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 large bull caribou trots through tundra

Biologists find first cases of infectious bacteria in Southwest Alaska caribou herd

Brucellosis can be lethal to caribou and can also lead to miscarriages.
The US Capitol building during sunset

Alaska’s Murkowski among senators pushing stripped-down relief package

Murkowski and other moderate Republicans are presenting a smaller pandemic relief proposal to President Biden.
A jar with a translucent liquid

Northwest Alaska health provider cleared to serve seal oil to elders

In 2015, Congress passed the federal farm bill which allowed people to donate wild game that they’ve hunted to certified non-profits, like hospitals or food banks.
A snowy street neaer several bars

In Nome, few sexual assault crimes result in prosecutions

Some survivors think law enforcement doesn’t prioritize these kinds of crimes, especially when the victims are Alaska Native.
a person prepares a syringe to deliver a vaccine to another person

Hundreds of Anchorage residents could have COVID-19 vaccine appointments canceled

The city's health department said that about 500 residents didn't meet the current eligibility criteria for getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
A white man speaks at a podium

Report: Alaska Attorney General quits after reports of sexual misconduct with 17-year-old

The Anchorage Daily News was preparing an article about allegations that then Attorney General Ed Sniffen had an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old when the Dunleavy administration announced Sniffen's resignation.

Alaska Permanent Fund Corp, with millions of dollars in GameStop shares, eyes stock surge warily

CEO Angela Rodell says the organization recently held slightly over 168,000 shares in GameStop, but that number changes daily.
A Samoan womann with baloons in the background wearing a mask

Alaska’s Pacific Islanders are being hit hard by COVID-19. But they aren’t getting vaccinated.

Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians were about 10 times more likely to die of COVID-19, but 10 times less likely to be vaccinated.

Murkowski gains immunity from Trump revenge with Alaska’s new voting system

If Murkowski had to face a Trump-endorsed candidate in a Republican primary, her chances weren't good. But that's not going to happen.
A book cover illustration with a woman in apurple tnk top and red dress

Sitka artist becomes first Indigenous winner of the ‘Oscars of kids books’

Sitka illustrator Michaela Goade was awarded one of the highest honors in children’s literature this week for her work on “We are Water Protectors.” Goade, who is Tlingit, is the first Indigenous person to win the Caldecott Medal.
A white woman in a blue blouse speaks in front of a podium in front of several other men

How did Nazi references get on Alaska license plates?

Within a few days, Alaska officials expect to share more about how the Division of Motor Vehicles managed to issue a pair of personalized license plates referencing Nazi Germany.
A swampy tundra area as seen from above

Biden suspends new leases for oil and gas development on federal lands, including in Alaska

President Joe Biden hit pause Wednesday on any new leases for oil and gas development on federal lands, drawing cheers from conservation groups and criticism from the fossil fuel industry.
An empty hallway with a long corkboard on the wall that's empty as well

Alaska advocates see severe child abuse skyrocket during pandemic

Abuse reports are down overall and advocates say it's because there have been fewer eyes on children during the pandemic.

Lamenting Biden’s moves to ‘target’ oil and gas, Sullivan votes no on Yellen confirmation

Sen. Sullivan says the Biden administration shouldn't discriminate against oil and gas, and that all energy sectors matter.
A large Trump flag waves in front of the U.S. Capitol

Alaska US senators split on attempt to derail Trump impeachment trial

Sen. Murkowski is among only five Republicans voting to keep Trump's impeachment trial on track.

The new, more contagious COVID-19 strain arrived in Alaska — a month ago

Identifying the strain of a positive COVID-19 test typically takes about five days. But with these particular samples, workers at a Fairbanks lab encountered a string of technical problems that delayed the results.

LISTEN: Giant Alaskan legend from early UFC dies of COVID-19

Paul Varelans was a 6-foot-8, 300-pound giant from Fairbanks and a pioneer in the now wildly popular Ultimate Fighting Championship. He died at the age of 51 battling COVID in an Atlanta hospital.
A white woman in red sits behind a screen with her finger on her lip

Anchorage Assemblywoman removed from Human Rights Commission over comments defending Nazi terminology

The Anchorage Assembly member made comments on social media defending Nazi terminology on a pair of custom Alaska license plates.
a medical professional looks at the camera

The state’s vaccine website is improving. Here’s how to make the most of it.

Alaska has the highest rate of COVID-19 vaccinations in the country, but many Alaskans who qualify for the vaccine still haven’t been able to get one because of trouble navigating the state’s website.
A man in a buffy blue jacket and a fur hat speaks on a winter street

Fairbanks leaders plead for answers after string of unsolved missing persons cases

Eight individuals, including five Alaska Native people who've gone missing in the Fairbanks area since last May remain unaccounted for.