Anchorage Daily News

MONDAY

Gov. Palin addresses critics, discusses of future

Gov. Sarah Palin blames the Bush administration for the failure of the McCain-Palin ticket, thinks people need to move on from the so-called "Troopergate" controversy and has no regrets about state per diem for time spent at her home in Wasilla or state-funded travel for her children. Palin also said she loved her time in the national spotlight and won't rule out a run for president or vice president in 2012. Those were some of Palin's responses to questions posed in a wide-ranging interview with the Daily News and KTUU Channel 2 at the governor's Wasilla home.

Mining production increases 18 percent from 2006

The Alaska mining industry produced a record-busting $3.4 billion worth of minerals last year, according to a state report. That's an 18 percent increase from 2006. Also, exploration firms spent an additional $329 million to drill and study undeveloped mineral prospects, 84 percent more than they spent in 2006. Roughly half of that amount was spent on the controversial Pebble copper and gold prospect in Southwest Alaska.

TUESDAY

District's test scores dip but the dropout rate declines

Reading, writing and math scores for Anchorage public school students showed nearly across-the-board declines last year, according to the district's annual report card. The recently released data showed that Anchorage schools did not make progress toward meeting the education standards set by the state in 2003. But while test scores are down slightly, the district did make a dent in its dropout rate by keeping more kids in school.

Gun sales skyrocket after Obama wins presidency

Fear of stiffer gun laws after Barack Obama's successful presidential bid and a Congress with a larger Democratic edge is prompting gun enthusiasts in Anchorage, and across the country, to stock up in record numbers. "Obama is the best gun salesman we've had in the last 50 years," said Jack Murray, Alaska Shooters Supply owner. "We sold more guns (the day after the election) than I have on any one particular day in 21 years. I was crying all the way to the bank."

WEDNESDAY

Caribou numbers are up after aerial wolf hunts earlier in year

Slaughtering wolves on the Alaska Peninsula appears to have had the desired effect -- more caribou got a chance to live, according to biologists with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. As ugly and as politically incorrect as the wolf killing might seem to some, they said, the helicopter gunning that took place earlier this year saved caribou, especially young caribou, from being eaten alive. Fall surveys of the Southern Alaska Peninsula caribou herd completed in October found an average of 39 calves per 100 cows. That's a dramatic improvement from fall counts of only 1 calf per 100 cows in 2006 and 2007.

THURSDAY

Businessman nets 6-month sentence, $75,000 fine

Bill Weimar, who built a lucrative business in Alaska working with criminals, was sentenced to federal prison. Weimar, 68, tall and silver-haired, his voice faltering at times, stood before a federal judge and said he did wrong. The judge ordered Weimar to serve six months in federal prison, then another six months on home detention and two years probation. He also must pay a fine of $75,000, which is more than either the prosecution or the federal probation office recommended and is above what federal guidelines call for.

FRIDAY

Scientists suggest 19 percent cut in pollock catch limit

The Bering Sea next year could yield its smallest catch of pollock in more than 30 years, squeezing the supply of a raw material used in goods such as fish sticks and imitation crab legs. Government scientists who track the population of the mottled bottom fish are recommending a commercial catch limit of 815,000 tons. If approved, it would be a nearly 19 percent cut from this year's level and the lowest catch limit since federal management of the fishery began in 1977.

Gov. Palin doesn't rule out the U.S. Senate for herself

When opportunity knocks, Gov. Sarah Palin plows through the door, she said this week, and right now the next door could lead into the U.S. Senate. With the state counting ballots in the white-knuckle race between Republican Sen. Ted Stevens and Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, Palin has not ruled out a potential run for Stevens' seat. It depends on Alaska voters, Palin told CNN. "If they call an audible on me, and if they say they want me in another position, I'm going to do it. ... My life is in God's hands. If he's got doors open for me, that I believe are in our state's best interest, the nation's best interest, I'm going to go through those doors."

SATURDAY

Wooten gets new duties after troopers get threatening calls

The state trooper behind the abuse-of-power investigations of Gov. Sarah Palin is getting a reassignment following threatening telephone calls to his employer. Public safety union officials say Mike Wooten has been on desk duty for his own safety in recent weeks after troopers began receiving hostile calls from Alaskans and people outside the state. Union director John Cyr says Wooten takes on a new role effective Sunday.

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