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USA Today
08-07-2025
- USA Today
4 injured after small float plane 'crash landed' at Katmai National Park
Authorities are investigating the crash of a small float plane in Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve over the weekend that sent all four occupants, including the pilot, to the hospital. The small float plane, a Cessna 180J, "crash landed" at about 2:30 p.m. local time on July 5 near Brooks Camp within Katmai National Park, according to the National Park Service. Four occupants, including the pilot, were transported to an Anchorage area hospital with non-critical injuries, the park service said. Katmai National Park, a campground popular during the peak brown bear viewing season, is only accessible via small plane. National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska Chief Clint Johnson told Anchorage Daily News the agency was alerted of a crash "with four people on board reporting serious injuries," with park officials dispatching a helicopter from Anchorage to conduct the rescue. The aircraft, which can seat up to five passengers and a pilot, is privately owned, according to the Alaskan newspaper. As of July 7, the cause of the crash is unknown. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are leading the investigation, Alaska's News Source reported. The FAA and NTSB did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. Katmai National Park and Preserve is set along the northern Alaska Peninsula, most famously known for its fat bears and unique ecosystem. As one of the most remote national parks in the U.S., Katmai has no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska, requiring travelers to take either a water taxi or float plane. String of small plane crashes The incident over the holiday weekend was the latest in a recent string of crashes involving small planes, many of which were fatal. In late June, a twin-engine Cessna 441 went down in the backyard of a home in Ohio, killing all six people onboard. Earlier in the month, six people died when a twin-engine Cessna 414 crashed offshore San Diego just minutes after takeoff. And in North Carolina, a small aircraft, a Universal Stinson 108 plane, crashed in Farmington as the pilot tried to avoid a turtle on the runway just before the crash. The pilot and a passenger were killed while another passenger was seriously injured.
Newsweek
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
'No Kings' Rally Organizers Issue Video Update
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The organizers of this weekend's upcoming "No Kings" protests have issued a video reminding people about the event. The video, released on the No Kings website, reminds those planning to attend of details and calls on people to join the protests. Why It Matters Activists are coordinating a protest on June 14, targeting a military-style parade in Washington, D.C, celebrating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, planned by the Trump administration on Flag Day, which coincides with the president's birthday. There have been several nationwide protests against Trump or his administration's policies—such as the "Hands Off" demonstrations—but this weekend, on the backdrop of anti-immigration unrest, which, like in Los Angeles, has sometimes turned violent, is set to see the largest gathering of anti-Trump movements since his inauguration. David Teague, a colonial reenactor, holds a sign that says "No Kings" during a protest against President Trump and his policies on Saturday, April 19, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. David Teague, a colonial reenactor, holds a sign that says "No Kings" during a protest against President Trump and his policies on Saturday, April 19, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. Loren Holmes/Anchorage Daily News via AP What To Know The video reiterated previously released plans about the day and issued a rallying call to supporters. Over photos of other protests—including those that have been taking place in Los Angeles—the American flag, and Trump himself, a voiceover said: "Every day across this country something powerful is happening. People are rising, for each other, for democracy and for our collective freedom. "We have chosen not to live in fear or let division destroy this country." The voiceover added that "our rights and our freedoms are under attack" and that protest will help protect rights while Trump "wastes" money on a military parade, calling him "a wannabe King." "We believe power belongs with the people," the voiceover said. The "No Kings" group, which is organizing the protest, is recruiting volunteers online and working with local chapters in more than 30 states with over 100 other organizations. Organizers from the 50501 Movement, the name of which references "50 states, 50 protests, one movement," plan demonstrations in over 1,500 locations nationwide under the "No Kings" banner. The protests are aimed at what participants describe as "corruption" and "authoritarian" tendencies in the Trump administration, including decisions on immigration and uses of federal force in cities like Los Angeles. What People Are Saying Speaking to Newsweek, Scott Lucas, professor of international politics at University College Dublin, said: "I don't think they are going to immediately dissuade the Trump administration from pursuing what in effect is authoritarian rule." "The Trump folks will try and portray the protesters as being the dangerous enemy within that they are acting against," he continued. "But the point of protest is that you don't expect any immediate capitulation. First of all you show that you haven't been broken so simply turning out and marching shows that people are still concerned about rights, they're still concerned about decency they're still concerned about tolerance, they're still concerned about their systems." He added: "The protests have an impact because Americans are still standing up for what they think is vital about America." Asked in the White House on Thursday for his thoughts on the protests, Trump said: "I don't feel like a king I have to go through hell to get stuff approved. "A king would say 'I'm not going to get wouldn't have to call up [House Speaker] Mike Johnson and [Senate Majority Leader John] Thune and say fellas you've got to pull this off and after years we get it done. No no we're not a king, we're not a king at all." The "No Kings" group previously said: "Real power isn't staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else." What Happens Next A map shows the cities that are hosting Saturday's protests. The president has warned those planning to protest the military parade that they will "be met with heavy force."
