Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017

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Federal Appeals court throws out one convictions of former Fairbanks militia leader Schaeffer Cox.

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

A federal appeals court has thrown out one of the convictions of former Fairbanks militia leader Schaeffer Cox. A 9th Circuit Court of appeals decision filed on Tuesday, vacates Cox’s conviction of solicitation to murder federal officials.

Health Care Authority could save state government millions of dollars

Andrew Kitchenman, KTOO – Juneau

Alaska’s state government would save more than $200 million a year if it formed what’s called a health care authority. That’s according to a long-awaited study by three consultants that was released today.

Alaska Soldiers to deploy to Afghanistan

Zachariah Hughes, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

Alaska-based soldiers will start deploying to Afghanistan within the next week. Over the course of the coming month the Army is sending about 1,200 members of the 4th Brigade Combat Team 25th Infantry Division — or 4-2-5 — from Anchorage’s Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Investigators drop inquiry dropped in Zinke calls to Alaska Senators 

Liz Ruskin, Alaska Public Media – Washington DC

The inspector general’s office for the U.S. Interior Department has dropped its inquiry into whether the Interior secretary threatened to retaliate against Sen. Lisa Murkowski for voting against proceeding on a health care reform bill.

Sitka Coast Guard members deploy to Texas

Emily Kwong, KCAW – Sitka

The largest tropical downpour in U.S. history has given way to catastrophic flooding in Texas. Before Hurricane Harvey made landfall, several Sitka-based Coast Guard members were deployed there to assist with relief efforts.

St Paul ramps up reindeer program to improve food security

Laura Kraegel, KUCB – St Paul Island

For the last century, reindeer have roamed St. Paul Island without much oversight. But now, the tribal government is stepping up its management style — to boost subsistence options and the local economy.

Mat Su fish meeting causes tension for Cook Inlet commercial and sport fishing

Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media – Anchorage

A disagreement over management of salmon in Cook Inlet continues to simmer following a public meeting last week between top Fish and Game officials and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s Fish Commission.

The second lives of eagles

Berett Wilber, KUCB – Unalaska

When eagles die in Unalaska, it’s the beginning of a long journey.

Ketchikan breaks record for rainiest summer

Leila Kheiry, KRBD – Ketchikan

Early this morning, Ketchikan broke the record for the most summertime rainfall. With more than 45 inches at last count, this summer is officially the soggiest Alaska’s First City has experienced in recorded history.

 

Lori Townsend is the news director and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452.

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