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.”

Almandinger found guilty on all charges in Grunwald murder trial

A Palmer jury today found Erick Almandinger guilty on all counts in the 2016 slaying of 16-year-old David Grunwald. Listen now
hand sanitizer in a classroom window and people behind the window

Many Anchorage teachers say they don’t want to return to classrooms

Overwhelmingly, public testimony during the meeting came from district teachers who expressed concerns about social distancing, cleaning supplies, and class sizes.

Legislators call for investigation of VECO campaign activities

Two state Democratic lawmakers sent a letter today to Attorney General Talis Colberg and Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) director Brooke Miles, saying the...

Dunleavy calls lawmakers to Juneau to continue special session

In a declaration Wednesday, Governor Mike Dunleavy amended his call for the second special session to have it take place in Juneau, rather than his original choice: Wasilla.
A white man in a gray suit gestures in front of a microphone

Dunleavy says returning to disaster declaration jeopardizes tourism

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy sent a letter to all legislators on Wednesday saying the state should not return to having a disaster declaration because it would lead travelers to assume that the COVID-19 situation in the state is worsening.
A man with tatooed arms gets a vaccine while giving a shaka symbol

Anchorage Pacific Islander community brings COVID-19 vaccines to church

A Tuesday vaccine clinic brought 80 vaccines to a Samoan church in Airport Heights, where food and music made for a unique atmosphere.
Cathy Giessel

Last-ditch attempt to return Alaska teacher, public employee pensions fails on Senate floor

The pension proposal would have piggybacked on a bill that aims to remedy the state’s teacher staffing crisis.

220 Anchorage teachers receive layoff notices

Two-hundred-twenty teachers in the Anchorage School District on Wednesday received layoff notices. The pink slips were issued as legislators contend with a $2.5 billion budget deficit, leaving education funding levels for the coming year uncertain. Listen now

Yukon king salmon run may be too small for upriver subsistence

King salmon is a primary subsistence resource for residents along the Yukon River. And now many subsistence fishermen on the middle and upper part...
Three women stand in front of a microphone, one is holding a photo in her hands

Community remembers Jaclyn Welcome, and raises awareness about homelessness

Several dozen mourners gathered in a park in Anchorage Sunday evening to remember Jaclyn Welcome, a 37-year-old woman who was fatally shot on June 20.
The double yellow line in the center of a road is almost completely covered in snow.

Anchorage is still struggling to remove snow, weeks after a trio of winter storms

City officials say crews have made progress. But there are challenges.
floodwaters in Golovin

Weather service says storm is near Point Hope but will continue to weaken

A meteorologist says the worst of the flooding is over.
St. Lawrence Island

Remember the Russian men who fled to Alaska to avoid the war in Ukraine? They spoke to this reporter about their ordeal.

Charlie McCann, a feature writer for The Economist's long-form magazine "1843," caught up with the men after they spent three months in detention.

There’s a stark red-blue divide when it comes to states’ vaccination rates

Surveys have shown Trump supporters are the least likely to say they have been vaccinated or plan to be.
Two people carry a large box into a walk-in freezer.

Biden administration’s shift to equity over speed could bring more clarity to Alaska vaccine response

Two weeks into the Biden administration, the emphasis has shifted to equity instead of speed.

Sand Point Experiences Pair of Quakes

Alexandra Gutierrez, KUCB – Unalaska Sand Point residents experienced a rude awakening this morning when a pair of moderate earthquakes hit about 30...

‘What’s the plan?’ Senators say ACA replacement in the works

As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump repeatedly promised to “repeal Obamacare and replace it with something great.” Early this morning the U.S. Senate took an initial step toward repeal. As for the replacement, Alaska’s two senators describe something still in the formative stages. Listen now

Man found guilty of murder in Alaska Native woman’s killing that was captured on stolen memory card

The Anchorage jury returned a unanimous verdict against Brian Steven Smith after deliberating for less than two hours.
coastal area with mud and receding water near the mountains

Illinois man dies after becoming trapped on mud flats near Hope

Word reached troopers just before 6 p.m. Sunday that Zachary Porter was stuck in the quicksand-like tidal mud flats.

Senators Debate Climate Change, Energy Legislation With President

Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC Both of Alaska’s Senators attended a White House meeting Tuesday on climate change and energy legislation.  They were among...