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  • Multiple Tahoe athletes, including a 15-year-old, are named to US Olympic ski and snowboard team

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    2026 MILAN-CORTINA OLYMPICS. AND THIS MORNING, THE U.S. SKI AND SNOWBOARD TEAM HAS ANNOUNCED THE 97 ATHLETES WHO ARE GOING TO BE REPRESENTING THE U.S. IN NORTHERN ITALY. AND WE HAVE QUITE A FEW FROM THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AREA. SO WE’LL START WITH THE ALPINE TEAM. THREE WOMEN AND ONE MAN, ALL FROM TEAM PALISADES TAHOE. KEELY CASHMAN FROM STRAWBERRY HEADING BACK TO THE OLYMPICS. SO IS AJ HURT FROM CARNELIAN BAY AND NINA O’BRIEN OF SAN FRANCISCO. THOSE THREE GREW UP TOGETHER AND NOW WILL GO TO AN OLYMPICS TOGETHER. AS FOR THE MEN, BRYCE BENNETT OF TAHOE CITY ALSO GOING TO ANOTHER OLYMPICS IN CROSS COUNTRY. JAKE SCHOONMAKER OF TAHOE CITY IS AN OLYMPIAN ONCE AGAIN IN FREESKI WOMEN’S HALFPIPE. KATE GRAY OF CROWLEY LAKE AND THE MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN SKI TEAM, NOW AN OLYMPIAN AND SO IS 15 YEAR OLD ABBIE WINTERBERGER FROM TRUCKEE. SHE’S ON THE OLYMPIC FREESTYLE FREERIDE, AND SHE’S ALREADY BEING CALLED ONE OF THE RISING STARS OF THE SPORT. NOW LET’S GO TO THE SNOWBOARDERS. THREE MAMMOTH RIDERS ARE ON THE WOMEN’S HALFPIPE TEAM. THEY’RE LED BY TWO TIME OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST CHLOE KIM OF TORRANCE, ALONG WITH B KIM OUT OF PALOS VERDES AND OUR OWN MADDIE MASTRO OUT OF WRIGHTWOOD IN SLOPESTYLE. WELCOME TO THE OLYMPICS, HANNAH NORMAN OUT OF TRUCKEE JUST TURNED 2020, I THINK. AND IN SNOWBOARD CROSS. HANNAH PERCY OUT OF TRUCKEE AS WELL. SHE’S 18 AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF VERY NOTABLE NAMES THAT ARE NOT ON THE LIST THIS MORNING. JAMIE ANDERSON, THE TWO TIME GOLD MEDALIST AT A SOUTH LAKE TAHOE TRYING TO COME BACK OUT OF AFTER A THREE YEAR BREAK, TRYING TO QUALIFY FOR A FOURTH OLYMPICS. HER NAME NOT ON THE LIST THIS MORNING. AND THEN ALSO DAVID WISE OF RENO, WHO HAD TWO GOLDS AND A SILVER AND WAS GOING FOR HIS FOURTH GAMES IN FREE SKI SLOPESTYLE. SO 97 ATHLETES, ROUGHLY 220 ATHLETES WILL GO. SO IT’S A HUGE NUMBER OF ATHLETES FROM SKI AND SNOWBOARD, AND FOUR OUT OF TEN TEAM USA ATHLETES TOTAL ARE SKIERS AND SNOWBOARDERS. SO THIS IS A HUGE LIST MAKING IT OFFICIAL TODAY. SO NOW IMAGINE BEING THE PARENTS OF THESE ATHLETES, THOSE WHO HAVE NOT TRIED TO BOOK ANYTHING YET, TRYING TO SCRAMBLE TO GO SEE THEIR KIDS. A LOT OF EMOTIONS FOR SURE. A LOT OF EMOTIONS. AND IF YOU GO BACK FOUR YEARS AGO, WE WERE STILL IN PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS AND THOSE FAMILIES DIDN’T GET TO GO TO BEIJING. SO IT’S FOR THE FOR THESE ATHLETES, VERY JOYOUS, BUT ALSO

    Multiple Tahoe athletes, including a 15-year-old rising star, are named to US ski and snowboard team for the Milan Cortina Olympics

