Banff NP:
Hiker swept to death by avalanche in Canada's west
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hrJWc_k9WGYPCsrM-8VeMip-MyPgD95NP8KO0

Glacier NP:
In Glacier, super predicts staff cuts
When Chas Cartwright looks at Glacier National Park’s future his prediction includes operating with less federal funding and his hope to achieve a formal wilderness designation for the Park.
http://www.flatheadnewsgroup.com/article...70197825147.txt

Misc. Parks News:
A bill that would turn Paterson's Great Falls into a National Historic Park is a House vote away from becoming law after being approved Thursday by the Senate.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/nationalpolitics/37695839.html

Senate passes bill to add Barrett's Farm to Minuteman Park
Washington, D.C. - Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry and Rep. Niki Tsongas announced on Thursday the passage of legislation by the United States Senate to protect a one-of-a kind national historic treasure, Col. James Barrett’s Farm in Concord, by adding it to Minute Man National Park. The farm had a central role in the first battle of the Revolutionary War in 1775. The House is expected to pass the measure in the coming days at which point it will be ready to be signed into law by the president.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/concord/news/...-Minuteman-Park

National Mall concert will offer test run for inauguration
WASHINGTON — Security officials are bracing for a preview of the inauguration Sunday when 500,000 people are expected to fill part of the National Mall for a free concert featuring Bono, Beyoncé and Bruce Springsteen.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-01-15-mallsecurity_N.htm

Senate approves 2 million acres for wilderness
The Senate approved a major expansion of wilderness areas nationwide Thursday, protecting more than 2 million acres of public land from drilling, logging and mining, including 735,000 acres across California.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/15/MNO215B3BA.DTL

U.S. Senate passes bill that establishes South Park National Heritage Area
The United States Senate passed a bill Thursday that would establish the South Park National Heritage Area in Park County, and the bill, or some form of it, is expected to pass the U.S. House of Representatives and be signed by the president.
http://theflume.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=5818&TM=68423.84

Outside the US/Canadian Parks System:
2 bushfires under control: RFS
The Rural Fire Service says it has contained two fires that threatened property near Sydney yesterday.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/16/2468091.htm

Rocky Mountain NP:
Wilderness bill protects parts of Rocky Mtn. Park
The Senate votes to save 2 million acres of public lands in nine states.
The U.S. Senate, in a bipartisan 73-21 vote, moved Thursday to preserve 2 million acres in nine states as wilderness areas — including 315,000 acres in Colorado.
http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_11466989

Yellowstone NP:
Elk removed near Yellowstone over disease worries
BILLINGS, Mont. - Montana wildlife officials have killed a pair of elk north of Yellowstone National Park near Gardiner, Mont., after they tested positive for exposure to the disease brucellosis.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28675111/