former alaska sen. ted stevens dies in plane crash

from ap: A plane carrying former Sen. Ted Stevens and ex-NASA chief Sean O'Keefe crashed near a remote fishing village in Alaska, killing the longtime senator and at least four others, authorities said Tuesday.

The crash was a stunning event in a state where Stevens became the most beloved political figure in Alaska history during his 40 years in the Senate, earning a reputation as a tireless advocate for projects that brought millions of federal dollars to the state. He was 86.

Stevens and O'Keefe are longtime fishing buddies who had been planning a trip near where the float plane crashed while carrying nine passengers. Shannon O'Keefe said her brother and his son were on the plane, but their status was not immediately known.

Rescuers arrived on helicopter early Tuesday and were giving medical care to at least three survivors, Alaska National Guard spokesman Maj. Guy Hayes said. He offered no additional details about their conditions or identities.

update: stevens knew bp cheated on blow out preventer tests

related update: former illinois rep. dan rostenkowski dies at 82