Anchorage Daily News

Palin, Arctic Slope owe explanation of Johnston apprenticeship (Alaska Pride blog): Because of the legacy of distrust left by Gov. Sarah Palin in the wake of the Troopergate saga, she does owe us an explanation ... and Arctic Slope Regional Corp. owes an explanation as to why Levi Johnston is employed as an apprentice electrician without a high school diploma in apparent violation of Alaska state guidance. See also:

Does Palin once again think the rules don't apply to her? (Dan Fagan, The Alaska Standard)

Qualifications? (AndrewHalcro.com)

Johnston family reaping benefits of lucky sperm? (Blue Oasis blog)

Native beauty is in hands of book holders (The Cordova Times): Alaska author Stan Jones wanted a certain look for the cover of his latest mystery novel, "Frozen Sun." So he posted an appeal on Craigslist for a "beautiful Native woman." Heidi Johnson, a Cordova-born model who has been scouted for Budweiser billboards and even a Bruce Willis movie, responded. See also:

"Frozen Sun" cover design vote (sjbooks.com)

Camille Conte: Nation's "most valuable local media personality" (The Nation): When Sarah Palin stumbled onto the national stage, everyone scrambled to figure out what was up with Alaska's governor. Anchorage radio host "CC" of KUDO steered the discussion toward Troopergate - the scandal that proved Palin was not the reformer her supporters claimed.

Barrow dancers step into Obama's inaugural (The Arctic Sounder): Determination proved worthwhile for Barrow's Suurimmaanitchuat Dancers. Thanks to the persistence of one of their dancers, the group will have its 15 minutes of fame by marching in the presidential inaugural parade Jan. 20 in Washington, D.C.

‘Deadliest Catch' crew sets out to make Kodiak proud (Kodiak Daily Mirror): Seven hometown Kodiak crewmen are going to be featured in an upcoming season of "The Deadliest Catch," the popular Discovery Channel documentary series capturing life on ship in the Bering Sea during crab-catching season. "This boat is the most 100 percent Kodiak-authentic on the show yet," said Harry Lewis, 54, captain of the Incentive. "I got some real characters on my crew." See also:

Videographer recalls 'Deadliest Catch' assignment (West Virginia Public Broadcasting)

Groundfish season opens in Bering Sea, Aleutians and Gulf (Alaska Journal of Commerce): For nearly three decades now, the dawn of the new year has meant the start of these massive Alaska fisheries, which catch an enormous amount of fish, predominantly pollock and Pacific cod, with relatively little manpower.

Souped-up snowmachines more for fun than work (Wired): At snowmobile shows, like any other bike rally or car show, enthusiasts gather to show off their pimped-out rides. These people will stop just short of slapping a tread and a pair of skis on a baby carriage. With photos. See also:

Video: Snowmobile ‘Ice Wars' draw thousands to Wisconsin (WKOW, Madison)

Some promises of statehood have yet to be realized (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner): While Alaska managed to restore salmon runs depleted by out-of-state commercial interests and sustain logging industries for several decades, not all hopes for statehood were fully developed. It didn't draw the waves of new settlers some expected, and the new state's economy failed to take off. And, some say, Alaska never did learn to drive a hard bargain.

Characters along the Yukon (NPR's "All Things Considered"): In a trip to Whitehorse, Yukon, and beyond, NPR explores the Gold Rush places that inspired poet Robert Service and writer Jack London and discovers there are still plenty of characters to be found along the Yukon River.

Traps vandalized in Bethel area (The Tundra Drums): Since the trapping season began Nov. 10, about a dozen traps belonging to at least four trappers have been vandalized in Bethel and nearby villages.

Backyard reactors for Alaska? Firms shrink the nukes (Christian Science Monitor): Hundreds of miles from the nearest power plant, the roughly 700 residents of Galena, Alaska, depend on costly generator-supplied electricity for their homes. But now, they want to go nuclear. Town leaders have signed up for what some call a "pocket nuke" or "nuclear battery" that produces just 10 megawatts. See also:

Villages seek energy alternatives (Anchorage Daily News)

Solar meets polar as winter curbs clean energy (The New York Times): As concern has grown about global warming, many utilities and homeowners have been trying to shrink their emissions of carbon dioxide - their carbon footprints - by installing solar panels, wind turbines and even generators powered by tides or rivers. But for the moment, at least, the planet is still cold enough to deal nasty winter blows to some of this green machinery.

‘A Prius for the sea': Japan turns to tech to lift fishing industry (The New York Times): Commercial fishermen around the world have been laboring under the weight of high fuel prices. Gov. Sarah has called for low-interest loans to help Alaska fishermen buy fuel-efficient engines. Japan, meanwhile, is searching for high-tech solutions. A hybrid boat engine, still just a prototype, is part of a multimillion-dollar government-led effort to rescue Japan's fishing industry from rising energy costs.

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