Anchorage Daily News

PALIN BREAKS WITH McCAIN ON GAY MARRIAGE AMENDMENT: In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Gov. Sarah Palin said she voted in 1998 for a state amendment banning same sex marriage and hoped to see a federal constitutional amendment banning it. See the Associated Press report here.

Here is the CBN summary of the interview: Sarah Palin talks faith, campaign

PALIN MEETS PRESS, MAKES HANDLERS NERVOUS: Gov. Sarah Palin spontaneously fielded questions from reporters on Sunday and at one point ignored her campaign spokeswoman’s attempts to cut off the exchange, The New York Times reports on its The Caucus blog.

TESTOSTERONE FLOWS AT PALIN RALLIES: By choosing Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, John McCain hoped he'd pick up the votes of women disappointed that Hillary Clinton wasn't the Democratic presidential nominee. A New York Times story over the weekend points out that the choice may have excited men even more -- and they're not shy about shouting out their pleasure during her campaign events.

While there are plenty of women, including wives and daughters of male fans, at Ms. Palin’s appearances, they acknowledge they are outnumbered. “This is not a ladies campaign,” declared Linda Teegan at a rally in Weirs Beach, N.H.

SATURDAY NIGHT A GOOD NIGHT FOR PALIN: Palin's guest appearance on "Saturday Night Live" brought the show its highest ratings in 14 years, and though her role was limited -- she didn't interact with Tina Fey -- reviews of her performance have been positive. (Watch the clips.)

"Perfect role for Palin: Good sport": Chicago Tribune

"Looking like a real entertainer": The New York Times

"A funny, self-aware appearance": Sign On San Diego

"A great sense of humor about herself": TV Guide

"Sarah Palin is smarter than you think": Kansas City Star

One old "SNL" pro wasn't impressed, though. Comedian-actor Chevy Chase told MSNBC's Access Hollywood, "Apparently she can't improvise herself out of a paper bag."

SNOWMOBILE OR SNOWMACHINE? The Chicago Tribune tries to get to the bottom of a bit of Alaska-speak repeated by Palin that's puzzling winter sports fans in the Lower 48. (Outside Alaska, a "snow machine" is a snowmaker.)

PALIN AND THE ENVIRONMENT: When Palin was elected mayor of Wasilla in 1996, she declared the tiny city was "open for business." A weekend Associated Press piece explores the "retail crush" that followed and some of its ill effects.

The costs of such fast -- and sometimes haphazard -- growth can be seen even from Palin's lakefront home. Once-pristine Lake Lucille is plagued by high levels of phosphorous, which chokes off oxygen from the salmon and trout. Scientists put the blame on nearby development.

ALASKA: THE SHORT STORY: Hot-selling mystery author Dana Stabenow was asked by Toronto's Globe and Mail to recommend three books that would help Canadians better understand Alaska -- and perhaps Sarah Palin. "Impossible," Stabenow eventually responded. "How about three bumper stickers instead?"

"When you read (my column)," Stabenow wrote on her own Web site, "you’ll understand why I told (the editor) he didn’t have to use it if he thought it would lower the level of scholarly discourse normally to be found in the Globe and Mail’s august pages."

OTHER ALASKA NEWS

Ramras opponent fires campaign manager for online attacks (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner)

HIGHLIGHTS FROM RECENT NEWSREADERS:

> Catherine Stevens as "the fall girl" in Ted’s trial (The Washington Post)

> Alaska beer scores big in competition (Juneau Empire)

> Homer's city budget screams "uncle" (Homer News)

> Troopergate sheds light on Alaska's "larger crime problem" (Wall Street Journal)

Find previous Newsreader columns here.

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