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 in a red dress sits on a red chair with the slightly unfocused background of the U.S. Capitol building

Visiting Alaska, Canada’s Ambassador to the US talks border, Russia and about being the first woman in the role

As ambassador during the pandemic, Kirsten Hillman says a major focus for her and her team has been on Canada's unique relationship with the U.S., especially with the countries' shared border.
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Evidence grows that vaccines lower the risk of getting long COVID

Being fully vaccinated seems to substantially cut the risk of later developing the persistent symptoms that characterize long COVID.

As public guardians in Alaska remain buried in cases, their director searches for solutions

A state program that serves some of the most vulnerable people in Alaska is overwhelmed. Its director is searching for solutions.
a crowd of people stand outside, mostly wearing red white and blue

Anchorage police interaction with woman wielding ‘white privilege card’ prompts investigation

An investigation has been launched after a person believed to be an Anchorage police officer was shown in a photo with a woman in town for a Donald Trump rally flashing a novelty “white privilege card.”
A dock in a small town filled with skiffs

Unable to reach hospital because of weather, Pilot Station man dies of COVID-19

A 37-year-old man in Pilot Station died from COVID-19 at the village health clinic before he could be transported to a hospital. Stormy conditions prevented a medevac from reaching him.
a Navy warship

Sighting of Chinese and Russian warships near Aleutians prompts Navy response

A U.S. Northern Command spokesperson said the foreign patrol ships remained in international waters and were not considered a threat.

‘Mayor’ Stubbs the Cat passes away at 20

Stubbs the cat passed away in the overnight hours between Thursday and Friday, according to his owners. Listen now
A woman in a red jacket stands at a podium in a meeting room

Murkowski touts infrastructure success, tells Legislature she’s fighting Biden admin daily for resource development

Condemned by her party, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski gave an address to the Legislature marked by her moderate brand of politics.

Video: Artifacts unearthed during TAPS construction remain relevant

Underneath the Museum of the North in Fairbanks are rows upon rows of artifacts from across the state. One group of items, unearthed during the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, still have a role to play in Alaska’s modern development process. Listen Now

What can Kodiak teach the world about renewable energy? A lot.

It's a model with lessons for remote communities from the Arctic to the equator - and for cities on the big grids of the Lower 48, from New York to Houston. Listen now

Anchorage retailers hope for spending rebound fueled by higher wages and ‘revenge shopping’

At Anchorage’s Dimond Mall, some retailers are reporting that sales have surpassed pre-pandemic levels thanks to pent-up demand and supply chain shortages that are vexing online shoppers.

Kinetic Energy, A Ball and An Unlikely Path to Art

An Eagle River man started with a pile of junk, a roll of wire, and an obsession, and ten years later, ended up with art. The ball obstacle course is on display in downtown Anchorage. Download Audio:
a woman on a bike

$100K of specialty cycling equipment stolen from Challenge Alaska in Anchorage

The stolen equipment was a mix of standard bicycles and specially-made cycles for people with disabilities.

Tensions over PFD fuel talks of a new constitutional convention. Alaskans will vote on whether that time has come.

Next year, Alaska voters will decide whether to hold a new constitutional convention. They’ve rejected similar questions over the past 50 years. But anger over the permanent fund dividend is fueling talk of overhauling the Alaska Constitution. 

Murkowski says she's giving up Kenai land to end ethics controversy

Senator Lisa Murkowski is trying to put a stop to the political flak she has gotten for buying Kenai riverfront property from family friend...

Jake Metcalfe's campaign advisor resigns under fire

The campaign advisor to democratic Congressional candidate Jake Metcalfe resigned this afternoon. Bill Scannell's resignation comes amid allegations that he was behind a series...
the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly chambers

4 candidates file to replace Charlie Pierce as Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor

The borough is holding a special election for the mayoral seat on Feb. 14.
two people stand in light-colored gowns, outside

Arctic sea ice patterns put on display during New York’s Fashion Week

Images captured by a University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist were incorporated into clothing, showing how brittle new sea ice contrasts with less-abundant old ice.
A doctor gives a young girl a shot in her arm as she sits next to her mom.

Alaska expecting COVID-19 vaccines for wider group of kids in coming weeks

The state of Alaska is working on a plan to make sure kids can get vaccinated as soon as possible. State of Alaska Immunization Program Manager Matthew Bobo joined Alaska Public Media's Casey Grove to talk about those plans.
a building

Alaska governor’s staff deleted state agency’s analysis of teacher pay

The article would have been on cover of Alaska Economic Trends for October.