Month: May 2026

2026 NFL Schedule Release: What We’re Watching For In Every America’s Game Of The Week

Post author By alaskaadmin
Post date May 14, 2026
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For over three decades, many of the NFL’s top regular-season matchups have taken place on FOX’s “America’s Game of the Week.” That will certainly be the case for the 2026 season, too. Several of the NFL’s best teams will be featured in “America’s Game of the Week” in 2026, with FOX Sports announcing the nine games that will be featured in that window as part of Thursday’s schedule release. Six of the matchups are between division rivals, including a rematch of one of last season’s epic playoff games. And this slate doesn’t even include what will happen on Thanksgiving Day, when the Dallas Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles on FOX, and Christmas Day, when the Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams on FOX. So, as we now know where Tom Brady, Kevin Burkhardt, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will be spending several Sundays this fall, let’s take a look at the early storylines we’re watching for in each of the America’s Game of the Week matchups announced on Thursday: The season launches with two NFC East showdowns. The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders met twice in the final three weeks of the regular season last year, and they’re back at it in their 2026 opener. The Commanders actually opened last year 3-2 and then went 2-10 the rest of the way. Can a healthy Jayden Daniels get back to his phenomenal rookie form of 2024? Washington’s pass defense ranked 31st in average yards per pass play, so it’s a major test for them to open against an upgraded Eagles pass game, which will likely be without A.J. Brown but added first-round pick Makai Lemon and veterans Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown at wide receiver. Watch out for running back Saquon Barkley, who has averaged 143 rushing yards in his last three games against Washington, with a combined five touchdowns. The Dallas Cowboys haven’t won more than one playoff game in any season for 30 years, but one thing they can hang their hat on is handling the Washington Commanders. They swept their divisional rival last year and have an 8-2 record since the start of 2021. Dak Prescott threw for 571 yards and five touchdowns and no interceptions against Washington last year, and if the Commanders are to get back to anything closer to their 2024 breakout, they’ll need to hold their own in the division. Can rookie linebacker Sonny Styles lead a defensive bounce-back year for Washington? The Commanders ranked dead last in total defense and 31st in the red zone, and this is a chance to show what’s changed against a dangerous offense. The Green Bay Packers have been a wild-card team three years in a row, and a home division game like this is a must-win if they are going to catch the Chicago Bears for an NFC North title. The two games at Soldier Field last year were epic for Chicago’s Caleb Williams — rallying from 10 down with two minutes left to win in overtime in the regular season, then another comeback from 11 down with five minutes to play for a huge win in the playoffs. Jordan Love had three touchdown passes in last year’s win over Chicago at Lambeau Field. After 32 touchdown passes in his first year as a starter, Love has had 25 and 23 in the last two seasons. Can he find a connection with second-year receiver Matthew Golden to get back to his 2023 form? A healthy part of the Lions’ slide from 15-2 in 2024 to 9-8 in 2025 was going from sweeping the Lions to being swept. Detroit’s defense dropped from seventh in points allowed in 2024 to 22nd, and the Packers averaged 29 points in the wins over the Lions. Can a retooled offensive line get Detroit back into playoff form? New Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon should have Micah Parsons back healthy by this game, though starting the season without him could get Green Bay out to a slow start. Detroit’s health is a key, and you’ll see how they’re better with defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike back after missing all of last season. For the first time since he joined FOX Sports in 2024, Tom Brady is set to call a game featuring the New England Patriots. Brady is slated to be in the booth when the Patriots host the Packers in Week 9 in Foxborough. For Green Bay, it gets featured on America’s Game of the Week three times in a span of five weeks, this time going on the road to face the defending AFC champs. New England flipped so much from 2024 to last year’s breakout success, but that included going 1-4 against NFC teams in 2024 and then 5-0 in the regular season last year. Brady went just 4-3 against the Packers in his career — one of his least successful career records — playing long enough to lose to Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers alike. Drake Maye was especially good against NFC opponents last year, with 11 touchdown passes against just two interceptions. New San Francisco 49ers receiver Mike Evans is just 1-3 at AT&T Stadium with two touchdowns in his four games there. Can his playmaking ability take San Francisco’s offense to another level? The 49ers ranked fifth in red-zone efficiency and first on third downs last season, and Evans could help them end a surprising drought — San Francisco hasn’t had a receiver catch 10-plus touchdowns in a season since … Terrell Owens in 2002. (Tight ends have done so, but no receivers). Dallas had the NFL’s worst scoring defense last year, allowing 30 points per game, so rookie safety Caleb Downs will lead the efforts to improve there. The Cowboys had just 12 takeaways in all of 2025, the third-lowest total in the league. The NFC West has perhaps three of the top eight teams in the NFL. Last year, the Seattle Seahawks bookended their regular season with the 49ers, losing the opener and then winning in Week 18, followed by a 41-6 thrashing in the playoffs. Seattle’s home-field advantage isn’t what it once was. The Seahawks were 34-6 at home from 2012-16 in their “Legion of Doom” heyday, but they were 16-18 at home from 2021-24 before bouncing back with a 6-2 mark (plus two home playoff wins) last season. Will the NFC West powers beat each other up enough that the division doesn’t get the NFC’s top seed? If the division is to send a team to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in six years, they might have to be road warriors in January. Alas, the Cincinnati Bengals defense — over the last two seasons, Cincinnati has seven games in which it has scored at least 33 points and lost. No other team in the NFL has more than two such games in the same span. Will that be the case for Joe Burrow and friends in 2026? The Bengals acquired defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and imported Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen for their defensive front. If they can just get a top-20 defense, that might be enough to get them into the playoffs. Can Patrick Mahomes have a healthy bounce-back season after going 6-8 as a starter and throwing only 22 touchdowns? By this game, Kansas City Chiefs rookie corner Mansoor Delane should have played enough to have confidence trying to cover another LSU standout in Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase. The Ben Johnson Bowl is back. Chicago went 11-6 and won the division last year despite Johnson getting swept by his old team, including a 52-21 drubbing in Week 2 in Detroit. This is a game that could have major playoff implications, in the division and the conference. Watch for Chicago’s two second-year pass-catchers to shine, with tight end Colston Loveland leading the team in receptions as a rookie last year and receiver Luther Bolden emerging in the final month of his first season. Which quarterback will throw more touchdown passes in 2026? It’s a close call between Detroit’s Jared Goff (who threw 34 last year) and Chicago’s Caleb Williams, who threw for 27 himself.Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Entertainment

