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Hanna creates isolated flooding, power outages in Carolinas
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:31:21 -0000
Tropical Storm Hanna sailed easily over the beaches of Carolinas' coast early Saturday, blowing hard and dumping rain but apparently ...
Famed NYC gentlemen's club could be shut
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:27:33 -0000
The end could be nearing for the Manhattan strip club Scores, an establishment that for 17 years survived Mafia infiltration, ...
Minor earthquake rattles San Francisco Bay area
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 11:13:56 -0000
A minor earthquake rattled the San Francisco Bay area Friday night. The U.S. Geological Survey's preliminary report put the quake ...
2nd trial starting for 1984 Texas KFC murders
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:51:32 -0000
When Darnell Hartsfield saw the inside of a Texas prison cell for the first time in 1984, it was for an aggravated robbery he ...
Bomb scare spurs search of freight train in N.J.
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:33:07 -0000
A suspicious package found aboard a freight-train Friday evening contained an electronic device that bomb squad members doused ...
Police liability insurance at political conventions comes under fire
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:20:58 -0000
Organizers of the Republican convention were required by St. Paul, city officials to purchase a $10 million insurance policy ...

The Economist: United States

Lexington: The woman from nowhere
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:35 -0000
John McCain’s choice of running-mate raises serious questions about his judgmentTHE most audacious move of the race so far is also, potentially, the most self-destructive. John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as his running-mate has set the political atmosphere alight with both enthusiasm and dismay. Mr McCain has based his campaign on the idea that this is a dangerous world—and that Barack Obama is too inexperienced to deal with it. He has also acknowledged that his advanced age—he celebrated his 72nd birthday on August 29th—makes his choice of vice-president unusually important. Now he has chosen as his running mate, on the basis of the most cursory vetting, a first-term governor of Alaska. ...
Examining Alaska (1): From pork to petrodollars
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:35 -0000
Sarah Palin’s home state is awash with moneyJOHN MCCAIN’S decision to anoint Sarah Palin as his running-mate looks eccentric for many reasons. Not the least is economic principle. Thanks in part to Mrs Palin, Alaska’s economy is built on two things that Mr McCain has spent the last few years railing against.The first is federal spending, especially the little-scrutinised grants known as earmarks. Between 1996 and 2006 per-capita federal spending in Alaska rose from 38% above the national average to 71% above. Scott Goldsmith, an economist, reckons a third of all jobs in the state depend on it. So needy are the citizens of the “last frontier” that the looming trial of Ted Stevens, Alaska’s senior senator and champion pork-rustler, for failing to disclose gifts is viewed not just as a political scandal but also as an economic threat. ...
The Republican convention: The maverick and the hockey mom
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:35 -0000
Republicans are more fired up than before, but less so than DemocratsBEFORE Barack Obama’s big open-air speech in Denver last week, some Christian conservatives prayed for rain. That was in poor taste. But this is a competitive election, and anything the right can do, the left can do better. When the news came that a hurricane might strike New Orleans during the Republican convention in St Paul, Minnesota this week, Michael Moore, a film-maker, said it was “proof that there is a God in heaven”. Another calamitous storm, you see, would remind people how ineptly George Bush dealt with Hurricane Katrina three years ago and spur them to vote Democratic. The first day of the convention, September 1st, was all but cancelled—though, in the end, the hurricane was less destructive than had been feared (see article). That left three days for Republicans to achieve three goals. They needed to distance John McCain from Mr Bush, to introduce Sarah Palin (Mr McCain’s surprise vice-presidential pick) to voters and to denigrate Mr Obama. Strangely, Hurricane Gustav may have helped. The storm gave Mr Bush a good reason to stay away on the first day. During a brief video link-up, he generously stressed the times Mr McCain has disagreed with him. ...
Ron Paul’s campaign: Another old Republican
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:35 -0000
A boisterous alternative convention targets NAFTA and the FedHIS movements were monitored by Republican organisers, and his supporters were muzzled at the Republican convention. Michael Moore, a rabble-rousing lefty film-maker? A surrogate for Barack Obama? No: Ron Paul, a Republican congressman. His campaign for restoring limited government did not win him the Republican nomination for president. But it did earn him a legion of adoring fans who gathered for a huge counter-convention in Minneapolis, across the river from the official Republican convention in St Paul, in a 15,000-seat basketball arena.In the arena, the fans booed mentions of John McCain and George Bush. But they boisterously cheered the names of Friedrich Hayek and Murray Rothbard, libertarian economists from decades past. Any favourable mention of guns or the constitution won cheers; but hard words for the Iraq war gained the biggest roars of approval, and speaker after speaker hit themes of personal responsibility and small government. ...
The economy: In need of more Band-Aids
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:35 -0000
A poor second half could boost the odds of more stimulusTHE American economy entered the summer on a strong note as GDP grew by an annualised 3.3% in the second quarter. That figure, released last week, was much better than the first estimate of 1.9%, and mostly reflected a strong trade performance. Another important factor was that, despite rising unemployment, soaring fuel prices and constricting credit, consumer spending managed to grow at a 1.7% annual rate. For that, thank a fiscal stimulus package that included $110 billion in tax rebates, of which $92 billion had been disbursed by early July. Without those cheques, Macroeconomic Advisers, a forecasting firm, figures that consumer spending would not have grown at all. The second half is already looking weaker. Real consumer spending tumbled at a 0.4% monthly rate in July (see chart) as car sales plunged and high oil prices bit. The drop may also have reflected a reversal of the temporary boost from rebates delivered in previous months. Economists at Bank of America think consumer spending will decline in the current quarter, for the first time in 17 years. The fourth quarter could be worse. Unemployment is probably heading higher. Housing may be bottoming, as stocks of unsold homes drop and price declines slow, but the credit crunch shows no sign of easing. ...
Examining Alaska (2): The challenger
Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:30:35 -0000
Running against a senator who is about to stand trial is harder than it looksSINCE being elected mayor of Anchorage in 2003, Mark Begich has acquired a reputation for getting things done. On his watch a shiny new convention centre has gone up. Roads are being repaired and heating elements laid under pavements to melt snow during the long Alaskan winter. Miraculously, much of this has been paid for by bonds, not federal earmarks. On August 26th Mr Begich sailed through a primary election. Now all he has to do is defeat a man who will soon go on trial for failing to report gifts from oil companies and he will become Alaska’s first Democratic senator for 28 years. Four out of every ten Alaskans live in Anchorage, so Mr Begich has a strong base of support. He also has a good surname: his father, Nick Begich, was a popular congressman who disappeared in 1972 while flying in a small plane. Best of all, Mr Begich is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Woe betide any Alaskan politician who stands in the way of guns and oil. ...