    Updated: 8:25 AM PST Jan 22, 2026

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    Northern California will be well-represented on the slopes for the Milan Cortina Olympics with multiple athletes from the Tahoe area competing. They include returning Olympians and rising stars. U.S. Ski & Snowboard on Thursday announced the full roster of 97 athletes who will represent Team USA in Northern Italy. Returning Olympians from the 2022 Beijing Olympics include Alpine skiers Keely Cashman from Strawberry, AJ Hurt from Carnelian Bay, and Bryce Bennett from Tahoe City. All are from the club Palisades Tahoe, along with Nina O’Brien, who is from San Francisco. The team also includes returning Olympic cross-county skier James “JC” Schoonmaker, who is from Lake Tahoe. For the women’s halfpipe in freeski, Kate Gray of Crowley Lake, representing the Mammoth Mountain Ski Team, and 15-year-old Abby Winterberger of Truckee, a member of the Olympic Valley Freestyle Free-Ride, have been named Olympians. Ahead of her Olympic debut, Winterberger is already being called one of the rising stars of the sport.Other first-time Olympians from Truckee are snowboarder Hahna Norman competing in slopestyle and Hanna Percy in snowboard cross. The women’s halfpipe snowboarding team includes three Mammoth riders: two-time gold medalist Chloe Kim from Torrance, Bea Kim from Palos Verdes, and Maddie Mastro from Wrightwood.Meanwhile, a decorated Olympian who grew up in Lake Tahoe, Jamie Anderson, did not make the cut. The snowboarder won two gold medals and a silver in previous Olympics and was aiming for a comeback after taking three years off from her sport to have two children.Another Olympian, David Wise of Reno, who has two gold medals and a silver, also failed to make the team. Outside of California competitors, this year’s Olympic team will feature skier Lindsay Vonn returning to racing at age 41 after a partial knee replacement, and Mikaela Shiffrin competing in her fourth Olympics. Shiffrin failed to win a medal in Beijing.Overall, the team has 50 women and 47 men who range in age from 15-year-old Winterberger to 44-year-old snowboardcross rider Nick Baumgartner. See the full list of athletes named to Team USA below, along with their hometowns, clubs, colleges, birthdates and past Olympic teams.2026 U.S. Olympic Alpine Team(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)Women*Mary Bocock (Salt Lake City, UT; Rowmark Ski Academy; Dartmouth College; 10/7/2003)Keely Cashman (Strawberry, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; Montana State University; 4/4/1999; 2022)Katie Hensien (Redmond, WA; Rowmark Ski Academy; University of Denver; 12/1/1999; 2022)AJ Hurt (Carnelian Bay, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; Dartmouth College; 12/5/2000; 2022)Breezy Johnson (Victor, ID; Rowmark Ski Academy; 1/19/1996; 2018, 2022)Paula Moltzan (Prior Lake, MN; Buck Hill Ski Team/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; University of Vermont; 4/7/1994; 2022)Nina O’Brien (Denver, CO; Burke Mountain Academy/Team Palisades Tahoe; Dartmouth College; 11/29/1997; 2022)Mikaela Shiffrin (Edwards, CO; Burke Mountain Academy/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 3/13/1995; 2014, 2018, 2022)Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail/Buck Hill Ski Team; 10/18/1984; 2002, 2006, 2010, 2018)Jacqueline Wiles (Aurora, OR; White Pass Ski Club; 7/13/1992; 2014, 2018, 2022)Isabella Wright (Salt Lake City, UT; Snowbird Sports Education Foundation; 2/10/1997; 2022)MenBryce Bennett (Tahoe City, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 7/14/1992; 2018, 2022)Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT; Cochran’s/Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club; 3/27/1992; 2018, 2022) *Sam Morse (Carrabassett Valley, ME; Carrabassett Valley Academy; Dartmouth College; 5/27/1996) *Kyle Negomir (Littleton, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Dartmouth College; 10/3/1998)River Radamus (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 2/12/1998; 2022)*Ryder Sarchett (Sun Valley, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; University of Colorado Boulder; 7/28/2003)2026 U.S. Olympic Cross Country Team(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)WomenRosie Brennan (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; Dartmouth College; 12/2/1988; 2018, 2022)Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN; Stratton Mountain School; 8/26/1991; 2014, 2018, 2022)*Lauren Jortberg (Boulder, CO; Mansfield Nordic Pro Team; Centre National d’entraînement Pierre-Harvey Team; Dartmouth College; 4/12/1997)*Kendall Kramer (Fairbanks, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Fairbanks; 6/26/2002)Julia Kern (Waltham, MA; Stratton Mountain School; Dartmouth College; 9/12/1997; 2022)Novie McCabe (Winthrop, WA; Alaska Pacific University; University of Utah; 12/15/2001; 2022)*Samantha “Sammy” Smith (Boise, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; Stanford University; 9/22/2005)Hailey Swirbul (El Jebel, CO; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 7/10/1998; 2022)Men*John Steel Hagenbuch (Ketchum, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; Dartmouth College; 10/1/2001)*Zak Ketterson (Minneapolis, MN; Team Birkie; Northern Michigan University; 4/2/1997)*Zanden McMullen (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 5/31/2001)Ben Ogden (Burlington, VT; Stratton Mountain School; University of Vermont; 2/13/2000; 2022)James “JC” Schoonmaker (Lake Tahoe, CA; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 8/12/2000; 2022)Gus Schumacher (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 7/25/2000; 2022)*Hunter Wonders (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 8/7/1998)*Jack Young (Jay, VT; Green Racing Project; Colby College; 12/17/2002)2026 U.S. Olympic Freeski Team(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)HalfpipeWomen*Kate Gray (Crowley Lake, CA; Mammoth Mountain Freeski Team; 6/29/2006)*Svea Irving (Winter Park, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; University of Colorado Boulder; 2/27/2002)*Riley Jacobs (Oak Creek, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Colorado Denver; 8/14/2003) *Abby Winterberger (Truckee, CA; Olympic Valley Freestyle Freeride Team; 5/1/2010)MenAlex Ferreira (Aspen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 8/14/1994; 2018, 2022)Nick Goepper (Lawrenceburg, IN; Cork Tech Freeski; 3/14/1994; 2014, 2018, 2022)*Hunter Hess (Bend, OR; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; Salt Lake Community College; 10/1/1998)Birk Irving (Winter Park, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; 7/26/1999; 2022)Slopestyle & Big AirWomenMarin Hamill (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 4/5/2001; 2022)*Rell Harwood (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 6/1/2001)*Grace Henderson (Madbury, NH; Waterville Valley BBTS; University of Utah; 4/28/2001)*Avery Krumme (Squamish, British Columbia; BC Freestyle Team; 8/23/2008)MenMac Forehand (Winhall, VT; Stratton Mountain School; 8/4/2001; 2022)Alex Hall (Salt Lake City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 9/21/1998; 2018, 2022)*Troy Podmilsak (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 8/23/2004)*Konnor Ralph (Helena, MT; Wy’East Mountain Academy; Salt Lake Community College; 1/27/2003)2026 U.S. Olympic Freestyle Ski Team, Moguls & Aerials(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)AerialsWomen*Kyra Dossa (Cleveland, OH; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 1/24/2004)Kaila Kuhn (Boyne City, MI; University of Utah; 4/8/2003; 2022)*Tasia Tanner (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard/Fly Freestyle; University of Utah; 7/26/2002)Winter Vinecki (Gaylord, MI; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah/St. Mary’s University School of Law; 12/18/1998; 2022)Men*Connor Curran (Cincinnati, OH; Park City Ski & Snowboard/Elite Aerial Development Program; Utah Valley University; 9/23/2004)*Quinn Dehlinger (Cincinnati, OH; Elite Aerial Development Program; Salt Lake Community College; 6/8/2002)*Derek Krueger (Cleveland, OH; Elite Aerial Development Program; University of Utah; 6/2/2003)Chris Lillis (Rochester, NY; Bristol Mountain Freestyle Team; University of Utah; 10/4/1998; 2018, 2022)MogulsWomenOlivia Giaccio (Redding, CT; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Columbia University; 8/15/2000; 2022)Tess Johnson (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Harvard Extension School; 6/19/2000; 2018)Jaelin Kauf (Alta, WY; Grand Targhee Ski & Snowboard Foundation/Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 9/26/1996; Olympic Teams: 2018, 2022)*Elizabeth “Liz” Lemley (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Oberlin College; 1/22/2006) Men*Charlie Mickel (Durango, CO; Wasatch Freestyle/Durango Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 7/6/2004)Nick Page (Park City, UT; Wasatch Freestyle; 8/1/2002; 2022)Dylan Walczyk (Rochester, NY; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 6/25/1993; 2022)*Landon Wendler (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Los Angeles Film School; 10/12/2000)2026 U.S. Olympic Nordic Combined Team(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)MenBen Loomis (Eau Claire, WI; Flying Eagles Ski Club; DeVry University; 6/9/1998; 2018, 2022)*Niklas Malacinski (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Colorado Mountain College; 12/7/2003)2026 U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping Team(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)Women*Annika Belshaw (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 6/13/2002)*Josie Johnson (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 10/3/2006)*Paige Jones (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of North Dakota; 8/30/2002)MenKevin Bickner (Wauconda, IL; Norge Ski Club; 9/23/1996; 2018, 2022)*Jason Colby (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 3/30/2006)*Tate Frantz (Lake Placid, NY; New York Ski Education Foundation; 3/28/2005)2026 U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)HalfpipeWomen*Bea Kim (Palos Verdes, CA; Mammoth Snowboard Team; 1/25/2007)Chloe Kim (Torrance, CA; Mammoth Snowboard Team; 4/23/2000; 2018, 2022)Maddie Mastro (Wrightwood, CA; Mammoth Snowboard Team; 2/22/2000; 2018, 2022)*Maddy Schaffrick (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 4/29/1994)Men*Alessandro Barbieri (Portland, OR; Tahoe Select Snowboard Team; 10/5/2008)*Chase Blackwell (Longmont, CO; Summer Action Sports Club; 2/27/1999)Chase Josey (Hailey, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 3/31/1995; 2018, 2022)Jake Pates (Eagle, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 7/30/1998; 2018)Parallel Giant SlalomWomen*Iris Pflum (Minneapolis, MN; G Team; 7/13/2003)MenCody Winters (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 4/20/2000; 2022)SlopestyleWomen*Lily Dhawornvej (Frisco, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 8/14/2009)*Hahna Norman (Truckee, CA; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 10/26/2004)*Jess Perlmutter (Millburn, NJ; Killington Mountain School; 12/2/2009)Men*Jake Canter (Evergreen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 7/19/2003)Sean FitzSimons (Hood River, OR; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; 9/22/2000; 2022)Red Gerard (Silverthorne, CO; 6/29/2000; 2018, 2022)*Ollie Martin (Wolcott, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 6/15/2008)Snowboard CrossWomenStacy Gaskill (Golden, CO; International Snowboard Training Center; University of Colorado Boulder; 5/21/2000; 2022)*Hanna Percy (Truckee, CA; Gould Academy Competition Program; 7/7/2007)*Brianna Schnorrbusch (Monroe Township, NJ; Gould Academy; University of Utah; 1/30/2006)Faye Thelen (Salt Lake City, UT; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Westminster College; 3/24/1992; 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)MenNick Baumgartner (Iron River, MI; 12/17/1981; 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)*Nathan Pare (Bethel, ME; Gould Academy; 2/1/2005)Jake Vedder (Pinckney, MI; International Snowboard Training Center; 4/16/1998; 2022)Cody Winters (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 4/20/2000; 2022)*Denotes first-time Olympian See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    Northern California will be well-represented on the slopes for the Milan Cortina Olympics with multiple athletes from the Tahoe area competing. They include returning Olympians and rising stars.

    U.S. Ski & Snowboard on Thursday announced the full roster of 97 athletes who will represent Team USA in Northern Italy.

    Returning Olympians from the 2022 Beijing Olympics include Alpine skiers Keely Cashman from Strawberry, AJ Hurt from Carnelian Bay, and Bryce Bennett from Tahoe City. All are from the club Palisades Tahoe, along with Nina O’Brien, who is from San Francisco.

    The team also includes returning Olympic cross-county skier James “JC” Schoonmaker, who is from Lake Tahoe.

    For the women’s halfpipe in freeski, Kate Gray of Crowley Lake, representing the Mammoth Mountain Ski Team, and 15-year-old Abby Winterberger of Truckee, a member of the Olympic Valley Freestyle Free-Ride, have been named Olympians. Ahead of her Olympic debut, Winterberger is already being called one of the rising stars of the sport.

    Other first-time Olympians from Truckee are snowboarder Hahna Norman competing in slopestyle and Hanna Percy in snowboard cross.

    The women’s halfpipe snowboarding team includes three Mammoth riders: two-time gold medalist Chloe Kim from Torrance, Bea Kim from Palos Verdes, and Maddie Mastro from Wrightwood.

    Meanwhile, a decorated Olympian who grew up in Lake Tahoe, Jamie Anderson, did not make the cut. The snowboarder won two gold medals and a silver in previous Olympics and was aiming for a comeback after taking three years off from her sport to have two children.

    Another Olympian, David Wise of Reno, who has two gold medals and a silver, also failed to make the team.

    Outside of California competitors, this year’s Olympic team will feature skier Lindsay Vonn returning to racing at age 41 after a partial knee replacement, and Mikaela Shiffrin competing in her fourth Olympics. Shiffrin failed to win a medal in Beijing.

