1/25/12 Newscast - A former Army Corps of Engineers has pleaded guilty in a $20 million dollar government fraud scheme; Birth defect rates are dropping but still high in Alaska, especially among Alaska Natives

By Joaqlin Estus

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kbc/local-kbc-1001545.mp3

Anchorage, AK – A former Army Corps of Engineers employee is to plead guilty in a $20 million government fraud case. Not so with others involved, including a former manager of an Eyak Native corporation subsidiary. The causes are unclear but Alaska Native infants, especially in Northern and Southwestern Alaska, are twice as likely as non-Natives to have birth defects. A lack of folic acid, drinking alcohol, and smoking are all implicated, but research is underway to find a full explanation of disparities.