The state is concerned about a big increase in the number of new HIV cases in Fairbanks. Last year, Fairbanks reported eight new HIV cases and the outbreak is ongoing. In recent years, two or three new cases were more typical. The state is also seeing a syphilis outbreak in Anchorage. Susan Jones is Alaska’s HIV and STD program manager. She says the state first became concerned about the increase in HIV cases in Fairbanks last summer.

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House Majority Leader Alan Austerman says he’s open to changes to a bill that would re-establish an Alaska Coastal Management Program.

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Governor Sean Parnell has signed a bill easing the state’s requirement for certain political candidates to file disclosure information electronically.

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A rocket was successfully launched from Poker Flat north of Fairbanks over the weekend. Saturday night’s flight was part of a multi-university project aimed at understanding the effect of the northern lights on global positioning system and other radio signals. Principle investigator Steve Powell of Cornell University says satellite data indicated an intense stream, of charged particles from the sun heading toward the earth, and the aurora did not disappoint.

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On February 20, 1962, John Glenn, became the first American to orbit the Earth. And fifty years later, astronauts still face the unknowns of space. There is new evidence that prolonged weightlessness, or even short periods without the pull of gravity, can have lasting physical impacts on the human body. In December of last year, in a paper published by the American Academy of Opthamology, an Anchorage doctor looked at how space travel can effect eyes.

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A bill introduced in the state legislature offers energy relief for Alaskans. The bipartisan sponsored measure would provide vouchers to all Permanent Fund Dividend eligible adults for 250 gallons of heating fuel, or an equivalent amount of natural gas, or 1,500 kilowatt hours of electricity.

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A Fairbanks entrepreneur is putting up a third wind generator in Delta Junction, and Golden Valley Electric Association intends to buy the additional electricity.

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The first team of snowmobile racers has reached Nome in the 2,000-mile Iron Dog race. Marc McKenna and Dusty VanMeter arrived Tuesday afternoon. For being the first to reach the race’s half-way point, they pocket $10,000.

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State Concerned Over Increasing Numbers of HIV Cases, Bill Would Help Conversion From Oil Heat Sources, Austerman Open to Changes to ACMP Bill, Parnell Signs Bill Changing Disclosure Rules into Law, Researchers Launch Rocket to Study Northern Lights, Researchers Investigate Weightlessness Effects on Human Body, Bill Would Offer Energy Relieve for Alaskans, Fairbanks Entrepreneur Setting Up Third Wind Power Generator, First Iron Dog Racers Reach Nome

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A House committee this morning approved a bill setting up a loan program for people who want to convert their home heating equipment from oil, coal or wood heaters to another fuel source.

Coast Guard Admiral Breaks Silence on Crash; House, Senate Working to Increase School Funding; Senate Introduces Energy Voucher Bill; Kanaga Volcano Acting Up; Young Fishermen Exploring Leadership Roles; Crews Thawing Equipment on Rig That Suffered Blowout; Alaska Senators Question Plans to Move Fighters; February Much Warmer than January; Auto Museum Provides Window to an American Passion

The Coast Guard admiral in charge of Alaska has broken his public silence on charges against the survivor of a helicopter crash that killed three people from Air Station Sitka.