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 U.S. Capitol

What happens in Alaska if the United States defaults on its debt next month?

Social Security checks, pensions, government paychecks and many basic services could be affected, and that’s before any economic recession.
the trans-Alaska pipeline

Energy leaders in Anchorage make the case for Alaska LNG pipeline — again

U.S. officials say the proposed 800-mile pipeline, long plagued by its high cost, could be a “strategic tool” for the country.
Rep. Josiah Patkotak

America’s farthest-north state representative is planning to leave the Alaska Capitol

Rep. Josiah Patkotak says he’s running to be the next mayor of the North Slope Borough in an Oct. 3 local election.
side by side portraits of two women

Anchorage Assembly rejects $550K Demboski legal settlement, opts to pay out MacAlpine

Both Amy Demboski and Heather MacAlpine allege they were illegally fired by Mayor Dave Bronson's administration.
woman at helm of boat

With ‘slim chance’ to change Magnuson-Stevens Act, Peltola favors ‘workaround’

Congresswoman Mary Peltola and other salmon advocates try another avenue to limit bycatch.
An abatement notice near a tent in the woods

Anchorage task force recommends opening supervised campsites for the homeless 

The task force also calls for community council input, buying emergency shelters and requesting that state and private landowners sponsor additional camps.
A man signs a piece of paper at a table, surrounded by men and women.

Alaska is getting into the carbon market. What does that mean for the budget – and the climate?

Lawmakers hope the sale of carbon offsets will be a new revenue source. But many of the plan’s details are yet to be determined.
people sit at computers

Former top aide to mayor challenged Anchorage election using policy quietly added that day by city IT director

It’s not clear how the former chief of staff to the mayor, Sami Graham, and the two other election observers knew of the internal policy. The city ombudsman is investigating the incident.
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.
A man in red speaks in a crowd of people wearing red, waiving yellow signs.

Mat-Su educators vote to strike

Teachers would not go on strike until the fall, if an agreement is not reached over the summer.
Construction workers walk down a city street.

Statewide income in Alaska grew twice as fast as the U.S. last year, mostly because of PFDs

The state still has fewer jobs than pre-pandemic, but the job market is historically strong and inflation is beginning to ease.
High school graduates hug friends and family after graduation.

In Toksook Bay, it’s akutaq, elder blessings and throw parties for graduating class

On May 12, all the attention was on the 11 graduating seniors in the Southwest Alaska community.
a snowy mountain

Japanese climber survives thousand-foot fall from Denali

A mountaineering ranger evacuated the 24-year-old Japanese climber Saturday from a point at 15,100 feet in elevation, park officials said.
The Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska facility

Despite decades of warning, looming natural gas shortage threatens to drive up Alaska energy prices

For the second time in just over a decade, utilities are talking about importing liquified natural gas amid looming Cook Inlet gas shortages.
Two women and a military servicemember sit around a news desk.

Supporting Alaska’s veterans | Alaska Insight

Helping veterans and active duty military members cope with service-related trauma to lead healthy, happy lives, takes normalizing the need for mental health care and connecting with people who know the struggle.
An aerial view of some ice at the sea with a bunch of snow machines around and people pulling a whale out of trhe water

For Alaska Rep. Josiah Patkotak, whaling ‘rises above all’ 

Longtime legislators say Patkotak’s whaling during the legislative session might be a first in the body’s history.

Veteran-run nonprofit uses therapeutic recreation to help other veterans

Alaska has one of the highest per-capita populations of retired military service members of any state in the country. There’s a lot of services out there for retired service members, but as Alaska Public Media’s Madilyn Rose reports, veterans in Alaska are one of their own greatest resources.
a sharps container near tents

Anchorage lawyers are working on a policy to clarify when the city will enforce no-camping rules 

Inaction so far this year on clearing encampments stems in part from an Assembly policy call, and in part from legal paralysis around a court decision.
Buckland flooding

Ice jam floods continue to plague Alaska river communities

In the Glenallen area, floodwaters caused by snow melt have significantly receded.
a high school graduate shakes principal's hand

‘Showing off who I am’: Anchorage seniors graduate in sealskin, kuspuks and other regalia

Service High graduate Jade Wren said she felt proud to show her Inupiaq heritage during the ceremony.