Alaska faces a week of challenges and change, from highway closures after a multi-vehicle collision to gusty winds and resuspended volcanic ash affecting communities. Meanwhile, residents can follow Alaska State Troopers as they patrol the vast and unpredictable frontier in the rebooted documentary series premiering January 7 on A&E.
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | December 2025
Trouble on the Alaska Highway
The day starts with a major travel reminder as the Alaska Highway closes between Judas Creek and Jake’s Corner due to a multi-vehicle collision. Non-local drivers are routed through the Tagish and South Klondike loop while crews work the scene. The highway is open again near Whitehorse, but conditions shift quickly in winter. Travelers are encouraged to check 511 Yukon for the latest information before heading out.
Windstorm Fallout in the Mat-Su
High winds continue to take a toll across the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. The Borough issues a disaster declaration as residents deal with lingering debris, damaged structures, and ongoing power outages reported by Matanuska Electric Association. Crews continue repairs while communities clean up and brace for the next round of weather because …
Gusty winds return to the Matanuska Valley, Valdez, and Thompson Pass. Forecasters expect tomorrow’s winds to be milder than last weekend’s storm, but confidence is lower for Friday and residents are urged to secure loose items and stay on top of updates.
Warmup, Cooldown, and Everything in Between
The Interior gets a brief reprieve as temperatures climb toward the weekend. Snow arrives with the warmup, giving Fairbanks and surrounding areas a short window of milder weather before colder air returns early next week. Graphics from the National Weather Service show the temperature trend and expected snowfall ranges.
Farther south, another challenge emerges as strong northwesterly winds over Shelikof Strait stir up volcanic ash from the 1912 eruption. Karluk, Akhiok, and Larsen Bay are the most likely to feel the effects. People with respiratory issues are advised to limit outdoor activity. Winds are expected to shift north tonight, which should keep the ash offshore from Kodiak.
The Troopers Ride Again
A familiar Alaska favorite is coming back. A&E announces the return of “Alaska State Troopers,” the long-running documentary series that first aired from 2009 to 2015. The all-new season premieres Wednesday, January 7 at 8 p.m. ET and PT. The series follows troopers as they patrol Fairbanks, the Mat-Su Valley, and more than two hundred thirty remote villages that can be reached only by plane or boat. Viewers will see everything from criminal investigations to search and rescue missions across some of the most challenging terrain in the country.
The reboot is produced by Anusia Films with Anna Rodzinski as executive producer. Episodes will be available on demand and for streaming through the A&E App and at aetv.com, where previous seasons are also available.
