Top Stories

News stories, radio and TV episodes that warrant one of six spots on our homepage. The homepage is in chronological order of publication date, so stories are moved off the homepage as more are categorized “top stories.”

wind turbines

As natural gas shortage looms, Alaska utilities and advocates feud over renewable power bill

The two sides agree on the need to wean Alaska’s power grid from its deep dependence on natural gas, but they disagree on how quickly.
a person walks into an office buildling

What you need to know about the debt ceiling as the deadline looms

What is the debt ceiling? What could happen if it's not raised? Here are answers to questions you may be asking about the debt limit and the fight over it.
Gary Stevens

Bruised feelings and fiscal trouble leave Alaska on the verge of another budget deadlock

The state Senate is planning to present a take-it-or-leave-it budget option to the House on Wednesday.
A man in a best and with a mustache

Alaska Legislature remains gridlocked over PFDs, with time running out in regular session

Alaska Public Media's Legislative reporter Lex Treinen has been following the action — or inaction — over the budget. He said the sticking point continues to be the size of the Permanent Fund dividend.
A sign says Anchorage School District.

Anchorage’s Service High principal resigns after investigation into ‘community concerns’

Allen Wardlaw had been on administrative leave since April when the district said it launched an investigation into concerns linked to him.

Alaska’s child care crisis | Alaska Insight

On this Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend is joined by Sen. Löki Tobin and Stephanie Berglund, CEO of Thread Alaska, to discuss the scope and possible solutions to the child care crisis.
A woman in a blue blazer holds a microphone and talks in front of a U.S. and Alaska flag.

First lady Jill Biden will visit Bethel on Wednesday

This will be the first visit to Bethel by any spouse of a sitting president, according to her office.
Crystal Worl

A formline salmon Alaska Airlines plane makes its inaugural flight

The Boeing 737, bearing a design by artist Crystal Worl depicting the salmon's life cycle, is named Xáat Kwáani, or Salmon People.
three people talk in the legislative meeting room

Alaska senators approve permanent increase to public school funding, with House support in question

If approved by the Alaska House and governor, it would be the largest-ever funding increase for Alaska public schools.
a woman and a baby

The child care crisis is hitting rural Alaska hard

Kotzebue has not had a state-licensed child care center since the last facility closed in 2011. It's considered a "child care desert," like much of the state.
Bert Stedman

Alaska Senate prepares ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ budget in attempt to finish session on time

If the situation is not resolved by Wednesday, the Legislature or Gov. Mike Dunleavy will be forced to call a special session to continue talks.
A man in a gray suit speaks into a microphone

Alaska House passes bill to increase jail time for fentanyl and other drug crimes

The bill faced pushback from critics about the efficacy of stricter sentences.
a fire blazes

Alaska sends firefighters, air tanker to help with Alberta’s ‘unprecedented’ early wildfire season

“This is the first time that we’ve sent a crew to Canada in May,” said Lily Coyle with the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Joe Biden and Alannah Hurley

In Rose Garden address, Biden celebrates with Alaskans opposed to Pebble mine

“Bristol Bay is an extraordinary place, unlike anywhere in the world,” the president said.
A snowy mountain peak

2 missing Denali National Park climbers are presumed dead, officials say

Eli Michel, 34, and Nafiun Awal, 32, were last heard from on May 5, when they checked in with a friend.
Seward

Seward welcomes first cruise ship, kicking off summer tourism season

The cruise ship Norwegian Jewel, which docked in Seward Monday, is the first of 102 scheduled to make port calls there this summer.
the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska Gov. Dunleavy reappoints Bethany Marcum to state redistricting board

A day after lawmakers declined to confirm Bethany Marcum to the University of Alaska Board of Regents, she was reappointed to her former job.
Anchorage City Hall

Former Anchorage employee who recorded Judy Eledge’s racist comments sues city for discrimination 

The former executive assistant also alleges discrimination against women among fire department leaders.
people rally outside

Anchorage police officers and city cleared in fatal shooting as judge tosses family’s lawsuit

Judge Sharon Gleason threw out all 11 of Bishar Hassan's family’s claims, citing video footage of the shooting.