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 train in snow

Alaska Railroad freight train derails after running into avalanche debris near Girdwood

There were no injuries, and the avalanche debris didn’t reach the Seward Highway.
A roll of "I voted" stickers with the blue alaska flag nexxt to secrecy folders

Lawsuit: Alaska absentee application mailings discriminatory

A lawsuit filed Friday says state elections officials are discriminating by mailing unprompted absentee ballot applications to older Alaskans but not to all qualified voters.

LISTEN: Alaska geologist says rainfall-induced landslides are like an ‘air hockey table’

Landslides don't always occur under the same conditions, but in Southeast Alaska they're often associated with rainfall soaking soils over time, followed by a sudden, torrential downpour that shifts the balance between friction and gravity.
A man with curly hair in a parka with a fur ruff

Eddie Burke Jr. wins Iditarod Rookie of the Year

The former amateur boxer and garbage truck driver had the best rookie finish since Jessie Holmes in 2018, finishing in seventh place.

49 Voices: Adine Fullerton of Willow

This week, we're hearing from (A- dean) Adine Fullerton, a Willow resident who evacuated her home on Monday because of the Sockeye fire. Adine left with three kids, five dogs, two cats, a hamster. She had to leave three tarantulas behind. When we talked to her she had just discovered her home was spared, along with the spiders. Adine Fullerton evacuated from her home in Willow because of the Sockeye fire.

‘I Sing, You Dance’ – Toksook Bay teen releases Yup’ik album

Seventeen-year-old Toksook Bay teen Byron Nicholai released an album recently. His Yup’ik songs have been popular in the YK Delta ever since he started uploading his performances to his Facebook page. Now they’re available on a variety of common online music sites. Download Audio

Anchorage Petroleum Wives Club welcomes new era with new name

The Anchorage Petroleum Wives Club has been around longer than Alaska's been a state. Founded after the first big oil discovery in Alaska, its purpose was to welcome the wives of the oil workers flooding into the state. But a lot has changed since then, so the Anchorage Petroleum Wives Club recently decided it's time to rebrand. Listen now
A man by a truck with his dog

The rising cost of food is outpacing inflation. Here’s how some Alaskans are coping. 

Bobby Superb is retired and on a fixed income. He says he’s eating less, and even his dog no longer gets hamburger meat mixed into his food.
Alaska 2022 gubernatorial candidates

Candidates for Alaska governor differ on how to handle deaths in state corrections custody

Contenders laid out positions on tribal recognition, housing affordability and public safety during a forum at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage.

Amid a midtown Anchorage mall’s rebirth, is downtown retail in decline?

After surviving a tumultuous few years, the commercial complex formerly (and sometime still) called the Sear's Mall is at the heart of a business boom in the city's midtown district.
A large black boat

Inquiry into the fatal Scandies Rose sinking to begin in Seattle

A two-week federal inquiry into the fatal sinking of the F/V Scandies Rose — lost on New Year's Eve 2019 west of Kodiak Island — will open on Monday in Seattle.

Drunk-driving fatalities down in Alaska

Drunk driving deaths in Alaska are continuing a downward trend. Compared with other states with similar populations such as North Dakota and Wyoming,...

Tanker crash kills driver, spills 2,000 gallons of diesel on Dalton Highway

A tanker truck wrecked on the Dalton Highway 40 miles north of Livengood Monday and spilled 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel.
a river

Forecast shows breakup on the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers may be delayed this year

Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center staff say spring breakup of ice on the Western Alaska rivers could happen a few days later than usual this year.

Federal Highway Bill Gets Another Extension

Congress couldn't agree on re-authorizing the highway act.  It melted down in the House, which just couldn't agree to get behind efforts by House...

Ironman Alaska athletes likely spent millions while they were in Juneau

Ironman Alaska finishers Richard Secretaria and Joseph Paray figure that, between themselves and their significant others, they spent around $8,000 on their trip.

AK: Caretaker for the dead receives unexpected help

On a clear night in September, a group of vandals desecrated a 200-year old cemetery in Sitka, tipping over headstones. The caretaker, 65-year-old Bob Sam, discovered the damage the next morning. Some of the marble slabs were broken beyond repair. This is the story of how the cemetery caretaker enlisted the help of local police to protect the rights of the dead. Download Audio
A person in a black sweater stands in front of a sign.

American Library Association president hears about struggles and successes from Alaska librarians

While the state faces unique logistical challenges, Emily Drabinski says that many problems facing Alaska librarians are happening across the country.
A red and white building

Here’s how the Bethel hospital is preparing to respond to coronavirus

The Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation is increasing its inventory of personal protective equipment, including masks, gowns, and gloves, at its Bethel hospital and village clinics.

Coronavirus hasn’t hit Alaskans, but economists here are bracing for impact

Alaska has no known cases of the coronavirus, but the outbreak has set off economic shockwaves that are already jolting Alaskans. But foreseeable outcomes are not universally terrible.