Alaska's News Source

A suspended Anchorage defense attorney pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to one count of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, a significant development in one of the largest drug trafficking cases in Alaska history. Alaska State Troopers say the body of the paddleboarder who went missing Friday in Turnagain Arm has been recovered. A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crashed near Harbor Mountain during a training flight Monday morning, according to the USCG.  

From Anchorage to Fairbanks, solstice celebrations took over the weekend with people across the state soaking up the longest day of the year. Plus the city of Anderson in Interior Alaska remains under 'go now' evacuation orders as the Starry wildfire continues to burn.

Your latest headlines from Alaska's News Source.

A month of scrutiny on the proposed liquefied natural gas pipeline comes to an end Friday with the last day of the special session, but lawmakers still have significant work ahead of them. A three-day celebration of Juneteenth got started Friday afternoon on the Delaney Park Strip. Baseball fans in Fairbanks prepare for the historic Midnight Sun game at Growden Memorial Park on Thursday night.  

Today on the Morning Edition, with the clock ticking down on a rapidly approaching midnight deadline. Gov. Dunleavy vetoes several bills passed during this legislative session. We'll show you which bills were signed and which got the X. Later, eyes on the Interior with the Pearl Creek Charter School, as the case continues to push lines and blur barriers. We'll tell you where the case may go next.

On Thursday, APD identified the man killed during a Tuesday shooting at an Anchorage Walmart. An Anchorage courtroom was packed again on Thursday as the state inches closer to closing its case against an Anchorage man accused of killing his wife in 2023. The state of Alaska and a Fairbanks charter school group are now asking the Alaska Supreme Court to reverse a judge’s Wednesday ruling blocking the immediate opening of Pearl Creek STEAM Charter School — escalating a legal fight that is being watched to see what precedent-setting impact a decision could have on who approves and funds state charter schools.

On today's Morning Edition, the community reels in shock at a display of gun violence in our shopping centers. We'll bring you the latest details and let you know how officers are handling the situation. Plus, we're learning morea bout a teen that was tragically killed over the weekend. Who his family says he was, and why he may have been in the position he was in.

An alleged shoplifter was shot and killed, and three officers were injured in an officer-involved shooting at the Walmart on Old Seward Highway on Tuesday. An Anchorage man is facing murder and tampering with evidence charges after the state claimed he shot and killed his wife, 22-year-old Alaska National Guard Spec. Saria Hildabrand, on Aug. 6, 2023. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) hosted the Below Zero Medicine Conference last month, a four-day symposium addressing gaps in emergency medical care in Arctic conditions.

Today on the Morning Edition, flight attendants employed by Horizon, a part of Alaska Air Group, have voted to authorize a strike. We'll tell you what that means for air travel here in Alaska and how it may affect your plans. Later, ticks are a rather unpleasant part of nature. Do you know what to do if your pet has a tick? We'll show you some tips and how you can help tick research while you're at it.

The parents of National Park Service ranger Robin Pendery say their daughter was equal parts scholar and adventurer — a “world class climber” — whose curiosity and drive showed up early, long before she joined Denali National Park & Preserve’s mountaineering staff. Congressional candidate Bill Hill, an independent from Naknek challenging first-term Republican U.S. Rep. Nick Begich for Alaska’s lone congressional seat, won’t say if he’ll caucus with Democrats or Republicans if elected. An emotional day played out in an Anchorage courtroom Tuesday as jury members were presented with dozens of crime scene photos from a 2023 homicide case involving a U.S. Army man accused of killing his wife.

On today's Morning Edition, new details on a deadly weekend shooting where police say a man opened fire on two teenagers. Why officers say the teens may have been targeted. Plus, a popular local bar shut down after a gas meter fire and police believe it may be part of a pattern of intentional vandalism. What the authorities are saying and what they want you to watch for.

