Obama: Equal pay is a ‘family issue’

In the Republicans’ weekly radio address yesterday, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska addressed rising energy costs. International events such as the upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa affect those costs, she said, but “our own shortsightedness and restrictions have played a role.’’ She urged greater US oil production. She said her home state of Alaska has estimated resources in excess of 65 years’ worth of Persian Gulf imports.

BISMARCK — Rescue workers used military trucks and other heavy vehicles to pluck about 800 motorists from more than 500 vehicles abandoned along ice-slicked roads and in drifting snow throughout the state. The motorists were taken to churches, schools, bars, and gas stations, which served as makeshift shelters. The rescues started Friday and most of the drivers remained at shelters yesterday as highways were still closed. National Guard soldiers patrolled highway entrances. Hundreds of crashes had been reported.