Alaska News Nightly: February 26, 2009

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Alaskans may have been victims of anti-trust violations
Dave Donaldson, ARPN – Juneau
The federal government is expanding its investigation of price-fixing schemes, asĀ  a former executive with a shipping company heads to federal prison on anti-trust conspiracy charges.Ā  The investigation has strengthened a damages lawsuit filed in Alaska.

Governor Palin supports parental consent bills

Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
Governor Palin today gave her public support to two bills in the legislature that would require parental consent before an underage girl could have an abortion.Ā Ā  She said she did not want to introduce a competing version of the House and Senate bills that were put into the mix early in the session

UAF to house Ted Steven’s congressional collection

Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
Archives spanning former Senator Ted Steven’s 40 year Congressional career are on their way to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The material is being shipped in almost five thousand boxes and weighs in at around sixty tons. It will be housed at the University’s Rasmuson Library.

Senator Begich weighs in on rural Veterans’ affairs

Libby Casey, APRN – Washington, DC
The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee heard testimony today on the challenges of caring for veterans in rural parts of the country. Alaska Democrat Mark Begich sits on the committee, and said itā€™s especially challenging in Alaska, which does not have a full-fledged Veterans Affairs, or VA, hospital.Ā  Begich asked witnesses testifying from the VA why veterans canā€™t visit other hospitals and get reimbursed for medical expenses.

Climate change conference taking place in Homer

Casey Kelly, KBBI – Homer
A two-day climate change conference sponsored by the Alaska Marine Conservation Council is taking place in Homer. By the end of the event, attendees from coastal communities across the state are hoping to finalize a compact that would outline their concerns about global warming, ocean acidification and other issues, and then request state and federal action to fix the problems.

Anchorage unveils new bear awareness campaign
Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage
Outdoor enthusiasts in Anchorage will soon be the target of a new information campaign on bear safety. After a string of severe bear attacks last year on popular trails near the city, wildlife managers are hoping the right message will help ensure a more peaceful summer in 2009.

5 Alaska athletes head for Hall of Fame
Rosemarie Alexander, KTOO – Juneau
Five Alaska athletes will be inducted into the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame tonight at ceremonies in Anchorage, including Juneau Olympic skier Hilary Lindh.

Mistakes costly on Yukon Quest trail this year

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks
A handful of racers are still out on the Yukon Quest trail. Eight of the 29 mushers that started this yearā€™s Yukon Quest have scratched. Most mushers would be thrilled to finish in the top 10 of the grueling race, but for those with winning aspirations, anything shy of victory is a disappointment.Ā  Sometimes a single decision can dash a chance at victory, something Hugh Neff discovered painfully this year.

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