    Overall, the team has 50 women and 47 men who range in age from 15-year-old Winterberger to 44-year-old snowboardcross rider Nick Baumgartner.

    See the full list of athletes named to Team USA below, along with their hometowns, clubs, colleges, birthdates and past Olympic teams.

    2026 U.S. Olympic Alpine Team
    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)

    Women

    • *Mary Bocock (Salt Lake City, UT; Rowmark Ski Academy; Dartmouth College; 10/7/2003)
    • Keely Cashman (Strawberry, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; Montana State University; 4/4/1999; 2022)
    • Katie Hensien (Redmond, WA; Rowmark Ski Academy; University of Denver; 12/1/1999; 2022)
    • AJ Hurt (Carnelian Bay, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; Dartmouth College; 12/5/2000; 2022)
    • Breezy Johnson (Victor, ID; Rowmark Ski Academy; 1/19/1996; 2018, 2022)
    • Paula Moltzan (Prior Lake, MN; Buck Hill Ski Team/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; University of Vermont; 4/7/1994; 2022)
    • Nina O’Brien (Denver, CO; Burke Mountain Academy/Team Palisades Tahoe; Dartmouth College; 11/29/1997; 2022)
    • Mikaela Shiffrin (Edwards, CO; Burke Mountain Academy/Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 3/13/1995; 2014, 2018, 2022)
    • Lindsey Vonn (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail/Buck Hill Ski Team; 10/18/1984; 2002, 2006, 2010, 2018)
    • Jacqueline Wiles (Aurora, OR; White Pass Ski Club; 7/13/1992; 2014, 2018, 2022)
    • Isabella Wright (Salt Lake City, UT; Snowbird Sports Education Foundation; 2/10/1997; 2022)

    Men

    • Bryce Bennett (Tahoe City, CA; Team Palisades Tahoe; 7/14/1992; 2018, 2022)
    • Ryan Cochran-Siegle (Starksboro, VT; Cochran’s/Mount Mansfield Ski & Snowboard Club; 3/27/1992; 2018, 2022)
    • *Sam Morse (Carrabassett Valley, ME; Carrabassett Valley Academy; Dartmouth College; 5/27/1996)
    • *Kyle Negomir (Littleton, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Dartmouth College; 10/3/1998)
    • River Radamus (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 2/12/1998; 2022)
    • *Ryder Sarchett (Sun Valley, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; University of Colorado Boulder; 7/28/2003)

    2026 U.S. Olympic Cross Country Team
    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)
    Women

    • Rosie Brennan (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; Dartmouth College; 12/2/1988; 2018, 2022)
    • Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN; Stratton Mountain School; 8/26/1991; 2014, 2018, 2022)
    • *Lauren Jortberg (Boulder, CO; Mansfield Nordic Pro Team; Centre National d’entraînement Pierre-Harvey Team; Dartmouth College; 4/12/1997)
    • *Kendall Kramer (Fairbanks, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Fairbanks; 6/26/2002)
    • Julia Kern (Waltham, MA; Stratton Mountain School; Dartmouth College; 9/12/1997; 2022)
    • Novie McCabe (Winthrop, WA; Alaska Pacific University; University of Utah; 12/15/2001; 2022)
    • *Samantha “Sammy” Smith (Boise, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; Stanford University; 9/22/2005)
    • Hailey Swirbul (El Jebel, CO; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 7/10/1998; 2022)

    Men

    • *John Steel Hagenbuch (Ketchum, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; Dartmouth College; 10/1/2001)
    • *Zak Ketterson (Minneapolis, MN; Team Birkie; Northern Michigan University; 4/2/1997)
    • *Zanden McMullen (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 5/31/2001)
    • Ben Ogden (Burlington, VT; Stratton Mountain School; University of Vermont; 2/13/2000; 2022)
    • James “JC” Schoonmaker (Lake Tahoe, CA; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 8/12/2000; 2022)
    • Gus Schumacher (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; University of Alaska Anchorage; 7/25/2000; 2022)
    • *Hunter Wonders (Anchorage, AK; Alaska Pacific University; 8/7/1998)
    • *Jack Young (Jay, VT; Green Racing Project; Colby College; 12/17/2002)

    2026 U.S. Olympic Freeski Team
    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)

    Halfpipe
    Women

    • *Kate Gray (Crowley Lake, CA; Mammoth Mountain Freeski Team; 6/29/2006)
    • *Svea Irving (Winter Park, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; University of Colorado Boulder; 2/27/2002)
    • *Riley Jacobs (Oak Creek, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Colorado Denver; 8/14/2003)
    • *Abby Winterberger (Truckee, CA; Olympic Valley Freestyle Freeride Team; 5/1/2010)

    Men

    • Alex Ferreira (Aspen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 8/14/1994; 2018, 2022)
    • Nick Goepper (Lawrenceburg, IN; Cork Tech Freeski; 3/14/1994; 2014, 2018, 2022)
    • *Hunter Hess (Bend, OR; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; Salt Lake Community College; 10/1/1998)
    • Birk Irving (Winter Park, CO; Winter Park Freeski Team; 7/26/1999; 2022)

    Slopestyle & Big Air
    Women

    • Marin Hamill (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 4/5/2001; 2022)
    • *Rell Harwood (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 6/1/2001)
    • *Grace Henderson (Madbury, NH; Waterville Valley BBTS; University of Utah; 4/28/2001)
    • *Avery Krumme (Squamish, British Columbia; BC Freestyle Team; 8/23/2008)

    Men

    • Mac Forehand (Winhall, VT; Stratton Mountain School; 8/4/2001; 2022)
    • Alex Hall (Salt Lake City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 9/21/1998; 2018, 2022)
    • *Troy Podmilsak (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 8/23/2004)
    • *Konnor Ralph (Helena, MT; Wy’East Mountain Academy; Salt Lake Community College; 1/27/2003)

    2026 U.S. Olympic Freestyle Ski Team, Moguls & Aerials

    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)

    Aerials
    Women

    • *Kyra Dossa (Cleveland, OH; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah; 1/24/2004)
    • Kaila Kuhn (Boyne City, MI; University of Utah; 4/8/2003; 2022)
    • *Tasia Tanner (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard/Fly Freestyle; University of Utah; 7/26/2002)
    • Winter Vinecki (Gaylord, MI; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of Utah/St. Mary’s University School of Law; 12/18/1998; 2022)

    Men

    • *Connor Curran (Cincinnati, OH; Park City Ski & Snowboard/Elite Aerial Development Program; Utah Valley University; 9/23/2004)
    • *Quinn Dehlinger (Cincinnati, OH; Elite Aerial Development Program; Salt Lake Community College; 6/8/2002)
    • *Derek Krueger (Cleveland, OH; Elite Aerial Development Program; University of Utah; 6/2/2003)
    • Chris Lillis (Rochester, NY; Bristol Mountain Freestyle Team; University of Utah; 10/4/1998; 2018, 2022)

    Moguls
    Women

    • Olivia Giaccio (Redding, CT; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Columbia University; 8/15/2000; 2022)
    • Tess Johnson (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Harvard Extension School; 6/19/2000; 2018)
    • Jaelin Kauf (Alta, WY; Grand Targhee Ski & Snowboard Foundation/Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 9/26/1996; Olympic Teams: 2018, 2022)
    • *Elizabeth “Liz” Lemley (Vail, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Oberlin College; 1/22/2006)

    Men

    • *Charlie Mickel (Durango, CO; Wasatch Freestyle/Durango Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 7/6/2004)
    • Nick Page (Park City, UT; Wasatch Freestyle; 8/1/2002; 2022)
    • Dylan Walczyk (Rochester, NY; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 6/25/1993; 2022)
    • *Landon Wendler (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Los Angeles Film School; 10/12/2000)

    2026 U.S. Olympic Nordic Combined Team
    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)

    Men

    • Ben Loomis (Eau Claire, WI; Flying Eagles Ski Club; DeVry University; 6/9/1998; 2018, 2022)
    • *Niklas Malacinski (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; Colorado Mountain College; 12/7/2003)

    2026 U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping Team

    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)

    Women

    • *Annika Belshaw (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; University of Utah; 6/13/2002)
    • *Josie Johnson (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; 10/3/2006)
    • *Paige Jones (Park City, UT; Park City Ski & Snowboard; University of North Dakota; 8/30/2002)

    Men

    • Kevin Bickner (Wauconda, IL; Norge Ski Club; 9/23/1996; 2018, 2022)
    • *Jason Colby (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 3/30/2006)
    • *Tate Frantz (Lake Placid, NY; New York Ski Education Foundation; 3/28/2005)

    2026 U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team
    (Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Olympic Teams)

    Halfpipe
    Women

    • *Bea Kim (Palos Verdes, CA; Mammoth Snowboard Team; 1/25/2007)
    • Chloe Kim (Torrance, CA; Mammoth Snowboard Team; 4/23/2000; 2018, 2022)
    • Maddie Mastro (Wrightwood, CA; Mammoth Snowboard Team; 2/22/2000; 2018, 2022)
    • *Maddy Schaffrick (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 4/29/1994)

