Alaska – News Stories About Alaska - Page 51

Nov 23, 2007 9:41 PM CST

Big Churches Do Bigger Business

From sports domes to shopping centers, churches mix commerce, evangelism

(Newser) - Megachurches all over the country are extending their already-considerable reach by operating business, the New York Times reports. With an eye to both boosting local economies and bringing in converts, they're running credit unions, sports centers, office complexes, and limousine services. At least 10 own shopping malls; many are invested...

Jesuits Settle Sex Suit for $50M

Nov 19, 2007 3:55 AM CST

Jesuits Settle Sex Suit for $50M

Case involves abuse of 110 children in remote Alaskan villages

(Newser) - The Jesuits have agreed to pay $50 million to some 110 people living in remote Alaskan villages who claim they were sexually molested as children by 15 priests, brothers or men working for the Jesuits, reports the Seattle Times. Details of the settlements are still being negotiated, according to attorneys...

Melting Alaska, Tourist Hot Spot

Nov 14, 2007 1:31 PM CST

Melting Alaska, Tourist Hot Spot

Visitors flock to see climate change first-hand

(Newser) - Tourists traditionally head to Alaska for cruises and fishing, but for a growing number, it’s a global warming pilgrimage. Heating up five times faster than anyplace else, Alaska has drawn politicians, scientists, and now tourists to see the melting future, the Christian Science Monitor reports. “This has immediate...

No Pol Left Behind in Alaska Corruption

Nov 12, 2007 4:07 PM CST

No Pol Left Behind in Alaska Corruption

Bribery scandal spreads from Juneau to DC

(Newser) - Back-room backslaps, pockets stuffed with $100 bills, and the odd Viagra pill—the Washington Post looks at the freewheeling frontier-style corruption exposed in oil-rich Alaska over the last few years, as elected representatives on every level were caught in scandals and many entered guilty pleas. Now the stain is threatening...

Activists Push 'Grass' Roots Campaigns

Nov 10, 2007 6:54 PM CST

Activists Push 'Grass' Roots Campaigns

Pot penalties go up in smoke in two municipalities

(Newser) - Two Rocky Mountain municipalities have pared back penalties for cannabis users, joining a growing group of US cities, Time reports. Hailey, Idaho (pop. 8,500) and Denver joined the list this week during elections. Voters in the Mile-High City, whose mayor has admitted past pot use, are letting users get...

Alaska Elephant Retires to SoCal

Nov 1, 2007 6:00 PM CDT

Alaska Elephant Retires to SoCal

US Air Force enlisted to fly pachyderm Maggie south

(Newser) - Maggie, Alaska's only elephant, is leaving Anchorage for California, where the 25-year-old is expected to enjoy warmer climes and the company of fellow pachyderms. With no commercial plane large enough, the US Air Force will handle transportation. Zoo officials were initially loathe to give her up, but acquiesced after two...

FBI Taped Senator's Phone Calls in Corruption Probe

Sep 21, 2007 4:24 AM CDT

FBI Taped Senator's Phone Calls in Corruption Probe

Feds recorded calls with oil contractor who bribed officials

(Newser) - The FBI secretly taped phone calls between Alaska Senator Ted Stevens and an oil businessman during an investigation into contract corruption, according to sources. The oil contractor agreed to the tapings last year after he was confronted with evidence that he had bribed other Alaska lawmakers, AP reports. Stevens acknowledged...

Star Light,
Star Bright

Aug 26, 2007 7:07 AM CDT

Star Light, Star Bright

To have a real celestial experience, get away from urban hotspots

(Newser) - There's no better season than summer for sleeping outdoors under the stars. Get your fill of the Big Dipper at USA Today's ideal star-gazing spots:

Assateague Island National Seashore, Md./Va.
Canyonlands National Park, Moab, Utah
Big Bend National Park, Texas

FBI Raids Alaska Senator's Home

Jul 31, 2007 4:39 AM CDT

FBI Raids Alaska Senator's Home

Feds probe politician's ties to oil contractor in corruption probe

(Newser) - FBI and IRS agents raided the vacation home of Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska yesterday, seeking records of his relationship with a oil field contractor jailed in a corruption probe, AP reports. The contractor profited from tens of millions of dollars in federal contracts and also supervised the renovation...

iPhone Lust Spreads North

Jun 24, 2007 7:37 PM CDT

iPhone Lust Spreads North

Alaskans who want the new gadget get a primer

(Newser) - Technophiles who've been describing the iPhone as "cool" may not realize that residents of the coolest state want the gadget, too—and they don't much care that AT&T doesn't offer service in Alaska. An enterprising Anchorage Daily News reporter spells out the borderline-unethical details, which begin with getting...

Alaskan Tribes Score No-Bid Bonanza

Jun 19, 2007 6:52 AM CDT

Alaskan Tribes Score No-Bid Bonanza

Sen. Ted Stevens under scrutiny for shady contracts

(Newser) - Alaskan tribes are so successful in securing no-bid government contracts, they're spurring a federal investigation into conduct by Alaskan senator Ted Stevens, reports Salon. In 1986, Stevens pushed through a law that gave Alaskan companies "small business" preferences—even if they belong to a multi-billion dollar parent corporation and...

Alaska Rep. Earmarks Cash for Florida

Jun 7, 2007 8:00 AM CDT

Alaska Rep. Earmarks Cash for Florida

Young channels funds to road project dear to campaign contributor

(Newser) - The New York Times blows the whistle on Don Young, the House's most notorious earmarker, who this time managed to slip in $10 million for a boondoggle that's not even in his home state of Alaska. A 2006 transportation bill mysteriously includes funds for a project in Florida that happens...

Alaska and Georgia Move Up Primaries

May 30, 2007 8:15 AM CDT

Alaska and Georgia Move Up Primaries

15 states now voting on Feb. 5; 5 more expected to switch

(Newser) - Georgia and Alaska have moved their presidential primaries up to February 5, making a total of 15 states that will vote that day. Five more states are also close to making a switch. "We're going to be on Feb. 5, along with what appears to be over half the...

Bong Case
4 SCOTUS

Mar 20, 2007 10:51 AM CDT

Bong Case 4 SCOTUS

A Supreme Court case weighs student's right to "glorify" drug use

(Newser) - A student glorifying illegal drug use shouldn't be protected by the First Amendment, Ken Starr argued before the Supreme Court yesterday in the case of a high school student suspended for displaying a banner reading "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" during the Winter Olympics Torch Relay in Juneau, Alaska in...