Alaska News Nightly: April 24, 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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Work To Move Forward On Susitna-Watana Dam

Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage

Work on the Susitna-Watana dam will go forward this summer, according to a spokesperson for the state agency tasked with the project.

Anchorage School District Dissolving Girls Hockey Program

Josh Edge, APRN – Anchorage

The Anchorage School District has opted to dissolve its girls hockey program after 10 years, citing low participation numbers as the primary reason.

Senators Dine With President, Enjoy Alaska’s Finest

Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC

Senator Lisa Murkowski and the rest of the women in the Senate had dinner at the White House last night. Dinner with the president is a big deal for just about anyone. But, the real story isn’t about the discussion, but the contents of the dinner plates.

Greenpeace Searching For Arctic Whistleblowers

Peter Granitz, APRN – Juneau

Greenpeace is trying to coax would-be whistleblowers to come out against the Arctic oil companies they work for. The environmental group launches a website today called Arctic Truth.

Alaska Villages Cope With Treated-Water Shortages

The Associated Press

Two Native villages on Alaska’s western coast are coping with shortages of treated water brought on by failures of their supply transmission pipelines.

Unalakleet, a largely Inupiat Eskimo community, lost use of its main pipeline when it froze a month ago and developed leaks.

Almost 300 miles to the north, Kivalina has imposed strict conservation measures all winter after its pipeline was damaged by late summer storms before the Inupiat community’s water tanks could be filled completely.

Unalakleet city manager Scott Dickens says the pipeline has been cleared and patched up. He says the village is now waiting for state regulators to clear samples of treated water as safe to drink.

Kivalina city manager Janet Mitchell says the village barely has enough water to last until tanks can be filled.

Coastal Caucus Gives Rural Senators More Clout

Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau

The so-called Coastal Caucus has given some Alaska senators a louder voice in the lopsided Republican majority that favors the state’s urban centers.

Senator Dennis Egan is part of the group that’s worked together in the past, but formalized its existence during the legislative session.

Autopsy Leaves Unanswered Questions In Fairbanks Man’s Death

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

An autopsy report confirms a Fairbanks man found on fire in a downtown Post Office died of burn injuries, but does not explain the origin of the flames that killed Johnny Wallis.

Students ‘Resilient’ In The Fight Against Meth

Robert Woolsey, KCAW – Sitka

Students at Sitka’s alternative high school have decided to confront the methamphetamine problem head on, and they’re encouraging the rest of the community to join them at an event in early May.

First Cruisers Of Season Find Kodiak ‘Courteous’

Brianna Gibbs, KMXT – Kodiak

Cruise ship season has officially kicked off in Kodiak. The Crystal Symphony called on Alaska’s emerald isle early yesterday morning, and brought with it 480 passengers and 550 crew members. Despite the rain, hundreds of tourists were able to explore the downtown area. KMXT’s Brianna Gibbs caught up with some of them and filed this report.

Audio Postcard: Ninja Captures Mooing Rhinos

Robert Woolsey, KCAW – Sitka

Alexis Will, a graduate student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, calls herself a “Ninja of the Night,” but it has nothing to do with martial arts.

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