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.”

A view of Eklutna Lake.

Eklutna Hydro Project owners’ plan would return water to most, but not all of Eklutna River

The plan would bypass the dam and send water back down 11 of 12 miles of the Eklutna River. But some want to see the river fully restored.
High school kids waving protest signs.

Hundreds of Mat-Su students stage walkout to protest school board decisions 

The protests follow recent controversial decisions by the board, including the removal of its student representative.
A close up of a skeleton sculpture with traditional Mexican attire for Día de Muertos on an altar.

Día de los Muertos celebration offers comfort and community connection

Día de los Muertos is a Mexican and Mexican-diaspora celebration of people who have died and Anchorage is celebrating it for the 19th year.
a portrait of a man in a dark button up shoirt

Alaska turned to a private guardianship agency to care for some of its most vulnerable residents. The result: dysfunction and debt.

The Office of Public Advocacy, facing a staffing crisis, relied on a fledgling nonprofit to lighten its caseload. Some transferred clients lost critical benefits.
birds

These American birds and dozens more will be renamed, to remove human monikers

The American Ornithological Society has vowed to change the English names of all bird species named after people, or deemed offensive or exclusionary.
salmon

Salmon runs in Alaska’s Kuskokwim River show some positive signs, but totals remain low

Preliminary numbers show chum salmon returns were better this year than last year and better than the record-low conditions of 2021.
a Picture of a lake with blue skies and green grass

State sues Anchorage homeowners over contested public access to Campbell Lake

It's the latest move in a long-running dispute over the large man-made lake in South Anchorage that is surrounded by expensive homes.
a dog in a superman costume

We’re spending $700 million on pet costumes in the costliest Halloween ever

More U.S. shoppers are buying into Halloween this year, scaring up a new spending record for costumes, decorations, candy and cute outfits for pets.
a vigil

Bethel residents light candles for victims of domestic violence

The Tundra Women's Coalition hosted its final event marking this year's Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a Thursday candlelight vigil in Bethel.
a meeting

Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. board all but rejects plan for riskier investment target

Board members had been considering a four-year plan that included an aggressive strategy to reach $100 billion by 2028.
the Homer courthouse

Man charged with murdering girlfriend in Homer shooting

Homer police say Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, 35, called 911 Saturday to report that he had fatally shot Brianna Hetrick, 22.
a trooper car

Trooper fatally shoots armed man outside of Tok motel, authorities say

Troopers say the man reportedly tried to break into a motel room and was brandishing an assault-style weapon.
A picture of a beige building

Anchorage looks for more shelter space, with number on waitlist now double expected capacity

“In total, we have about 1,000 people who are wanting to move throughout the sheltering system,” said Anchorage’s homelessness coordinator.
Construction workers walk down a city street.

Alaskans saw largest pay drops over past 4 years, while Midwest and Mountain West residents saw biggest bumps

Over the past four years, Alaska residents lost the most in inflation-adjusted income and the state was one of three that saw declines.
a man

Kenai man amasses vast collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia

Some people collect coins. Others collect jewelry or trading cards. But Kenai’s Kelly Bookey collects Coca-Cola memorabilia, and in large amounts.

University of Alaska graduate students vote to unionize

The state's graduate students will be represented by a union affiliated with the United Auto Workers, after a 314-11 vote counted Friday.
the front of a building

Alaska retirement board recommends closure of widely used plan after analysis finds flaws

The "managed accounts" program covers more than 10,000 of the 122,000-plus retirement accounts managed by the state.
a natural gas line

State’s draft energy plan highlights familiar Alaska megaprojects, offers vague plans for renewables

The draft lays out some broad intentions to bring more renewable energy to the state. It also calls for the controversial Alaska LNG pipeline.
Three people posed in front of a a white wall

The new ‘Mana: The History We Inherit’ exhibit highlights Filipino history in Alaska

Mana is the Tagalog word for “inheritance” and the name of an exhibit launching at the Anchorage Museum on Saturday.
Jane Angvik, Vic Fischer's wife of 42 years, sits at a table with Lori Townsend.

The legacy of Vic Fischer | Alaska Insight

On this episode of Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend and her guests discuss the life and legacy of Vic Fischer, Alaska's last constitutional delegate.