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.”

the Willow project

ConocoPhillips can start road work for Willow Arctic drilling project, judge decides

Opponents of Arctic drilling project lose Round 1 in court.
wooden sign holders and sand bags are strewn on the snow-covered ground. In the background, a wooden frame holds another political sign.

A masked man assaulted an ADN photographer looking into campaign sign vandalism 

The incident comes amid what a campaign consultant says is an unprecedented level of sign theft and vandalism this election cycle.
A Juneau police car

Local artist appears in court in connection with anti-trans notes left around Juneau

Mitchell Watley is widely known as the illustrator of the popular Alaska children’s book “I Would Tuck You In.” 
the Alaska Senate Finance Committee

Inadequate training and a fatal U-turn cost Alaska government $3M, settlement docs say

The state of Alaska will pay to settle claims brought by the family of a man killed in a 2018 crash caused by a state trooper.
people testifying

Alaskans oppose Dunleavy’s ‘parental rights’ bill at legislative hearing

Alaska students, teachers and sexual assault survivors spoke against a bill Gov. Mike Dunleavy says would support parents’ rights.
the Holland family

North Pole’s Patrick Holland gets his new heart

A new heart for Holland was available Thursday at a Seattle hospital, after he missed one due to flight delays amid a December ice storm.
Donald Trump in court

Donald Trump pleads not guilty to 34 felony charges

The former president pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 34 counts of falsifying business records arising from hush money paid to a porn actor in 2016.
a group of men in suits talk to each other

Alaska House votes for temporary boost to public school funding

This week, the House is considering amendments to a state budget proposal that contains a deficit of about $600 million.

Peltola says charges against Trump further divide Americans

Rep. Mary Peltola avoided passing judgment on former president Donald Trump's indictment Tuesday, but called it "a bleak day for Americans."
Over a crowded diner table, a group of adults talk and laugh.

Left-of-center candidates lead in most Anchorage Assembly races 

Both Anchorage School Board incumbents appear on track to keep their seats.
A schools office space with a damaged roof and ceiling

Initial results show Anchorage voters approving school bond and using marijuana taxes to fund child care

Almost all other ballot propositions were passing. But, there are still thousands of ballots to count in Anchorage’s by-mail city election.
books for sale in Juneau

Juneau shops pull local artist’s books in wake of threatening, anti-trans notes

Two local businesses made statements supporting the trans community and condemning illustrator Mitch Watley’s alleged actions.

Trombley out as Anchorage Mayor Bronson’s chief of staff

Bronson named Mario Bird as acting chief of staff, effective Wednesday. Bird is a lawyer who had previously been rejected to be the city’s municipal attorney.
Parking lot full of parked police cars.

Anchorage’s police body camera policy is again delayed, frustrating Assembly and community members

Anchorage Assembly members say they may need to take a more hands-on approach to get the body-worn cameras implemented.
three women pose for a photo

Y-K Delta women describe the realities of living with climate change for foreign dignitaries

“Every year it seems to get worse,” said Newtok resident Carolyn George.
The double yellow line in the center of a road is almost completely covered in snow.

Alaska extends studded-tire removal deadlines in wake of snowy winter

Drivers in much of Alaska including Anchorage will have until May 15 to remove studded tires; those in southern areas will have until May 1.
A woman looks into a hole on a closed street

Half-mile stretch of Anchorage’s 15th Avenue closed due to sinkhole

A drainage culvert beneath the street failed, causing the sinkhole.
A seated man in a green puffy coat looks through the scope on a rifle, which is mounted on a tripod, with tundra shrubs in the background.

Alaska hunters with disabilities might someday harvest moose in an Anchorage park, but the plan faces criticism

Ira Edwards says his plan addresses safety concerns, and he says the hunt would provide a much-needed opportunity for hunters with disabilities, while thinning out the moose in Kincaid Park.
a man in a suit and tie

Gov. Dunleavy creates task force to address Alaska’s child care crisis

“It’s a real issue that needs to be looked at and scrutinized so that we can come up with some models that can help our folks, our families, our mothers,” said the governor.

Alaskan sentenced in Jan. 6 riot at Capitol tells judge he needs a gun for moose defense

Aaron Mileur was sentenced to two years of probation. He'd like to modify one of the terms.