Alaskan legislators review probe into whether Palin abused authority

A legislative committee in Alaska has begun to review a report into whether Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin overstepped her authority as state governor. Palin has been accused of firing a state commissioner because he refused to dismiss a state trooper involved in a high-conflict divorce and custody fight with Palin's sister. The investigation began in July before Palin became the running mate of Republican presidential nominee John McCain. The Alaskan legislators were expected to vote Friday on whether to do one of four things: release the lengthy report, recommend the case be closed, have another committee continue to probe the matter, or hand it over to criminal investigators. Critics of Palin have said the incident shows she misused the power of her position to try resolve family problems. "When you're... [read full story]