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 speaks into a microphone behind a podium

Mayor Bronson announces sudden replacement of Municipal Manager Amy Demboski

Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson announced Amy Demboski's departure in a two-sentence statement Monday, providing no additional details.

Murkowski’s irate; Interior nominee heard all about it

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski used a confirmation hearing as an opportunity to voice her frustration over a string of decisions by Sec. Sally Jewell limiting development in Alaska, including last week's cancellation of Arctic offshore lease sales. An Interior Department nominee felt the burn today. Download Audio

LISTEN: Where do cars go when they die? In Alaska, off the road system, not far

Broken down cars are sometimes part of the landscape in Alaska. In areas off the state road system, it's more expensive to ship out the dead cars than to just leave there.

After vandalism, museum continues to share Jewish life in Alaska

https://youtu.be/v3z0j-sBtWA Incidents of antisemitism have been on the rise nationally and worldwide. Here in Alaska, a series of events last year highlighted the need for...
a man

‘I think it’s wrong’: Alaska ACLU seeks accountability for state inmate deaths

At a recent fundraiser, the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska again called attention to the high death rates in Alaska prisons.
An opal

Huge opal sells for nearly $144,000 at Alaska auction

The opal, dubbed the “Americus Australis,” weighs more than 11,800 carats.

LISTEN: Congolese refugees arrival in Alaska featured in documentary on kindness

"The Antidote" shows members of a Congolese immigrant family -- including a 104-year-old grandma -- arriving on the icy streets of mid-winter Anchorage, with the help of Catholic Social Services' Refugee Assistance program, after 17 years in a Rwandan refugee camp.

Dunleavy reverses potential cuts to senior benefits

Dunleavy told a room of people he was moved to change course on the Senior Benefits Program after hearing input from beneficiaries and their families.

Anchorage elections results favor Berkowitz, utility sale, Prop 1 failure

The majority of votes cast in Anchorage’s municipal elections are in. And while some races remain too close to call, a clear picture emerged Tuesday night on most of the candidates and measures. Listen now
a riverbank

Alaska tribes accuse Canada of human rights violations, request international hearing on mining

The Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission says upstream mining in Canada violates tribes' right to a healthy environment.

Congressman Young Criticizes Federal Oceans Policy at Anchorage Hearing

Invited panelists spoke out against a new National Oceans Policy at a Congressional subcommittee hearing in Anchorage this (Tuesday) morning.   Congressman Don Young  chaired...

Fuel Sale in Nome Targets Spring Subsistence Hunters

Anywhere else in the United States, $5.47 per gallon for gasoline might be pretty frightening—but in Nome, it’s a sale for spring subsistence. Download Audio

Rain helps effort to contain McHugh Creek fire

Wet weather has brought much-needed relief to the ongoing effort to control the McHugh Creek fire in southeast Anchorage. Listen now
a Girdwood water rescue

Girdwood fire crews rescue man trapped up to his waist in Turnagain Arm mud

The surveyor became in stuck in the mudflats and then called 911 on his cellphone.

Police To Assemble Task Force In Wake of Week’s Fourth Murder

Crime analysts report the number of confirmed shootings more than doubled compared to last year, with much of the violence attributed to the illegal drug trade at a press conference held by the department.
People walk through the Alaska State Fair grounds in Palmer - some masked, some not. Ferris wheel in the background

After a missed year, Alaska State Fair vendors say things feel almost normal, despite pandemic risk

The 2020 Alaska State Fair was canceled due to COVID-19 risk. This year, you’d hardly know there’s a pandemic, said some vendors.

Out With The Old, In With The New: Up-And-Comers Outpace Longtime Career Mushers

For decades, a few big name mushers have dominated the standings in the Iditarod, but after decades of racing, many of them are reconsidering their priorities. Professional mushing may be in the midst of a “changing of the guard” as a small group of young mushers start to post top finishing times. Download Audio

Fishing towns object to Alaska’s mandate overruling local COVID-19 restrictions

Fishing towns are asking for more say in regulating who is allowed into their communities during the coronavirus pandemic.

Why fishermen are mailing corks to Murkowski

Bristol Bay fishermen who oppose the Pebble Mine are adding an unusual task to their pre-season chores: They’re writing messages on cork floats and mailing them to Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
A white man in a gray suit gestures in front of a microphone

Gov. Dunleavy says he’s open to working with President Biden but will oppose blocking development

“Alaska’s viewed very differently by the rest of this country,” Dunleavy said in an interview. “And they don’t necessarily see this as a sovereign state. But they see it as a vision of a larger park. In 1959, that was not the vision.”