Andy Reid Shares If He’ll Attend Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift Wedding

Post author By alaskaadmin
Post date May 14, 2026
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Andy Reid is ready to touchdown at Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s wedding.
The Kansas City Chiefs head coach weighed in on the couple’s upcoming nuptials and whether or not he’s received an…
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Entertainment

The Best Items New To Target In May 2026

Post author By alaskaadmin
Post date May 14, 2026
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Spring has sprung and Target has released some new product finds in time for summer fun with food items ranging from savory to sweet and practical to indulgent.

Mashed – Fast Food, Celebrity Chefs, Grocery, Reviews

Entertainment

Stephen Colletti’s Wife Alex Weaver Gives Birth, Welcomes First Baby

Post author By alaskaadmin
Post date May 14, 2026
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UPDATE: Stephen Colletti and his Alex Weaver announced on May 14 that they have welcomed their first child together. Sharing an Instagram photo of their hands holding the baby’s finger, the couple…
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Benjamin W. Stepetin’s disappearance classified as criminal as police continue search efforts this week

Post author By Gracie
Post date May 14, 2026
No Comments on Benjamin W. Stepetin’s disappearance classified as criminal as police continue search efforts this week

NOTN/ JPD- According to a press release, the Juneau Police Department would like to notify the public that, this week, all the way through Sunday, May 17, the Alaska Dive Search, Rescue and Recovery Team (AK Dive Rescue) will be conducting search operations by the downtown cruise ship piers. The search is related to the ongoing missing persons investigation involving Benjamin W. Stepetin, who was originally reported missing on June 26, 2025.

Benjamin was last seen downtown.

Following his disappearance his family raised money for a search of the Gastineau Channel by divers back in September.

During this operation, members of the public may observe search vessels operating in the area, including the use of sonar-equipped remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), as well as divers conducting underwater search activities.

The investigation into the disappearance of Benjamin W. Stepetin is currently being investigated as a criminal investigation. During the course of the investigation, information was developed indicating it is possible Mr. Stepetin may have gone in the water in the downtown area on the night of his disappearance.

