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Alaska travelers encounter widespread flight cancellations; Alaska Airlines CEO says expect at least 110 each day

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Alaska travelers encounter widespread flight cancellations; Alaska Airlines CEO says expect at least 110 each day


ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Travelers can expect to see significantly fewer Alaska Airlines flight options while a significant chunk of the airline’s fleet remains grounded.

In a video message on Wednesday, Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci estimated anywhere from 110-150 normally-scheduled flights will no longer be available to travelers while 737-9 MAX aircraft undergo mandatory inspection after the recent in-flight blowout of a door plug.

Minicucci said he does not know when the inspections of their 737-9 MAX aircraft will be complete, adding the company’s 65 737-9 MAX aircraft makes up about 20% of the total fleet.

“We will return these aircraft to service only when all findings have been fully resolved and meet the stringent standards of Boeing, the FAA and Alaska Airlines,” he said.

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The FAA is looking into manufacturing practices and production lines of the Boeing aircraft, including those involving subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems, which builds the 737-9 MAX fuselage.

Once the FAA approves an inspection and maintenance process, it will be required on every grounded 737-9 MAX prior to future operation. The safety of the flying public, not speed, will determine the timeline for returning these aircraft to service,” FAA stated in a press release on Wednesday.

The aircraft inspections are having real-time impacts on travelers heading out of Anchorage.

Adriane Smith was one of the several people dealing with flight delays and cancellations at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on Wednesday. Due to flight delays, she and her newborn nephew missed a connecting flight home to Kotzebue.

“I missed my only return flight home tonight,” Smith said.

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Smith was stuck in the airport most of the day with her nephew working to find accommodations.

“It means I need to find a hotel, I need to find a ride. … I’ll be away from my family for a night,” Smith said.

Dealing with canceled Alaska Airlines flights

Fellow air travelers Tammy and Steve Adams were also impacted by the groundings. As soon as they were informed that their flight was canceled, the couple took swift action by getting ready to leave the next day. They said they have a cruise to get to in Miami.

“We’ve been watching every [flight] that’s been canceled and then we were supposed to take off tomorrow night but we’re leaving today because they canceled our flight. Last night we finally got notification that our flight’s canceled,” Steve Adams said.

Steve Adams said the change made it so they were no longer able to travel with friends, but that they would see them in Florida.

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“It’s inconvenient and stressful, but we’ll work through it,” Steve Adams said.

He says ultimately he will always choose to fly with Alaska Airlines.

For those dealing with flight cancellations or delays, Alaska Airlines maintains it has a “systemwide flexible travel policy” in place. To cancel or change your flight click here. To rebook your flight, follow these instructions.



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Alaska

National Native helpline for domestic violence and sexual assault to open Alaska-specific service

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National Native helpline for domestic violence and sexual assault to open Alaska-specific service


A national support line for Native survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault has begun work to launch an Alaska-specific service. Strong Hearts Native Helpline is a Native-led nonprofit that offers 24-hour, seven-day-a-week support for anonymous and confidential calls from people who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault. The line is staffed by Native […]



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Dozens of vehicle accidents reported, Anchorage after-school activities canceled, as snowfall buries Southcentral Alaska

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Dozens of vehicle accidents reported, Anchorage after-school activities canceled, as snowfall buries Southcentral Alaska


ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Up to a foot of snow has fallen in areas across Southcentral as of Tuesday, with more expected into Wednesday morning.

All sports and after-school activities — except high school basketball and hockey activities — were canceled Tuesday for the Anchorage School District. The decision was made to allow crews to clear school parking lots and manage traffic for snow removal, district officials said.

“These efforts are critical to ensuring schools can safely remain open [Wednesday],” ASD said in a statement.

The Anchorage Police Department’s accident count for the past two days shows there have been 55 car accidents since Monday, as of 9:45 a.m. Tuesday. In addition, there have been 86 vehicles in distress reported by the department.

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Snow measuring up to 17 inches deep in Anchorage, Alaska, on Jan. 6, 2026.(Alaska’s News Source)

The snowfall — which has brought up to 13 inches along areas of Turnagain Arm and 12 inches in Wasilla — is expected to continue Tuesday, according to latest forecast models. Numerous winter weather alerts are in effect, and inland areas of Southcentral could see winds up to 25 mph, with coastal areas potentially seeing winds over 45 mph.

Up to a foot or more of snow has fallen across Southcentral Alaska, with more snow expected...
Up to a foot or more of snow has fallen across Southcentral Alaska, with more snow expected through the day.(Alaska’s News Source)

Some areas of Southcentral could see more than 20 inches of snowfall by Wednesday, with the Anchorage and Eagle River Hillsides, as well as the foothills of the Talkeetna Mountain, among the areas seeing the most snowfall.

See a spelling or grammar error? Report it to web@ktuu.com



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Yundt Served: Formal Charges Submitted to Alaska Republican Party, Asks for Party Sanction and Censure of Senator Rob Yundt

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Yundt Served: Formal Charges Submitted to Alaska Republican Party, Asks for Party Sanction and Censure of Senator Rob Yundt


Sen. Rob Yundt

On January 3, 2026, Districts 27 and 28 of the Alaska Republican Party received formal charges against Senator Rob Yundt pursuant to Article VII of the Alaska Republican Party Rules.

According to the Alaska Republican Party Rules: “Any candidate or elected official may be sanctioned or censured for any of the following
reasons:
(a) Failure to follow the Party Platform.
(b) Engagement in any activities prohibited by or contrary to these rules or RNC Rules.
(c) Failure to carry out or perform the duties of their office.
(d) Engaging in prohibited discrimination.
(e) Forming a majority caucus in which non-Republicans are at least 1/3 or more of the
coalition.
(f) Engaging in other activities that may be reasonably assessed as bringing dishonor to
the ARP, such as commission of a serious crime.”

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Party Rules require the signatures of at least 3 registered Republican constituents for official charges to be filed. The formal charges were signed by registered Republican voters and District N constitutions Jerad McClure, Thomas W. Oels, Janice M. Norman, and Manda Gershon.

Yundt is charged with “failure to adhere and uphold the Alaska Republican Party Platform” and “engaging in conduct contrary to the principles and priorities of the Alaska Republican Party Rules.” The constituents request: “Senator Rob Yundt be provided proper notice of the charges and a full and fair opportunity to respond; and that, upon a finding by the required two-thirds (2/3) vote of the District Committees that the charges are valid, the Committees impose the maximum sanctions authorized under Article VII.”

If the Party finds Yundt guilty of the charges, Yundt may be disciplined with formal censure by the Alaska Republican Party, declaration of ineligibility for Party endorsement, withdrawal of political support, prohibition from participating in certain Party activities, and official and public declaration that Yundt’s conduct and voting record contradict the Party’s values and priorities.

Reasons for the charges are based on Yundt’s active support of House Bill 57, Senate Bill 113, and Senate Bill 92. Constituents who filed the charges argue that HB 57 opposes the Alaska Republican Party Platform by “expanding government surveillance and dramatically increasing education spending;” that SB 113 opposes the Party’s Platform by “impos[ing] new tax burdens on Alaskan consumers and small businesses;” and that SB 92 opposes the Party by “proposing a targeted 9.2% tax on major private-sector energy producer supplying natural gas to Southcentral Alaska.” Although the filed charges state that SB 92 proposes a 9.2% tax, the bill actually proposes a 9.4% tax on income from oil and gas production and transportation.

Many Alaskan conservatives have expressed frustration with Senator Yundt’s legislative decisions. Some, like Marcy Sowers, consider Yundt more like “a tax-loving social justice warrior” than a conservative.

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