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Parnell succeeds Palin as Alaska governor

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 26 (UPI) -- Sarah Palin officially stepped down as Alaska governor, turning the job over to Sean Parnell, who had served as her lieutenant governor.

Hundreds of people waited in line in Fairbanks for a last chance to meet Palin as governor and enjoy the third annual governor's picnic. Palin was handing out salmon burgers before her resignation speech at Pioneer Park, the Anchorage (Alaska) Daily News reported.

"With this decision now I will be able to fight even harder for you, for what is right," Palin told cheering supporters, her husband, Todd, and daughters Piper and Willow at her side, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The atmosphere at the park was festive, the Daily News said, with people checking out Palin, the Alaska State Barbecue Championships, the old river sternwheeler Nenana or the replica Gold Rush town.

The newspaper said it was sunny in Fairbanks with the temperature pushing a balmy 80 degrees.

Budget challenges and crucial decisions on a gas pipeline awaited Sean Parnell as he succeeds Palin, becoming the 10th Alaska governor since statehood. Palin announced her resignation July 3, saying Parnell would continue her agenda.

Parnell faces a primary election for a full gubernatorial term a year from now, with at least two state legislators already saying they want his job, the Daily News said.

Parnell inherits a Legislature that fought constantly with Palin and faces a state budget that is barely in the black and heavily dependent on revenues from state's oil and gas reserves.

Voters also will be watching how Parnell handles negotiations for a multibillion-dollar gas pipeline to the lower 48 states, which includes a $500 million state subsidy and a license granted to TransCanada Corp.

"I believe he is completely up to the challenge," state Rep. Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, said. "He has such a wealth of experience that he hits the ground running."

Afghan VP candidate escapes gunmen

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 26 (UPI) -- Gunmen attacked a convoy carrying a candidate for vice president of Afghanistan Sunday, but he escaped without injury, officials said.

The governor of the northern province of Kunduz said Qasim Fahim, candidate for vice president in next month's national elections, was unhurt when his convoy was attacked by men wielding mortars and machine guns, KUNA, the Kuwait news agency reported.

One of Fahim's guards was injured in the assault, the news agency said, adding that a running mate of incumbent president Hamid Karzai was also riding in the convoy.

KUNA reported that Fahim is a former Afghan warlord who has been cited by Human Rights Watch for human rights violations allegedly perpetrated before the U.S. invasion of the country in 2001.

The Afghan Defense Ministry said 16 militants were slain in the eastern province of Nuristan in a fight between Afghan forces and Taliban insurgents, while four more Taliban were reportedly killed in the eastern province of Laghman, KUNA said.

Eight killed in Taconic Parkway crash

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y., July 26 (UPI) -- Eight people, including four children, died Sunday in a three-vehicle crash on the Taconic State Parkway, New York State Police said.

One of the vehicles, a minivan, was going in the wrong direction in the northbound lanes near state Route 117, police said. The minivan, which carried the adult driver and five children, collided head-on with a sport utility vehicle three adults, CNN reported.

The adult and four of the children in the minivan, and all three people in the SUV, were killed.

State Police Sgt. James Kranick told NBC-TV News a third vehicle was involved, but it was not clear how. Kranick said two adult passengers in the third vehicle were being treated for minor injuries.

Although police initially reported there were no survivors, they later told NBC-TV News one child did survive and was taken to a hospital near Pleasantville, N.Y.

Smoke odor causes plane emergency landing

ISLIP, N.Y., July 26 (UPI) -- A Southwest Airlines plane bound for Orlando, Fla., made an emergency landing in New York Sunday after a flight attendant reported smoke in the aircraft cabin.

CNN reported Southwest Airlines Flight 693 departed at 7:09 a.m. from Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Conn. The plane was re-routed to the Islip, Long Island, airport where it landed at 8:02 a.m.

Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz said the flight attendant reported difficulty breathing due to a smell of smoke in the cabin, but was unaware of anyone else on board having a similar problem.

Mainz said the 131 passengers and five crew members deplaned and boarded another airplane to continue on to Orlando.