WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama on Wednesday nominated outdoor business executive Sally Jewell to lead the Interior Department.

2. Interior Chief Salazar Stepping Down in March - Thursday, January 17, 2013

WASHINGTON (AP) – Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who oversaw a moratorium on offshore drilling after the BP oil spill and promoted alternative energy sources throughout the nation, will step down in March.

3. Obama Pushes for Veterans Jobs Programs - Monday, February 06, 2012

In an effort to cut the unemployment rate among veterans, President Barack Obama is calling for a new conservation program that would put veterans to work rebuilding trails, roads and levees on public lands.

4. Artists, Politicians Weigh in on Gibson Raids - Wednesday, September 14, 2011

British singer-songwriter James Blunt has filmed a brief video of himself praising Gibson Guitar Corp., the embattled guitar maker whose Memphis and Nashville facilities were raided last month by federal agents.

5. Interior Chief Asks for Shorter Drilling Time - Wednesday, May 18, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration is asking Congress to shorten the time energy companies get to start drilling on public lands they lease, as part of the government's strategy to boost oil and gas production.

6. Salazar Promotes Conservation Funding During Memphis Visit - Thursday, July 29, 2010

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar made a strong push during a Memphis visit this week for full funding of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund for what he described as “Gulf Coast restoration on steroids.”

7. Feds Accused of Ignoring Judge's Drill Ban Ruling - Thursday, June 24, 2010

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Several companies say the Obama administration is ignoring a judge's decision to strike down a six-month ban on deepwater drilling.

After the Deepwater Horizon exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in April, the Interior Department halted approval of any new permits for deepwater projects and suspended drilling on 33 exploratory wells.

8. Feds: BP Agrees to Expedite Oil Spill Payments - Friday, June 11, 2010

GRAND ISLE, La. (AP) — BP said Thursday it plans to increase the amount of oil captured from a ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico by early next week as the Obama administration announced that the oil giant agreed to speed up payments to people whose livelihoods have been washed away by the spill.

9. BP Oil Collection Ramps Up; So Do Claims Questions - Thursday, June 10, 2010

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — BP plans to bring in an oil-burning device and a tanker from the North Sea as it tries to contain the crude spewing into the Gulf of Mexico, a disaster creating headaches for people who make money off the sea and those processing their claims of financial loss.

10. US Wants Increased Industry Liability in Oil Spill - Thursday, May 13, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House asked Congress on Wednesday to raise limits on BP's liability for the Gulf oil spill, approve new spending on everything from free food programs to seafood inspections and increase taxes on oil companies for an emergency cleanup fund.

11. 3 Democrats – 2 Senators, 1 Governor – to Retire - Thursday, January 07, 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) - With the 2010 election year barely under way, two senators and one governor – all Democrats – ditched plans to run for re-election in the latest signs of trouble for President Barack Obama's party.

12. Panel Says Spend More on National Parks - Monday, September 28, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - Spending on national parks should be increased by at least $700 million over the next seven years, an independent panel urged Congress on Thursday .

The additional spending should bring increased tourism, promote enjoyment of the outdoors and help preserve national treasures for future generations, the panel said.