Samantha LaLonde, a Farmington Hills native, finished 15th in the Iditarod sled dog race, the highest of all the rookies. Photo courtesy of Samantha LaLonde.

This year, the Iditarod saw both a historic anniversary and the marked impact of climate change. Writer Lale Arikoglu follows the historic 1,000 mile sled dog race to understand why it still ...

Jessie Holmes mushes down Front Street on his way to winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race early Friday morning, March 14, 2025 in Nome. (Loren Holme/Anchorage Daily News via AP) ...

Jessie Holmes hugs his lead dogs Polar, left, and Hercules after winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race early Friday morning, March 14, 2025 in Nome. (Loren Holme/Anchorage Daily News via AP) ...

Originally from Alabama, Holmes has lived since 2004 in Alaska, where he found a passion for the wilderness and competing in sled dog races.

Jessie Holmes celebrates after winning the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race early Friday morning, March 14, 2025 in Nome. (Loren Holme/Anchorage Daily News via AP) Loren Holmes/AP ...