Anchorage Daily News

Presidential politics give the Iron Dog a boost (The New York Times): A strange turn of events has suddenly cast snowmobile racing, the obscure sport of the wealthy and weatherproof, into a new role as circus sideshow on the national political stage. By selecting Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, Sen. John McCain turned unparalleled scrutiny on Alaska and, not least of all, the so-called first dude, Todd Palin. With video.

PETA attempts to make fish more adorable (NPR's "Day to Day): "Sea kittens" is the new term being used by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, for creatures they believe are in dire need of an image makeover: fish.

Team Sarah complains to FCC about Letterman joke (Alaska Dispatch, TeamSarah.org): Members of TeamSarah.org, that ever-growing national group of feisty supporters of Gov. Sarah Palin, have complained to the FCC about a joke David Letterman apparently made about Palin. In a note to members Monday, Team Sarah claims members are "hearing" that the FCC is launching an investigation into the Letterman barb.

Is Palin so focused on the gas line and 2012 that she's ignoring other Alaska infrastructure needs? (The Alaska Standard): Several legislators say they have been unable to get a list from Gov. Palin of the state infrastructure project proposals she put forward as requested by President-elect Obama. Yet she shared them with Sen. Mark Begich, who says they're aimed at supporting gas line construction. ... This seems to be a clear statement that if Gov. Palin wants to damage the state economy as her ticket to the 2012 presidential candidacy, Begich is not playing. See also:

> Begich says Palin not asking for enough in Obama stimulus proposal (KTVA): Sen. Begich says that with an estimated $800 billion economic recovery package in the works, he wants to know why Palin is only asking for about $150 million. "I think the four (gas-line-related) projects she's identified, in my view, is not enough."

Halcro defends Fagan over Johnston apprenticeship (AndrewHalcro.com): Fagan might have been wrong in asserting that all apprentice programs require a high school diploma, but the program that mattered, the one the governor's future son in law was enrolled in, certainly held that requirement. See also:

> Halcro: Class act (Dan Fagan, The Alaska Standard)

> Column on Johnston generates heat (Dan Fagan, ADN)

> Fagan's Sunday e-mails (The Alaska Standard): Warning: graphic content

Obama headed for Canada; Alaska gas should be on agenda (National Post, Toronto): Canada will host the first official state visit by President Barack Obama after his inauguration. ... The U.S. and Canada should sign an agreement to bring Alaska and Canadian arctic natural gas to markets. Gas is the most benign of fuels and a cornerstone of economic development for both countries.

Begich slams Lieberman on ANWR (Politico): It's only January and already we have the first Democratic caucus blood feud. Alaska Democratic freshman Mark Begich is slamming Joe Lieberman on the one issue that has made the renegade Connecticut Independent a darling of the left - the environment. See also:

> Opinion: Begich's firm stand (Fairbanks Daily News-Miner): "The tone and substance in Begich's first statement seemed a little harsh."

> Begich opposes ANWR wilderness bill (KTUU)

> Begich press release

Final planning work set for Mat-Su ferry port (Mat-Su Frontiersman): "We lost two years negotiating with (Anchorage) Mayor (Mark) Begich," said Port MacKenzie director Marc Van Dongen. Begich, now a U.S. senator, had opposed landing the ferry in Anchorage at the Mat-Su Borough's preferred site at the end of Ship Creek. "If we get the Port MacKenzie landing designed, all we're waiting for is a new mayor," Van Dongen said.

Net or gross? Parity sought in fuel oil metering (Peninsula Clarion): When someone has 100 gallons of heating oil delivered, they should have 100 gallons of heating oil in their storage tank. Right? Well, not exactly.

Blowing soap bubbles in the frigid cold (Jen in AK blog) : How to make a giant frozen bubble caterpillar.

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HIGHLIGHTS FROM RECENT NEWSREADERS:

Life at minus 60 and colder in Tok (NPR's "Day to Day")

Theoretical particle physicist in the Iditarod (Symmetry Breaking)

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Glacier lake about to break out; Kenai flooding possible (Peninsula Clarion)

Fly fishing hot, even though winter's not (Redoubt Reporter)

Unalaska police blotter a cure for common crime (The Dutch Harbor Fisherman)

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