After weeks of scrutiny, Dan Sullivan from Petersburg, Alaska, is off the ballot, Election Director Carol Beecher decided Monday. A gas-fed fire at Van’s Dive Bar triggered a response Monday morning from the Anchorage Fire Department. An Anchorage courtroom was packed Monday as the case involving a U.S. Army man from Anchorage facing homicide charges related to the death of his wife resumed.

Today on the Morning Edition, Flag Day is when the nation honors the red, white and blue; the stars, the stripes, the sacrifice it stands for, and remembers that the flag needs to be respected, hnonored and eventually retired with dignity. We'll take a look at the flag retirement ceremony in Anchorage. Later, Palmer came alive over the weekend with community and fun as the Colony Days Parade rolled through town. We'll show you the largest yet parade.

Meteorologist Bailey Braun tells us strong winds across Southcentral have posed a problem in outdoor activities Saturday, but this storm is beginning to break down.Plus, a mural on Fairbanks’ City Hall has some excited but others upset. What the new paint is meant to represent. And honoring a symbol of America on this Flag Day. We look at what is done to retire them, when they’re tattered and worn.

The summer activities are in full swing, Including Colony Days in Palmer. We head to the parade. And in Fairbanks, there was a big event at Pioneer Park. What Bonanza Day means for businesses. And Meteorologist Bailey Braun tells us across the Interior, fire danger remains high while on the other side of the Alaska Range, wet weather is picking up the pace.

The Alaska House of Representatives voted Friday to approve a major property tax exemption bill for the proposed Alaska LNG pipeline — a measure that developer Glenfarne says is essential to making the $44.5-$54.5 billion project a reality. Downtown Palmer kicked off its 90th Colony Day festivities on Friday, bringing hundreds of people downtown for the annual early summer event. Residents of the City of Fairbanks will see the rate of levy on their property increase for 2026, after the Fairbanks City Council voted 5-1 to approve a property tax rate of 6.381 mills, up from 5.833 mills in 2025.  

On today's Morning Edition, it's never a sound you want to hear, and for some, it's a worst nightmare. The sound of a pet crying out as a bear is roaring and attacking, and for one Alaskan woman, it became a reality. We'll share her story. Later on, the second day in the Hildabrand murder trial continued with emotional testimony. We'll update you with the latest on the case.

An Anchorage man facing murder charges was back in court Thursday for day two of his criminal trial. With the Alaska House set to debate a key tax exemption bill Friday, labor unions and the developer behind the proposed Alaska liquefied natural gas pipeline signed a non-binding pledge Thursday to prioritize Alaska workers — a show of momentum that not all lawmakers say changes their concerns about the bill. The U.S. Coast Guard announced it will homeport its first two Arctic Security Cutters in Kodiak, with a third to come in Seward Thursday.

On this Morning Edition, the defense says she took her own life and left her husband making a series of bad decisions. The prosecution says it's murder. The trial of Zarrius Hildabrand will hopefully provide answers to a family still searching for the truth. Plus, baby moose and caribou may have lost their natural parents, but plenty of humans are ready to step in and help them grow at the Alaska Zoo. We'll take a look at the Zoo's newest, cutest, fuzzy resident

Alaska’s proposed liquefied natural gas pipeline cleared a major hurdle Wednesday, as the House Finance Committee advanced a major property tax exemption bill developer Glenfarne says will make the $44.5 to $54.5 billion project a reality — that is, if the legislature passes it without changes. The body of a Kotzebue hunter who went missing after falling through sea ice during a hunting trip last fall has been found, according to his wife.  A 41-year-old man was critically injured in a shooting Tuesday evening in Fairbanks, according to the Fairbanks Police Department.

Today on the Morning Edition, it's one of the most dangerous sections of road in Anchorage, with the crash count and fatality figures to back up the claim. We'll share the discussions on how to change this for the better and how you can get involved. Later, the U.S. said Ted Stevens commissioning is happening soon in Whittier, and we have our eyes on the situation, waiting for the date to be announced. We'll share how it's moving forward and let you know how you might be able to attend.

