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.”

Chief justice: Dunleavy has to choose a judge from the list

"The governor must appoint one of the candidates nominated by the council," the chief justice wrote, referring to the Alaska Judicial Council. The council screens applicants for judicial vacancies and sends a list to the governor. Gov. Dunleavy's decision not to select anyone for one judicial vacancy puts the state in uncharted waters.

Alaska Guard soldiers back in the U.S.; almost home

A welcome home ceremony for Alaska Army National Guard soldiers in the 297th infantry was held this morning at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The group...
A woman in a white suit holds a blue surgical mask.

Alaska’s COVID-19 case count sets record over the weekend

The state reported 604 cases on Saturday, a single-day record.

Former Alaska lawmaker disappointed with retroactive per diem payments

Former Alaska state Rep. Jason Grenn sponsored an ethics law last year that affects legislators’ per diems. He called a recent vote on retroactive per diem payments “sad.”
Mayor Ethan Berkowitz at a COVID-19 press conference in Anchorage in March.

With ‘moral authority’ compromised in a pandemic, Anchorage mayor steps away

Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz resigned Tuesday, a day after the married mayor acknowledged what he described as a consensual, inappropriate messaging relationship with a television anchor.
ravens

Cruise ship season begins in Juneau

The first ship of the year — the Norwegian Bliss — arrived early Tuesday morning.
A cat looks out the window

A man threatened to kill himself. Juneau police shot at him, and hit two nearby homes instead.

State and local authorities say they're investigating the shooting.
A digital image of a blue lock in a row of red locks

Amid cyberattacks, Alaska’s top cybersecurity official quietly left his job

Mark Breunig now works for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. His departure came as the state spent nearly $500,000 to address a cyberattack on the Department of Health and Social Services.
A white cruise ship at port

Canada pledges to reopen ports to cruise ships; Murkowski floats maritime law reforms

Canadian authorities say they’ll lift a pandemic-era ban on cruise ships in the country’s waters, but it won’t happen until after the end of Alaska’s 2021 cruise season. The decision means cruise ships could again sail from Vancouver and Victoria to Alaska in 2022.
a sign

Alaska’s Division of Public Assistance makes progress on food stamp backlog

Earlier this month, food aid was delayed by more than a month for more than 12,000 Alaskans. That number is down to 10,074.

With ‘laser focus,’ Anchorage School District commits to in-person study beginning Jan. 19

The district is taking a phased-approach that prioritizes elementary and special-needs students.
Stryker combat vehicles

Army sends 90 Stryker vehicles from Fort Wainwright to Ukraine

A few Stryker combat vehicles remain at Fort Wainwright, for training soldiers in facing weapons of mass destruction.

Does Alaska Air buyout of Hawaiian Vacations create illegal monopoly?

The Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AKPIRG) is asking Alaska's Attorney General to investigate the recent acquisition of Hawaiian Vacations by Alaska Airlines. AKPIRG...
A student sitting on the shoulders of another student holding up a sign in protest.

Alaska students stage statewide walkout to protest education funding veto

Students protested Gov. Dunleavy’s veto of an education funding bill and the Legislature's failure to override the veto.

Standoff involving suicidal man in front of Fairbanks Memorial Hospital ends peacefully

A seven-hour standoff outside Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Monday was resolved peacefully. Listen now

Southeast tribal court builds on its experience

Southeast Alaska’s largest tribal court operation just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Listen now
The Anchorage Assembly chambers at the Z. J. Loussac Public Library in Anchorage.

Man who sent death threats to Anchorage Assembly members in custody

A man who sent death threats to members of the Anchorage Assembly was arrested on Wednesday. In text messages sent to South Anchorage Assemblyman John Weddleton, 39-year-old Richard Leemon Joe threatened to “come after” assembly members and anyone else who might be nearby with an AR-15 rifle, according to charging documents. Joe also referred to the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol earlier this month in his threat.

Japan Quake Cause for Reevaluation of Proposed Tsunami Warning Center Cuts

Photo and Story by Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC The U.S. House, Tuesday, passed yet another temporary spending bill that would keep...

Shop with a Cop highlights family homelessness in Anchorage

For the past 15 years, the Anchorage police and firefighters have donated money to the Shop with a Cop program. It gives disadvantaged children the chance to buy gifts for themselves and their family members for Christmas. But it also highlights a problem in Anchorage – families experiencing homelessness. Download Audio