Alaska News Nightly: July 28, 2009

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Cargo Shipments to Anchorage Falling
Ellen Lockyer, APRN – Anchorage
Cargo shipments in and out of Anchorage’s Ted Stevens International Airport are down, and that’s not helping much as the city deals with a budget shortfall.

Nome Wind Farm Confronting Challenges
Jesse Zink, KNOM – Nome
A new wind farm went into operation just outside of Nome at the end of last year. But local leaders are confronting a series of challenges in keeping the turbines spinning.

Fairbanks is Hot and Dry
Dan Bross, KUAC- Fairbanks
July is on track to be the hottest and driest in Fairbanks history.  Only a tiny amount of rain – far less than an inch — has been measured in Fairbanks as of Tuesday.

Haida Long House Needs Repairs
Jay Marble, KRBD – Ketchikan
Alaska’s only Haida Long House is in need of some serious repair. The wooden structure is near the community of Kasaan, on Prince of Wales Island. The village hopes to raise enough money to restore the historic site to its original condition.

Sitka Park Sprucing Up Totems
Emily Schwing, KCAW- Sitka
In preparation for the 100th anniversary of the Sitka National Historic Park, the Park Service is taking on a series of projects. A new totem pole has been commissioned and the Park Service spent last week cleaning 17 other totems already on display outside the visitor’s center and along the trails.

Seakaska Wants Stimulus Funds for Forest Project
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau
Sealaska wants the federal government to spend some of its stimulus money thinning trees. The Southeast regional Native corporation has asked for close to $1 million to expand its own forest-management program. Officials say the money could keep 40 rural residents on the job.

Tlingit Rapper Starts Alaska Tour
Shaleece Haas, KCAW – Sitka
Loren Sands is making a name for himself – at least in parts of Southeast Alaska. The Tlingit rapper played the popular Home Skillet Festival in Sitka last weekend and now he has plans for a tour of Alaska, starting in the Native villages where he grew up.

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