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.”

lawmakers

Disagreements between Alaska House Republicans stalled education work for 3 weeks

The House Education Committee didn't meet for three weeks starting Feb. 14, denying Gov. Mike Dunleavy a channel of support for his ideas.

As public guardians in Alaska remain buried in cases, their director searches for solutions

A state program that serves some of the most vulnerable people in Alaska is overwhelmed. Its director is searching for solutions.

New poll says Alaskans support ‘large’ education funding increase, child care bill, federal trawling ban

Half of Alaskans favor a per-student increase of $680 or more, the same amount the House and Senate passed in recent weeks.
clocks

What to know about the political debate around daylight saving time

At least 29 states have considered legislation related to daylight saving time, including making it permanent year-round.
Academy Charter School in Palmer.

Many Alaska charter school principals oppose Dunleavy’s plan for state approval option

Alaska charter principals say they greatly favor the existing local control of school districts.
a highway

Man crossing Seward Highway fatally struck by SUV near Dowling Road

Police say the man was hit by a vehicle headed north on the highway Thursday evening. He was treated by medics, but died at the scene.
a balloon

Feds investigate ‘large balloon’ found by fishermen near Alaska’s Aleutian chain

The Department of Defense declined to discuss the origin or purpose of the balloon, which was brought to Dutch Harbor then flown to Anchorage.
President Biden

5 takeaways from President Biden’s State of the Union address

President Biden used the high-profile speech to draw a contrast with his likely 2024 opponent, former President Donald Trump.
a musher eats a meal inside

Iditarod musher Petit and his dogs chow down in Ruby after arriving first to the Yukon River town

Both the Big Lake musher and his voracious huskies were eager to eat, having made it to the Yukon River first Thursday night.
a musher talks to another man outside

Iditarod ‘made the right call,’ Seavey says of penalty for insufficient moose-gutting

Musher Dallas Seavey was assessed a two-hour penalty for failing to properly gut a moose he shot earlier in the race after it attacked his team.
A white truck cab without any cargo on a snowy road with cargo containers stacked behind it

Federal appeals court hears Anchorage port case with up to $367M on the line

The appeals court judges seemed more skeptical of the federal Maritime Administration's case than Anchorage's.
A moose eating branches in a snowbank

Man injured in Houston moose trampling

Troopers say the man was treated and released at a hospital, after he stepped outside his home to investigate dogs barking late Wednesday night.
dogs under blankets

Iditarod mushers care for dogs, sleep, eat and repeat during their 24-hour breaks

The 24’s, as they’re called, are mandatory and a welcome reset for the weary teams.
a brewery

Alaska brewers sue state alcohol board on entertainment rules

Three Alaska breweries are challenging a recently weakened state ban on live entertainment at breweries and wineries, calling it unconstitutional.
students

Bungled FAFSA rollout delays college decisions for Alaska’s high school seniors

Alaska has the nation’s lowest percentage of high school seniors who’ve submitted the FAFSA so far.
a parking lot

Woman lying in Anchorage Walmart parking lot run over and killed

Police say the woman, who was run over by a minivan, died outside the South Anchorage Walmart Wednesday afternoon. No charges have been filed.

Alaska Republicans help fuel Trump’s juggernaut. This GOP consultant thinks they’ve lost their minds.

Alaska GOP voters chose Trump by a huge margin. Art Hackney, a stalwart in Republican circles, has theory to explain it.
A man looks upset

Iditarod penalizes Dallas Seavey for ‘not sufficiently’ gutting moose he shot in defense of team

A panel of race officials handed down a two-hour penalty for the infraction, which will be added to Seavey’s mandatory 24-hour rest.
A house that's under construction.

Alaska House passes bill aimed at reducing down payment requirements for state-backed home mortgages

The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation said the change would allow it to reduce the required down payment from 5% to 3%.
a woman gazes at her sled dog

Iditarod back-of-the-pack mushers and their dogs are learning on the fly

Sean Williams is a second-time rookie and says he’s doing less screaming this year, while Deke Naaktgeboren is enjoying watching his dogs start to gel.