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.”

Palmer man dies in Prince William Sound floatplane crash

A 75-year-old Mat-Su borough man was killed in a Tuesday floatplane crash in Prince William Sound.

Victims in floatplane crash near Metlakatla identified

The investigation into Monday’s fatal floatplane crash near Metlakatla on Annette Island has begun, and both victims have been identified.

ADN report: 1 in 3 Alaska villages lacks law enforcement

The Daily News on Sunday launched a project in partnership with ProPublica - the independent journalism nonprofit funding some of the work - called "Lawless," which they describe as the most comprehensive look ever at law enforcement in rural Alaska.

Legal views conflict on Alaska school funding law

Lawyers for the Alaska Legislature and Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration offer contrasting views on whether a law enacted last year will fund schools next year — or whether a new bill is needed.

Two dead after floatplane crashes near Annette Island

Two people are dead after a DeHavilland Beaver operated by Taquan Air went down near Metlakatla about 4 p.m. Monday.

From Texas to Colorado to Scotland, ANWR drilling opponents take their case to CEOs

A small crowd marched on BP's American headquarters in Denver today, demanding the oil conglomerate not drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. It's part of a larger effort by environmental groups to target oil companies and also banks.

Legislators approve $46M for Alaska ferries to avert fall shutdown

The state ferries will likely run through the winter months, avoiding a potential shutdown proposed by the Dunleavy administration.
Spring Creek Correctional Center. (Department of Corrections photo)

Spring Creek continues clean-up, investigation of May 7 riot

Staff and inmates at Spring Creek Correctional Center - Alaska's maximum security prison, in Seward - continued to clean up this week after a riot there May 7th.

Two of Alaska’s biggest exports are caught up in the US-China trade dispute

As President Donald Trump’s trade dispute with China continues to drag out, some of Alaska’s biggest exports expect to be hit with even steeper tariffs than they’ve seen in recent months.
white man in a suit speaks from a desk

Alaska lawmakers say compromise crime bill repeals Senate Bill 91

The compromise bill, which repeals a controversial criminal justice reform law passed in 2016, would lead to longer criminal sentences. The Alaska Legislature plans to take it up next week.

Murkowski sticks with GOP to confirm anti-abortion nominee to bench

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski helped the Senate confirm President Trump’s 65th federal trial court judge. The nominee, Wendy Vitter, overcame substantial criticism from abortion rights groups.

Anchorage musician Quinn Christopherson wins NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert contest

An Anchorage singer-songwriter is the winner of NPR's Tiny Desk Concert contest. Quinn Christopherson beat out 6,000 entries from around the world with a song called "Erase Me", recorded in front of the huge, famous Sydney Laurence painting at the Anchorage Museum.

Legislature’s failure to finish work leads Dunleavy to call immediate special session

The Alaska Legislature failed to pass a budget or a crime bill Wednesday, the last day of the 121-day session. But it will pick up Thursday where it left off, after Gov. Mike Dunleavy called the Legislature into a special session.

US House bill clears path for Alaska tribes to put land in trust

The U.S. House on Wednesday passed a bill that would clear a legal cloud over whether Alaska tribes can put land in trust, giving them the authority to govern over that land.

Ketchikan planes in mid-air crash both had equipment designed to help avert collisions. What went wrong?

How the planes' GPS transponders were or weren't working is a question investigators will explore, they said Wednesday.

What the healthcare overhaul at VA means for Alaska vets

The MISSION Act goes into effect on June 6th, and is intended to modernize veteran healthcare as a wave of younger vets are beginning to access services.

Searchers recover two missing from mid-air collision

Six people are confirmed dead from a mid-air plane collision Monday near Ketchikan and crews are searching for two that remain missing.

Bail denied in federal case on illegal weapons and threatening posts

An FBI investigation into social media posts threatening to kill racial and religious minorities turned up what prosecutors say was an unlawful machine gun and silencers, as well as almost a dozen other firearms taken from an East Anchorage apartment.

NTSB: Southeast plane collision happened at about 3,300 feet

A National Transportation Safety Board team of investigators has landed in Ketchikan to look into Monday’s fatal mid-air collision of two tour planes.

Unangax cemetery at former WWII internment camp may be added to Funter Bay park

Alaska lawmakers are considering expanding a state park to include historic graves of Alaska Natives who were among those who died in World War II internment camps.