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.”

signs on a door

Acting Mayor ends Anchorage’s emergency proclamation

Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson announced that Anchorage’s emergency proclamation ended Tuesday at an Assembly meeting last night.
A man in a winter jacket and boots stands on a muddy patch of a swampy lagoon.

Researchers roll out new erosion tracking tech in Bristol Bay

Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks will travel to Dillingham this week to continue erosion research in Bristol Bay’s coastal communities.
A tall snowy mountain, its peak peaking out through the clouds.

Climber in critical condition after falling almost 1,000 feet on Denali

Climbers at the 17,200-foot high camp on Denali’s West Buttress route witnessed the “un-roped mountaineer take an almost 1,000-foot tumbling fall” from Denali Pass around 6 p.m. Monday.
A white woman in a pink coat speaks with a microphone

Murkowski supports commission to investigate attack on Capitol

She is the second GOP senator to back the Jan. 6 commission bill. Sen. Sullivan says he hasn't decided.
A view a cliffside of a community surrounded by water and mountains.

Metlakatla reports COVID-19 death as community faces worst outbreak yet

On Monday, local authorities announced the community’s second death from the disease during the pandemic.

Alaska lawmakers sprinted to the almost-finish. But now their work is stalling amid PFD dispute.

Lawmakers failed to pass a budget by the end of the regular session last week. Now, as a special session begins in Juneau, their momentum seems to have stalled amid disagreements over the size of the Permanent Fund dividend.
A person holds baby chicks in their hands

Coronavirus pandemic leads to boom in Alaska backyard poultry sales

A growing number of Alaskans are raising their own backyard flocks. It’s a trend that gained big momentum over the past year as people spent more time at home during the pandemic.
A woman in a sweatshirt and jeans holds a stuffed animal bald eagle in a blanket.

‘One of the craziest things I’ve ever signed up for’: Meet Unalaska’s new bald eagle wrangler

Megan Dean demonstrates how to rescue an eagle at the Museum of the Aleutians store. (Hope McKenney/KUCB) There's a new bald eagle wrangler in Unalaska.  That's...
mayor elect speaks at a podium with two men next to him

Mayor-elect Bronson names transition team, hints at plans for Anchorage

At his first news event since his opponent conceded, Dave Bronson named two experienced political players to head his transition team.

Biden signs bill to allow cruise ships back into Alaska

The bill allows cruise ships to sail between Washington state and Alaska without a stop in Canada
A girld in a purple tank top gets a shot from a white man in a red masik

LISTEN: What will it take for Alaska to return to normal after the pandemic?

Nearly 50 percent of Alaskans are now fully vaccinated. What does this mean for what people can do in public, while traveling and when visiting businesses? And what are the plans for convincing more Alaskans to get the shot to protect those with vulnerable immune systems?
Smoke billows from a dark green fofrested area

‘Zombie wildfires’ appear to be increasing in the Arctic

A recent study conducted by UAF and another university in Amsterdam, points to more than 40 overwintering wildfires reported in Alaska since 2005. Climate change is suspected to be a key factor.
a bottle of pills

Alaska reports increase in drug-related overdoses

Health officials said Alaska has been experiencing a significant increase in opioid-related overdoses since March, with last week being one of the worst in the state.
A white man in a baseball hat smiles in front ofthe tail of a fighter jet

Legendary Alaska pilot and homesteader Urban Rahoi dies at 102

Best known as a pilot, Rahoi also worked as a hunting guide and real estate developer, remaining physically and mentally fit for more than a century before dying at age 102.
A man in a hoody andd a glasses and short hair stands looking at the camera

Popular Anchorage YouTuber NuttyNu finds his voice with raw portrayals of his hometown

Nu Xiong, aka NuttyNu recently revealed in one of his YouTube videos that he has a neurological disorder. It hasn’t slowed him down.

Dunbar concedes in race for Anchorage mayor

East Anchorage Assembly member Forrest Dunbar conceded to retired commercial pilot Dave Bronson in the race for Anchorage mayor Friday night.
A floor of an arena with cots on the ground

Anchorage to close shelter at Sullivan Arena with plans to buy former Alaska Club

But there’s big uncertainty in the plan: The city has entered into a contract to buy the former Alaska Club building on Tudor Road, however it will not close on the agreement until July 9, when a new mayor will be in charge.

Pandemic rent relief program received applications for about 1 in every 10 Alaskans

The first phase of the federally funded program is expected to send almost a quarter of a billion dollars to landlords and utilities.
A snowy walking trail with mountains in the background

Alaska Senate approves funding for 500-mile hiking trail from Seward to Fairbanks

The Alaska Long Trail would be modeled after other long trails in the country, like the Appalachian Trail on the East Coast.
a person holds a Covid-19 vaccination record card

State to launch mobile platform for Alaskans to show they’re vaccinated

Alaska Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy has said his administration won’t require vaccine passports. But it is nonetheless getting ready to launch an online platform that Alaskans can use to look up and display their COVID-19 vaccination records.