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 man in a blue t-shirt and sunglasses. His t-shirt reads "Save America's Postal Service." Behind him are people wearing masks holding placards.

Young votes to protect Alaska’s bypass mail, but bill likely won’t go far

Alaska Congressman Don Young voted for a Democratic bill to prohibit changes to the U.S. Postal Service that would slow delivery.

Non-traditional employees in Alaska will miss out on extra $300 in federal benefits

State officials are counting on Congress to pass a bill that would include those workers and back pay them for the months that were missed.
The Student Union sign at the University of Alaska Anchorage .

UAA starts fall semester with nearly all classes online, fewer students in dorms

UAA Chancellor Cathy Sandeen made the decision back in May to hold most classes online this fall. She said it was an easy choice to make given how the coronavirus spreads.
Four white milk cartons with russian writing

‘Pulse’ of marine debris in Bering Straits likely coming from Russia

The trash included butane and penetrating oil.
America's Best Value Inn and Suites

Treasury lays out options for city to move forward with controversial property purchases

Uncertainty over the city’s controversial purchase of four properties for substance treatment and housing services seems to be at least partially resolved after the Berkowitz administration met with U.S. Department of Treasury officials this week.
Screenshot of Louis DeJoy with the insignia of the Postal Service behind him.

Postmaster general considers bringing budget axe down on Alaska’s Bypass Mail

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy says he’s considering cutting Alaska’s bypass mail program to save money.
three white quonset huts sit on a dirt road

Donlin Gold pushed back on textbook content. The Lower Kuskokwim School District removed it.

Teachers were working on curriculum for a fifth grade textbook about human impacts on the environment.
A white man gestures at a podium

Dunleavy administration makes changes to ease small business access to COVID-19 relief

The grants range in size from $5,000 to $100,000. Businesses with 50 or fewer employees are eligible.

COVID-19 cases grow at North Slope oil fields, Anchorage Pioneer Home, as state confirms 86 positives

State and oil company officials have confirmed 13 cases of COVID-19 between two different North Slope oil fields, as Alaska reported 86 new cases of the virus Thursday.
A photo of Stephen Duplantis

Conservative candidates won Alaskans’ votes Tuesday with big PFD promises. Now comes the hard part: delivering.

Conservative Alaska Republicans who fared well against incumbents in Tuesday's primary election focused their campaigns on large PFD payments -- not on the deep budget cuts that would almost certainly have to come with them, given Alaska’s precarious financial position.
A white church with a tall steeple and mirrored glass on the front surrounded by several trees

Anchorage has not moved to stop churches from meeting in defiance of virus order

The city says it hasn't received any formal complaints from the public.
A neighborhood street with a gravel dirt road in the mouuntains behind

Road or trail? New JBER project surprises residents

JBER officials are calling the 30-foot wide gravel corridor a "trail' that they say is needed for emergency access and firefighting.
Michael Bauzon, a teacher and dean of student affairs at Lumen Christi High School, takes students' temperatures outside.

Fever checks and small groups: Anchorage private school students are returning to classrooms

While the coronavirus has pushed the Anchorage School District to start the year online on Thursday, small private schools in the state’s largest city are pressing ahead with plans for in-person classes.
A Carrs grocery store with a large parking lot in front.

Airport Heights Carrs to close, dealing a blow to the Northway Mall

The Carrs grocery store at the Northway Mall in Airport Heights is going to be closing its doors next month. This is the second anchor tenant to leave the 40-year-old mall recently, after Joann Fabric and Craft left for a new location in Midtown.
Protesters waving rainbow flfags and holding white signs gather

Ketchikan borough mayor vetoes resolution asking state for LGBTQ protections

The assembly had voted 6-1 in favor of the resolution and could likely bring the issue back for another vote next month.
Three relatively small windmills turn above small, one-story homes. Green grass in the foreground and thick fog in the background .

COVID-19 cases confirmed in St. Lawrence Island communities

According to the regional health corporation, his newest patient was tested as a close contact of the individual in Savoonga who was confirmed as a positive case on Sunday.
A silvery sports arena

UAA proposes cutting hockey, gymnastics and skiing

The teams would be eliminated next school year, and the move would save the university about $2.5 million annually.
A man in a trump mask holds a sign up through the window of the front half of a blue sedan. The sign says "Uncle Sam I am 1/2 off"

Judge dismisses case against Haines man with epilepsy who drove parade float

The man donned a Donald Trump mask and drove a car that had been cut in half. A week later, local police cited the man, who has a history of seizures, for driving without a license.
Two brown haired women, one in a gray suit and one in a blue police uniform

Former Sitka officer wins harassment settlement, promises investigation of police

A sexual harassment lawsuit brought by a former police officer against the City of Sitka has settled out of court for over $500,000.