In Depth Alaska

When an 800-pound Kodiak brown bear charged out of the brush on Tuesday, Katelynn Lane had only seconds to react. Faced with a mother bear protective of her cubs, Lane says a split-second defensive position inspired by her martial arts training may have saved her life.

In this episode, we sit down with ASD Superintendent Jharrett Bryant to discuss balancing a $90 million structural shortfall, adding back 100+ educator positions, and focusing on academic basics. Learn how the district plans to rebuild community trust with the new "ASD Listens" initiative, expand career technical education, and navigate the future of school funding.

In this episode of In-Depth Alaska, host Joe Allgood sits down with veteran thru-hiker Bradford Bartels, who may be the very first person to officially hike the incomplete Alaska Long Trail from Seward to Fairbanks. Starting his journey with zero Alaskan backcountry experience, Bradford completed the grueling 47-day trek through summer rain, mountain snow, and stunning terrain—fueled primarily by a "7-Eleven body temple" of honey buns and ramen.

As Fairbanks students head back to the classroom, Superintendent Dr. Luke Meinert discusses exciting updates for the upcoming year. Discover how neighborhood schools are bringing back smaller class sizes and elementary music and implementing a proactive new safety and threat assessment model with law enforcement.

In this episode of In Depth Alaska, the Mat-Su School District Superintendent discusses back-to-school preparations under a looming $10 million budget cut and school consolidations. They explore the expansion of popular hybrid courses, stable transportation expectations, and the development timeline for the district's new employee concealed carry policy.

As a new school year begins, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District's Superintendent talks about managing a vast, complex district amid tight budgets. He outlines goals for improving student outcomes, supporting families in poverty, and launching a new policy to limit classroom screen time.

We've all heard the news stories about the cyclospora outbreak across 34 states, usually accompanied by the symptoms of "explosive diarrhea". But how worried should Alaskans be? Tracy Sinclare talked with Alaska State Epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin about the current outbreak, how it impacts Alaska and precautions you should take. 

The Alaska Moving Image Preservation Association (AMIPA) has been quietly safeguarding Alaska's visual history since 1988 — from early 20th century missionary film shot on King Island to footage of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline construction and the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Board member and veteran photojournalist Rob Stapleton joined In-Depth Alaska host Jennifer Summers to explain how the nonprofit, housed at the UAA/APU Consortium Library, collects, stores, and indexes film, video, and analog media donated by individuals, TV stations, and government agencies. 

A mushroom hunt near Skilak Lake turned into a frantic escape after a bear mauled one of Lori Price’s dogs. Reporter Joe Allgood talks with Price about her frightening encounter.

In this edition of In Depth Alaska, Digital Content Manager Joey Kletka talks with Art Ulene, who's aiming to climb Mount Kilimanjaro on his 90th birthday—for the fourth time. Ulene shares what drives him to keep pushing, how he trains (including 50 flights of stairs and a new hip), and why he believes "old age" is often less about years and more about avoiding self-neglect. It's a candid conversation about adventure, safety, and the best time to start planning for the last chapter of your life.

After the loss of their brother Matt Brown, siblings Noah, Rain, and Gabe--known to many from the TV series Alaskan Bush People--share what they've been wrestling with in the days since his death, from the shock of "not knowing" to the painful finality of confirmation. They remember Matt as both deeply intelligent and relentlessly goofy: a tinkerer, a reader, an artist, and a survivalist who could still find a way to make someone laugh on their worst day. The Browns also speak candidly about Matt's struggles with mental health and addiction, and they use this moment to urge anyone who's hurting to reach out—because feeling alone doesn't mean you are.

Cold War to the Cosmos is an exhibit at the Anchorage Museum. On Tuesday, May 26 from 6:30 - 9 pm Sierra Young gave a talk on the how the original science-fiction series Star Trek commented on the Cold War, followed by a couple episodes of the program. Young recently talked with producer Jennifer Summers.

