Thanks To Palin, Alaskans Sense New Bond With The “Lower 48”

(CBS)
(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) Everything is a bit different in Alaska. That became evident to me even before Sarah Palin’s plane touched down in Fairbanks last night. As we came in for a landing, I was surprised to see that even though it was still early September, the leaves on the trees that dot the region had already turned a bright shade of yellow.
It doesn’t take long to realize that people here share a real pride in what makes their state unique. But I was surprised to discover the extent to which Alaskans have viewed their separation from the Lower 48 as a hindrance to a sense of connectivity with the rest of the country.
Ex-NBA ref Tim Donaghy