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Good afternoon. It’s Wednesday, Dec. 31.

In today's newsletter:

Members of an Anchorage family were recently the victims of a false report known as “swatting”: when someone reports a nonexistent emergency to trigger a significant and potentially dangerous police response.
Customers who bought a vehicle from a number of Lithia Motors dealerships in Alaska could see some fees reimbursed after the business agreed to settle misleading advertising claims raised by state investigators.
Talisa Rhea, a former high school basketball star from Alaska, once thought she was destined to become a coach. Here's how she climbed the ranks to become general manager of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm.

Celebrations to bid farewell to 2025 and usher in 2026 are happening around Anchorage, Eagle River and Girdwood. From fireworks and parties to live music, here are some highlights among the New Year's Eve festivities.

Anchorage weather

It's sunny today with a high around 10 degrees. Much of Alaska, including Anchorage, will welcome the new year with another cold snap. For Anchorage and other parts of Southcentral, the National Weather Service is calling for temperatures between minus 5 and minus 25 degrees over the next several days.

Here’s what else is making headlines in Alaska today.

— Megan Pacer, mpacer@adn.com

Anchorage family left shaken after rare ‘swatting’ incident →

Anchorage police say that cases of swatting are rare within the city, and that it’s not always possible to determine a call is fake before they respond.

The year in pictures, captured by ADN photographers →

Protests and politics. Wilderness and wildlife. Historic disasters and everyday joys. In 2025, Anchorage Daily News photographers captured much of what makes Alaska unique.

Some Lithia Motors customers in Alaska could get refunds under proposed settlement with state →

The Department of Law said five of the auto dealership’s seven Alaska locations charged customers hidden fees when purchasing vehicles starting in 2019.

Alaska House Republicans confirm 2 new members →

Rep. Garret Nelson, a Sutton Republican, replaces George Rauscher in the Alaska House. Rep. Steve St. Clair, of Wasilla, replaces Cathy Tilton.

Americans make history as Schumacher and Diggins win Tour de Ski races in Italy →

The sweep marked the first time an American man and an American woman claimed World Cup victories on the same day in the same event.

How Alaska’s Talisa Rhea climbed the ranks to become general manager of WNBA’s Seattle Storm →

The former high school basketball star once thought she was destined to become a coach, but found a new passion within the sport she grew up playing in Juneau.