    Men

    • *Alessandro Barbieri (Portland, OR; Tahoe Select Snowboard Team; 10/5/2008)
    • *Chase Blackwell (Longmont, CO; Summer Action Sports Club; 2/27/1999)
    • Chase Josey (Hailey, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; 3/31/1995; 2018, 2022)
    • Jake Pates (Eagle, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 7/30/1998; 2018)

    Parallel Giant Slalom
    Women

    • *Iris Pflum (Minneapolis, MN; G Team; 7/13/2003)

    Men

    • Cody Winters (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 4/20/2000; 2022)

    Slopestyle
    Women

    • *Lily Dhawornvej (Frisco, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 8/14/2009)
    • *Hahna Norman (Truckee, CA; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 10/26/2004)
    • *Jess Perlmutter (Millburn, NJ; Killington Mountain School; 12/2/2009)

    Men

    • *Jake Canter (Evergreen, CO; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 7/19/2003)
    • Sean FitzSimons (Hood River, OR; Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation; 9/22/2000; 2022)
    • Red Gerard (Silverthorne, CO; 6/29/2000; 2018, 2022)
    • *Ollie Martin (Wolcott, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 6/15/2008)

    Snowboard Cross
    Women

    • Stacy Gaskill (Golden, CO; International Snowboard Training Center; University of Colorado Boulder; 5/21/2000; 2022)
    • *Hanna Percy (Truckee, CA; Gould Academy Competition Program; 7/7/2007)
    • *Brianna Schnorrbusch (Monroe Township, NJ; Gould Academy; University of Utah; 1/30/2006)
    • Faye Thelen (Salt Lake City, UT; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; Westminster College; 3/24/1992; 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)

    Men

    • Nick Baumgartner (Iron River, MI; 12/17/1981; 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)
    • *Nathan Pare (Bethel, ME; Gould Academy; 2/1/2005)
    • Jake Vedder (Pinckney, MI; International Snowboard Training Center; 4/16/1998; 2022)
    • Cody Winters (Steamboat Springs, CO; Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club; 4/20/2000; 2022)

    *Denotes first-time Olympian

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • GA man gets 80 years in prison for mailing bombs to federal buildings he built while behind bars

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    A Georgia man has been sentenced to 80 years in federal prison for mailing bombs to federal buildings.

    David Dwayne Cassady, 57, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted malicious use of explosive materials after constructing and sending explosive devices to the U.S. Courthouse in Anchorage, Alaska, and the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

    “This defendant’s devices were not only a threat to the recipients, but to every individual that unknowingly transported and delivered them,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina.

    United States District Judge J. Randal Hall imposed the sentence, which consists of two consecutive 480-month terms, followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision.

    [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

    According to a federal indictment, Cassady built bombs while incarcerated at the now-shuttered state prison in Reidsville. The indictment said Cassady then mailed those bombs from the prison in Georgia to a federal courthouse in Anchorage, Alaska, and a Justice Department building in the state’s capital.

    Channel 2’s Audrey Washington contacted the Georgia Department of Corrections and asked how Cassady was able to both build and mail bombs from prison.

    The agency released a statement, saying:

    “Cassady was able to manipulate primarily items he was authorized to possess into makeshift explosive devices. We appreciate the support of our federal partners in ensuring that justice will be served on this individual for his role in jeopardizing the safe operations of our facilities, and most importantly, the safety of the public.”

    Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division, stated, “Cassady has been sentenced to a significant amount of time in prison as he intended to incite fear to his targets and amongst the general public.”

    The investigation was conducted by several agencies, including the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI Anchorage Office, Homeland Security Investigations Federal Protective Service, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Georgia Department of Corrections Office of Professional Standards.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin N. Garner and Elizabeth Major prosecuted the case in the Southern District of Georgia.

    Cassady will spend the rest of his life in prison, as there is no parole in the federal system.

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  • Despite early successes, Anchorage Career Academies face uncertain funding future

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    Sep. 21—Pamela Sebwenna is a certified medical assistant and leads the front desk of Advanced Body Solutions, a medical massage therapy clinic in Anchorage.

    Sebwenna graduated from Service High School in 2022 and studied in its biomedical career academy. She said the academy allowed her to get a job in her preferred field at an assisted living facility immediately after she graduated.

    “It makes the high school experience a little different,” Sebwenna said. “It’s a little more enjoyable if you’re doing something that you want to do.”

    Sebwenna said she was better prepared for her college anatomy and physiology class after going through Service’s rigorous biomedical academy. She said when professors brought out an anatomage table, she was one step ahead of her classmates.

    “It was much less intimidating in college because I had the experience with it in high school,” Sebwenna said. “I think it really broadens the view for students to think of what their future can look like, and it prepares them for the real world a little bit.”

    Starting this year, high school students across the Anchorage School District have similar opportunities. This is the second year of the district’s Career Academies initiative, which offers career training classes at every Anchorage high school as part of an effort to boost graduation rates and bolster the local workforce. After the initial rollout of a mandatory class for freshmen last year, fall 2025 marks the first time that every high schooler in the district can choose to learn more about a potential career.

    However, the program’s future is now at risk.

    In 2023, the district was awarded a five-year, $14 million federal grant through the Fostering Diverse Schools program, which was meant to support career and technical training. But last week, the grant was abruptly defunded by the federal Department of Education. The district will not receive a total of $8.9 million over three years of grant funding unless the federal government grants the district’s appeal.

    It’s not clear if Anchorage school leaders will be able to make up the difference with local and state funding. Even with the increase to state funding that legislative leaders pushed through this year, officials estimate the Anchorage School District is facing another $70 million deficit this year.

    School board member Andy Holleman summed up the potential future of the academies in an interview Friday:

    “Uncertain,” Holleman said. “The issue with the academies is that there were a number of positions that were funded with the grant that now are going to be absorbed by our budget. To fill them out and fill out all the pathways is going to take more staff. I don’t know how we add staff right now without actually cutting another program, so it is going to be a difficult puzzle going forward.”

    Anchorage Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt told school board members that they should prioritize funding the program if they want to keep it.

    Asked by a school board member what the federal funding loss could mean for the academies on Tuesday, Bryantt said, “any of these priorities are as vulnerable as the school board allows them to be vulnerable.”

    When announcing the federal funding cutoff, Bryantt in an email said the district would evaluate potential next steps to sustain the program.

    A spokesperson said the district couldn’t provide an estimate for how much the academies have cost to implement in time for this story.

    Holleman said it’s possible the district could seek different federal grants, or that the district’s appeal may be approved because career training supported by the grant has little correlation with diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives the Trump administration is cracking down on. Holleman said partnerships with private-sector businesses could also help.

    Before the academies launched, some community members were hesitant to support the program.

    An initial proposal included moving to an eight-period day, two more than high school students currently take. Alaska has one of the shortest school years in the country, and some parents were concerned that adding extra class requirements would put students at a disadvantage by reducing the amount of time they spend studying core subjects.

    Also, when the school board voted to approve the academies in 2024, members questioned whether there would be enough interest from students to make the program worth it.

    So far, there is plenty of interest. Last year, nearly 8,000 students took career and technical education courses, about one-third of all 10th to 12th graders districtwide.

    Bryantt also points to improved graduation statistics: In the 2023-24 school year, 98% of students who passed two courses in a training area were on track to graduate.

    “I think one of the reasons why so many of those students graduate is because they can see that future,” Bryantt said during an event Wednesday. “They can see that finish line that means financial freedom and an opportunity to break cycles of poverty, which is really powerful.”

    A long history of job training

    Career-focused courses were well-established in Anchorage before the academies started. The district celebrated the 50th anniversary of King Tech High School earlier this year, which still houses more career training options under one roof than any other school in the district.

    Elements of what would become the Career Academies also existed for years in various forms around the district — Service and Bartlett each developed their own standalone biomedical academies over a decade ago, and versions of a freshman academy course existed at several schools.

    Along with community input, the demand for career training through King Tech and other standalone job training programs led district officials to try to expand students’ access to career education opportunities through the new academies.

    The district added 25 new career pathways this year. Many career-focused courses allow students to earn dual credit in math or science. Among the most popular new pathways is a digital art and design course offered at six schools.

    ASD Career and Technical Education Director Devon Roberts compares the expanded course options to the notoriously exhaustive Cheesecake Factory menu.

    “It’s a bigger menu,” Roberts said. “A lot of these courses that are new are sort of survey foundational courses to really ground students in the ability to see across a career or an industry.”

    The district also has long provided internship and job shadowing opportunities over the summer, but the academies have increased demand. While only about a dozen students typically used to get summer internships through the district, that figure exploded this year to nearly 50 summer internships.

    Service High School teacher Kaitlyn Williamson, who started the biomedical academy in 2010, said she’s flagged down by several of her former students anytime she visits the hospital.

