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 group of elders participate in an exercise class in an indoor pool.

For older Alaskans, exercise classes build community

Many older Alaskans are building community, battling isolation and staying healthy in exercise classes.
a Juneau courtroom

Former Juneau chiropractor now accused of sexual assault by 14 patients faces more charges

Jeffrey Fultz was arraigned Wednesday after two more women accused him of assaulting them under the guise of medical treatment.
Rows of cots are organized on the floor of an arena.

Politics and pessimism are weighing down Anchorage’s latest push for a new homeless shelter

City officials have repeatedly failed to establish new, low-barrier shelter spaces, and repeatedly fallen back on using the Sullivan Arena as one.
Gary Stevens

Alaska legislators fail to block pay hike, but additional action is planned to stop it

A lengthy debate Wednesday resulted in no action by the Alaska Legislature to prevent a 67% salary increase approved by a state commission.
A computer model of two large green tents with some people walking around outside

Anchorage Assembly threatens legal action over Bronson admin’s illegal contract authorization

The mayor and Assembly leaders say they hope they can sort out their differences with each other, then settle up with Roger Hickel Contracting.
Wales, Alaska

After the fatal polar bear attack in Wales, a collective approach to healing

Questions still linger about what caused the bear to kill a woman and her baby — but more important for Wales is the question of how to move on.
a trooper car

State tracks a bump in Alaska homicides over the last five years

A state report on the most recent data shows that Alaska’s annual homicide rate increased steadily and significantly over the last decade.
banner on grass outside a building with columns

Willow protesters dog Biden as he touts his environmental achievements

The protests haven't been huge, but the focus on the Willow project could tarnish Biden's climate legacy.
a map near Pedro Bay

Pedro Bay deal blocked Pebble before EPA’s veto, but still protects salmon habitat

Late last year, the Pedro Bay Corporation closed a $20 million deal that blocked the Pebble Limited Partnership’s proposed transport route.
a school

Lower Kuskokwim School District measures Yugtun in a Yup’ik way

The district has rolled out an innovative language test based on Yugtun, or central Alaskan Yup'ik, for students up to sixth graders.

Palmer to set up interim library after roof collapse

Residents of Palmer have rallied to support the Palmer Public Library since the building suffered a partial roof collapse on Feb. 15.
A mirrored building.

Anchorage Assembly sues Mayor Bronson to force disclosures about former health department head 

Several Assembly members previously accused the administration of using confidentiality to hide the lackluster investigation from the public.
Large white boxes that read "Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Box" sit in a warehouse.

Anchorage voters to decide on using marijuana taxes to fund early education, child care programs

Proposition 14 would specifically allocate Anchorage marijuana tax revenue to child care and early education initiatives.
Jamie Heinz inside Anchorage Election Center

Furor over mail-in voting fades as Anchorage prepares for April election

It peaked in 2021. Anchorage’s election administrator thinks increasing transparency around election operations has helped settle the public’s concerns.
Host Lori Townsend sits at a desk, with a monitor across from her showing the face of Dr. Oivind Toien

How understanding hibernation can help improve human medicine | Alaska Insight

On this episode of Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend is joined by Dr. Kelly Drew and Dr. Oivind Toien, two researchers at the University of Fairbanks Alaska who are looking at the possible medical applications of understanding hibernation.
Bob Penney

Bob Penney, KRSA founder, dies at 90

Kenai River Sportfishing Association founder Bob Penney died earlier this week at his winter home in Indian Wells, Calif.
Lisa Murkowski giving a remote address

Murkowski, Peltola tell ComFish more needs to be done about ‘crisis’ levels of species decline

The lawmakers discussed the challenges faced by Alaska’s fishermen in a remote address to Kodiak’s annual commercial fishing trade show.
Willow project

Willow oil project approval intensifies Alaska Natives’ rift

Some say that oil money can’t counter the damages caused by climate change, but others defend the project as economically vital.

ACLU sues Alaska prison system over forced medication policy

The ACLU says Mark Andrews' experience shows that a policy affecting many people in state custody with mental illness should be struck down.
People cut up meat in a kitchen.

On appeal, state wins right to challenge subsistence hunting decision for Kake

The state can try again to get a judge to rule that a 2020 emergency hunt was illegal.