 

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Alaska Appellate Courts - Official site providing access to case and trial information.
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Alaska Child Support Enforcement Division - Provides resources, information, forms, and tools for understanding and complying with state regulations.
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Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission - Provides access to related statutes and legislation, news, and contact information.
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Alaska Correctional Industries - Operates a variety of factories inside correctional centers around the State of Alaska. Trains inmates in work skills.

Alaska Department of Administration - Offers information on agency functions and services.
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404 Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation - Provides information about agency functions, services, and programs.

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services - Programs and services for alcoholism, drug abuse, family and youth, fetal alcohol syndrome, juvenile justice, medical, mental health, developmental disabilities, and public assistance. Foster parent program, Denali Kidcare health program, administrative services, grants online, boards and councils.
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Alaska Department of Law - Comprised of the Office of the Attorney General, the Civil Division, the Criminal Division, and the Administrative Services Division.
Meta Description: [ Alaska Department of Law Homepage, Alaska's Attorney General office providing legal counsel to the executive branch, and Alaska's Criminal Law Divsion working to assure safe and healthy communities by prosecuting and convicting criminal offenders in urban and rural Alaska. ]

Alaska Department of Revenue - Offers access to revenue reports and forecasts, related forms, and information about state taxes.
Meta Description: [ The Department of Revenue administers and enforces the state's tax laws and is responsible for collection, accounting, custody, investment and management of all state funds with the exception of revenue that is incidental to a program of licensing and regulation carried on by another department... ]

Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles - Provides vehicle licensing, titling, and registration information as well as forms and contact information.
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Alaska Elections State Division of Elections - Candidate lists, results, absentee voting, voter registration application, Youth Voter Corps, calendar, petitions, initiatives, employment availability, and FAQ. State-elected officials listed by community or by Senate and House District, statistics and historical information.

Alaska Information Locator - Categorized links list to Alaska state agencies.

404 Alaska Interagency National Fire Plan - Communities, geographic area, lead agency, and fire contracting contact.

Alaska Judicial Council - Independent agency in charge of judicial selection and retention. Links to related legal resources also provided.
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Alaska Legislature - Official site offering information about the legislative procedure and members.

Alaska Municipal League - Alaska Conference of Mayors, membership, publications, jobs, legislative committee, training, newsletters, Denali Commission, investment pool, calendar, clerks, co-op purchasing, and conferences.
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404 Alaska Psychiatric Institute - Find out about services and conditions from the state's mental health hospital.
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Alaska's Polling Places - Poll location chart arranged in order of District and Precinct provided by Alaska Division of Elections.
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AlaskaLegislature.com - Newsletter covers the legislature and state government, with legislator profiles and bill tracking.
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Bureau of Land Management - Public directory, Alaska Land Information System, public information center, electronic FOIA, homesteading, mining on public lands, National Environmental Policy Act, land use planning, photos, points of interest, news, press releases, events, conveyance management, minerals, resources, wildland fire management, education, employment, volunteering, and bibliography.

Chamber of Commerce - News, events, meetings, legislative priorities, members directory, local chambers, capital notes, and student guide. Jobs, industry profiles, visitor, and relocation information.

Contacts for Justice -- Alaska - Contact information for Alaskan District Attorneys.
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Department of Fish and Game - Comprehensive site for anyone wanting information about hunting and fishing in Alaska, including commercial fishing, environmental issues. Pictures of animals and Alaska included.
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Department of Natural Resources - Provides information about the functions and services provided by this agency, including outdoor recreation and parks, forestry services, and geological surveys.
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FAA Alaskan Region - Safety, service, information on FAA operations, airspace reclassifications, notices to the public, and aviators' toolbox.

Housing Finance Corporation - Providing corporation details, construction, energy programs, finance, grants, housing and department information.

National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Region - National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Region: science-based conservation of living marine resources, socially and economically viable fisheries, no human caused threats to protected marine mammals and seabirds, healthy living marine resource habitats
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Office of the Governor Home Page - The Office of the Goveror Web Site with links to the State of Alaska site, Jobs in Alaska, Business in Alaska, Communities in Alaska, Education in Alaska, Government and Government Services in Alaska, and Visitor Information about Alaska.
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State of Alaska - Official site. Governor, Lieutenant Governor, budget, elections, policies, departments, business, communities, services, legislature, courts, tech training, homeland security, wildlife and fish, employee directory, jobs, visitors information, public notices, Alaska facts, and photo library. Text only version available.
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Travel Alaska - State of Alaska Travel and Vacation information - Printed travel publications, current weather, itineraries, link to official Alaska vacation planner. Browser will not back out of this site.
Meta Description: [ Find a wealth of information to plan your Alaska Travel or Alaska vacation including transporation cruises hotels lodges attractions tours activities fishing wildlife communities and more. ]