JPD detectives are coordinating the search operation with AK Dive Rescue and members of the Stepetin family.

Additional information about the Alaska Dive Search, Rescue and Recovery Team can be found on their website at AK Dive Rescue Team or on their Facebook page at Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team Facebook Page.

Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Benjamin W. Stepetin is encouraged to contact the Juneau Police Department at (907) 586-0600. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Juneau Crime Line.

Tags alaska, JPD, juneau, missing person

Alaska News

Unusual activity at Alaska volcano prompts extra look at remote peak

Post author By alaskaadmin
Post date May 14, 2026
No Comments on Unusual activity at Alaska volcano prompts extra look at remote peak

This screenshot shows a portion of a high-resolution WorldView-3 satellite image of the active fumaroles (steam vents) at Mount Kupreanof on May 10, 2026. These fumaroles are associated with an active hydrothermal system at the volcano and are not related to any new volcanic activity. The small dark deposit is likely windblown dust from the snow-free fumaroles. (Image courtesy of AVO/USGS, ©2026 Maxar, USG Plus)

The Alaska Volcano Observatory has raised the caution level at Kupreanof Volcano on the Alaska Peninsula, a normally quiet peak that hasn’t had a major eruption in almost 570,000 years.

“It’s a typical Alaska volcano. It’s not dormant by any means,” said Matt Haney, the U.S. Geological Survey Scientist-in-Charge at the observatory.

On Tuesday, the observatory issued an advisory notice saying that it had detected a rising number of earthquakes and sulfur dioxide emissions at the peak.

“This activity is likely caused by a magmatic intrusion beneath the volcano,” the observatory said in the notice.

“It’s been a classic volcanic unrest sequence … From the science point of view, it’s been very fascinating to see unrest develop at Kupreanof,” Haney said.

Rising unrest does not mean an eruption will happen or is even likely to happen. Last summer, Mount Spurr near Anchorage showed a rising level of activity that appeared to indicate a likely eruption. Despite those signs, no eruption took place and seismic activity has since declined.

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A 6,217-foot peak, Kupreanof is in a particularly remote part of the Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge, 505 miles southwest of Anchorage. The closest permanently inhabited community is Perryville, 26 miles to the southeast.

Though isolated, Kupreanof — like most of Alaska’s volcanoes — is near trans-Pacific flight routes, and a sufficiently large eruption could disrupt cargo and passenger flights between North American airports and Asia.

Haney said by phone on Thursday that the observatory detected an escalating string of earthquakes beneath the volcano starting in February and continuing through this week.

On Wednesday, instruments recorded the largest earthquake yet, measured variously at Magnitude 3.5 and 3.0.

Satellites have also measured rising concentrations of sulfur dioxide near Kupreanof. That gas is a standard sign of magma moving near the surface of the Earth.

“It’s not just one of our monitoring data streams that’s showing (activity) above our background levels. Now it’s seismicity and gas. When we have two of our data streams, that’s really making the diagnosis with higher confidence that there has been a magma intrusion beneath Kupreanof,” Haney said.

There are no historic records of a confirmed eruption at Kupreanof. In 2015, a mariner reported “black smoke northwest of Ivanof Bay,” likely from Kupreanof, and in 1987, a pilot reported what may have been a small eruption.

“Although reports from Kupreanof are uncommon, steaming from Kupreanof has been noted for at least the last 75 years,” the observatory notes in its description of the 2015 report.

The last confirmed eruption was about 570,000 years ago.

As a result, the volcano has no permanent monitoring network.

Hannah Dietterich, a research geophysicist at the observatory, said on Wednesday that she and others at the observatory have begun arranging more regular satellite measurements, including with instruments designed to measure whether the ground around the volcano is bulging upward.

Satellite images taken this week show Kupreanof still covered in a thick layer of ice and snow, indicating that the peak has not warmed to the point of melting that accumulation.

Haney said that in addition to satellite measurements, the observatory may use a helicopter to take a “quick-deploy” monitoring station to the volcano in July, during a previously scheduled trip to another nearby peak.

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Food

This Miami Gas Station’s Food Is Restaurant-Worthy, According To Customers

Post author By alaskaadmin
Post date May 14, 2026
No Comments on This Miami Gas Station’s Food Is Restaurant-Worthy, According To Customers

In 2026, food service looks totally different than it did in the past. Take, for example, this popular Miami chain of gas stations that has locals raving.

