Alaska News Nightly: November 15, 2012

Individual news stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via email, podcast and RSS.

Download Audio

Senate Republicans To Continue Earmark Ban

Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC

Senate Republicans are vowing to continue a moratorium on earmarks this coming Congress. It could have repercussions in Alaska since the state relies so heavily on federal funding.

Scientists Work To Track Ice Islands

Steve Heimel, APRN – Anchorage

The oil and gas industry, government agencies and scientists are meeting this week in Anchorage to talk about Arctic oil and gas development. A wide range of issues are being discussed – everything from spill response to ice tracking to wildlife changes. It is well known that over the past decade the sea ice has been melting back to record levels. But what is less well known is how to track some of the large – and dangerous – pieces of ice that have been breaking loose.

Unattended Candle Cited As Probable Cause Of Gastineau Apartment Blaze

Casey Kelly, KTOO – Juneau

An unattended candle likely caused last week’s fire at the Gastineau Apartments in downtown Juneau.

State Supreme Court Mulls Appeal In Same Sex Tax Case

Daysha Eaton, KSKA – Anchorage

Attorneys argued before the Supreme Court of Alaska yesterday whether same-sex couples in the Municipality of Anchorage should be treated the same as married couples when it comes to property taxes. The case involves three same-sex couples denied a senior tax exemption allowed under state law.

New Hospital Opens In Nome

Laureli Kinneen, KNOM – Nome

Residents in the Norton Sound region had good reason to come together yesterday. The Norton Sound Health Corporation held a Grand Opening Celebration in Nome, marking the upcoming opening of the new Norton Sound Regional Hospital.

OSHA Hands Out $55,000 In Fines For Ammonia Spill

Lauren Rosenthal, KUCB – Unalaska

It’s been four months since an ammonia spill on a processing vessel shut down parts of Unalaska. Now, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has wrapped up their investigation into the accident.

The result: more than $55,000 in fines – and some valuable lessons for emergency responders.

One-Third Of Local Students Overweight Or Obese, Study Finds

Aaron Selbig, KBBI – Homer

About 36 percent of students in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District are overweight or obese – that according to a new study published by the Alaska Division of Public Health.

Previous articleState Supreme Court Mulls Appeal in Same Sex Tax Case
Next articleOne-Third Of Local Students Overweight Or Obese, Study Finds