Palin Charged Alaska $21K for Children's Travel

It surged in popularity, but probably lacks staying power

(NEWSER) - The number of families who chose the name "Palin" for their babies in 2008: three per million. The number in 2009? Twenty per million, according to the BabyCenter website. A good bump, but not exactly the hot new baby name, a naming expert tells Today . Despite the jump in "Palin" popularity, naming babies after politicians is still seen as risky ever since Nixon's Watergate scandal. Plus, the name is already declining in popularity: In 2010, it was down to 16 per million. But, the expert adds, we probably will see a future generation full of Bristols, Pipers, and Willows. More»

But right-wing gay group supports Willow

(NEWSER) - Bristol Palin has apologized, sort of, for the gay slurs her sister posted on Facebook after a schoolmate criticized their mom's reality show. "Willow and I shouldn't have reacted to negative comments about our family. We apologize.," wrote Bristol on Facebook. Her contrition was somewhat tempered by her added comment that the "haters are pulling out all the stops to destroy" us. A right-wing gay group, meanwhile, stepped up to defend Willow and her slurs. More»

(NEWSER) - David Letterman has apologized to Sarah Palin, daughters Bristol and Willow, "and everybody else who was outraged" by his joke last week about Alex Rodriguez impregnating the Alaska governor's daughter, TV Week reports. At this afternoon's taping of tonight's show, Letterman expanded on the apology he offered last week, saying. "It doesn't make any difference what my intent was, it's the perception." More»

Guv agrees to $7,000 settlement in ethics probe over kids' trips

(NEWSER) - Sarah Palin has agreed to reimburse Alaska for family travel she billed to the state, reports the Anchorage Daily News. An investigator probing an ethics complaint filed against the governor found nine trips involving Palin's children in which the personal benefit clearly outweighed any benefit to the state. Palin will shell out some $7,000 for the trips. More»