Judge denies Alaska Natives' request to join suit

JUNEAU - A state court judge has denied a request by the Alaska Federation of Natives to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Senate race.

But Judge William Carey did let the state's largest Alaska Native group file a brief supporting the state's position.

Carey says he's convinced the state and federation's interests are close, if not identical, and that the state can adequately represent the group's interests.

Republican Joe Miller is suing the state over the way in which it conducted the race.