Alaska's News Source

Anchorage police are looking for a man it says is considered armed and dangerous. Plus, with temperatures slightly warmer than recently this weekend, Bailey Braun is tracking the next storm expected to make landfall in Southeast by Sunday.And we're checking in on the Iditarod, as our crew awaits the first teams to Unalakleet.It’s also Pi Day, which pays homage to the mathematical number. We visit a pie shop as it prepared for the busy day. 

The Sand Point girls basketball team competed in the Class 1A Alaska high school state tournament this week for only the second time in nearly 30 years, playing in honor of a classmate who died two weeks before the tournament began. Opening statements began Friday in the retrial of Dustin Ruckman, now 24, who faces two counts of criminally negligent homicide in the 2019 deaths of two teenage passengers after his pickup went off a cliff near Unalaska. On the day before his 65th birthday, pilot Robert Everts was given an altered water salute at Fairbanks International Airport as snow blowers launched snow over the wings of his aircraft Thursday.

Today on the Morning Edition, Thursday was a day that many in Alaska remember the tragic loss of a young girl. Ashley Johnson-Barr, taken too soon from the world, and more importantly, from her family. We sat down and spoke with the family about how they're moving on without her and share their story. Later, medical fraud can be destructive and leave behind lingering impacts you may not notice right away. We spoke with a victim of the crime and share what she's saying about the effects it's left on her.

‘Bottomless pit of pain’: Ukrainians in Alaska say as US eases Russian oil sanctions to curb price spike. Jurors were selected Thursday in the retrial of 24-year-old Dustin Ruckman, and the case is scheduled to move to opening statements at 9 a.m. Friday. Investigations are underway in Michigan after a 41-year-old man rammed a vehicle into a synagogue in a Detroit suburb on Thursday.

On this Morning Edition, if you're headed to the airport, pay attention. The parking lots there are very full. We spent a few hours ourselves looking for avaailable parking. We'll share with you what the airport is advising.

On today's Morning Edition, you weren't seeing things, Fairbanks! That was a fireball in the sky Tuesday morning. We spoke with the experts and share what they say about it. Plus, if you're planning on flying out of Anchorage anytime in the next few weeks, you'll want to be aware of the wait times for security at Ted Stevens. With the partial shutdown ongoing and TSA working without pay, we'll break down how the airport is being affected.

On today's Morning Edition, education funding still at the forefront of lawmakers' minds as they battle a tight budget and try to find answers for everyone. We'll break down exactly what they're facing and trying to overcome. Later, it's cookie season! If you haven't got your hands on some Girl Scout Cookies, you're missing out. We took a trip to see what all goes into the challenges of getting them out in a terrain as rugged and vast as Alaska's.

A jury has found an Anchorage man guilty of second-degree murder in the 2019 killing of Oscar Garcia over a $550 drug debt, but acquitted him of the more serious charge of first-degree murder and a separate kidnapping charge. A 22-year-old Wasilla man who was convicted of shooting and killing his mother and brother in 2016 pleaded not guilty in a new murder case involving an Anchorage teen from 2023. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks on oil prices, homeland security funding, and military strikes in Iran.

Today on the Morning Edition, the Iditarod is officially underway. The ceremonial start took place on Saturday in Anchorage, followed by the start in Willow on Sunday. We'll bring you the sights and sounds and current leaderboard of teh race so far. Later, Juneau begins work on a major renovation to Marine Park. We'll Let you know what the plans are and how long it may take before you can see those results.

We're in Willow as the mushers and their dogs take off from the official starting line to begin Iditarod 54.Plus, Iran names a new supreme leader, as a 7th U.S. service member dies from injuries received during Operation Epic Fury.

We got to the Iditarod Ceremonial Start to hear from mushers and fans. Meteorologist Bailey Braun tells us that the meteorological spring season might be upon us, but winter temperatures and snow are persisting this weekend for much of the state. Plus, concern in the Interior as people are warned about some lakes and rivers that could be a safety issue.

Some residents of the Denali Borough who’ve been trapped in their homes by heavy snowfall for weeks were finally freed this weekend after State DOT plows were able to reach them at the request of the borough. A Palmer grand jury has indicted a Wasilla man in the 2023 killing of an Anchorage teenager whose remains were discovered last year in the Mat-Su, according to Alaska State Troopers. A woman was found dead in a car Thursday afternoon, according to the Anchorage Police Department.

Today on the Morning Edition, an alleged international chld sex predator now in custody. He appeared in court in Anchorage after being extradited from Malaysia. We'll break down the details on how the FBI is working to bring him to justice. Later, snow is in the forecast in the Anchorage area, which means it'll also be falling in the mountains naturally. But old snow and new snow don't always mesh well together. We'll run over the basics of avalanche safety and awareness.

Today on the Morning Edition, the Mat-Su School District is facing a $20 million shortfall, and this may feel familiar to many, as ASD just went through a similar process. Now Mat-Su schools are on the chopping block. We'll bring you the latest on the discussions. Later, weather in Juneau hasn't been sunshien and rainbows lately. Aaron Morrison will break down what we can expect to see in southeast and if they're due for a break from the snow and wet weather anytime soon.

Major winter storm brings snow, rain, and historic snowfall to Alaska. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District is nearing adoption of its budget for the next school year, and facing a $23 million deficit, the district is proposing program cuts and school closures to address the shortfall. On Wednesday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Alaska Attorney General Stephen Cox and Lee Zeldin, the administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), spoke to press at the University of Alaska Fairbanks power plant.

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor was just days away from returning home to her husband and two children when a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait killed her and five other U.S. service members. On Tuesday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy spoke to the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce as part of a visit to the interior. During his presentation, he touched on topics such as the conflict with Iran, the prospective liquid natural gas pipeline (LNG) and how he wants to set up the next governor for success by leaving the state in a better position than when he took office. A wind-fueled grass fire burned Monday afternoon in Unalaska’s Pyramid Valley tundra area, as crews worked to contain flames spreading across rugged terrain. Officials released an update at 6:45 p.m. Monday saying the fire had been brought under control and “fully contained.”

Today on the Morning Edition, no school buses running in Mat-Su for a second straight day and people are asking what's driven the situation to this point. We'll break down the heart of the issue and what drivers are demanding. Later, a new animal shelter in the works in Fairbanks is undergoing some scrutiny, with critics calling it a "puppy palace," while defenders insist it's necessary to take care of the animals properly. We'll share what both sides are saying.

The disappearance of an Eagle River man almost a year ago is still leaving his friends questioning what happened. A 32-year-old Anchorage man was sentenced last week to serve a composite sentence of 88 years in prison for murder and attempted murder. School buses in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley will not be running starting Monday “through the foreseeable future,” according to Teamsters Local 959.

On today's Morning Edition, superintendents talk about the worsening state of Alaska's schools that are going without complete funding. Buildings in need of maintenance and care, we'll show you the details. Plus, a new record has been set in the Fur Rondy Open World Championship. Canadian musher Blayne "Buddy" Streeper claims his record-setting 11th win. We'll share the sights and sounds of his victorious win.

With the Fur Rondy Open World Championships Sled Dog Race comes with a big win and a record broken. Plus, we may think it’s pretty chilly outside, but the snow is Fairbanks is what's making one little girl happy as she enjoys her Make-A-Wish trip.