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Boat, human remains found in Alaska believed to be Texas family who went missing in August
A boat and human remains believed to belong to a Texas family who went missing from Alaskan waters nearly a year ago have been found, officials announced Wednesday. 42-year-old David Maynard of Waco, Texas was on a boat with his wife, 37-year-old Mary, as well as their children, 11-year-old Colton and 8-year-old Brantley, when they went missing on Aug. 3, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety. They were boating in the Kachemak Bay near Homer, Alaska, southwest of Anchorage, DPS said. The U.S. Coast Guard searched for the family but eventually suspended the search after nearly 24 hours, "pending the development of new information." "The decision to suspend a search is never easy and involves the careful consideration of many factors including environmental conditions and search operations," U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Shannon Kerney previously told USA TODAY. "Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and loved ones of the missing people during this unimaginably difficult time." According to DPS, the Alaska Dive, Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team tried to use sonar equipment to find the boat the family was on, but found nothing initially. The family was on a 28-foot aluminum boat with four family members when the boat capsized around 7 p.m. 16 miles west of the Homer Spit, reported television station KCEN-TV and newspaper the Anchorage Daily News. In October, a few months after their disappearance, an Alaska jury declared the family of four dead, reported the Anchorage Daily News. Wildlife troopers logged the family of four as missing, then in April, eight months later, more organizations offered to help with the search, including Support Vessels of Alaska, Vision Subsea, and Benthic Geoscience Inc. In early May, the group found a boat in 180 feet of water. The team used a remotely operated vehicle to identify it as the missing boat the family was on; also on the boat were 'potential human remains,' DPS said. On May 27 and May 28, volunteers from Alaska Dive Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team and Alaska Wildlife Troopers took part in a diving operation and recovered three sets of remains from the sunken boat. The remains were taken to the state medical examiner's office for positive identification and autopsies. Alaska Dive Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team said on social media that the team is searching for additional remains. 'Identification of the remains will be released by DPS once the medical examiner completes their work,' the team wrote in the post. The post did not say how long the process may take, but did confirm that next of kin had been notified. Mary and David Maynard's sons both played soccer and baseball, said Christi Wells, Mary Maynard's aunt, who gave the Anchorage Daily News a statement on behalf of Mary's parents last year. Mary was a traveling nurse and David was a stay-at-home dad with a lawn care business, Wells told the newspaper. A GoFundMe was started to support the missing family's loved ones and cover unexpected expenses. As of May 29, users have donated over $21,000. Tanashea Aviles, who started the GoFundMe, said the family was hoping to bring their loved ones home. 'This family is going through a lot right now,' Aviles wrote. Wells spoke to NBC News about the missing family shortly after their disappearance. She explained the family had been in Alaska for her son's wedding on July 27. "The whole family, they were just sweet people," Wells said at the time. "They were giving and loving people, and it's just a horrible tragedy, a horrible tragedy." — USA TODAY's Saleen Martin contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Maynard family from Texas believed to be found in Alaska: Police
USA Today
29-05-2025
- USA Today
A family went missing in Alaska last year. A boat and human remains were just found.
