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 woman with a book open on her lap

Fired attorney and blogger wins case against Dunleavy administration

"I was terminated in violation of my free speech rights," says Libby Bakalar.
A microscope in a red room.

Anchorage cold case took detectives from bloody clothes to genetic profile to accused killer’s chopsticks

In yet another cold case involving genetic genealogy, an Idaho man is now jailed in Alaska on charges he allegedly murdered a cab driver nearly 40 years ago.
A portrait of a woman in her regalia.

Engineering professor fosters university community for Alaska Native students: ‘It’s full circle’

Alaska Native students are vastly underrepresented on college campuses. When it comes to STEM — fields that are especially dominated by white men — Alaska Native students face even greater barriers.
Youth dance at AFN conference in Anchorage.

Tribes aim to ask voters for state recognition

Across the US, only 10% of Indigenous tribes with federal recognition also have recognition from their respective state governments. In Alaska, tribal members aim to change that. Last year, they organized to collect tens of thousands signatures in support of a ballot initiative that would ask voters to decide. Supporters say the recognition opens up doors for more resources and symbolizes a respectful government-to-government relationship.

Anchorage Assembly indefinitely tables advisory vote on Eagle River exit

The question of whether Eagle River, Chugiak, Peters Creek and Eklutna should secede from Anchorage is off the table for the foreseeable future. 
A female teacher points to a word projected on a white board in a classroom with three students sitting a tables facing the front of the classroom

For many young Anchorage students, meeting pre-pandemic reading goals is still a challenge

Many kindergarteners, first graders and second graders in Anchorage are struggling to catch up on reading skills. That’s according to data the Anchorage School Board shared at its meeting Tuesday night.
A screenshot of a trial held by Zoom.

Former UAF students describe what they heard and saw in dorm in 1993 before Sophie Sergie was found dead

The former university students spoke at the trial of Steven Downs. Downs is charged with Sergie’s murder and sexual assault.
Two people look at a plane.

First aid flights arrive in Tonga after massive volcanic eruption and tsunami

The eruption severed Tonga's single fiber-optic cable, rendering the Pacific archipelago offline and unable to communicate with the rest of the world. Flights brought bottled water and other supplies.

With voting rights bill blocked, Murkowski says ‘a good handful’ of senators are open to compromise

"Both sides are now set to cast doubt on elections if they don't win," Sen. Murkowski says.
A whale tale near a boat.

Coming soon: Everything you wanted to know about Juneau’s most popular humpbacks

“The goal of the project is basically to make a mini catalog,” says a Juneau a local whale watching guide. “[We want] to take that well over 100 whales and shrink it down to about the 20 most commonly sighted whales in Juneau.”
A close-up photo of electrical wiring

More than 200 planes could have the same problem that caused the Yute Commuter Service fire in Bethel, investigators say

The wiring was installed as part of a federally funded experimental safety program in Alaska that began in the late 1990s.
An emergency sign outside a hospital.

The number of Alaskan COVID deaths now tops 1,000

The state health department on Wednesday reported an additional 63 COVID deaths among Alaskans, the youngest in his 30s and the oldest in her 90s.
An Alaska Native man in a baseball cap sits at a voting booth

Alaska Supreme Court upholds ranked choice voting and top-four primary

The ruling comes one day after the justices heard arguments in the case.
A grayscale image of a large gray circle.

Three of Tonga’s smaller islands badly damaged by tsunami

A wider picture has begun to emerge of the destruction caused by the eruption of an undersea volcano near the Pacific archipelago nation.
A ochre and white concrete building in a greay cloudy day

Alaska lawmakers face proposed salary hike, allowance limits

The Alaska State Officers Compensation Commission voted 3-1 to raise the base salary from $50,400 a year to $64,000.
A meeting room with people in masks

On the session’s first day, Alaska lawmakers talk about working together

Last year’s session was marked by disagreements that nearly led to a partial state government shutdown, as well as differences over COVID-19 safety rules.
Green tundra with mountains in the background

Hot dam: Beavers have gnawed their way into the Arctic, speeding permafrost thaw

Beavers are moving to the Arctic as the Alaskan tundra heats up and the beaver population rebounds after centuries of trapping. A study published in December shows the small, industrious mammal is accelerating climate change in the north.
A man poses for a photo with a piece of art, and also a piece of art of him.

Dave Galanin remembered as a ‘Dog’ who carved in silver, but strummed in blues

The passing of Sitkan Dave Galanin in December was a two-fold loss for Alaska: He was a renown engraver in the Northwest Coast tradition, and he was singer and slide-guitarist from somewhere deep within the Delta blues.
A sea of mussels.

Skagway’s blue mussels were nearly wiped out last year

Reuben Cash says blue mussels are best served steamed with melted butter. But this year, he doubts you could find enough for a meal.
A voter enters a booth with several other booths behind her

Alaska Supreme Court hears challenge that could block ranked choice voting

"Chaos will be created by that system," says lawyer challenging the law.