Gov. Palin due to be a grandma this week (People.com): Bristol Palin is expecting her first child, a son, on Saturday – and her grandfather says the family has been receiving support and gifts from all over the world. See also:

Full interview with Chuck Heath (Grandparents.com)

Incoming senator sees new era in Alaska politics (NPR's "All Things Considered"): Mark Begich's biggest challenge may be living down the ghosts of Alaska's past.

Alaska's Internet speed ranks among lowest in nation (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner): Big states with far-flung populations have the nation's slowest average Internet speeds, according to a PC Magazine study, but Alaska Internet service providers say that doesn't necessarily mean we don't have access to high-quality Web service. See also:

> The fastest ISPs in America (PCMag.com)

Todd's parents don't try to predict Palins' next move (The Desert Sun, California): "Everyone always asks us what's next for Sarah, but let me give you a couple of examples: We didn't know when they were going to get married - they eloped and let us know after the fact. We didn't know when she was going to run for lieutenant governor. We did not know when she was going to be nominated to be vice president. So you will probably know when we know."

‘Sunshine vitamin' hard to come by in Alaska winter (Juneau Empire): All you need to make the essential nutrient vitamin D is sunshine on bare skin. This time of year in Alaska, that's not easy to get. One study shows most northerners aren't getting any vitamin D from sunshine. A Juneau doctor says some of her patients who upped their vitamin D intake are spending less time staring at light boxes and cutting down on antidepressants. Doctors warn, however, that vitamin D is no cure-all. See also: Vitamin D Council.

Church arson a hate crime? (PoliGazette): Incidents such as the fire at Gov. Sarah Palin's church do provide an interesting scenario to test the validity of hate crime laws from a fairness perspective. If the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's church were to be burned, for instance, there would be a fair amount of pressure applied to have the act treated as a hate crime. See also:

Palin's father doesn't believe fire politically motivated (Mat-Su Frontiersman)

Clear for landing - a little too clear (Redoubt Reporter): "A couple fellow pilots invited me to join them for a picnic at Snag Lake. They assured me the ice was plenty thick. Approaching a touchdown ... I could see aquatic vegetation and the lake floor flashing past under the wing. I was about to settle into this aqueous mass and take a very cold dunking."

Successful test raises hopes for missile defense system (Chicago Tribune): Defense Department officials hope the successful test this month of the Pentagon's missile defense system will build support for the initiative within the incoming Obama administration. The test showed for the first time that various radars - including one in Juneau - and defense systems could be used together. See also:

Juneau replays its role in national defense tests (Juneau Empire)

The FBI's history of wiretapping (Washington Post): Wiretapping is a time-honored FBI tradition. Shouldn't politicians already know better than to openly talk about "pay-to-play" schemes?

Do Palin and Kempthorne really hate polar bears? (Plenty magazine): We'd like to say that it's impossible to hate polar bears. ... But certain state and federal officials seem to really have it out for them.

McCain hedges on backing Palin for 2012 (McClatchy Newspapers): Defeated Republican presidential candidate John McCain pointedly refused to say Sunday that he would back former running mate Sarah Palin if she runs for president in 2012, saying there are plenty of other good people in the Republican Party to consider. See also:

Transcript of McCain "This Week" interview (CQ Politics)

Yukon Quest will go on, officials say (The Associated Press): Organizers of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race say they are forging ahead, even if they don't receive $20,000 in expected money from the city of Fairbanks.

Questions surround future of tallest building in Fairbanks (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner): Downtown revitalization advocates are pushing for a new look - or a do-over - at the site of the 56-year-old concrete hotel, the Polaris Building, that has sat empty on First Avenue for almost a decade.

Borough hopes to expand Library By Mail (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner): The Fairbanks North Star Borough Library is offering to send books and other materials by mail to residents in rural areas through a pilot program started this year.

Return to Alaska Newsreader through the day for new links.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM RECENT NEWSREADERS:

Northern lights boost the libido, Alaskan says (CNN)

Nation's first dental aide graduates honored (KYUK, Bethel)

Tom Daschle's Alaska connection (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)

Alaska 3rd most corrupt state by one measure (USA Today)

Colorado dog "breeder" has Alaska dreams dashed (KXLF video, Butte)

Palin is hottest Google search in 2008 (Google)