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.”

Two men stand in front of a map of Alaska

How the battle over Alaska’s legislative districts landed in court

The state’s high court agreed with an earlier Superior Court decision and wrote that the Redistricting Board “engaged in unconstitutional political gerrymandering."

Alaska parents look desperately for baby formula as nationwide shortage persists

Alaskan parents are taking to Facebook to help each other find baby formula, which is in limited supply nationwide after a recall by a major brand.
A sign outside an Anchorage courthouse

Alaska Supreme Court finds Republican gerrymander in Anchorage districts, orders new map

The decision almost certainly ends Alaska’s redistricting process for 2022.

Walruses are skittish. That’s why this scientist is using drones to count them.

USGS research biologist Tony Fischbach says drones have proven to be safer, and they've helped with a long-running problem of understanding how many walruses just happen to be out of view underwater when researchers fly over.
A snowy landscape with mountains in the background

Denali’s historic, lingering snow season is affecting the park’s wildlife

Denali National Park is still melting out from its snowiest winter season in 99 years of record keeping.
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ConocoPhillips starts production at new Alpine satellite field

The well was drilled about a month ago by Doyon 26, the largest mobile drill rig in North America and nicknamed “The Beast.”

New community fridge aims to ease hunger in Anchorage

For Alaskans looking to get something to eat, it’s as easy as walking up and taking it.
a woman in a suit poses for a photo

Dunleavy picks Alaska Corrections commissioner as running mate

Former legislator Nancy Dahlstrom resigned from the corrections post Monday as her candidacy was announced.

Crews contain Anchorage wildfire that spread from burning home

A burn ban remains in effect for Anchorage, along with warnings for much of Southcentral Alaska.

Ukrainians arrive in Anchorage, with hundreds more expected in coming weeks

Twelve people from Ukraine arrived over the weekend, and hundreds more are expected in the coming weeks thanks to the local non-profit and a new federal program.  
A sailboat on calm water with mountains in the background.

The Race to Alaska is back, both in film and on the water

There's a new documentary out called "The Race to Alaska" that stitches together stories from the 750-mile, engineless, unsupported boat race.
A woman poses for a portrait outside

Legislature modernizes 40-year-old definition of consent in sexual assault cases

"Alaska took a gargantuan step forward in updating our laws," says deputy attorney general.

A shotgun shell shortage is making it hard for Y-K Delta hunters to harvest migratory birds

It’s not only hard to get shells in rural Alaska. Outfitters in Anchorage are also having a tough time stocking them.
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Monkeypox likely isn’t much of a threat to the public, a White House official says

The risk posed to the U.S. general public from ongoing outbreaks of monkeypox cases is low, a White House official told Morning Edition on Monday.
A family photo of a smiling baby

St. Paul toddler laid to rest with his mother after long fight to bring him home

The child, Joshua John Rukovishnikoff, was buried on top of his mother’s grave during a memorial service Saturday.

Class-action lawsuit says state is failing Alaska foster kids

The plaintiffs hope their lawsuit results in a Superior Court judge ordering reform.
A woman wearing a headset and flying a plane

Dolena Fox is one of the world’s first female Yup’ik commercial pilots

Only about 6% of American professional pilots are women.
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Soldotna Planned Parenthood to close at the end of May

The Soldotna center has been around for about 30 years, administering birth control, STD testing and other services.
An architectural rendering of a modern apartment building.

Amid a housing crisis, a new downtown Anchorage development could be a model for public-private partnerships

Block 96 could serve as a model for other downtown housing developments. With the city’s housing crunch, developers say it’s desperately needed.

Anchorage police union says it has waited more than a month for city to begin negotiations on body cameras

Jeremy Conkling, the president of the Anchorage Police Department Employees Association, says he put in a request to the city’s human resources department in mid-April, asking for a date to start the negotiations.