    “They follow along with what we’re doing and they email me all the time. ‘How can I help?’” Williamson said. “… It’s that feeling, that community that keeps students with us.”

    Thaddous Jackson teaches computer science to sophomores enrolled in his cybersecurity class at Service, and said his students want hands-on experience.

    “It’s the game design that’s kind of like the hook to get them into it, and then they all want to be cybersecurity specialists. They want to learn about ethical hacking, if you will,” Jackson said. “The majority of them that apply for this pathway, they want a career in computer science in some form or fashion.”

    Orion Edwards, a 15-year-old sophomore at Service with an interest in computer science, said he’s now looking forward to a career in technology after he graduates high school.

    “I mean, it could range from coding and creating a website to making characters in video games,” said Edwards. “Really, I’m interested in the animating and the coding and just anything. Software or hardware doesn’t really matter to me, it’s all very interesting.”

    Service High School Principal Imtiaz Azzam said she is proud of the career training opportunities available at Service, including an influx of girls taking construction courses. She rejected the premise popular among previous generations that high school is meant solely to prepare students for college.

    “We need to prepare them for career and for life. When we say career, then let them discover those, explore those opportunities we have for them, and shame on us if we don’t,” Azzam said.

    District officials also reworked a mandatory freshman-level course called “Career, College Exploration and Personal Finance” to fit recently changed state standards. The class is meant to teach students soft skills and introduce them to potential careers while providing experiences such as a visit to the University of Alaska Anchorage and a career expo, scheduled for this coming Friday.

    Help needed at home

    Employers at health care facilities locally say that years after the COVID-19 pandemic, they still see a shortage of workers across the industry. Officials with Providence Alaska Medical Center hope locally produced talent could help fill those gaps.

    According to an analysis of Alaska’s health care workforce from the Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association, Alaska is expected to have among the most significant health care worker shortages in the nation. The report says that about 3,500 workers are needed, but fewer than 800 people graduated from local programs to fill those vacancies.

    Billie Comley was one of the first graduates from Service’s biomedical academy, and started working at Providence Alaska Medical Center in 2013. She’s now an Intensive Care Unit pediatrics nurse, and says an influx of qualified health care workers is needed.

    “We feel the shortage every day,” Comley said.

    Nancy Wingate, a medical dosimetrist at Providence, coordinates internships and job shadowing opportunities for students. Wingate said Alaska-grown students are often more likely to stick around in the health care industry.

    “If you have homegrown, that’s not a surprise for anyone. You know what the winters are like, you know what the seasons are like, and if that fits you, then great,” Wingate said. “We have a great opportunity here for you.”

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  • VIDEO: Polar bear in Alaska gets root canal to repair a broken tooth

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    Polar bears cranberry and Kova have long been favorites at the Alaska Zoo. Best buddies, they share an enclosure filled with toys and treats and *** large pool where Kova in particular likes to take her morning swim, but it wasn’t so long ago this normally playful four year old was feeling under the weather. Kova is *** very interactive and busy bear, and she just seemed kind of off. She was pawing at her mouth *** little bit. Good girl. Curator Sam Lavins suspected an issue with *** tooth. Kova open, so she asked Kova to give her *** closer look. We could see that she had broken one of her canines, and there’s any number of ways she could have done that. Just to give you an idea of what we’re talking about, this is *** replica of *** polar bear skull, and the tooth in question is this one. It’s the lower left canine. This one is her broken tooth. X-ray confirmed the diagnosis and what needed to happen next. We did consult with *** uh specialist, *** veterinary specialist outside of Alaska, um, sent him the X-rays, got some good advice, and then we went with *** local doctor to do the work. And endedonist who normally operates on humans was part of the large team that performed. Root canal on the fully sedated 450 pound bear. Everybody knew ahead of time what their role was and what to do and where to be, and it was, it was so well planned out and everybody worked so well together. The procedure, she says, went as smooth as butter, and Kova, she feels so much better, is clearly back to having fun.

    ‘She feels so much better’: Young polar bear gets a root canal

    Updated: 5:49 AM EDT Sep 20, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Polar bears Cranbeary and Kova have long been favorites at the Alaska Zoo. They share an enclosure filled with toys and treats and a large pool where Kova likes to take her morning swim.But it wasn’t so long ago that this normally playful 4-year-old was feeling under the weather.”Kova is a very interactive and busy bear, and she just seemed kind of off. She was pawing at her mouth a little bit,” Alaska Zoo curator Sam Lavin said.Lavin suspected an issue with a tooth, so she asked Kova to give her a closer look.”We could see that she had broken one of her canines, and there’s any number of ways that she could have done that.” An X-ray confirmed the diagnosis and what needed to happen next.”We did consult with a veterinary specialist outside of Alaska, sent him the X-rays, got some good advice, and then we went with a local doctor to do the work,” Lavin said.An endodontist who normally operates on humans was part of the large team that performed the root canal on the fully sedated 450-pound bear.”Everybody knew ahead of time what their role was and what to do and where to be, and it was so well planned out. and everybody worked so well together,” Lavin said.The procedure, she says, went as smoothly as butter — and Kova is back to having fun.

    Polar bears Cranbeary and Kova have long been favorites at the Alaska Zoo. They share an enclosure filled with toys and treats and a large pool where Kova likes to take her morning swim.

    But it wasn’t so long ago that this normally playful 4-year-old was feeling under the weather.

    “Kova is a very interactive and busy bear, and she just seemed kind of off. She was pawing at her mouth a little bit,” Alaska Zoo curator Sam Lavin said.

    Lavin suspected an issue with a tooth, so she asked Kova to give her a closer look.

    “We could see that she had broken one of her canines, and there’s any number of ways that she could have done that.”

    An X-ray confirmed the diagnosis and what needed to happen next.

    “We did consult with a veterinary specialist outside of Alaska, sent him the X-rays, got some good advice, and then we went with a local doctor to do the work,” Lavin said.

    An endodontist who normally operates on humans was part of the large team that performed the root canal on the fully sedated 450-pound bear.

    “Everybody knew ahead of time what their role was and what to do and where to be, and it was so well planned out. and everybody worked so well together,” Lavin said.

    The procedure, she says, went as smoothly as butter — and Kova is back to having fun.

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  • A new mobile home in Anchorage costs up to $300,000. New city proposals aim to fix that.

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    Sep. 16—There hasn’t been a new mobile home park built in Anchorage in more than three decades, a recent report found, and most of the existing mobile home stock is deteriorating or outright decrepit.

    The city has about three dozen such mobile home parks, formally designated “Mobile Home Communities” in municipal code, and accounting for approximately 4,600 housing units.

    Mayor Suzanne LaFrance’s administration is preparing two separate ordinances that aim to slow the disappearance of one of the city’s biggest reservoirs of low-income housing.

    One huge reason new mobile home parks aren’t being built is expense. Mobile homes exploded in popularity because setting them up was cheap, and served as “an avenue for homeownership for hundreds of thousands of Americans in the post-war decades,” according to the report, prepared for the Municipality of Anchorage by the McKinley Research Group.

    Nowadays, permitting, building and developing new mobile homes would cost about the same as constructing a single-family house or townhome. In the McKinley analysis, each new mobile home in the municipality would cost $226,000 to $332,000 — and that’s if you could even get ahold of the land and receive the right permits.

    To address the underlying factors, the administration’s two measures are intended to better use the property available in existing mobile home parks and make it easier to add small, affordable, potentially unconventional houses onto those properties.

    “We must take care of the housing we have, especially when it’s lower-cost housing. We need to make it easier to repair existing homes. And we need to allow all forms of safe housing in mobile home parks,” Mayor Suzanne LaFrance said in an emailed statement. “That’s exactly what these two reforms do.”

    Red tape and repairs

    One of the new ordinances provides flexibility for adding new, small housing models, both in mobile home parks, as well as on other residential properties.

    The second eliminates red tape around repairs and renovations to all kinds of residential properties, but it would be particularly applicable to the kind of older structures that don’t align with today’s building codes.

    Both measures have been working their way through the Planning and Zoning Commission process this summer, and could go before the Assembly for approval later this fall.

    “As you drive around, you just see the awful conditions a lot of these trailer parks are in, and we know it’s a source of affordable housing,” said Graham Downey, a special assistant to the mayor who has worked closely on the new measures. “These ordinances are really about making it easier to repair existing housing.”

    In the latest draft of the first ordinance, a copy of which was provided by Downey, the term “mobile home” is replaced in city code with “relocatable dwelling units.” The broadened term includes single- and double-wide trailers, but also “any manufactured home … tiny home, or other type of small dwelling that can be moved and certified as safe for permanent occupancy” by either Housing and Urban Development standards or by a local building official.

    It could also include intermodal shipping containers, typically called conexes in Alaska, if they can be modified in a way that meets residential safety standards.