Food Republic – Restaurants, Reviews, Recipes, Cooking Tips

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Alaska Legislature rejects Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s pick for attorney general

Post author By Gracie
Post date May 14, 2026
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By: James Brooks, Alaska Beacon

Alaska Attorney General Stephen Cox, with Goov. Mike Dunleavy, speaks at a Feb. 12, 2026, news conference in Anchorage about drug enforcement. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

In a historic vote, Alaska lawmakers rejected Stephen Cox as the state’s new attorney general by a 29-31 vote that saw Cox become just the second cabinet appointment in state history to fail confirmation.

Thirty-one votes were needed for confirmation as the 40-person state House and 20-person state Senate met jointly Thursday to vote on 75 nominations for state boards, commissions and the governor’s cabinet.

Speaking in the Capitol on Thursday, opponents said they viewed Cox as a Republican ideologue who favored party-supported policies at the expense of Alaskans. In particular, opponents pointed to Cox’s support for a lawsuit that could end birthright citizenship and his failure to support the state’s absentee voting program.

The Legislature’s rejection is likely to have limited long-term effects. Immediately after the vote, Dunleavy announced he had named Cox as “Counsel to the Governor,” a position he will take immediately.

“Stephen Cox has a strong understanding of Alaska law and the challenges facing our state,” Dunleavy said in a written statement. “His experience, professionalism, and commitment to public service make him a valuable asset as Counsel to the Governor. I look forward to working with Stephen as we continue advancing policies that strengthen Alaska’s economy, uphold the rule of law, and serve the people of our state.”

Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage and chair of the House Judiciary Committee, opposed Cox as attorney general but supports the new role.

“I think it makes perfect sense,” Gray said. “I think that’s actually a perfect fit. I think Stephen Cox would make an excellent attorney to the governor because they have a lot of alignment and similar priorities.”

The new position was created specifically for Cox within the Office of the Governor.

“The governor has those choices,” said Sen. Matt Claman, D-Anchorage and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “That’s within his power.”

Dunleavy also named Deputy Attorney General Cori Mills as the acting head of the Department of Law.

Dunleavy may designate a permanent replacement who can serve until he is replaced by a new governor in December.

State law prohibits the governor from reappointing Cox as attorney general.

The governor’s other cabinet appointees, including officials in charge of natural resources, the environment and the treasury, received wide support and were confirmed by near-unanimous votes.

Legislators have not rejected a cabinet appointment since 2009, when the Legislature failed to confirm then-Gov. Sarah Palin’s choice of Wayne Anthony Ross to become attorney general.

Speaking Thursday, Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, criticized Cox’s decision to hire an out-of-state attorney with no experience in Alaska as the state’s first Solicitor General.

Following that hire, Cox led the Department of Law in joining Alaska in more than 100 friend-of-the-court briefs on national cases. In some of those cases, Gray said, the briefs were contrary to Alaska law and Alaskans’ interests.

“I believe that Stephen Cox would make probably a good attorney general in a state, just not in our state. He is not the right choice for Alaska,” said Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage and chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

Sen. Loki Tobin, D-Anchorage, speaks Thursday, May 14, 2026, during a joint session of the Alaska Legislature. (James Brooks photo/Alaska Beacon)

Sen. Lӧki Tobin, D-Anchorage, was particularly critical of Cox’s signature on a letter supporting President Donald Trump’s attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship in the United States.

“That stance threatens my rights. It threatens your rights,” she said, speaking to Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak. “It threatens every Alaskan’s rights.”

Rep. Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake, appeared to offer a rebuttal to that argument, noting that in general, “attorneys are mercenaries.”

“Somebody’s their boss, whether you’re paying them or whether the governor or the executive hires them. So I suspect that a lot of what we are talking about here is not some rogue attorney general off on his own. I think that he’s had directions that have been provided to him. He’s doing a certain number of things that his boss is telling him to do,” he said.

Rep. Steve St. Clair, R-Wasilla, speaks on the House floor Thursday, May 14, 2026. (James Brooks photo/Alaska Beacon)

Sen. Forrest Dunbar, D-Anchorage, responded to that argument. He said the case against birthright citizenship isn’t just wrong on a moral basis, it’s wrong on a factual basis, and it was unethical for the state to back it.

