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 boxy building covered with snow

The coronavirus pandemic is devastating Alaska’s budget, and it could cost you your PFD

The Legislature approved a budget last weekend that’s predicted to drain 70 percent of the cash left in the state's primary savings account. And things will be even worse without a substantial increase in the price of oil.

Third resident at Fairbanks long-term care facility tests positive for COVID-19

A third resident has tested positive for COVID-19 at the Denali Center long-term care facility in Fairbanks, according to Foundation Health Partners.
A white man in a suit speaking at a podium

Planners in Anchorage brace for surge of COVID cases with more hospital space, mortuary preparation

Anticipating more coronavirus cases, officials in Anchorage are racing to bring more medical beds online, scrounging for equipment, and even preparing potential mortuary spaces.

Alaska’s confirmed COVID-19 cases grow by 14, two more hospitalized

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Alaska grew to 133 by Tuesday, with two more Alaskans hospitalized.

Bristol Bay health corp fires exec after she suggests coronavirus is a political conspiracy

She was fired after several local leaders were outraged by Scotford’s claims, and called on the health corporation to take corrective measures.

Prudhoe Bay worker tests positive for COVID-19, BP says

The worker is an Alaska resident who had traveled out of state, according to Alaska's health commissioner.

Fairbanks is now considered Alaska’s coronavirus ‘hot spot’

Alaska health officials are now calling the Fairbanks area the “hot spot” for coronavirus in Alaska. That’s despite more total cases in Anchorage, where there’s also been two deaths, and a higher percentage of cases in Ketchikan relative to that city’s population.

Two Fairbanks medical clinics are related to at least 15 COVID-19 cases, state says

Two medical practices in the same building in Fairbanks are connected to a cluster of COVID-19 cases, according to the Alaska Department of Health...

UAA study: To prevent deaths, Alaska will need strict interventions for many months

A new academic study of the coronavirus’s likely impacts on Alaska is clear: to prevent thousands of deaths, strict interventions will be necessary for months.

Third Alaskan dies of COVID-19 as case count rises to 114

The deceased patient was 73 years old and had been admitted to the hospital almost a week ago.

Alaska Airlines Center set to house 150 patients as planners prepare for surge of cases

Anchorage officials say they hope that the former sports center won't need to be used, but that they want to be prepared just in case.

Missing five-year-old Ketchikan boy found dead

On Saturday afternoon, "ground searchers located Jaxson [Brown] deceased and recovered his remains,” troopers said in a statement.

Resident of 90-bed Fairbanks center for seniors and rehab tests positive for COVID-19

Foundation Health Partners, which operates the 90-bed Denali Center, said it believes the resident caught the disease from a staff member who also tested positive. After learning of the resident's positive test Friday and consulting with state epidemiologists, the center tested every resident and staff member for COVID-19.

Coronavirus fears fuel assault on Bering Sea fishing boat, federal prosecutors charge

Maurice Young was a housekeeper and galley assistant on the 235-foot SeaFreeze America. A day before the assault, the victim -- a processor on the ship -- criticized Young “for serving food without gloves,” prosecutors said in a court filing.

Anchorage officials: We need your COVID-19 protective gear, including homemade masks, ‘immediately’

Anchorage officials are again asking people, businesses and medical providers to donate protective equipment "immediately," including homemade masks. Despite community donations so far, Anchorage continues to face a shortage of personal protective equipment, the city says.

Wristbands, longer shifts, fever checks: How Alaska oil companies are responding to the global pandemic

While work is continuing on Alaska’s remote North Slope, oil and gas companies say it’s not business as usual. They’re taking new precautions to keep the virus away.

‘We crossed a line today’: Dunleavy orders statewide shelter in place, limits travel

People can still go outside, under the new mandate, but they must remain six feet or more away from individuals not in their households.

Anchorage patient first to die from COVID-19 in Alaska

The first person to die in Alaska after testing positive for COVID-19 passed away Friday at Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.

Anchorage Mayor extends ‘hunker down’ order and delays tax day

Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz announced today the city is extending the hunker down order until April 14 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hair stylists, barbers, tattooists among those with fewest options amid coronavirus closures

Industry structure means many workers are uniquely ill-equipped for the mass closures now in place for the foreseeable future.