    Essentially, the ordinance adjusts Title 21 to add greater flexibility to what kinds of structures can go into the mobile home parks that are already scattered across town.

    “It does not change where trailer parks are allowed,” Downey said. “What we’re doing is allowing these other types of units to be used in the trailer parks.”

    The other significant change is code density, boosting the maximum number of units allowed in a mobile home park from eight per acre to 25 per acre.

    The measure would not permit new mobile home parks or “relocatable dwelling unit communities” to easily be added in other residential zoning districts.

    But it would give property owners more options if they want to add a tiny home or converted shipping container to their private lots.

    “Relocatable dwelling units may be used as an accessory dwelling unit only if placed on a permanent foundation,” the draft ordinance states.

    The second ordinance allows “more flexibility for the reconstruction or rehabilitation of nonconforming structures.” In the world of planning and zoning, “nonconformity” has a specific technical definition: It means elements that were legal and up to code when the home was built, but through revisions to local rules and standards, they would not be allowed today. Houses or buildings with those older design elements have been grandfathered into legality, but they are officially “nonconforming.”

    One problem identified by the LaFrance administration in the city’s housing shortage is that building owners are sometimes leery of renovating aging structures because in seeking permits to update one part of the property, they become liable for bringing it fully into compliance.

    For example, the owner of a house or a traielr from the 1960s may want to replace the roof, but to get the permits to do so, they may have to also bring the driveway and heating system up to code, too. That raises the price tag significantly.

    The new measure extends beyond just mobile homes and would apply to a fuller range of property owners, Downey said, and is “really about helping people repair their own properties without having to address unrelated zoning issues.”

    According to a memorandum submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission by Daniel Mckenna-Foster, head of the city’s Long-Range Planning Division, the ordinance would allow more renovation work to occur without requiring a zoning code review.

    “While previously only small internal changes were allowed, now, any internal changes are allowed as long as they don’t increase the footprint of the building,” Mckenna-Foster wrote in the memorandum from June.

    Likewise, the measure would raise the financial threshold on a renovation project that would require a review by the city.

    Currently, if a renovation at a commercial or multifamily structure is projected to cost 10% or more of the property’s assessed value, the owner must also fix the unrelated zoning issues, even if they’ve established grandfather rights. The new ordinance raises that threshold to 50% of the property’s value. A building owner could repair their roof without being required to also modernize the driveway or landscaping.

    Code, cost squeeze out mobile homes

    The new proposals come as the LaFrance administration is pursuing a number of policy changes aimed at making it easier to build new homes, fix up old ones and encourage new forms of development.

    “We know Anchorage needs to build and rehabilitate a lot more housing, and that’s why my administration developed our 10,000 Homes in Ten Years strategy,” LaFrance said in a statement Monday. “Around half of those homes should come from rehabilitating aging properties in the Municipality. And it’s clear our community needs many more affordable and entry-level housing options like mobile homes.”

    Part of the reason Downey and others who are focused on housing policy say they are digging into Title 21 is because restrictive measures in recent iterations of the code effectively zoned certain forms of housing out of existence in Anchorage.

    Mobile home parks are perhaps the starkest example.

    “In Anchorage, and nationally, a backlash against (Mobile Home Communities) began in the 1980s and centered around the often poor maintenance of these neighborhoods, the concentration of poverty, and the unsightliness of communities that were not built to the same standards as other subdivisions,” the McKinley report states. “Regulations to make the construction of (Mobile Home Communities) more difficult have proliferated, and in Anchorage these regulations were written into the revised Title 21 Housing Code passed by the Anchorage Assembly in 2012.”

    Of the 38 mobile home parks in the municipality, 12 of them are big enough that they account for 80% of the overall mobile home units, and “the average build year of units … is 1977,” said the McKinley report.

    The smaller parks, with fewer than 100 units, tend to be older, on average built in 1966.

    When the McKinley analysis broke down why no new mobile homes and mobile home parks have come to market in Anchorage since 1990, they found a number of factors making the proposition prohibitively expensive.

    There’s far less easily developable land available in the Anchorage Bowl than there was in the 1960s and 1970s. The last local business that built “prefabricated houses in Anchorage closed in 2022,” and the cost of buying similar units in the Lower 48 and shipping them to Alaska adds “more than 40% to the total cost of each unit,” the report said.

    In terms of infrastructure, local rules require that “developers bear the cost of installing or extending water and wastewater, road, and other utility” components, the report said.

    “New (Mobile Home Communities) would likely not be able to provide housing units for sale at rates much below what is currently available in the condominium and townhouse market,” the report found.

    But one of the biggest factors was the overhaul of the Title 21 code that happened between 2009 and 2012, which made it “exceedingly difficult” to build new trailer parks, the report said. One nail in the coffin was density: New developments couldn’t have more than four units per acre, which, the McKinley report concluded, “precludes any efficient construction” of a trailer park.

    Since basically all of the trailers and trailer parks in Anchorage are older, just about every home is out of compliance with modern codes and standards.

    “Consequently, redevelopment of older (Mobile Home Communities) is a costly proposition, as the entire development would have to conform to the new standards,” the McKinley report notes. That would mean increasing the space between units, widening roads, adding landscaping — expenses that most landowners are not able or willing to finance.

    Because new parks are not being built, and there are few new mobile homes being added to the overall housing stock, once a mobile home goes away it is typically not replaced.

    That presents an additional liability for municipal housing officials because roughly a quarter of the mobile homes in Anchorage have five or more people living in them, according to the McKinley analysis.

    Factoring in all of the costs associated, potential new buyers of mobile homes in Anchorage would be paying a minimum of $3,375 a month in the cheapest scenario, the McKinley analysts calculated.

    “The resulting available housing units, while representing new construction and new homeownership opportunities, would nevertheless be more expensive than most low- to moderate-income households could afford,” the report states.

    Among the policy changes recommended by McKinley are infrastructure subsidies, targeted investment funds and greater allowable density in mobile home communities.

    Correction: This article has been updated to better reflect requirements in the non-conformity review process with respect to residential and commercial properties. The financial threshold for requiring nonconformity updates applies to commercial properties, not internal renovations to residential units.

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  • If you only have 3 days to see Alaska, go here for culture, wildlife, and scenery

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    When most people picture an Alaska vacation, they think about week-long adventures aboard cruise ships or the Alaska Railroad. While these trips are incredible, it’s easy to see some of the most beautiful parts of Alaska in as little as three days.

    The secret? Base yourself in Anchorage. Situated between the towering peaks of the Chugach Mountains and the stunning Cook Inlet, Anchorage offers a blend of captivating scenery, access to the wilderness, and sophisticated pursuits like cultural and culinary activities.

    Here are the best things to do on an Alaskan vacation in Anchorage.

    The best things to do in Anchorage

    Start your trip with a narrated Anchorage Trolley Tour to soak in views of the mountains, water, and potentially even spot wildlife like moose. It’s a fantastic way to get a feel for the city, and there are tour options year-round, even in winter.

    In the heart of downtown, the Anchorage Museum showcases Alaska’s art, history, and science. Allow at least two hours to wander through the exhibits, including the impressive Alaska Native Heritage Center gallery and the statue garden outside.

    Afterward, take a walk or bike ride along the paved Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, which meanders along the Cook Inlet for 11 miles. The views of the Chugach Mountains are gorgeous, and when the conditions are right, you see Denali in the distance.

    Native dance demonstrations at the Alaska Native Heritage Center

    Don’t miss the Alaska Native Heritage Center, which is hands down one of my favorite places in Alaska. The center offers cultural demonstrations featuring native dance and games, exhibits, artifacts, and life-size replicas of native dwellings. A free shuttle provides rides back and forth from downtown throughout the day.

    Views of the Chugach Mountains rising above a pond

    Incredible views along the trails at Eagle River Nature Center

    Anchorage offers easy access to over 495,000 acres of astonishingly beautiful wilderness at Chugach State Park, where wildlife includes black bear, brown bear, moose, bald eagles, dall sheep, caribou, and wolves. The Eagle River Nature Center is a great place to start, with boardwalks and hiking trails winding along rivers and ponds beneath majestic views of the Chugach Mountains. Guided tours, including snacks and round-trip transportation from downtown, are available through Go Hike Alaska.

    The head of a brown bear peaks from tall grass

    A brown bear at the Alaska Wildlife Conversation Center

    See Alaska’s Big 5 (bear, caribou, wolves, dall sheep, moose) and more at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center in Girdwood. The center provides a safe haven for orphaned and injured animals in 200 acres of national habitat with viewpoints accessible via platforms and a 1.5-mile loop. As a bonus, the drive along Turnagain Arm is gorgeous, and you might even catch a glimpse of Beluga whales from summer to late fall.

    Day trips on the Alaska Railroad

    A blue and gold Alaska Railroad train hugs the rugged coastline with mountains rising in the distance

    The Coastal Classic is considered the prettiest train route in America

    A trip on the Alaska Railroad is one of the highlights of an Alaska vacation. The train departs from a century-old train station in downtown Anchorage, allowing you to choose your own adventure with several different routes.

