Single-digit temperatures fail to deter Jim Barkeley as he trains for the 350-mile 2013 Iditarod Trail Invitational bike race Monday afternoon Jan. 28, 2013 on the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail near Pt. Woronzof in Anchorage, Alaska. Barkeley, who has practiced winter camping and studied arctic survival techniques, is now riding his fully-packed bike on training runs to prepare for the February 24 race start in Knik. Racers will travel by bike, ski or foot, covering either the 350 miles to McGrath or continuing on for 1,000 miles to Nome.

JUNEAU — Gov. Sean Parnell has proposed a $24.5 million supplemental budget for unexpected or additional costs this fiscal year.

Parnell said his request includes a net decrease to the budget of about $11 million in state general fund dollars. It also includes a reduction of $25 million for the Medicaid program, which Parnell, in his transmittal letter, attributed largely to cost control measures. Margaret Brodie, with the state Department of Health and Social Services, said expenses for the program weren’t as high as earlier expected.

read more

Boeing is scrambling to figure out why two batteries malfunctioned on its 787, causing officials to ground the airplane this month. And at a time when Boeing most needs its skilled engineers, they're weighing a possible strike. Union leaders are considering the company's final contract offer Thursday.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

The White House has emphasized that incoming Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel — both Vietnam veterans — understand the full cost of war. President Obama says that makes them the right choice for their jobs, as the U.S. moves away from big wars to a targeted approach.

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us

The gifted quarterback can run and pocket pass, skills that helped him lead the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl. But what will it take for the Baltimore Ravens to stop — or at least slow down — Kaepernick on Sunday?

» E-Mail This     » Add to Del.icio.us