A new policy in the Mat-Su Borough School District would allow select staff the option to carry concealed handguns on campus. As Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, R-Alaska, investigates a Petersburg Republican U.S. Senate candidate who shares a name with Alaska’s incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan — warning that his sworn filing could carry perjury implications — Petersburg’s Dan Sullivan has not responded for 11 days to Alaska’s News Source request for comment, despite initially agreeing to speak on the record Tuesday. An 18-year-old Kodiak teen charged as an adult in connection with a 2024 beach bonfire explosion that injured multiple teenagers had an omnibus hearing Tuesday in Kodiak.

Today on the Morning Edition, is it intentional to mislead voters, or simply coincidence that there are two Dan Sullivans on the Republican ticket for the Alaska senate seat race? We'll share the latest details and how officials are reacting to it. Later, a surprising theft at a non-profit leaves people wondering why. We spoke to ABATE about their stolen bikes and share the story.

Jurors entered the second week of a wrongful death trial Monday over a March 2021 heli-ski crash near the Knik Glacier that killed Czech billionaire Petr Kellner and four others, with dueling testimony focused on whether operators failed to launch an emergency response quickly enough — and whether those alleged failures violated rules or merely fell short of industry best practices. In the last three weeks, ENSTAR reports 10 gas meters have been tampered with, including one Monday morning outside the Natural Pantry grocery store in midtown when a passerby reported smelling gas. Candidates running against Rep. Frank Tomaszewski, R-Fairbanks, and his wife Harmony Tomaszewski are calling Sen. Robert Myers’s last-minute retirement and the family succession that followed “political maneuvering” — while the Tomaszewskis have not responded to Alaska’s News Source’s repeated requests for comment.

On today's Morning Edition, a small fire was fortunately contained and stopped before it could spread and cause any damage, turning what could have been a terrible situation into a moment ot recognize the actions of a group of youth that saved the day. Plus, this weekend played host to the annual Run for Women event, that started with heartbreak and loss, but has grown into community support and love. We'll share the story.

A major road in Anchorage closed after a four-vehicle collision. What police are saying about injuries. Plus, thousands of runners with one powerful mission. How one Anchorage event is fighting breast cancer. And, a place honoring veterans is getting new life in downtown Fairbanks. How community veterans helped shape the renovations – and when the park reopens. Meteorologist Bailey Braun tells us June temperatures are riding high from Fairbanks to Anchorage, but just slightly to the north, winter weather is in full swing.

A National Park Service Ranger on a climbing patrol fell into a crevasse Thursday afternoon on Mt. McKinley and has died, according to a National Park Service press release. Jurors in Anchorage began hearing testimony this week in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Petr Kellner, a Czech billionaire who was among five people killed in a March 2021 heli-skiing helicopter crash near the Knik Glacier. A federal prisoner serving 20 years in a New York prison and his South Dakota mother are both on Alaska’s August primary ballot — and neither have ever set foot in the state.

On today's Morning Edition, a young soldier from JBER is in critical condition, fighting for his life with his family at his side. What happened and how his family says his bright light continues to shine in their trying time. Plus, Red Flag-Alaska means soldiers get to jump from airplanes into the beautiful terrain that is our home state. But aside from being beautiful and an adventure, there is a serious training segment to it all as well. What the soldiers are saying and more.

Today on the Morning Edition, former Gov. Bill Walker is running for governor again and has a proposal regarding the PFD and how to handle it moving forward it he's re-elected to office. We'll share the details. Later, summer activities are beginning all across the state. In the Interior, Summerfest kicks off Friday with a concert at Fort Wainwright. We'll let you know how and when to attend.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, is accusing Democrat Mary Peltola of ‘rigging’ the Senate race by recruiting a Petersburg man with the same name to confuse Alaska voters — and now the national Republican Party is demanding that identical-name candidate be thrown off the ballot. The Peltola campaign denies any involvement. A man with connections to what prosecutors have described as one of the largest drug trafficking enterprises in Alaska history was sentenced Wednesday in federal court to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. A KTUU effort to raise funds and awareness for childhood hunger has wrapped up for the month of May.

