Alaska

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NATO Escorts Russian Bombers Away From Alaska

Jets buzz US airspace

(Newser) - Two bombers from the Russian air force flew uncomfortably close to American territory as they patrolled neutral space off the coast of Alaska, Reuters reports. NATO forces deployed several jets to escort the Russian planes away. The incident is yet another case of the Russian military resuming the Soviet-era practice...

GOP's Strength Frays at Local Level
GOP's Strength Frays at
Local Level
Mar 24, 2008 3:44 PM CDT

GOP's Strength Frays at Local Level

Broke, scandal-ridden state parties aren't ready to help McCain

(Newser) - Their national candidate needs support, but the Republican Party's state chapters are in no position to lend John McCain a hand, Politico reports. From New York to Alaska, local organizations are rife with dissension, debt, and scandal. "We are clearly rebuilding," says the Michigan GOP chairman.

4 Dead After Boat Starts Sinking Off Alaska

Fishing vessel doomed by high waves off Alaska coast

(Newser) - Four crew members of a Seattle-based fishing boat died today after the vessel sank amidst high seas off the Alaska coast, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. Officials rescued 42 members, but a search continues for one missing staffer, according to the AP. The boat began sinking shortly before 3 a.m....

Senator Blasts 'Foot-Dragging' on Protecting Polar Bear

Feds delay decision due within 1 year

(Newser) - Three months after the deadline for declaring whether polar bears are a threatened species, the Interior Department hasn't issued a ruling, and Barbara Boxer wants to know why. The influential senator said yesterday she wants Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to appear before the environment committee and “answer questions about the...

Mackey Defends Iditarod Crown
 Mackey Defends Iditarod Crown 
Mar 12, 2008 1:19 PM CDT

Mackey Defends Iditarod Crown

'They're the best dogs, hands-down,' winner says of Alaskan canine team

(Newser) - Lance Mackey won his second consecutive Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race today, crossing the finish line in Nome, Alaska, after 1,100 miles over 9½ days, the AP reports—despite unseasonably warm weather and occasionally quarrelsome dogs. "I don't know exactly how to explain it," said Mackey, a...

Exxon Asks Court to Toss $2.5B Payout

Supreme's justices appear to be split in Valdez case

(Newser) - Nearly 20 years after the Exxon Valdez spilled 11 million gallons of crude oil in Prince William Sound, the company asked the Supreme Court to reject a ruling that it pay $2.5 billion in punitive damages. Judges appeared split in today's arguments, USA Today reports, making a tie possible...

Arctic Melt Busies Coast Guard
Arctic Melt Busies Coast Guard
Feb 25, 2008 11:51 AM CST

Arctic Melt Busies Coast Guard

Shoreline exposed by global warming needs patrolling

(Newser) - Global warming affects some unexpected entities, and one is the US Coast Guard, which is dealing with increased maritime traffic above the Arctic Circle. As retreating ice exposes more coastline, officials are evaluating future needs, the Military Times reports. Says the commander of the district that includes Alaska, "Until...

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Case Bound for Supreme Court

Exxon has paid $3.5 billion over years, but claimants want 'closure'

(Newser) - Almost two decades after the Exxon Valdez spilled 11 million gallons of oil off the Alaskan coast, legal clashes continue—and will reach the Supreme Court this week, the Washington Post reports. At issue is whether Exxon's $3.5 billion payout is enough or should increase to $5 billion, as...

Alaska Against Polar Bear's Protection

State could lose $26 billion gas pipeline if species is called threatened

(Newser) - Alaska is opposing calls to save its polar bear population, fearing the state would have to protect dwindling sea ice and give up a multibillion-dollar gas project, the AP reports. Calls to save the bears have been "subverted by the lawyers for the extreme environmental organizations and the liberal...

US Drilling Deals Spark New Fears for Polar Bears

Oils companies to explore frozen seas

(Newser) - The US government has announced $2.7 billion in winning bids for oil drilling rights in 2.8 million acres of Alaska's frozen Chukchi Sea, despite angry objections of lawmakers and environmentalists. The bids include a record $105 million offer from Shell for a single 9-square-mile tract. Environmental groups say...

