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A former hotel worker, Michael Melendez, was convicted of first-degree and two counts of second-degree murder for fatally stabbing his 21-year-old co-worker, Jose Torres-Ayala, during a brutal kitchen-to-dining-area attack at the McKinley Princess Lodge. The motive? Workplace tension. Now facing 30 to 99 years in prison, Melendez’s sentencing is set for January 15, 2026 — a chilling case that unde...

Peter Max, the psychedelic pop art icon whose vibrant, rainbow-filled designs defined the 1960s and graced everything from Olympic stadiums to Taylor Swift’s portraits, has died at 88. Born in Berlin, he fled Nazi Germany as a baby and found his voice in New York, where his bold, optimistic art became a cultural touchstone across decades. Despite personal turmoil and legal troubles, his work—seen...

A shocking murder unfolded at a backyard barbecue in Alaska when 72-year-old Michael Pulliam allegedly shot and killed 43-year-old Devin Blawat at his trailer. Neighbors tried to help but Blawat died shortly after. Pulliam, who admitted to drinking heavily and claiming Blawat “always messes with knives,” told police Blawat “started this” — though his story was inconsistent. Troopers found cuts on...

Juneau’s tackling a major cleanup in the historic Aak’w Village District, a joint city-tribe effort focused on safety and wildlife deterrence after a bear was euthanized for raiding trash. Property owners are footing the bill, keeping it off taxpayer shoulders, and cooperation is strong. Beyond tidying up, this initiative honors the district’s heritage while securing it for current and future resi...

The Sitka Music Festival kicks off its 55th year with six electrifying concerts, from Zuill Bailey’s concerto debut to a patriotic “America at Two Fifty” finale. Meanwhile, lace up for the Alaska Heart Run & Walk, savor German fest vibes at Oktoberfest, dive into revolutionary history with ‘1776’ on stage, or don your finest mask for a mystery-laced masquerade ball—all happening this weekend in An...

A Piper PA-24 crashed into water near Seldovia, claiming four lives—including pilot Eric Middlebrook and three California passengers—after witnesses reported an erratic landing, unusual low-altitude flight, and a violent pitch-up before impact with a tree. The NTSB’s preliminary report points to possible runway confusion and mechanical issues, but the full investigation is still underway. Listen i...

Anchorage is caught in a tense standoff over police surveillance tech, as Mayor LaFrance and the City Assembly clash over how to regulate it—delaying final action until October 20th. The mayor’s ordinance seeks to codify strict oversight and public accountability for surveillance use, while the Assembly pushes for stronger privacy protections. Despite approving $12 million for the Real Time Crime...

Seward, Alaska, turned a pandemic-era cruise line donation into a child care revolution—boosting licensed slots by 150% in five years and proving that investing in early education can revitalize rural economies. Yet with staffing shortages and infant care gaps still looming, the town’s fight for sustainable solutions highlights a nationwide crisis: without affordable care, families can’t work, bus...

Alaska’s primary system is in the crosshairs of a fiery debate, as Repeal Now pushes to scrap ranked-choice voting and restore “open primaries” — but what they mean by “open” is sparking controversy. Opponents argue their ads mislead voters, claiming the proposed Ballot Measure 2 would let parties restrict who can vote in their primaries, undermining true openness. Repeal Now counters that their v...

Susie Wiles, Trump’s top White House advisor and former campaign co-chair, shares triumphant news: her breast cancer treatment has succeeded, with clear pathology results confirming she’s cancer-free. At 69, she’s remained fully engaged in her duties despite battling early-stage cancer since March, crediting her team, family, and President Trump for unwavering support. Her recovery is a major win—...

Juneau’s voters face three big fiscal showdowns in their upcoming municipal election—each could reshape the city’s finances. Proposition A seeks to renew a 3% sales tax, vital for funding police, fire, and roads, warning that without it, the city could lose a third of its operating budget. Proposition B wants to undo last year’s property tax cut by restoring the mill rate cap to 12 from 9, arguing...

A massive 12-hour fire tore through Alaska’s brand-new $80 million cruise ship terminal in Whittier, destroying 70% of the dock—though no injuries occurred and nearby vessels were saved. The blaze, which started on the pier not the docked boat, is under investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard, who are also assessing environmental fallout from firefighting efforts and a small oil sheen that vanished....

