Remains found in a Wasilla home fire have been preliminarily identified as Ryan McDonough, according to Alaska State Troopers. McDonough, the home’s owner, was recently charged with possessing images of child sexual abuse. Prior to the fire, McDonough was an interventional cardiologist at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, but was terminated after the charges became public. An investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing.
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The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has been renamed the National Laboratory of the Rockies by the Trump administration, reflecting a shift away from its focus on renewable energy. The U.S. Department of Energy stated the change aims to prioritize broader scientific capabilities and address soaring energy demands. This change has raised concerns among organizations involved in renewable energy projects, particularly in Alaska, where NREL partners with the Cold Climate Housing Research Center. This alteration is part of a series of name changes by the Trump administration, which have included renaming the Gulf of Mexico and Denali Peak.
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A Kremlin envoy has proposed a “Putin-Trump” rail tunnel connecting eastern Russia and Alaska to symbolize unity, envisioning it could be built by Elon Musk’s Boring Company within eight years for approximately $8 billion. This 70-mile rail and cargo link under the Bering Strait aims to unlock joint exploration of natural resources, with potential funding from Moscow and international partners. The proposal, made by Kirill Dmitriev, Moscow’s special envoy, follows recent discussions between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump about ending the war in Ukraine. Though the idea is not new, Dmitriev suggests it could be a mega-project, despite the implications of sanctions.
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As winter sets in, Alaska DOT prepares another push to remove homeless encampments, a reality that, when you really stop to think about it, is a stark one. The idea that people might be facing the bone-chilling cold of an Alaskan winter without a roof over their heads is simply staggering. You can’t help but wonder how anyone survives in those conditions. The very thought conjures images of potential hardship and, tragically, even death. This is not a hypothetical scenario; it’s a harsh reality, especially in a place known for its unforgiving winters.
The fact that this situation plays out every year is both disheartening and a bit maddening.… Continue reading
A powerful nor’easter brought heavy rain, high winds, and coastal flooding to the Northeast, leading to road closures, flight delays, and emergency declarations in New York and New Jersey. Simultaneously, the remnants of Typhoon Halong caused catastrophic flooding in western Alaska, particularly in coastal communities like Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, where homes were swept away and residents were potentially unaccounted for. Emergency responders were deployed to the affected areas in Alaska and the National Guard was activated in Delaware as officials issued evacuation orders and warned of rising floodwaters. Further south, along the coast, South Carolina also experienced widespread flooding and water rescues.
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The Ambler Road project, a 211-mile route in Alaska aimed at facilitating mining, has been approved by Donald Trump, reversing the Biden administration’s previous block. This project involves the extraction of copper, cobalt, gold, and other minerals. The White House also announced a 10% equity stake in Trilogy Metals, a Canadian company developing the site. While supporters cite economic benefits and access to critical minerals, opponents, including Alaska Native groups, express concerns about environmental damage and harm to subsistence harvests.
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On Wednesday, NORAD tracked two Tu-95 strategic bombers and two Su-35 fighters within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), deploying an E-3 Sentry surveillance plane, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and KC-135 aerial tankers to intercept them. The Russian aircraft remained in international airspace, and the activity is considered routine, though this instance marks the first since August 26th. This follows recent reports of Russian aircraft breaching Estonian airspace, and overall incidents are up to 12 in 2024, leading to increased vigilance among U.S. and European allies.
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NORAD scrambles fighter jets to intercept Russian planes off Alaska – it’s the kind of headline that, honestly, has become almost expected.
The whole situation, as usual, revolves around the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, or ADIZ. Think of it like a sort of early warning system, an area of international airspace where we need to know who’s flying where, just in case. When Russian planes, as they frequently do, approach this zone, NORAD – the North American Aerospace Defense Command – sends up fighter jets to identify and monitor them. The key point here is that the Russian aircraft almost always remain in international airspace and never enter U.S.… Continue reading
President Trump seemingly displayed a misunderstanding of U.S. geography leading up to his meeting with Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, repeatedly referring to Alaska as if it were a foreign country or a destination separate from the United States. During a Fox News interview and a White House press conference, Trump stated he would “go back to the United States” from his meeting with Putin, and on another occasion, said he was “going to Russia.” This is not the first time the president has made such comments, leading to public criticism and questions about his awareness of the location of his meeting. At the meeting’s conclusion, Putin suggested future talks in Moscow, which Trump seemed open to.
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Protesters in Anchorage, Alaska, rallied against the potential meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, citing concerns over Putin’s status as a war criminal. The Native Movement NGO condemned hosting Putin in Alaska as a betrayal of historical values. Following the Alaska meeting, Trump planned a trilateral summit with the Ukrainian president. While European allies expressed cautious optimism, it was clarified that land-for-peace swaps would not be discussed with Putin without the Ukrainian president’s presence.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood