In Depth Alaska

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.

Rebecca Palsha spoke with Sen. Dan Sullivan in a wide-ranging interview including air safety in Alaska, looking at the country as a whole and recent protests at town hall meetings.

On Thursday, Investigative Reporter Jonson Kuhn sat down with Chief Sean Case of the Anchorage Police Department, to discuss officer involve shootings, a recent homeless initiative and a look back as his first year in the office. 

U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska, Michael Heyman, sat down with us to discuss the fentanyl crisis in Alaska and why drug cartels specifically target our state. 

Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance addressed the frustrations residents are feeling amidst the growing homeless camps and shelters soon closing.