Bears -- big, brash coastal brown bears -- often are what most comes to mind when there's mention of Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. And that's understandable thanks to the Brooks River and the bear viewing opportunities there. But if that's all you consider when researching a trip to this national park, you'll kick yourself later.

Though the National Park Service makes up only one-tenth of 1 percent of the federal budget, it takes up a much larger share of the public imagination. The parks are also prominent in media coverage on the federal government. That’s especially true during one of our regular government shutdowns, when the media tells stories of closed parks, disappointed visitors, vandals, and piles of trash.

The failure of the U.S. Senate to take up David Vela's nomination as director of the National Park Service before the 115th Congress adjourned means his nomination must be resubmitted by President Trump.

Word Friday that the partial government shutdown would be lifted for three weeks, if not longer, was welcomed by groups concerned about the state of the National Park System. But they also called on Congress to ensure a similar event never happens again.