Alaska News Nightly: Monday, September 4, 2017

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

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Alaskans volunteer to help victims of flooding in Texas

Dan Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

The Red Cross is mobilizing volunteers nationwide, including in Alaska to assist with the response to tropical storm Harvey caused flooding in and around Houston, Texas.

Soldotna retailer sentenced for illegal sales of synthetic marijuana

Associated Press – Anchorage

An Alaska man accused of contributing to a public health emergency on the Kenai Peninsula from selling synthetic marijuana has been sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison.

Marijuana tax revenue trended higher in July

Associated Press – Anchorage

Alaska made nearly $600,000 in July on marijuana tax, which is equal to about 33 percent of the total marijuana tax revenue brought in last fiscal year.

New plan for air quality in Fairbanks gets EPA approval

Dan  Bross, KUAC – Fairbanks

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved an air quality attainment plan for Fairbanks. EPA Region 10 Air and waste office director Tim Hamlin highlights state and borough developed plan measures aimed at reducing local pollution from wood, coal burning.

Wind farm owner takes utility to court over purchase refusal

Tim Ellis, KUAC – Fairbanks

Fairbanks wind-power developer Mike Craft took Golden Valley
Electric Association to court last week, claiming the utility is violating
state and federal law by refusing to buy more electricity generated by a
Delta Junction-area wind farm.

Alaska student tests show dismal results

Associated Press

The results of the Alaska’s new standardized tests show more than half of the state’s elementary and high school students are not proficient in math, science and English.

Legislation signed into law aims to boost vocational opportunities

Anna Rose MacArthur, KYUK – Bethel

Alaskans will continue developing technical skills like welding and dental
therapy across the state with the signing of House Bill 141.

Local officials worry about rockslide potential near busy Skagway port

A rockslide near Skagway’s largest cruise ship dock in late August (Saturday-26th) didn’t injure anyone. But it drew attention to the potential danger of an active slide area neighboring a bustling port.

Emily Files, KHNS – Haines

Self taught 18 year old student fluent in multiple languages

Most high schoolers take classes in a second language at some point during
their high school career—with varying degrees of success. One Bristol Bay
polyglot took it to another level.

Avery Lill, KDLG – Dillingham

Return of Chilkat robe celebrated by southeast tribes

Southeast Alaska tribes celebrated recently, when a Seattle couple donated back a hundred-plus-year-old sacred Chilkat (CHILL’-kat) robe.

Tripp Crouse, KTOO – Juneau

Lori Townsend is the news director and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452.

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