In 1994, the artist Wyland painted a whale mural on a wall in downtown Anchorage. He painted a similar mural in Dallas. That mural has now been painted over. Wyland spoke with Alaska's News Source's Lar Hanson about his career, the whale walls and the recent controversy in Dallas.

Humans have been hitting things with sticks for a long time, so it should be no surprise that America’s pastime has deep roots in Alaska. As part of America’s 250th Anniversary, Alaska is celebrating the game of ball and it’s connection to our people. State Historian Katie Ringsmuth came in to talk with Alaska’s News Source Sports Director Jordan Rodenberger and Producer Jennifer Summers about shining moments in our state’s history.

Dr. Joe McLaughlin, Alaska's State Epidemiologist, talks about the hantavirus, explaining what it is, what the current outbreak looks like, and how worried the average person should be.

Local artist Duke Russell is a long time Alaskan and has a deep connection with his community and his art reflects his intense vision. Producer Jennifer Summers sat down with Russell as a new exhibit of his work is opening at the Anchorage Museum.

River breakup season is the most dangerous flooding event that recurs in Alaska. Typically taking place between the end of April and the end of May, ice breakup along Alaskan riverways can pose a threat to surrounding and low-lying communities.

Meteorologist Bailey Braun speaks with Shawn Dahl from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center how space weather effects our local atmosphere.

Alaska's News Source talks one-on-one with senior Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski about escalating tensions in the middle east, and the impact of affordability on the upcoming midterms. She explained why she continues to spar with President Donald Trump on occasion, reflects on U.S. relations with NATO and the future of the west, and discusses federal land management topics impacting Alaska. 

Youth Services Librarian Kim Cameron shares some recommendations for books to celebrate Black History Month. 

Gus Schumacher, from Anchorage, Alaska, won a silver medal on Wednesday at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Digital Content Manager Joey Klecka sat down with Kikkan Randall, gold medalist from 2018, to get her reaction to the medal and how she thinks this might inspire the next generation.

Anchorage’s Fur Rondy is celebrating its 91st year as festivities kick-off in downtown Anchorage Feb. 26. Lauren Maxwell spoke with new Executive Director Dakotah Fujan, who said she’s excited to be part of what’s considered the city’s premier winter festival which she said has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years.

With all the talk about the Federal Reserve, we decided to do a quick review of what it is, what it's supposed to do and why it's the subject of controversy right now. Al Biss, Certified Financial Planner with Biss Wealth Partners, explains.

Senior reporter Rebecca Palsha sits down with Nathan Bentley, Chef and Owner of Altura Bistro in Anchorage, Alaska, after the recent James Beard nomination. 

Eight cross-country skiers with Alaska ties were selected this week to represent Team USA at the Winter Olympics next month in Italy. With such strong representation from the 49th state, a line can be drawn connecting the current crop of Alaska’s best to those who came before and helped inspire the latest generation of Alaska’s winter stars. With the Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo games starting up on Feb. 6, Kikkan Randall took a moment with Alaska’s News Source to lay out her expectations on the Alaskans representing Team USA.

With Greenland prominent in the headlines, Augusta McDonnell talks with Professor Cameron Carlson, Dean of the College of Business and Security Management at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks about the potential impacts on Alaska. 

With the New Year on our minds, Tracy Sinclare sat down with local Certified Financial Planner Al Biss with Biss Wealth Partner to talk about what we can do now to set us up for a successful 2026.

Doug Murray has been an instructor at Juneau Shotokan Karate Club for more than forty years. He sat down with reporter Joe Allgood after the roof of the dojo collapsed due to heavy snowfall in Southeast Alaska. While the loss of their dojo is unfortunate, he's hopeful about the future of the club. Here is an extended version of that conversation. 

Reporter Lauren Maxwell sits down with Tiffany Hall with Recover Alaska about Dry January and how you can be more successful in cutting back on your alcohol use. 

Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance sat down with reporter Lauren Maxwell to discuss the state of Anchorage's finances including the possibility of cuts and a potential sales tax.

