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 National Tsunami Warning Center

Alaska’s annual tsunami warning test failed for some communities

Wednesday was the annual test of Alaska’s tsunami warning system — but Homer, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Sitka and Unalaska didn't hear it at all.
A person in drag stands on stage raising their hands

Haines residents split over planned Juneau Drag performance at the Southeast Alaska State Fair

What started as an online ripple became a wave of public comments at the last borough assembly meeting in Haines.
shoppers in line

Alaska lawmakers pitch ways to close gaping budget gap from state sales tax to cutting oil tax credits

A revenue forecast released last week estimated the state has a shortfall of more than $450 million heading into the next fiscal year that starts July 1.
people talk to staffers in windows at the PFD office

Reminder, Alaska: PFD applications are due Friday

The state’s online PFD application will be available until 11:59 p.m. on Friday.
an IRS Form 1040

These are the states with the highest and lowest tax burdens, a report says

Alaska leads a WalletHub list of states with the nation's lowest overall tax burdens, at 5.05% of personal income.
Bert Stedman

Alaska House prepares to block legislators’ pay increase, but top senators say they’re uninterested

In the Alaska Capitol, committee chairs can exert an enormous amount of power, as demonstrated by the "Bert Locker."

UAA to house Ted Stevens papers

The collection fills 4,800 boxes, not counting a warehouse full of memorabilia.
A man with a hat is standing on a sidewalk next to a utility pole.

Connecting the Seward and Glenn highways scarred Fairview. Now, lots of agencies want to make it right.

The Anchorage neighborhood recently won a federal grant specifically for repairing damage to the community from past transportation projects.
Alaska state ferry workers

Alaska’s ferry system expands hiring efforts amid recruiting, retention issues

Two state ferries were scheduled to sail the key Yakutat-Bellingham route this summer — but there’s only enough staff to run one of them.
woman in striped jacket

Peltola speaks of Second Amendment rights, not gun control, following Nashville shooting

Rep. Mary Peltola on Tuesday plugged "Second Amendment rights and good values."
the presdident stands with a woman, holding an award

Public media call-in show ‘Native America Calling’ honored by the White House

The daily call-in radio show is a production of Koahnic Broadcast Corp., based in Anchorage.
A cop car sits in front of crime scene tape in a parking lot.

Woman fatally injures 3-year-old boy and herself in parked Mountain View car

Police said the woman had called dispatchers and told them she was going to harm herself.
a graph of Alaska maternal deaths

State experts call Alaska’s maternal mortality rate ‘a call to arms’

In 2021, Alaska reported its highest number of pregnancy-associated deaths in the last decade — more than double the latest five-year average.
Bert Stedman

Fast-track budget bill, intended to help food-stamp program, speeds through Alaska Legislature

The Alaska Legislature has passed a fast-track budget bill intended to immediately address problems with the state’s food-aid program.

Judge likely to rule next week on halting Willow construction on Alaska’s North Slope

The Legislature and Alaska's congressional delegation have jointly filed an amicus brief urging the judge not to grant an injunction.
Cama-i dancers

After a decade away, dancers from St. Mary’s return to Cama-i

This year's Cama-i was the first full-scale festival since 2019.
a graph of U.S. life expectancy

‘Live free and die?’ The sad state of U.S. life expectancy

Americans know poor diets and sedentary lifestyles make their health bad. But a new report could shock even those who feel like they know the story.
the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska’s occupational licensing division staggers under its workload

Gov. Mike Dunleavy proposes staffing increases and universal temporary licensing to help the agency, as lawmakers propose adding to the burden.

Arctic policy conference brings international leaders to Anchorage. Russia not included.

Arctic Encounter has taken on new focus as Russia's invasion of Ukraine put the Arctic Council on pause.

Resources for aging Alaskans to stay in their home communities | Alaska Insight

On this episode of Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend is joined by Teresa Holt, director of AARP Alaska, and Jacquie Braden, a community development program manager at RurAL CAP to discuss the challenges and resources available, for those looking to spend their golden years in their communities and lifelong homes.