UPDATE: Stevens has been confirmed dead. Click here for the new story.
The Air National Guard has responded to a plane crash that occurred Monday night 17 miles north of Dellingham, AK. The Anchorage Daily News reports that former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) is believed to be among the nine people who were onboard the small plane, but his condition is unknown. There were survivors, who were being aided by local residents who were the first to arrive at the crash site. An update put the death toll at five.
Stevens was Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees the FCC budget and broadcasting legislation, when the Republican Party last had majority control of the Senate in 2005 and 2006. He lost a re-election bid in 2008, shortly after being convicted of corruption charges. Stevens had maintained his innocence and the conviction was thrown out in 2009 after evidence of prosecutorial misconduct was uncovered.