Over the weekend, three people fell through the sea ice near Kotzebue. One man, 46-year-old Elmer Brown, was rescued but later died. Another man was rescued and one is still missing as of this recording. Matt Mertes spoke with Climate Specialist Rick Thoman with the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness about how the sea ice on Alaska's coast has changed over the years and what happens now. 

On Monday night, Palmer swore in their new mayor, but he isn’t an unfamiliar face. City councilor and former Mayor Jim Cooper returns to the Palmer mayoral seat. Political Reporter Wil Courtney sat down with the new mayor Monday before he was sworn in.

Political Reporter Wil Courtney sits down with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum for a broad ranging discussion including the government shutdown, Ambler Road and the Alaska liquified natural gas pipeline. 

With many Alaskans receiving their Permanent Fund Dividend payous on Thursday, Certified Financial Planner Al Biss, with Biss Wealth Partners, sat down with Dani Tompkins of Alaska's News Source to talk about what to do with the PFD checks. 

Alaska's News Source sits down with Alaska's former Attorney General Treg Taylor. Topics include Taylor's gubernatorial run and his time as AG. Over his tenure, he covered a serious of controversial topics, garnering both praise and criticism. 

In this episode, Political Reporter Wil Courtney sits down with former Revenue Commissioner for Alaska Adam Crum who announced his bid to run for governor a few weeks ago. This interview was done Crum's last day as Revenue Commissioner and the day before he announced that he is running for governor.

On Wednesday, Political Reporter Wil Courtney sat down with Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Tom Begich to discuss his run for Alaska's highest office. 

Chief Meteorologist Melissa Frey speaks with Dave Schneider, geophysicist with the USGS and the Alaska Volcano Observatory about the recent changes on Mt. Spurr. 

On Thursday, August 14, Investigative Reporter Augusta McDonnell sat down with Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan to talk about the summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Alaska Pipeline Project. This is that conversation.

On Wednesday, August 13, Investigative Reporter Augusta McDonnell sat down with Alaska Governor, Mike Dunleavy, to talk about the summit between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to be held in Alaska on Friday. Here is that conversation.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) spoke with Political Reporter Wil Courtney about his reaction to the announcement that Pres. Donald Trump would meet with Pres. Vladimir Putin in Alaska. 

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) sat down with Rebecca Palsha to talk about the recent announcement that President Donald Trump would be meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska next week to discuss the ending of Russia's war on Ukraine. 

We sat down with Clayton Holland, Superintendent of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District to talk about his plans and the challenges for the upcoming school year. 

Many Alaskans were surprised and confused about a mysterious balloon that was floating at high altitudes over our state. Alaska's News Source learned on Tuesday the balloon is developed by Aerostar, a company out of Sioux Falls, Douth Dakota and is a part of a defense exercise happening at JBER. On Wednesday, Chief Meteorologist Melissa Frey spoke with Russ Vanderwerff, Vice President of Stratospheric Solutions at Aerostar to learn more.

Dr. Randy Trani shares his thoughts and hopes for the school year ahead for the students and staff Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District. 

Kristen Faulkner speaks about the 2024 Olympics and what happens behind the scenes to make big dreams come true.

Political Reporter Wil Courtney spoke with Ed Ulman, President and CEO of Alaska Public Media, about his concerns as Congress debates cutting funding to public television and radio. 

On Tuesday, July 15th the Anchorage AssembLy passed an ordinance to make it illegal to camp in certain parts of the city. Reporter Lauren Maxwell sat down with Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case to find out what he expects to happen now and how it will be enforced.

Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks after Trump's 'big beautiful bill' passes US Senate. 

Investigative Reporter Augusta McDonnell speaks with Sen. Dan Sullivan about the GOLDEN DOME act announced on Tuesday, what it will do and how much it will cost.

Senator Dan Sullivan sat down with Investigative Reporter Jonson Kuhn to discuss the "golden dome," the "Big, Beautiful Bill," Adak and more in a wide-ranging discussion.