Alaska News Nightly: November 25, 2009

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Anchorage Cold Cases Get Review
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
Anchorage homicide cases that have remained unsolved for years are currently getting a thorough review. That’s thanks in part to a federal grant that is providing resources for DNA evidence testing and staff time to pore over the files.

Randall Hones Classic Technique in Preparation for Olympics
Annie Feidt, APRN – Anchorage
Anchorage cross-country skier Kikkan Randall just missed the podium in her first International race of the season. She placed fourth in the five kilometer skate and ninth in the classic sprint earlier this month in Norway. The two-time Olympian is a skate sprint specialist who has been working hard to improve her classic technique recently. She will need to be in top form by February, to make the Olympic podium in Vancouver.

Noorvik to Bring Back Native Dancing
Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage
The village of Noorvik has voted to allow Native dancing in the community for the first time since missionaries banned in the early 1900s. The town of about 500 people is on the Kobuk river, near Kotzebue. It will be the first community counted when the U-S Census kicks off in late January. Leaders in the town want to welcome dignitaries from Washington DC with traditional dancing, dogsled teams and a cultural exhibit.

Southeast Groups Say Low-Income and Homeless Face Tougher Holidays
Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau
Southeast groups serving low-income and homeless people say the needs are greater this holiday season. Despite improvements nationwide, the economy is still hitting many residents hard. Holiday food collections are having mixed success, and most are asking for continued donations.

Bethel Group Seeking New Vote on Alcohol
Shane Iverson, KUAC – Fairbanks
A group residents in Bethel are Organizing for another vote on alcohol. Sponsors of a new petition are unhappy with the outcome of the previous election, when Bethel voters revoked local option laws. Nov. 9 Bethel Businesses are applying for liquor licenses.  That includes seven restaurants and two package stores.

Rural Subcabinet Meets in Dillingham
Mike Mason, KDLG – Dillingham
The Governor’s Rural Action Subcabinet held a public meeting in Dillingham on Monday night to get the input of local residents on ways to improve life in rural Alaska.

Interior Department Wants Tribal Consultation Policy
Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC
The Interior Department announced today it’s launching a new effort to create a policy on tribal consultation.  It comes in response to an order earlier this month by President Obama to improve the federal government’s nation-to-nation relationship with tribes.


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