On this Morning Edition, 30 years later, a man who was sentenced as an adult while he was a teenager is requesting the courts reconsider his sentence under the new rulings. What he says about the case. Plus, there is a need for blood donations. Why the need is high and how you can lend a hand.

The first day of court, facing the man who shot his brother to death, was hard for Ralph Samuels. A 51-year-old Anchorage man accused of sexually abusing two of his daughters over a span of years went on trial Tuesday with prosecutors urging jurors to convict on nine felony counts and defense counsel arguing the panel should scrutinize the credibility of the allegations. A proposed 739-mile pipeline could cost Anchorage up to $173 million, according to the LaFrance administration.

On today's Morning Edition, with the frequency of officer-involved shootings, there have been many searching for answers and asking questions of the APD. Alaska's News Source asked some questions of our own about one officer involved with four shootings in the past couple of years. We'll share what APD told us. Plus, it's almost here, and in true Alaskan fashion, why wait for a perfect day when today is just fine? People are getting outside and rinsing the winter stiffness away, one chilly dip in the lake at a time. We'll show you more.

 92 people in the past decade were hit and killed by vehicles within the Municipality of Anchorage, according to data released in a 2026 report by the State of Alaska Epidemiology that tracked pedestrian-vehicle fatalities from 2016 to 2025. Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case said an Anchorage officer’s repeated involvement in shootings can be explained by shift timing and specialized assignment — factors he said increase the likelihood an officer will be sent to high-risk calls. The deadline to file for Alaska’s 2026 elections passed at 5:00 p.m. Monday, and the picture that has emerged is that 2026 may be one of the most consequential election cycles the state has seen in years — unfolding in the middle of a 30-day special legislative session on a generational decision over Alaska’s energy future.

On today's Morning Edition, the NSA is investigating in Alaska and expanding operations in the last frontier as the regional importance rises and attention shifts to northern defense. We'll share what Sen. Dan Sullivan is saying about the expansion. Plus, it was a year ago that Tony Kronos went missing, and family and friends held a rally to keep his memory alive in the search for answers in what happened. We'll show you how they're pressing for justice.

A rally in Eagle River for missing man Tony Kronos more than a year since he was last seen. Plus, some in Interior Alaska will see their energy bill go up an average of $45 dollars.  Details from Golden Valley Electric Association. And Meteorologist Bailey Braun tells us warmer temperatures this week are bringing heat advisories and red flag warnings, all while the next storm approaches Kodiak.

We're diving into the Fairbanks North Star Borough Budget and hearing about what it means for education funding. Plus, celebrating 96 years of Merrill Field. We're in Anchorage as people are saying happy birthday. And Meteorologist Bailey Braun tells us the final weekend of May is closing with a few showers across the state before warmer temperatures arrive.

Three climbers lost their lives this week after falling on the upper slopes of North America’s tallest peak, according to an international mountaineering group. No one was injured after an aborted takeoff occurred at Eielson Air Force Base on Friday morning. The National Security Agency is receiving $100 million for facility renovations and new personnel in Alaska, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, told Alaska’s News Source Friday. The funding comes as Russia has escalated threats against the United States and Ukraine.

On today's Morning Edition, after a possible road rage shooting, a 19-year-old Anchorage father shot five times now out of the hospital with a warning for drivers. Plus, four climbers stranded, helicopters grounded by conditions. Coming up, the dangerous rescue effort unfolding high on Mt. McKinley

A man has been charged in connection with a road rage shooting in Anchorage that left a 19-year-old father shot five times earlier this month, according to court records. Friends of missing Eagle River man Tony Kronos are planning a rally on Saturday to make sure the public knows the 40-year-old Eagle River man is still missing, more than a year later. Former Gov. Bill Walker plans to return to the seat he held in 2014, he told Alaska’s News Source on Thursday, but will make the final decision by Monday’s filing deadline.

