FIERCE REACTION TO ALASKA'S $15 FIRST-BAG FEE (Puget Sound Business Journal): Many commenters at aviation-related Web sites worry that Alaska Airlines' on-time performance, already the worst in the country in February, will deteriorate even more as passengers carry on luggage instead of checking it for a fee and stand in the aisle trying to cram their bags in overhead bins. Some said they'll switch to Southwest Airlines.
VALLEY SCHOOL BOOSTS SECURITY AFTER MOOSE DEATH (Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman): Security at Colony Middle School as been increased because of threats from the public, many in postings on the newspaper's Web site, after two students were disciplined in connection with a moose calf's death on school grounds.
SNOWBOARD STUNT SURVIVOR HOPES TO GET BACK ON SNOW SOMEDAY (Valdez Star): Taylor Bushong, the 17-year-old high school senior who was severely injured in a snowboarding stunt on a Valdez street last month, is back on his feet and back in school -- but he's through with contact sports. And rough video of his crash is on YouTube (graphic language alert).
BOOK REVIEW: "THE ALASKA CHRONICLES" ("Fly Talk," Field & Stream): Summer guide Miles Nolte's Web posts from the field at The Drake have been turned into a new book. "The writing appeals to me by virtue of its honesty and simplicity," writes a Field & Stream critic. "Sure, you get the fish stories, but you also get the client grind, the cold hamburgers, bloodied body, fatigue, bears... essentially the stuff that separates the pretenders from the contenders in the guide world, and ultimately makes the real Alaska experience come alive."
RECRUITING TEACHERS FOR RURAL SCHOOLS IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE (Tundra Drums): At the recent Alaska Teacher Placement Educator Expo in Anchorage, Joe Slats, superintendent of Yupiit School District, watched dozens of certified teachers file in with hope in their eyes, armed with resumes, and well-rehearsed self-promotions. But Slats has seen them come and go from his district throughout the years, and he has become more discerning about new hires.
FAIRBANKS COURTHOUSE IN 'ICE ROAD TRUCKERS' CAMEO? (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner): Fairbanks' Rabinowitz Courthouse could be featured in the upcoming season of the hit show "Ice Road Truckers." Bear Swensen, a Canadian driver featured in the second season of the show, was at the courthouse to pay a traffic ticket Monday afternoon. A History Channel film crew documented his every move.
BUTT-DIALING CAN WREAK POLITICAL HAVOC (Maia Nolan, Own the Sidewalk): State Rep. Les Gara couldn't figure out why mayoral candidate Walt Monegan kept "returning" his phone calls. And Gara didn't want to take sides in the Anchorage mayor's race.
PALIN, FUNDRAISING FIRM PART WAYS ("The Fix," Washington Post): Campaign Solutions, a Republican consulting firm advising Gov. Sarah Palin's political action committee, has parted ways with the former Republican vice presidential nominee after a series of strategic and philosophic differences, according to a source familiar with the decision. ALSO:
Palin sets up legal-defense fund (ADN politics blog)
EDITORIAL: HOME STATE DESERVES VACATION CONSIDERATION (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner): Other folks might visit this state once in a lifetime. We're here every year, all year, and the statistics show we travel a lot. This year, our enthusiasm and reliability will be much appreciated by the businesses that cater to tourists.
Return to Alaska Newsreader later in the day for new links.
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM RECENT NEWSREADERS:
Opportunists cash in on Redoubt ash (Homer Tribune)
Video: Breakup blues in Quinhagak (Ah Alaska!)
New Zealand's Eskimo candies offend Canadian Native (Canadian Press)
Dead man's snowmachine found; mystery deepens (Homer Tribune)
Volcanic verse: Redoubt haiku (Redoubt Reporter)
Filming Charlie Vandergaw: "Stranger Among Bears" (Animal Planet)
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.