Alaska News Nightly: Monday, Feb. 15, 2016

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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Legislative veteran Max Gruenberg dies in Juneau

Anrew Kitchenman, KTOO/APRN-Juneau
Longtime Representative Max Gruenberg died Sunday in Juneau. The Anchorage Democrat was 72. Gruenberg gained bipartisan respect for his skill in crafting legislation. He was the senior member of the House. He served during two separate periods – from 1985 to 1992 and since 2003.

Hugh Neff wins Yukon Quest

Molly Rettig, KUAC-Fairbanks
Hugh Neff has won the 2016 Yukon Quest. The Alaska musher finished in Whitehorse around 2:30 p.m. on Monday after starting in Fairbanks nine days ago.

Murkowski’s Bethel hearing to feature U.S. Energy Secretary

Liz Ruskin, APRN-Washington
U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz will join a host of state and federal officials in Bethel on Monday to talk rural energy needs. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski is holding a field hearing of the U.S. Senate’s Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which she chairs.

UAF’s Walsh wins international science award

Robert Hannon, KUAC-Fairbanks
A University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist is receiving the recognition of his peers. Dr. John Walsh recently garnered a medal from the International Arctic Science Committee. The prestigious award recognizes Walsh’s sustained work in far north.

Bethel fire department wants more positions

Anna Rose MacArthur, KYUK-Bethel
The Bethel Fire Dept. is asking the city to fund two extra positions after seeing a surge in alcohol-related calls. The department is straining to respond to the influx, and with legal alcohol sales coming to Bethel, it expects those numbers to rise.

EPA recognizes Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium 

Joaqlin Estus, KNBA-Anchorage
High-level EPA officials presented an award to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium for its Local Environmental Observer, or LEO program last week. LEO managers used the occasion to launch a new app for the LEO website.

Ketchikan’s safe homes group has been on probation

Leila Kheiry, KRBD-Ketchikan
Ketchikan’s Women in Safe Homes has been on probation since last fall after a site visit by the state Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault found the emergency shelter out of compliance with various regulations. WISH officials, though, say there was no warning from the state council that there were any problems.

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