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the famed Katmai brown bears
• KATMAI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, Alaska (AP) -- Stars snarling at each other, mate swapping, dominant males posturing and establishing their territory.
• It's not quite "Jersey Shore," but these are among the highlights of the second season of an Internet reality show coming your way this week.
• The stars are the brown bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve in remote Alaska. Eight web cams, an increase of five from last year, have been set up at various parts of the park to livestream the daily life and drama of the park's famed bears. Social aspects also have been enhanced, with live web chats planned with rangers and scientists, and a new photo sharing feature.
• "We know that Katmai is a cost-prohibitive place to visit so not a lot of people get the opportunity to come here," park ranger Michael Fitz said.
• "We still want people to have an understanding of what Katmai is like, and enjoy, especially enjoy the brown bears that are here, so explore.org is able to partner with Katmai to provide many different webcams along the Brooks River so you have a chance to watch the bears and have an opportunity to experience their lives," Fitz said.
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This baseball season, Pittsburgh dares to hope for its long-faltering Pirates -- sort of
• PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Something odd has been happening the past few weeks in the town that's home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Penguins -- something very strange indeed. People are talking about a professional baseball club called -- what was that name again? -- the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• They are speaking about alien things, matters unfamiliar to a community unaccustomed to talking about baseball in anything but resigned tones. Things like five Pirates headed to the 2013 All-Star team -- the first time so many are going since 1972. Things like a homer-slamming slugger nicknamed "El Toro." Things like a closer who leads the National League in saves, a pitching staff that leads the majors (Continued on page 30)
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