Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, June 28, 2017

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Contractor’s blunder causes outage to University of Alaska statewide network

Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

The University of Alaska’s information technology infrastructure and many of its network systems suffered a prolonged, widespread outage Wednesday on at least two campuses — Fairbanks and Anchorage.

Wave of addiction costs is hitting Alaska’s healthcare system

Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

Like much of the country, Alaska is seeing a surge in opioid and heroin addiction. And state officials are scrambling to deal with the consequences. One side effect is a a big increase in diseases connected to injecting drugs, particularly Hepatitis C.This is raising concerns about a potential tidal wave of healthcare costs.

Assembly approves granting immunity to sex workers who aid police

Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

On Tuesday night, the Anchorage Assembly approved a measure that gives immunity to sex workers who tell police when more serious crimes have occurred.

University of Alaska receives grant to address Native suicides in villages

Robert Hannon, KUAC – Fairbanks

University of Alaska researchers are planning new strategies to address suicide in Alaskan Native Communities. An over $4 million federal grant is funding creation of a clearing house of successful strategies drawn from villages and regions across the state.

Produce coming soon from Pilgrim Hot Springs farming project

Davis Hovey, KNOM – Nome

Nome residents could soon be able to buy locally grown vegetables from Pilgrim Hot Springs at a market stand in town.

Shareholders re-elect Sealaska board incumbents

Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau

The management slate won this year’s Sealaska board election. Three incumbents and a newcomer who ran with them beat out eight independent candidates.

Business as usual for marine mammal deterrence

Nora Saks – KFSK – Petersburg

In Southeast Alaska, populations of some marine mammals, like humpback whales and Stellar sea lions, are on the rise. Some subgroups of these species have recently been removed from the Endangered Species list, leaving many commercial fisherman wondering what this means for them.

Governor Walker signs law recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day in Alaska

Christine Trudeau, KYUK – Bethel

In Utqiaġvik over the weekend, Governor Bill Walker signed legislation recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day in Alaska. The law establishes Alaska as the second state in the nation to recognize Indigenous Peoples Day on the second Monday of October, replacing Columbus Day.

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