“We should not have signed on to it, and a qualified attorney should not have signed on to it. I don’t know if the governor pressured the Attorney General to sign on to it, or if he did it voluntarily. It actually doesn’t matter to an ethical attorney,” Dunbar said. “An attorney being asked to make those spurious arguments and sign on to an amicus brief that would repeal birthright citizenship should have resigned rather than go forward with that argument.”

Legislators rejected only two other appointments.

Hannah Mielke was turned down for a public seat on the Alaska State Medical Board.

Mielke is an 18-year-old who graduated from high school last year and currently works as an office assistant for Dunleavy.

Opponents said she was unqualified to supervise the state’s doctors and medical professionals. Supporters noted she would be the only female member of the board and significantly younger than other members.

“Frankly, I think a fresh perspective would be good,” said Rep. Mike Prax, R-North Pole. “It really doesn’t matter if you’re 20 or 69, soon to be 70.”

Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, said a large number of young women are skeptical of the medical industry, and Mielke’s perspective could be useful.

Mielke’s nomination failed 13-47.

Lawmakers also turned down Crystal Herring for a seat on the State Board of Professional Counselors. Tobin, speaking in opposition, said her appointment may not follow state law, which requires the appointment go to someone involved in mental health treatment. Herring just provides transportation, she said.

Other objections were raised over the conduct of a COVID-19 pandemic emergency clinic she ran under a contract with the city of Anchorage while donating financially to then-Mayor Dave Bronson.

Her nomination was rejected 28-32.

Members of the Alaska Senate watch the voting board as Stephen Cox fails to be confirmed as Alaska’s attorney general on Thursday, May 14, 2026. (James Brooks photo/Alaska Beacon)

Tags alaska, Alaska Legislature, election, Governor mike dunleavy, juneau, ketchikan, sitka

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Alaska Legislature passes resolution urging Trump administration waive visa fee for teachers

Post author By Gracie
Post date May 14, 2026
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By: Corinne Smith, Alaska Beacon

Students arrive for the first day of school at Harborview Elementary School in Juneau on Aug. 15, 2025 (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

The Alaska Legislature passed a resolution urging the Trump administration to waive a steep visa fee to allow the continued recruitment and hiring of international teachers.

Alaska school districts have increasingly relied on international hiring to fill an ongoing teacher shortage across the state, particularly in rural and remote districts. Last fall, the Trump administration issued an executive order increasing the H-1B visa fee from $5,000 per applicant to $100,000 per applicant — putting such visas out of reach for Alaska districts.

The Alaska Senate unanimously passed House Joint Resolution 39 on Tuesday, previously passed by the House, sending it on to Gov. Mike Dunleavy for consideration.

The H-1B visa program provides non-immigrant visas for highly skilled workers, including in education, health care and technology. In Alaska, districts have relied on international educators, particularly for teaching math, science and special education, according to the resolution. The visa is valid for up to six years.

Currently, roughly 570 international teachers are working in Alaska via the visa program. And there are over 1,000 teacher and staff openings in Alaska posted on a job board run by the Alaska Educator Retention and Recruitment Center, a division of the Alaska Council of School Administrators.

Alaska school officials say the new fee is an insurmountable financial burden for districts, as they are in the process of recruiting and hiring teachers for next year.

Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, speaks in support of a new state pension plan on Apr. 28, 2026. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

Sen. Löki Tobin, D-Anchorage, carried the resolution in the Senate and said the roughly 2,000% increase in the fee has restricted the flow of critical education professionals coming into the state. “Unfortunately this means that many of these education professions will go unfilled, we just don’t have the resources to cover that $100,000,” Tobin said on Wednesday.

“HJR 39 simply asks our federal government to waive this fee,” Tobin said.

The Legislature’s support and the joint resolution reinforces proposed federal legislation backed by U.S. Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan. It was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Murkowski in March but has not advanced since then.

Tags alaska, Alaska Legislature, election, Governor mike dunleavy, juneau

Entertainment

Joshua Bassett Details His “Breaking Point” With Ketamine Addiction

Post author By alaskaadmin
Post date May 14, 2026
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Joshua Bassett is getting candid about his struggle with addiction.
The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series alum described his journey to receiving the help he needed after developing an…
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