U.S.WEEKEND WATCH

Earhart Island Search Reaches Kiribati, Archaeologists Scouring Waters

Archaeologists are searching off a remote island in Kiribati for traces of the aviator's Lockheed Electra, and CBS News is tracking their progress; the crabs remain unbilled.

On air: Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman on Weekend Edition
Published 1:02 PM ET, Saturday, October 17, 2026

Photo: Angela K. Kepler (cleaned up by Rvdude007 ) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

Photo: Nikumaroro — Photo: Angela K. Kepler (cleaned up by Rvdude007 ) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by CBS News: “Amelia Earhart and her plane vanished in 1937. A team is scouring a remote island for evidence.”
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 1:02 PM ET on Weekend Edition, by Hank Ledger, Vera Bullock and Dale Bearman.
Topics: Amelia Earhart.
BBN covered this story before: Museum posts 1938 island photos as Earhart hunt heats up (October 16).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

CBS NewsAmelia Earhart and her plane vanished in 1937. A team is scouring a remote island for evidence.

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorA team of archaeologists is now searching the waters off a remote island in Kiribati for traces of Amelia Earhart's plane, and CBS News has an update on their progress.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorEarhart vanished in nineteen thirty-seven, and almost ninety years later people are still looking, which I find oddly hopeful.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorNinety years, and the best lead we have is a crab with a grudge.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe crabs were this morning's story. Today's is that the search continues, and no one has announced a find.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorNo find yet. So the island keeps its secret.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorLongest game of hide and seek on record, and the crabs are winning.