Alaska News Nightly: July 4, 2007

This is the complete story list and audio recording from today’s Alaska News Nightly, as broadcast on APRN stations statewide.

Prosecution rests in Anderson corruption trial
Steve Heimel, APRN – Anchorage
The prosecution rested yesterday in the corruption trial of former state Representative Tom Anderson. It could go to the jury by the end of the week, depending on whether Anderson decides to testify.

Alaska DNR green lights cyanide facility outside Fairbanks
Associated Press (read by Lori Townsend, APRN)
The state Department of Natural Resources has issued permits that will allow construction of a large-scale cyanide facility for the Fort Knox Gold Mine.

Yukon king salmon run may be too small for upriver subsistence
Tim Bodony, KIYU – Galena
King salmon is a primary subsistence resource for residents along the Yukon River. And now many subsistence fishermen on the middle and upper part of the river are starting to wonder if their subsistence needs will be met this year. The king return appears to be much lower than expected, and many upriver fishermen are upset about the amount of commercial fishing that took place during the early part of the run. As the tension increases, state and federal managers disagree about the best course of action to take from this point on.

NEA Alaska delegates focus on state issues at national conference
Dan Bross, KUAC (read by Lori Townsend, APRN)
The National Education Association annual meeting has thousands of delegates from across the country gathered in Philadelphia to discuss state and national priorities. The group includes 52 Alaska delegates. NEA Alaska President Bill Bjork says Alaska shares many issues with the rest of the country, such as federal funding for special education, but also has some unique education policy concerns.

Greenpeace vessel stops in Kodiak
Casey Kelly, KMXT – Kodiak
The Greenpeace vessel Esperanza was in Kodiak yesterday and will be in Old Harbor today as part of its tour of western Alaska. KMXT’s Casey Kelly talked with the boat’s campaign coordinator, George Pletnikoff, about Greenpeace’s goals for this tour.

Wooden shack in Barrow dates from 1881 polar expedition
Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage
Architectural historians will be in Barrow this month carefully analyzing a small wooden shack. The structure itself is nothing special but the story behind why it was built is impressive. Now a local anthropologist is hoping to inspire an effort to preserve it for generations to come.

Two grizzlies shot in Fairbanks; expected to be the last of the year
Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
Another two grizzly bears have been shot in the Fairbanks area. The sibling bears were taken Sunday night after getting into trouble on properties near mile 20 on Chena Hot Springs Road.

An Anchorage Fourth of July
Len Anderson, KSKA – Anchorage
Anchorage’s Fourth of July is a crowd drawing, day-long event that begins with morning pancakes on the Park Strip and ends with late night, twilight fireworks at the ball park. KSKA’s Len Anderson enjoyed a morning tour of the celebration.

Mount Marathon women’s victory goes to Cedar Bourgeois
David Shurtleff, APRN – Anchorage
A Seward woman has won the Mount Marathon title for the 4th year in a row. 31-year-old Cedar Bourgeois finished the women’s race in just over 52-minutes. Anchorage residents Nicole DeYong and Olympic Skier Kikkan Randall finished 2nd and 3rd. The Men’s results were not available by air time. Today marked the 80th anniversary of the Mount Marathon race. The 3-mile course has runners climb some 3,000 feet to the top of the mountain and then back down as fast as they can.

Previous articleAn Anchorage Fourth of July
Next articleMount Marathon women's victory goes to Cedar Bourgeois