Sorry, Slayer fans: Citing logistical problems, the current iteration of thrash-metal band, Slayer, has cancelled an Anchorage performance planned for Oct. 22. The last time the band played in the Last Frontier was 17 years ago. But Slayer, which in 2013 saw the death of one member and a revolving door at drums, said that it would try to come back to Alaska some time next year. Tickets that have been purchased for the now-cancelled show have already been refunded -- and those refunds should show up on credit card and bank statements within the next 7-10 days.
Evacuation in Juneau: The Juneau State Office Building was evacuated after someone opened a box containing a white powder on the 11th floor -- home to the Department of Revenue, including the Permanent Fund Dividend Division -- Friday morning. A 10 a.m. alert posted at Alaska.gov told employees, "Please collect your belongings and go home." Daniel Brown, a security officer, said he'd seen police officers and firefighters in hazardous materials suits there. "We're just keeping everybody out of the S.O.B.," Brown said about noon, using the building's nickname. FBI spokesman Eric Gonzalez said the agency's Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinator assisted in getting the white material to a lab for testing. There was no threatening note or other threat that accompanied the the substance, which remains unidentified, Gonzalez said. Later, Gov. Sean Parnell's spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said the FBI had found that the powder was not dangerous. "The FBI did confirm the suspcious material was packing material in some tax documents shoipped to the Department of Revenue," Leighow said. "The pharmarcutical company that shipped it confirmed they used a particular type of packing paterial that if you rip or tear it, it looks like white powder."
Calling skiers -- several feet of snow in Hatcher Pass: There's up to 3 feet of fresh snow at Hatcher Pass in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, and that means it's time to break out those Nordic skis. The Mat-Su Ski Club has already begun grooming trails for classic and skate skiing at Independence Mine. Full grooming reports are available on the group's website.
Pair of bodies found in Matanuska Valley: The Alaska State Troopers said two bodies have been discovered miles and days apart in the Matanuska Valley. On Sunday, troopers were called about the body of a man found in a Big Lake ditch. He has been identified as 59-year-old Daniel Razo of Anchorage. Foul play is not suspected in Razo's death. In addition, a Wasilla caller directed troopers to the body of 41-year-old Shane Pickens, also of Wasilla. Pickens' body was found in a backyard, and his death appears to be of natural causes. Pickens had permission to stay in a shed on the property where he was found, according to troopers.