Greenies Aim to Stop Bush's Alaska Plan

Logging and development would overturn Clinton-era 'roadless rule'

(Newser) - Greenies are hoping to stop President Bush from opening Alaskan woodland to logging and road construction, the Washington Post reports. Bush unveiled plans yesterday to let developers tackle 2.4 million acres of Alaska's Tongass National Forest, the nation's largest national woodland. But angry environmentalists and the Alaska Forest Association...

An Oil Giant, Alaska Faces Gas Crisis

Poor infrastructure, focus on oil exploration behind costly supply issues

(Newser) - Alaska—home of America's largest energy reserves—is facing a major energy crunch. The problem is a lack of infrastructure to get natural gas where it needs to be, the Christian Science Monitor reports. "It's the goofiest thing in the world, to be sitting on top of some of...

Warming Alters Sled Dog Race
Warming Alters Sled Dog Race
Jan 10, 2008 7:48 PM CST

Warming Alters Sled Dog Race

Too little snow, too much development move Iditarod start north

(Newser) - Global warming and development are impinging on the world’s most famous dogsled race and forcing it to make route changes, the AP reports. Organizers of Alaska’s Iditarod say the 1,100-mile race's ceremonial starting route will shrink from 18 to 11 miles, and the competitive start will be...

Price of Gold: Alaska's Salmon
Price of Gold: Alaska's Salmon
Dec 25, 2007 7:04 AM CST

Price of Gold: Alaska's Salmon

Fear region's resource will be devastated

(Newser) - The world's largest sockeye salmon fishery, located in the Bristol Bay area of Alaska, is threatened with destruction by a proposed gold mine, which could become the biggest in North America. The planned Pebble Mine has polarized the state; mining companies, on the one hand, and environmentalists and commercial fishing...

Moon to Make Rare Pass Over Mars Tonight

Stargazers further north and west will get best view

(Newser) - Scanning the heavens for a sighting of Santa tonight? Star-gazers will also see the full moon appear to pass just over Mars, which is still glowing a strong yellow-orange color. Skygazers farther north and west will get the best view—especially in the Pacific Northwest, western Canada, and Alaska—where...

Alaska Town Is Home to Hail of Fame

Residents of tiny Bethel never have trouble finding a cab

(Newser) - What American municipality has the most cab drivers per capita? No, not New York. It’s Bethel, Alaska, a town of 5,800 that has 93 cabbies, or one for every 62 residents, the Los Angeles Times reports. With only 10 miles of paved road at their disposal, the cabbies...

Makes Cents: Final Five State Quarters Unveiled

Last coins will wrap up successful series

(Newser) - The 50-state quarter program will wrap up next year when quarters for the final five states will be released. The US Mint revealed their designs yesterday:
  • Oklahoma's quarter will feature the state bird, the scissortail flycatcher, and the state flower, the Indian blanket.
  • New Mexico's coin will be marked with
...

Big Churches Do Bigger Business
Big Churches Do Bigger Business
Nov 23, 2007 9:41 PM CST

Big Churches Do Bigger Business

From sports domes to shopping centers, churches mix commerce, evangelism

(Newser) - Megachurches all over the country are extending their already-considerable reach by operating business, the New York Times reports. With an eye to both boosting local economies and bringing in converts, they're running credit unions, sports centers, office complexes, and limousine services. At least 10 own shopping malls; many are invested...

Jesuits Settle Sex Suit for $50M
Jesuits Settle Sex Suit for $50M
Nov 19, 2007 3:55 AM CST

Jesuits Settle Sex Suit for $50M

Case involves abuse of 110 children in remote Alaskan villages

(Newser) - The Jesuits have agreed to pay $50 million to some 110 people living in remote Alaskan villages who claim they were sexually molested as children by 15 priests, brothers or men working for the Jesuits, reports the Seattle Times. Details of the settlements are still being negotiated, according to attorneys...

Melting Alaska, Tourist Hot Spot
Melting Alaska, Tourist Hot Spot
Nov 14, 2007 1:31 PM CST

Melting Alaska, Tourist Hot Spot

Visitors flock to see climate change first-hand

(Newser) - Tourists traditionally head to Alaska for cruises and fishing, but for a growing number, it’s a global warming pilgrimage. Heating up five times faster than anyplace else, Alaska has drawn politicians, scientists, and now tourists to see the melting future, the Christian Science Monitor reports. “This has immediate...

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