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.”

a syringe extracts a liquid

Pfizer asks FDA to greenlight new omicron booster shots, which could arrive this fall

Pfizer has submitted data on its bivalent COVID-19 booster shot that specifically targets the latest omicron subvariants. If authorized, the company says the shots could be ready as soon as September.
a drill site on mountainside

New federal climate package could spur mine development in Alaska

The tax and climate bill includes $7,500 tax credits for people who buy new electric vehicles — but there’s a pretty big catch.
soaked tents in muddied woods

Heavy rain creates muddy conditions for homeless residents at Anchorage’s Centennial Campground

As campers contend with what feels like constant rain, some are planning ahead for winter.
A man in a suit leans toward two elementary-school-aged children in the foreground.

Anchorage’s new schools superintendent confronts bus driver shortage and low enrollment as the academic year begins

Dr. Jharrett Bryantt begins his tenure with a shortage of bus drivers causing reduced bus service -- a crisis, as Bryantt calls it -- as well as other staffing issues and concerns about safety felt nationwide following one of the deadliest-ever school shootings in U.S. history, near the end of last school year in Uvalde, Texas.
man holds woman hand by burnt building

After an eye-opening supply-run, a former Sitkan fundraises for friends in Ukraine

When a former Sitka music teacher finally made it to Kyiv, he realized that the suitcase of medical supplies he'd brought wasn’t enough.
a sea lion on rocks

Steller sea lions most likely victims of human-caused marine mammal deaths in Alaska

The vast majority of cases involve entanglements in fishing gear or marine debris, and Steller sea lions made up the vast majority of the animals that fell victim, said a report released by the NMFS Alaska Fisheries Science Center.
people walk downtown in rain

Alaska’s dry start to the summer has been anything but since July, after earlier-than-usual shift to rain

National Weather Service climate researcher Brian Brettschneider says a low-pressure system set up over the Bering Sea, causing moisture to flow from the Pacific Ocean into Alaska, starting in early July.
a man stands outside monkeypox vaccine stand

The new U.S. monkeypox vaccine strategy offers more doses — and uncertainty

Missteps and delays have hampered the U.S. effort to vaccinate people against monkeypox. Now state health officials and community members are trying to adapt to a controversial "dose sparing" plan.
a portrait of a light brown dog on a deck

Dog killed by wolves in Metlakatla was defending its family, owner says

Brittany Hayward says Rosco, a seven-year-old ridgeback-mastiff mix, fought hard defending his family.

‘You’re part of our family’: Anchorage students from a now-closed JBER school get warm welcome into new classrooms

Teachers and students started the year at new schools on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson this fall after their school, Ursa Major Elementary, was closed over earthquake concerns.
Man with glasses

Suspect connected to AMBER alert arrested in Soldotna after fleeing troopers in Fairbanks

Troopers found Steven Narron's vehicle abandoned in an Anchorage park Wednesday night.

Peltola has the lead in Alaska’s U.S. House race. Will she keep it?

Alaska Public Media Washington D.C. correspondent Liz Ruskin provides some post-election analysis on Alaska News Nightly.

Alaska’s new primary election system showed who voters favored, but it only cut one legislative candidate

As Alaska Beacon reporter James Brooks points out, the votes tallied Tuesday mostly amount to a state-sponsored poll with a nice, big sample size.
A man with a scraggly beard and balding head at a desk behind a computer monitor

Anchorage Assembly moves to create task force to address winter sheltering needs

The motion comes as some Assembly members say Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration is failing to adequately prepare to address homelessness ahead of winter. 

Alaska State Troopers cancel AMBER alert for 15-year-old girl in Anchorage

Troopers say Alexis Bane was found safe Thursday morning and the suspect is in custody.

Anchorage parents scramble to arrange carpools amid school bus cancellations

Families are turning to social media in search of carpools and other alternatives after district officials announced there aren’t enough bus drivers to transport all students.

Incumbents Murkowski and Dunleavy leading in Alaska primaries

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski has a narrow lead over Kelly Tshibaka. Gov. Mike Dunleavy leads his next closest challenger by 20 points.

Peltola leads in Alaska’s U.S. House race, followed by Palin and Begich

The candidates finished in the same order for both the special general and the regular primary.
blue sign in front of observers

Justice Department watching Alaska election for language and disability compliance

The effort is aimed at maintaining compliance with the voting law’s minority language requirements and the disability act’s accessibility requirements, the department said in a statement.