Alaska News Nightly: August 9, 2013

Individual news stories are posted on the APRN news page. You can subscribe to APRN’s newsfeeds via email, podcast and RSS. Follow us on Facebook at alaskapublic.org and on Twitter @aprn.

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Japan Looks To Revitalize Nuclear Program

Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC

Japanese political leaders hope to revitalize the country’s nuclear program. It scaled back from more than 50 nuclear reactors to less than five after an earthquake caused a meltdown at the Fukushima reactors in 2011.

Japan’s return to nuclear could affect Alaska’s chances at large scale exports of LNG, but factors such as cheap supplies in other countries may have a larger impact.

Southeast Divers Must Travel Far For Emergency Care

Lisa Phu, KTOO – Juneau

Scuba diving emergencies can no longer be treated at Bartlett Regional Hospital in Juneau. After more than 30 years, the facility discontinued its hyperbaric chamber program and recently removed the 13-foot chamber.

Now, the closest chambers for public use are in Anchorage or Seattle.

Details Released On Seward Prison Disturbance

Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage

Alaska Department of Corrections officials say a disturbance at Seward’s Spring Creek Correctional Center on Monday night began when inmates were ordered to make beds and clean rooms.

Director of institutions Bryan Brandenberg says that inmates in the segregation unit were not happy with a directive by acting superintendent Dean Marshall that they would participate in morning inspection.  Brandenberg  compared what happened next to children throwing a tantrum.

About 14 segregation inmates late Monday night yelled, broke porcelain toilets and sinks and flooded cells. The disturbance ended about nine hours later on Tuesday morning. Brandenberg says just one officer was on duty in the 32-man unit.

According to officials, six prisoners suffered cuts or scrapes in the incident on Monday. One inmate was pepper-sprayed when he did not cooperate.

Wildfires Grow Across Interior

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

Several wildfires are growing across the Interior, including a human caused blaze, which had laid low for months.

Interior Dry Spell Continues

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

The Interior dry spell continues.  National Weather Service Climate Science Manager Rick Thoman says it hasn’t rained much at the official recording station at Fairbanks airport, since July 20.

Alaska Native Cultural Charter School Gets New Building

Daysha Eaton, KSKA – Anchorage

The Alaska Native Cultural Charter School, in Anchorage, has a new and bigger home – just in time for the new school year.

AK: Doves

Robert Woolsey, KCAW – Sitka

One of the most rapid and successful invasions of a continent did not happen in any war. It’s happening now – maybe right outside your window.

The Eurasian collared dove first came to North America in Florida in 1982, and was seen in Alaska as early as 2009. Experts say the dove represents no threat to the environment or native species. But it is changing how Alaska sounds.

300 Villages: Dillingham

This week were heading to the hub community of Dillingham in Bristol Bay. Wanda Fulton and Stephanie McCumber live in Dillingham Alaska.

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