Palin might be "nominated" for president Saturday (Politico): At the annual Alfalfa Club dinner in D.C. -- which Palin and President Obama will be attending Saturday -- guests pick a "mock candidate" for the presidency. That person then gives an acceptance speech. Perhaps Palin will get the chance to practice for 2012. ALSO:
> Can Obama make Palin laugh? (The Daily Beast)
Palin realizes she needs an image makeover (The Washington Post): Gov. Sarah Palin's hiring of consultant Becki Donatelli to handle her new political action committee is evidence that Palin understands she must overhaul her image in Washington if she wants to be taken seriously as a presidential candidate.
Gold discovery near Fairbanks much larger than expected (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner): A gold find at Livengood is one of the largest discoveries in the world in the past decade, an exploration company says. The find has topped 5 million ounces, but the company expects further exploration will increase that to 10 million ounces. ALSO:
> Miners find encouraging prospects near Livengood (The Associated Press, 10/11/08)
Coast Guard assumes responsibility for derelict boat (KBBI, Homer): The Husky II, a World War II era vessel, has been moored in the Seldovia harbor for more than five years. Its engines aren't working, and it has become an environmental and safety threat, the Coast Guard says. Audio
Can volcanic eruptions change world climate? (Christian Science Monitor): Cataclysmic eruptions by stratovolcanoes can and have changed the climate, but they tend to cool the planet. However, Alaska's Mount Redoubt is a relatively small volcano so nothing of the sort is expected this time.
What's that smell? Borough maintenance man turns into sleuth (Valley Frontiersman): The search for the source of a chronic sewage odor in the 70-plus-year-old Mat-Su Borough building in Palmer became an epic challenge for Toby Ridell.
Chalmers gets grief for ducking off-camera during TV interview (NBA TV): Miami Heat rookie Mario Chalmers of Anchorage gets razzed by NBA commentators when he appears to be fiddling with his shoelaces during a postgame interview. Video
State steps up to sidewalk snowplowing (KTUU): For the first time ever, crews are plowing sidewalks along state-maintained streets in Anchorage, which include most of the major arteries outside downtown. But funding for the program might not last. Video included
New cost estimate for Knik Arm bridge: $680 million (Daily News politics blog): The bridge authority has long used a rough estimate of between $450 million and $600 million for spanning Knik Arm between Anchorage and Point MacKenzie.
Native leaders look back on statehood (Ketchikan Daily News): Has it been good for Natives, bad or just one more chapter in the long story of contact with white society? Several Alaska Native leaders give their thoughts.
Return to Alaska Newsreader through the day for new links.
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM RECENT NEWSREADERS:
For tips on riding economic waves, ask a fisherman (National Public Radio)
Alaska poised for battle with feds over bison (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)
How to dress like a musher - and other tips for extreme cold (Peninsula Clarion)
Fairbanks pub shuttle aims to be rolling bar (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)
Grocery day in village Alaska: $400 for the basics (The Mudflats blog)
Wall-to-wall elders in Noatak school (The Arctic Sounder)
Killer whales: The allure of the search (National Public Radio)
