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 man poses for a portrait outside in a kuspuk with glasses

Remembering Joe Senungetuk, a practitioner in the art of resistance

The Inupiaq artist, who died on May 31, leaves behind many contemporary art fans who loved his carvings, sculptures, and paintings.
a person stands in front of a truck

A shortage of heat pump installers is slowing climate action in Southeast Alaska

Swapping out oil-based heating systems for heat pumps is one of the best ways for homeowners to shrink their carbon footprints. But in communities like Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka, heat pump installers are struggling to keep up.
shipping containers on a ship

Port of Seattle closure could cause cargo delays for Alaska

About 90% of Alaska’s goods arrive by ship or barge, and most of that comes via Seattle.
A ship in the water

Cut cable causes internet and cellphone outages in Arctic Alaska

Quintillion President Mike McHale said a full restoration of internet and some cellphone service could take up to two months.

Counterfeit pills with fentanyl flood Alaska’s black market

Overdose deaths have been rising in Alaska for the past several years. Most of that is due to illegal fentanyl. And, it’s been showing up more and more in pills that look like prescription drugs, but are counterfeit.
Crooked Creek flooding

Crooked Creek struggles to rebuild after historic breakup flooding

Last month's 15-mile-long ice jam inundated homes, led to a significant loss of stored food and washed away critical fishing gear.
a student

Alaska state school board advances proposal to ban trans girls from girls high school sports teams

An almost-unanimous decision will open a 30-day public comment period on the idea.
$100 bills

The U.S. dollar conquered the world. Is it at risk of losing its top spot?

The dollar has helped make the U.S. the most economically powerful country for most of the last century, but other countries – including rivals like China – have the greenback on their sights.
Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski speaking to the media

Murkowski and Sullivan take opposing views of Trump indictment

Murkowski says the charges are serious and “cannot be casually dismissed.” Sullivan says they'll likely do the country "lasting damage."
a trooper car

Troopers say 2 women found dead near Trapper Creek were murdered

One of the women was reported missing in late May after making a 911 call.
Two people stand with their hands on a lit up museum exhibit of a volcano.

Anchorage Museum holds ‘Sensory Friendly’ morning for visitors with disabilities

During the event, the museum provides accommodations for people who may become overstimulated, including fidget toys, sunglasses and chewing gum.
A man at a podium in front of a school board

Mat-Su school board approves policy changes for sex-ed, pronoun usage

The school board passed a pair of policies aimed at transgender students and sex-ed by a 6-1 vote without much discussion.
a Chinook salmon

Washington-based conservation group wants Endangered Species Act protections for Alaska king salmon

The Wild Fish Conservancy already closed an iconic Alaska fishery with a lawsuit.
A woman and dog by a tent surrounded by bins and bags of stuff

Anchorage’s bureaucratic seesawing is pushing people out of this camp — at least for a few weeks

Civil rights lawyers are fighting the clearing of the campsites in and around Cuddy Family Midtown Park ahead of an outdoor music festival.
a bald eagle

Avian influenza has returned to Alaska, and so have health advisories 

The highly pathogenic disease circling the globe stands out for its effects on wild birds, and experts say Alaskans should be on the lookout for cases.

Alaska Public Media receives Northwest Regional Emmy

Learn more about the award-winning project.
A man speaks at a microphone to the school board.

Anchorage School Board approves funding to rebuild Inlet View Elementary

The Anchorage School Board voted Tuesday night to spend $26 million on rebuilding Inlet View Elementary School in the city’s South Addition neighborhood.

Anchorage Assembly recommends use of vacant Midtown lot for homeless camp

The lot was one of five sites across Anchorage that a city task force recommended in May.
A man speaks at a podium during a school board meeting.

Mat-Su school board will vote on policies requiring parent permission for sex ed, pronoun changes

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Board is preparing to vote Wednesday on a pair of policies that would affect transgender students.