On today's Morning Edition, Anchorage leaders say a crackdown on retail theft and public bad behavior is working to make a safer city. We'll share what the Mayor and Police Chief say is changing. Plus, the teen who turned her grandmother's inspiration into a lasting tribute for fallen officers. We'll show you the new ceremonial bell and what its rings now mean for families across the state.

Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance said changes to municipal code are helping to make Anchorage a safer place. A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced Twyla Dawn Nettie Gloko to four years in prison for her part in a sweeping drug trafficking case that federal prosecutors said moved fentanyl and other drugs into communities across Alaska. Former Alaska Senate Minority Leader and one of the few democratic gubernatorial candidates Tom Begich announced Julia Hnilicka, a Biden appointee to the Alaska arm of the USDA, as his lieutenant governor in Fairbanks Wednesday evening.

Today on the Morning Edition, could new childcare rules actually make it easier to find a spot for your kid without loosening safety? The city's health department is pushing a second round of changes, from dropping fees to letting caregivers do training online. We'll show you what could change. Plus, after a long, late start to King Salmon Season at Ship Creek, the streak is finally broken. We'll meet the Anchorage angler who landed his first-ever king, that's also the first of the season.

Three people were killed Monday in a crash involving a motorcycle and another vehicle on the Seward Highway, according to Anchorage police. A petition circulating around the Fairbanks North Star Borough aims to require the hand-counting of all votes in borough elections. The first Ship Creek king salmon of the summer was reeled in Tuesday, kicking off what anglers and Alaska shops are hoping a successful season.

On today's Morning Edition, the Seward Highway is back open after a serious crash shut it down for hours between Portage and Girdwood. We'll share what we know about the Memorial Day wreck. Plus, a student jazz band takes the stage for what could be its final performance. East Anchorage High's band program is on the chopping block. We'll share an emotional goodbye and a last-ditch effort to save the band.

The Secret Service says a gunman is dead after firing shots near the White House. And one other person is injured.Bailey Braun tells us Memorial Day weekend is here, with sunshine expected across most of the state to close out the long weekend. Plus, using the holiday weekend as a reason. We follow Alaskan volunteers as they clean up headstone at an Anchorage cemetery.And we have an update on those TSA lines that have caused a headache for some in Anchorage.

The name of the man shot and killed by three Anchorage police officers early Tuesday morning in the middle of an Anchorage road was released Friday, along with the identities of the officers. Williwaw Social, a downtown Anchorage entertainment venue that hosted concerts, parties and community events for nearly 10 years, announced on Facebook that it will close its doors on Friday. Long lines were seen Friday at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, a day after new security equipment used by TSA resulted in hours-long delays for many flyers.

On today's Morning Edition, pack your patience. Memorial Day travel is breaking records, gas prices are climbing and TSA lines in Anchorage could stretch for hours. Later, we join 400 paratroopers who climbed Gold Star Peak, where the view is powerful and the purpose is even bigger.

Long lines and hours-long wait times plagued travelers at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport ahead of a holiday weekend Thursday due to TSA screening delays, officials said. Alaska lawmakers voted Thursday to begin special session work May 27 on legislation that could determine whether the state builds a once-in-a-generation liquefied natural gas pipeline — but not before contentious moments in the House over how broadly the session should reach. No injuries were reported Thursday in a large duplex fire in an Abbott Loop neighborhood in which emergency crews discovered a “extreme hoarding” situation.

Today on the Morning Edition, the regular session has ended, but there's still work to do for lawmakers in Juneau. What today's high-stakes special session could mean for the future of Alaska's proposed gasline. Plus, free Wi-Fi for soldiers? A new test program at Fort Wainwright could help decide whether soldiers in barracks across the Army get free, reliable internet.

The operating budget has left the legislature and is on its way to becoming law after the Senate voted to pass it 17-3 Wednesday, the last day of the legislative session. Attached to the budget: a $1,000 PFD and $200 energy relief rebate. As the Army looks to improve quality of life for soldiers, Fort Wainwright has been selected as a testing location for a new pilot initiative involving free Wi-Fi in barracks.