A family went missing in Alaska last year. A boat and human remains were just found. Searchers have found a capsized boat along with human remains after a family went missing and was last seen in Alaska last year, officials have confirmed. 42-year-old David Maynard of Waco, Texas was on a boat with his wife, 37-year-old Mary, as well as their children, 11-year-old Colton and 8-year-old Brantley, when they went missing on Aug. 3, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, or DPS. They were boating in the Kachemak Bay near Homer, Alaska, southwest of Anchorage, DPS said. The U.S. Coast Guard searched for the family but eventually suspended the search. "The decision to suspend a search is never easy and involves the careful consideration of many factors including environmental conditions and search operations," U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Shannon Kerney previously told USA TODAY. "Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and loved ones of the missing people during this unimaginably difficult time." According to DPS, the Alaska Dive, Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team tried to use sonar equipment to find the boat the family was on, but found nothing initially. The family was on a 28-foot aluminum boat with four family members when the boat capsized around 7 p.m. 16 miles west of the Homer Spit, reported television station KCEN-TV and newspaper the Anchorage Daily News. In October, a few months after their disappearance, an Alaska jury declared the family of four dead, reported the Anchorage Daily News. Capsized boat: At least 3 dead, 7 missing after small boat capsizes near San Diego Sunken boat found over 8 months after family went missing Wildlife troopers logged the family of four as missing, then in April, eight months later, more organizations offered to help with the search, including Support Vessels of Alaska, Vision Subsea, and Benthic Geoscience Inc. In early May, the group found a boat in 180 feet of water. The team used a remotely operated vehicle to identify it as the missing boat the family was on; also on the boat were 'potential human remains,' DPS said. On May 27 and May 28, volunteers from Alaska Dive Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team and Alaska Wildlife Troopers took part in a diving operation and recovered three sets of remains from the sunken boat. The remains were taken to the state medical examiner's office for positive identification and autopsies. Alaska Dive Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team said on social media that the team is searching for additional remains. 'Identification of the remains will be released by DPS once the medical examiner completes their work,' the team wrote. Remembering the Maynard family Mary and David Maynard's sons both played soccer and baseball, said Christi Wells, who gave the Anchorage Daily News a statement on behalf of Mary's parents. Mary was a traveling nurse and David was a stay-at-home dad with a lawn care business, Wells told the newspaper. A GoFundMe was started to support the missing family's loved ones and cover unexpected expenses. As of May 29, social media users have donated over $21,000. Tanashea Aviles, who started the GoFundMe, said the family was hoping to bring their loved ones home. 'This family is going through a lot right now,' Aviles wrote. Contributing: Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Teen's sexual assault kit sat untested for 27 years in Alaska. Now, man convicted
Three decades after a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted walking home from a friend's house, a man has been convicted, Alaska prosecutors say. A jury deliberated for two hours and found Ronald Fischer, of Xenia, Ohio, guilty of first-degree sexual assault after a weeklong trial, the State of Alaska Department of Law said in a May 21 Facebook post. 'We are thankful that a jury held Ronald Fischer accountable for this crime,' Assistant Attorney General Erin McCarthy said in the Facebook post. 'We hope the victim and her family can obtain some closure in light of this verdict.' The sexual assault As a 17-year-old girl walked home from a friend's house the early morning of Feb. 17, 1995, a man started to follow her, prosecutor said. He asked her 'where she was going,' 'then grabbed her by her hair and coat,' prosecutors said. The teenager freed herself from her coat and ran, prosecutors said. The man, however, grabbed by the hair again and 'dragged her to a fenced area behind a nearby restaurant,' according to prosecutors. 'The man forcibly sexually assaulted her,' prosecutors said. The teen then ran to a nearby building, the Anchorage Daily News building at the time, and 'asked a mail carrier for help,' according to prosecutors. The Anchorage Police Department investigated, and a sexual assault kit was collected as evidence, prosecutors said. It was not submitted for testing, though, and 'no suspect was identified,' prosecutors said. Kit tested decades later When the case was reopened in 2022, the 'sexual assault kit was tested as part of the Alaska Capital Project,' prosecutors said. To address the more than 3,000 untested sexual assault kits across the state found during a 2017 inventory, officials created the Capital Project and the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Project, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety. 'These kits spanned three decades, and there were many reasons kits were not submitted for testing over the years,' officials said. Those include the testing not being needed for the immediate case or an officials' determination that a sexual assault investigation should not proceed for criminal charging, officials said. 'All of these decisions were made based on individual cases, and not necessarily with the potential impact on other cases in mind,' officials said. The unknown man's DNA from the 1995 case was run in the Combined DNA Index System, 'a computer software program that operates local, state, and national databases of DNA profiles from convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence, and missing persons,' according to federal prosecutors. It found Fischer's DNA profile to be a match, state prosecutors said. Investigators confirmed the match by comparing a DNA sample from Fischer to that of the unknown man, prosecutors said. The woman from the assault was shown a lineup of suspects that included Fischer's photo, prosecutors said. 'She was able to identify him as her assailant nearly three decades after the sexual assault,' according to prosecutors said. Fischer, who is being held without bail, is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 26, prosecutors said. Per sentencing laws in place in 1995 pertaining to first-degree sexual assault convictions, Fischer could face up to 30 years in prison, prosecutors said.
