Anchorage airport. They were inside a bag a traveler agreed to take to Dillingham for another woman.

Hilcorp, Aurora Outline Cook Inlet Drilling Plans

Shaylon Cochran, KDLL – Kenai

Two Oil and Gas companies have big drilling plans for Cook Inlet this summer.

Seward, CDQ Working On Plan For New Harbor

Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage

The city of Seward and a Western Alaska Community Development Quota or CDQ group are working on a plan for a new harbor in the Southcentral community that could shelter a Bering Sea fishing fleet. The innovative plan is designed to keep more fishing related income in Alaska, and help revive Seward’s seafood processing industry.

OB Services Reborn At Sitka Hospital

Anne Brice, KCAW – Sitka

Sitka Community Hospital — like most hospitals — delivers babies. But that hasn’t always been the case. For about two years, from 2009 to 2011, a lack of properly qualified physicians shutdown its obstetrics program. KCAW’s Anne Brice looks at how the return of obstetrics has made a difference for expectant moms.

Tlingit-Haida Central Council Holding 78th Annual Tribal Assembly

Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau

The Tlingit-Haida Central Council holds its 78th Annual Tribal Assembly in Juneau this week.

Metlakatla Woman Gears Up For Miss Indian World Competition

Leila Kheiry, KRBD – Ketchikan

A Metlakatla woman is gearing up for the upcoming Miss Indian World competition, next week during the annual Gathering of Nations in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Antique Ski Donated To Fairbanks North Star Borough

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

An antique ski has been donated to the Fairbanks North Star Borough for display at the Birch Hill Recreation Area. The ski is thought to be a gold rush era relic.

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