The Fed just hiked rates for the first time in three years, pushing borrowing costs higher as inflation surges — fueled by skyrocketing gas and fuel oil prices. Despite a strong U.S. economy with solid job growth and consumer spending, the central bank remains focused on taming inflation to its 2% target. Global turmoil, especially in the Middle East, is driving oil prices above $105 a barrel and...

A small plane carrying two men crashed near Aniak, Alaska, shortly after takeoff from a moose camp. Pilot Nicholas Peters, 34, and passenger John Ervin, 50, are confirmed deceased. The crash site remains inaccessible due to severe weather, delaying rescue and investigation. Nick’s Air Service, a local air taxi operation owned by Peters, faces a devastating loss. The NTSB will soon launch an inquir...

Anchorage is racing against the cold, opening 40 new shelter beds that filled fast—20 at East 56th Avenue and 20 at Linda’s Place, a former strip club. More beds are on the way before month’s end as temps drop dangerously in fall. Police, fire crews, and nonprofits hit the streets early to connect people with warmth, detox, and care. With only 300 year-round beds, officials say they need 450–500 t...

BlueCrest, a Texas-based energy firm, is racing to drill a new natural gas well in Cook Inlet’s Cosmopolitan Field—potentially bringing gas online by next year—after securing funding and dodging a state ultimatum to prove financial readiness. With Alaska’s largest gas provider warning of possible winter shortages and rivals like Hilcorp calling the basin uneconomical, the stakes are high as BlueCr...

American shoppers are back in spending mode, with retail sales surging 1.2% last month — beating expectations and rebounding from a July dip. Even as consumer confidence dips, people are still splurging on food, electronics, and sports gear. Gas station sales are up thanks to higher fuel prices, but online shopping bounced back after a July slump tied to Prime Day timing. While the job market hold...

Alaska’s state parks are slashing the cabin booking window from six to three months starting October 1st — except for select spots like Wood-Tikchik, Afognak, and Shuyak Islands. The move coincides with a new online booking system launching that day, during which no changes or cancellations will be allowed from September 28–30. Officials say the shorter window, plus automated reminders a week befo...

Wall Street braces for a Fed rate hike as inflation looms — stocks mixed, AI sector rebounds despite safety calls, oil drops ease bond pressure, and market nerves twitch over possible Fed hesitation. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. S...

A small plane crashed in a wooded area in Western Alaska, killing both pilot and passenger — the NTSB is on its way to investigate as weather clears, probing everything from aircraft condition to environmental factors in this unfolding tragedy. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-le...

Ed Sheeran’s tour is in chaos after Macklemore was dropped as an opener for speaking out on Palestine — a move the promoter made, not Sheeran. In a domino effect, artists including Finneas, Lukas Graham, and even Beoga — who performs with Sheeran — have all pulled out, citing moral convictions and opposition to using their platform to silence dissent. The fallout appears tied to Robert Kraft’s inf...

A jury convicted 36-year-old dishwasher Michael Melendez of first and second-degree murder for stabbing 21-year-old server Jose Torres-Ayala ten times during a chaotic breakfast scene at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge — an attack prosecutors say was premeditated, despite the defense’s self-defense claims. Torres-Ayala, who was off-duty and unarmed, died despite emergency efforts by sta...

Former Education Department secretaries and a major union are demanding an investigation into last year’s mass layoffs, alleging political motives and waste, as the department continues its downsizing amid legal delays and congressional pushback. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-...

Eagle River Bowl is undergoing a massive transformation this fall—complete with new string pinsetters, upgraded machines, and a sleek digital scoring system that lets you book lanes and extend your time like ordering dinner via app. Owner Dan Graeber’s decades-old equipment is finally getting replaced, cutting down on breakdowns and boosting consistency. As the first alley in the state to roll out...

A fierce fire tore through Wrangell’s Marine Bar building on Tuesday, September 15th, waking the town just after 3 AM and forcing nearly nine hours of heroic firefighting. The blaze destroyed much of the roof and sent smoke across the community, but no injuries were reported — a miracle thanks to swift action by the Wrangell Volunteer Fire Department. The building, which also housed Hungry Beaver...