    The best Alaska Railroad day trips from Anchorage include a trip to Aleyeska Resort in Girdwood on the Coastal Classic Train. Activities at the resort include an aerial tram soaring up Alyeska Mountain to an observation deck with jaw-dropping views of the Chugach Mountain range, seven hanging glaciers, and the waters of Turnagain Arm. You’ll also find a fine dining restaurant, a snack bar, and a small museum/gift shop at the top.

    The Nordic spa at Alyeska resort is nestled in the trees with cedar buildings and boardwalks

    The Nordic Spa at Alyeska Resort

    Alyeska Resort is home to a year-round open-air Nordic Spa nestled amidst the ferns and trees with hot and cold hydrotherapy pools, saunas, steam rooms, and an exfoliation cabin. Inside the resort, you’ll find several eateries, including Sakura, an incredible sushi restaurant.

    In winter, Aleyeska Resort transforms into a premier ski destination less than an hour outside of Anchorage.

    Trees grow from the top of rugged fjords with mountains rising across the water

    Cruising the Fjords with Major Marine Tours

    The Coastal Classic route runs as far as Seward, the gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park. Local tours are timed around the train schedule, so it’s easy to see the sights before you return to Anchorage. Highlights include boat tours to see glaciers, fjords, and wildlife like seals and whales with Major Marine Tours, departing steps away from the train station.

    Cuddling sled dog puppies on the Real Alaska Day Tour

    Cuddling sled dog puppies on the Real Alaska Day Tour

    Other highlights in Seward include the Real Alaska Day Tour, which starts with an Itatarod dog sledding experience and includes lunch in a local restaurant, hiking to views of Exit Glacier at Kenai Fjords National Park, and sightseeing around Seward. Tours conveniently begin and end at the train station, cruise port, or your hotel.

    The Coastal Classic train runs from mid-May to mid-September. You can buy a standalone ticket or a package including extras like tours, activities, and lodging.

    Railroad to Denali National Park, Alaska with impressive mountains

    The Denali Star and Aurora Winter trains run from Anchorage to Fairbanks

    The Denali Star and Aurora Winter trains from Anchorage to Fairbanks with stops in destinations like Talkeetna and Denali National Park. Talkteena is an excellent option for a day trip from Anchorage. It’s a quirky little town with an artsy vibe and a famously longstanding tradition of “electing’ a cat as mayor. The streets are lined with historic buildings brimming with gift shops and restaurants, including an Airstream trailer serving spinach bread raved about in every corner of Alaska in the summer months.

    Views of mountains, lakes, and glaciers seen from the window of a plane

    Flightseeing with K2 Aviation

    Activities in Talkeetna include Denali flightseeing and glacier landing tours with K2 Aviation and scenic river tours with Mahay’s Jetboat Adventures. If you’re interested in an immersive look at the lives of Ittarod dogs, head to AK Sled Dog Tours, owned by six-time champion Dallas Seavey, for sled dog rides, stories, and kennel visits.

    A guide narrates a tour on a jetboat cruise along the river

    Touring the river with Mahay’s Jetboat Adventures

    Sled dogs pull a wheeled cart over a muddy path

    Sled dog rides at AK Sled Dog Tours

    The 20,310-foot Mount Denali is so large that it has its own weather system and is often veiled by clouds. When the mountain is out, Talkeetna boasts some of the best views of Alaska. The views are especially magnificent at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. Guests can even request mountain viewing calls or northern lights calls to alert them when views are at their peak.

    A dish of sliced raw fish, herbs, and sauce swirled around the plate

    The tasting menu at Foraker

    On-site experiences at Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge include an exquisite multi-course tasting menu of seasonal ingredients and Alaska’s freshest seafood and game at Foraker.

    The Denali Star Train runs from mid-May through mid-September, and the Aurora Winter Train runs from the end of September through the beginning of May. Tickets can be bundled with tours and lodging.

    The best places to eat and drink in Anchorage

    Restaurants in Anchorage showcase the city’s access to fresh seafood and game. Even casual establishments like 49th State Brewing go beyond typical pub fare to offer dishes with halibut, elk, and crab alongside craft beers and sodas.

    There’s usually a line for breakfast at Snow City Cafe, but you can join the online waitlist in advance. It’s worth it for hearty portions and delicious breakfasts and lunches with local ingredients like fresh berries, reindeer sausage, and fresh eggs. The same restaurant group owns South Restaurant & Coffeehouse, where the food is equally delicious. The establishment is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

    A trio of appetizers at Orso

    A trio of appetizers at Orso

    Fine dining options include Orso, where the chef prepares Italian-inspired dishes infused with Alaskan ingredients. Standouts on the menu include succulent crab cakes and tender seafood gemelli prepared with Alaska Salmon, rockfish, scallops, white shrimp, parmesan, fresh lemon pesto cream sauce, and pasta from the Alaska Pasta Company.

    Where to stay in Anchorage

    The new boutique The Wildbirch Hotel offers stylish guest rooms appointed with amenities like mini fridges, in-room espresso machines, and custom headboards. The hotel also features a restaurant, bar, and a soon-to-be-opened brewery. The Wildbirch Hotel is located a half a mile from attractions like the Anchorage Depot and the Anchorage Museum, making it easy to explore the city on foot.

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  • Jogger in Alaska seriously injured after bear attacks her, drags her 100 yards

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    A woman suffered serious injuries when a bear attacked her outside of her home in southern Alaska, authorities said.

    The woman, 36, had left her house in Kenai, a coastal city some 150 miles southwest of Anchorage, at around 5:45 a.m. local time on Tuesday to go for a jog, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety. In a public dispatch, state troopers said the bear attacked the woman near her driveway, where a neighbor ultimately found her. 

    Alaska Wildlife Trooper David Lorring told CBS News affiliate KTUU that the woman was only about 50 years away from her house when she encountered the bear, which  bear “dragged her approximately 100 yards down the road” to the neighbor’s property.

    Officers at the Kenai Police Department received notice of the attack at 6:58 a.m. that morning, according to the public dispatch. They responded to the scene and medically evacuated the injured woman to a hospital in the Anchorage area for treatment. State troopers and a crew from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game joined police to search for the bear on foot while a drone scanned the region from above, but they were unable to find the animal. Authorities believe the animal was a brown bear, based on its tracks and other evidence, KTUU reported.

    “Patrols of the area will continue, and the public is advised to remain vigilant while outdoors,” the public dispatch read. 

    Wildlife troopers warned residents of the jogger’s Kenai neighborhood “to be on high alert following a bear attack in the area,” advising people to “supervise children and pets closely” and secure any outdoor items that could attract the animal, like trash and pet food. 

    “If you encounter a bear, keep a safe distance and do not approach,” troopers said.

    Hundreds of thousands of black and brown bears exist throughout Alaska, in addition to several thousand polar bears that roam the northern parts of the state, according to the state’s Fish and Game Department. Population densities vary, but wildlife officials say that their prevalence may be as high as one bear per square mile in southern areas where food sources are abundant, such as the Alaskan peninsula where Kenai is located. Efforts to conserve the region’s brown bear population have been underway for at least two decades.  

    Alaska residents are encouraged to learn about living with bears, as the state is considered “bear country,” but bear attacks on humans are still relatively rare. A report from state health officials noted that 10 people died and 68 were hospitalized for injuries sustained in bear attacks throughout Alaska between 2000 and 2017.

    In July, officials in Anchorage warned people to avoid streams with running salmon after two hikers were mauled by bears in separate incidents that took place within a week of each other, the Associated Press reported. Neither hiker suffered life-threatening injuries.

    Emily Mae Czachor

    Emily Mae Czachor is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. She typically covers breaking news, extreme weather and issues involving social justice. Emily Mae previously wrote for outlets like the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed and Newsweek.

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  • Alaska Airlines Launches Nonstop Flights Between Anchorage and New York City

    Alaska Airlines Launches Nonstop Flights Between Anchorage and New York City

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    Alaska Airlines Nonstop Flights Between Anchorage and New York City

    Alaska Airlines launched seasonal nonstop service today between Anchorage and New York JFK. This is the only nonstop service between the two airports. Flights are available for purchase at alaskaair.com for daily flights through Aug. 19.

    The new nonstop between the Big Apple and the Great Land offers New Yorkers an easier option to get away and enjoy the wilds of Alaska with its countless outdoor adventures, wild Alaska seafood and much more. 

    At 3,385 miles, the Anchorage-New York JFK route is the longest in in Alaska’s network. 

    Route

    Start Date

    End Date

    Departs

    Arrives

    Frequency

    Aircraft

     Anchorage –

    New York JFK

    June 13

    Aug. 19

    8:00 p.m.

    7:05 a.m.

