Alaska News Nightly: September 26, 2013

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

Download Audio

Senators Weigh In On Government Shutdown

Peter Granitz, APRN – Washington DC

The Senate passed a measure advancing a government funding bill yesterday that zeroes out money for the Affordable Care Act.

Both Senators Murkowski and Begich supported the measure. And Congressman Don Young supported it in the House last week.

Joining us to explain what’s happening – and how this relates to a pending government shutdown, is APRN’s Washington correspondent Peter Granitz. He says Begich supported the measure to make sure Congress maintains funding for the health care law.

Arming VPSOs Discussed At Anchorage Meeting

Mike Mason, KDLG – Dillingham

An effort is underway to allow Village Public Safety Officers in Alaska to carry guns. VPSO’s are currently precluded from being armed but the shooting death of a VPSO officer in the Bristol Bay region earlier this year has resulted in an effort to change the rules.

Man Dies After Being Struck Many Times With Road Sign

The Associated Press

A 50-year-old man died after being beaten with a road sign, punched and kicked outside the Anchorage Community Mental Health Services building, and four people are in custody.

Murkowski Secures $50 Million For Legacy Well Clean Up

Josh Edge & Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage

Legislation that passed Congress today will allocate $50 million to clean up the 130 oil and gas wells that were drilled and abandoned by the federal government in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska.

DEC Proposes New Fine For Particulate Pollution

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

A state Department of Environmental Conservation official says proposed new fine particulate pollution regulations  are designed more to meet federal requirements, than clamp down on Fairbanks area residents who depend on wood for heat.

iPhone Map Leads Drivers Onto Fairbanks Runway

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

An iPhone map that led drivers across the Fairbanks International Airport runway has been deactivated. Airport spokeswoman Angie Spear says the map errantly directed users to the east side of the facility.

Candidates Compete For Mat-Su Assembly

Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage

Two long-time Alaskans are vying for an open seat on the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly. Both candidates for the District One seat have colorful backgrounds, although that’s where their similarity ends. A newcomer to Borough politics is challenging a candidate with a long record in community service.

‘Strength in Youth’ Highlights Positive High School Statistics

Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage

Athletes at East High in Anchorage highlighted some positive statistics about teens earlier today at the homecoming pep rally. Like the fact that 89 percent of Anchorage high school students don’t smoke. The campaign is called “Strength of our Youth.” The idea is to debunk the myths that “everyone” in high school is making bad choices.

Astrid Williams is a senior at East High School and has been organizing the project. She says the pep rally seemed like a great way to get the message out.

Previous articleTask Force Says Assembly Broke Charter Rules
Next article‘Strength in Youth’ Highlights Positive High School Statistics