gnus-use-dribble-file

gnus-use-dribble-file is a variable defined in `gnus-start.el'.
Its value is

t

Documentation:
*Non-nil means that Gnus will use a dribble file to store user updates.
If Emacs should crash without saving the .newsrc files, complete
information can be restored from the dribble file.

You can customize this variable.