Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Condolences Pour In After Democratic Alaska Rep.'s Husband Dies Following Plane Crash

Eugene and Mary Peltola
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Rep. Mary Peltola's chief of staff said the family is 'heartbroken' after Eugene 'Buzzy' Peltola Jr. died on Wednesday morning following a small engine plane crash in Alaska on Tuesday night.

Condolences poured in after Eugene "Buzzy" Peltola Jr., the husband of Democratic Representative Mary Peltola, Alaska's sole representative in the House, tragically died Wednesday morning following a small engine plane crash in their home state.

The accident occurred when Eugene Peltola's single-engine Piper PA-18 crashed shortly after takeoff near St. Mary's, Alaska, early Tuesday night, as reported by Reuters.


Eugene Peltola served in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over 30 years before assuming the role of running the Bureau of Indian Affairs' Alaska division in 2018, a role he held until he stepped down last year.

Peltola's Chief of Staff Anton McParland said the Congresswoman "is returning home to be with their family, and we ask that their privacy be respected during this time."

He also memorialized Eugene Peltola, who "simply adored" his wife and their seven children:

"We are devastated to share that Mary's husband, Eugene Peltola Jr. — 'Buzzy' to all of us who knew and loved him — passed away earlier this morning following a plane accident in Alaska."
"He was one of those people that was obnoxiously good at everything. He had a delightful sense of humor that lightened the darkest moments."
"He was definitely the cook in the family. And family was most important to him."
"He was completely devoted to his parents, kids, siblings, extended family, and friends — and simply adored Mary."

Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, third from right, along with her family, participates in a swearing-in ceremony with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, September 13, 2022. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said his "deepest condolences and prayers" are with Peltola and her loved ones following the accident.

Similarly, Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar offered "Love to Mary and their family."

Many others have offered their condolences to Peltola as she traveled home to be with family.




The incident has prompted investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Peltola's office did not share any additional details about the accident, which is not the first time an Alaskan politician has died under similar circumstances.

In 2010, former Senator Ted Stevens lost his life in a single-engine plane crash in Alaska, despite having survived a plane crash back in 1978.

The state's at-large congressional seat became vacant last year following the passing of Representative Don Young, who, at the time, was the oldest serving member of Congress. He succumbed to natural causes while on a plane heading to Seattle as he was returning home to Alaska.

The late Young initially won this congressional seat many decades ago, filling the void left by the state's former representative, who had gone missing and was presumed deceased following a plane crash.

More from Trending

A man sitting on a sofa with his head in his hands.
a man holds his head while sitting on a sofa

Things People's Therapist Said That Flipped A Switch In Their Brain

Countless people unexpectedly find themselves at a point in their life where they are truly at a loss of what to do.

Sometimes having trouble simply getting out of bed, and getting on with their day.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kamala Harris; J.D. Vance
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images; Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Video Comparing Kennedy Center Crowd's Reaction To Kamala Harris Versus JD Vance Goes Viral

Social media users are cackling after a TikTok video cut together clips of Vice President Kamala Harris being greeted by a Kennedy Center audience versus how Vice President J.D. Vance was during a concert at the venue this week.

On Thursday night, Vance and his wife Usha entered the mezzanine of The Kennedy Center only to be booed loudly by audience members.

Keep ReadingShow less
Brock Pierce; Wendy Williams
Andrew Toth/WireImage; Johnny Nunez/WireImage

'Mighty Ducks' Star Offers To Let Wendy Williams Stay At His Mansion Amid Conservatorship Battle

Wendy Williams might have a safe place to go, after all.

The former talk show host is currently facing a contentious battle over her conservatorship after having been declared legally incapacitated due to frontotemporal dementia as well as aphasia.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots from two of @stephbohrer's TikTok videos
@stephbohrer/TikTok

Plane Passenger Stunned After Pilot Randomly Drops Romantic Note On Her Table At Airport

Sometimes when we take a flight, we receive something extra, like getting bumped up to a higher class, but most of us can't say that we've received a complimentary love note with our flight.

Popular lifestyle TikToker Steph Bohrer can, though!

Keep ReadingShow less
Kendrick Lamar; Groom and best man dancing at wedding
Fox, @avrythingnice/TikTok

Groom Goes Viral After Dancing Down Aisle To Wedding Remix Of Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us'

A groom went viral for his epic wedding entrance that would have rapper Kendrick Lamar beaming with PRIDE.

The video showed Shamar Marchand's (née Brown) fiancé, Adler Marchand, standing at the altar at the Hilton Miami Aventura in Florida on March 1, looking sharp in his cream-colored suit and oversized black tie.

Keep ReadingShow less