    Daily

    737-8

    New York JFK –

    Anchorage

    June 13

    Aug. 19

    9:45 a.m.

    1:30 p.m.

    Daily

    737-8

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  • Cargo ship carrying burning lithium-ion batteries reaches Alaska, but kept offshore for safety

    Cargo ship carrying burning lithium-ion batteries reaches Alaska, but kept offshore for safety

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    ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A large cargo ship with a fire in its hold is being kept 2 miles (3.22 kilometers) offshore of an Alaska port as a precaution while efforts are undertaken to extinguish the flames, the U.S. Coast Guard said Saturday.

    There were no injuries to the 19 crew members aboard the Genius Star XI, which was carrying a load of lithium-ion batteries across the Pacific Ocean, from Vietnam to San Diego, the guard’s Alaska district said in a release.

    The fire started on Christmas Day in cargo hold No. 1, a spokesperson for ship owner Wisdom Marine Group said in a statement. The crew released carbon dioxide into the hold and sealed it over concerns of an explosion.

    Ship’s personnel alerted the Coast Guard early Thursday morning about the fire. The Coast Guard said it diverted the 410-foot (125-meter) cargo ship to Dutch Harbor, one of the nation’s busiest fishing ports located in Unalaska, an Aleutian Islands community about 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) southwest of Anchorage.

    The ship arrived Friday, but an order preventing the Genius Star XI from going close to shore was issued to “mitigate risks associated with burning lithium-ion batteries or toxic gasses produced by the fire,” Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Mike Salerno said in an email to The Associated Press.

    “The city’s primary concern is protecting the health and safety of our community members, the environment, fisheries and commerce,” Unalaska acting city manager Marjie Veeder said in a statement.

    Veeder said the city’s emergency operations center “is acting on behalf of the community and advocating our position to protect our community. We are actively monitoring the situation.”

    There is danger associated with any vessel fire, prompting the Coast Guard to issue another safety measure besides preventing the ship from getting closer than 2 miles (3.22 kilometers) to shore.

    ”The safety of Unalaska residents and the surrounding communities is a top priority for us, so as a precaution we are keeping a one-mile (1.61-kilometer) safety zone around the vessel,” Salerno said.

    The owners said there has been no oil leaks associated with the incident.

    A team of marine firefighting experts late Friday conducted an assessment of the ship and found no signs of structural deformation or blistering outside of the cargo hold, the Coast Guard said.

    That team remains on board the ship to evaluate the situation, Salerno said.

    An expert hired by the Taipei, Taiwan-based Wisdom Marine Group “is working diligently to create contingency plans, arrange for a firefighting team, and ensure the necessary equipment is in place,’ the group said in a statement.

    The Coast Guard will investigate the cause of the fire.

    The Genius Star XI left Vietnam on Dec. 10 en route to Dutch Harbor, according to the Marine Traffic website. The ship with a carrying capacity of more than 13,000 tons (11,793 metric tonnes) sails under the flag of Panama.

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  • Alaska Airlines Adds Nonstops from Anchorage to New York City and San Diego

    Alaska Airlines Adds Nonstops from Anchorage to New York City and San Diego

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    Alaska flights Anchorage to NYC and San Diego

    Alaska Adds Nonstops from Anchorage to NYC and San Diego

    Alaska Airlines announced today seasonal nonstop service for summer connecting Anchorage to both New York City and San Diego. Daily flights to New York JFK begin June 13, 2024, and weekly flights to San Diego start May 18, 2024. Flights are available for purchase now at alaskaair.com.

    The new nonstop between the Big Apple and the Last Frontier offers New Yorkers an easier option to get away and enjoy the wilds of Alaska with its countless outdoor adventures, rich Alaska Native culture, wild Alaska seafood, jaw-dropping scenery and more. It will be the only nonstop service between New York JFK and Anchorage.

    The Anchorage-New York JFK route will become the longest flight in the carrier’s network, clocking in at 3,386 miles. Alaska will serve the route with new 737-8 aircraft, which has the longest range of any plane in its fleet.

    With these new routes, Alaska will fly to 14 nonstop destinations to and from Anchorage in the summer to the Lower 48 and Hawaii. It will serve all of these cities by mid-June from Anchorage: Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York JFK, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Seattle/Everett (Paine Field).

    New Anchorage routes for Summer 2024

    Route

    Start Date

    End Date

    Departs

    Arrives

    Frequency

    Aircraft

     Anchorage –

    San Diego

     May 18

    Aug. 17

    2:50 p.m.

    9:10 p.m.

    Saturday

    737

    San Diego –

    Anchorage

    May 18

    Aug. 17

    9:00 a.m.

    1:45 p.m.

    Saturday

    737

     Anchorage –

    New York JFK

    June 13

    Aug. 19

    8:00 p.m.

    7:05 a.m.

    Daily

    737-8

    New York JFK –

    Anchorage

    June 13

    Aug. 19

    9:45 a.m.

    1:30 p.m.

    Daily

    737-8

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  • 660-mile rescue flight highlights Alaska’s unique challenges

    660-mile rescue flight highlights Alaska’s unique challenges

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    ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska Air National Guard this week traveled nearly 660 miles (1,062 kilometers) to rescue a pregnant woman on a small island 2 miles (3 kilometers) from Russia, reflecting the challenges patients face in the nation’s largest state where the most remote areas have no roads and hospitals can be hundreds of miles away.

    There was no air strip for a fixed-wing aircraft, so the crews flew a twin-engine combat search and rescue helicopter from the Anchorage area to the island in the Bering Strait. A long-range search and rescue aircraft guided the helicopter through mountain passes and refueled it in the air several times during the 5-hour flight.

    Russian aircraft routinely fly near the Bering Strait, but Alaska Air National Guard Maj. Sara Warren, who was the on-duty rescue officer, said they took every measure to avoid any conflict, including staying on the U.S. side of the international date line.

    “There was absolutely no activity from them,” she said of the Russians.

    These types of extreme rescues by both the guard and other agencies are common in a state that is almost 2 1/2 times the size of Texas and has more shoreline than the lower 48 states combined. The Alaska Air National Guard has conducted 14 such rescues already this year, the agency said.

    “It’s very different here in Alaska because we don’t have the infrastructure that they have down in the lower 48,” said Alaska National Guard spokesperson Alan Brown. “You’re looking at the civilian agencies (that) have a more robust capability; there are more of them.”

    Alaska, with a population of only about 730,000 people, is remote, spread out and often has extreme weather, forcing everyone to team up to conduct life-saving missions. A total of 41 people worked on the recent rescue mission on the small island.

    “Our guys, fortunately, because of the nature of their federal mission for search and rescue, they have to be capable,” Brown said. “They have to train regularly in extreme weather conditions all across the region and that just makes them prime for this type of rescue.”

    The rescue call came Monday morning, said Warren. They were informed of a pregnant woman with severe abdominal pains in Diomede, a village of 80 people on the western side of Little Diomede Island. It’s a traditional Ingalikmiut Eskimo village, whose residents live a subsistence lifestyle, hunting seal, polar bears and blue crab. There are no medical professionals living on the island.

    It’s separated from Big Diomede Island, which is owned by Russia, by 2 miles (3 kilometers) of frozen Bering Sea ice this time of the year. The international date line runs between the two islands.

    Compounding the rescue was not only lingering fog from sea ice, but also a power outage in Diomede, Warren said. Townspeople would call the nearest hospital in Nome, 130 miles (209 kilometers) away, every hour providing updates on the woman’s condition and then shut the phones off to conserve power. A doctor in Nome would then relay the most current information back to those at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage.

    A civilian medical crew was on standby in Nome, but they were unable to fly their helicopter because of the poor weather conditions, so the National Guard aircraft launched from Anchorage. The plane would fly ahead after fueling the helicopter to perform weather reconnaissance, leading the helicopter away from storms, through several passes of the Alaska Range and to Diomede. Warren and others at the base monitored all of it in real time.

    “They eventually did get her out without causing any kind of incidents,” Warren said.

    The woman was then flown to Nome and was doing fine, she said.

    Such a complex mission is second hand to the Alaska Air National Guard as compared to other states, where guard crews might be involved in search and rescue missions. This incident involved the Alaska Air National Guardsmen of 210th, 211th and 212th Rescue Squadrons.

    In Alaska, guardsmen are accustomed to handling complex missions, factoring in bad weather, solving time-distance problems and dealing with harsh terrain, mainly because they train in these conditions as well.

    The Guard considers — and even counts on — such missions part of their regular training and thus could not provide a cost estimate for the rescue. The missions provide “exceptional real-world training opportunities not otherwise available,” Brown said.

    “Standing up and planning for these types of missions, flying through challenging conditions over varied terrain and saving lives keeps our skills sharp and perfectly translates into mission capability for our national defense,” he added.

    The guard’s 176th Wing conducted 55 missions in 2022 and 57 in 2021.

    Of the most recent rescue, Warren said, “That was just another Monday.”

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