Topic: Ketchikan

5 famous pork projects: Beer museum and more

Coined from an 1863 story called “The Children of the Public,” pork-barrel spending referred to any public funds spent to benefit the public. Over time, the term has evolved, referring to projects seen as wasteful, or that may only benefit a small group but the costs are spread out between all taxpayers. Of course, often, one politician's pork is another politician's legitimate expense.

The Citizens Against Government Waste puts out an annual "Congressional Pig Book" that listed 9,129 projects at a cost of $16.5 billion in 2010..

Here a selection of US "pork" projects from recent years:

Ted Stevens plane crash: how 'Uncle Ted' reshaped Alaska

He delivered billions of dollars in aid to his home state. The Ted Stevens plane crash occurred in Alaska, a state that is no stranger to aviation accidents.

Ted Stevens and eight others on board plane that crashed in Alaska

Ted Stevens, former US Senator from Alaska, was one of nine people on board the plane that went down in the southwest part of the 49th state.

Palin, polar bears and the presidency

They're here, there, and everywhere

Lives change. That's why she keeps her address book in pencil.