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.”

two dogs next to each other, attached to a dog team

Mach 10, mastering the art of slowing down

Iditarod musher Matthew Failor is excited that his leader Mach 10 has picked up a new skill: the art of the trot.
a man in a jacket sits in a chair

After years of COVID restrictions, Nikolai meets Iditarod with cautious optimism

The Iditarod this year looks almost exactly as it did pre-pandemic.
the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska legislators say state AG overstepped with Walgreens letter over abortion pill

Nearly two dozen members of the Alaska House and Senate signed on to a letter to Walgreens CEO Rosalind Taylor.
Mike Dunleavy

Gov. Dunleavy introduces bill requiring parent permission for sex ed, pronoun changes

Dunleavy's bill would require more parental permission to teach sex education and change students’ names or pronouns in school.
A dog team runs up the banks of the Kuskokwim River.

How bad are the Iditarod trail moguls? Depends who you ask.

Iditarod officials had warned mushers that the trail into Nikolai would have the worst moguls in race history.
A man with curly hair and a mullet and sunglasses sits on a pad

Iditapod: Hot doggin’ and leapfroggin’

Iditarod teams are contending with warm weather in the thousand-mile race, many choosing to run in the cool of night as much as possible. We'll talk about that in this episode, plus a little about what other sports some mushers have participated in outside of mushing. We have another Dog of the Day -- this time, a trusty leader named JoAnna and, as always, a listener question.
A caution sign that says, "Overhead Work Stay Clear" sits on top of a snow berm in front of a school building.

Anchorage School District closes 5 school libraries due to snow load

The Anchorage School District has closed five elementary school libraries to evaluate potentially dangerous snow buildup on top of schools.
a man in a green hat and orange buff

Triathletes, boxers and skiers: How different sports help these Iditarod mushers compete

This year’s mushers include a former all-conference football player, an Ironman triathlete and a member of a national championship ski team.
a sled dog is pet on the head

JoAnna, a hyper-obedient leader

Once JoAnna gets going, she doesn’t stop. 
Gary Stevens and Cathy Tilton

Alaska Legislature votes down raises for governor and other top officials

The Alaska Legislature has voted unanimously to block raises for the state’s governor, lieutenant governor and commissioners.
A dog team runs in front of some mountains

Iditarod mushers cope with warm temperatures as they arrive at Alaska Range

Mushers shrugged off jackets and dogs sunbathed in the snow as temperatures hovered around 40 degrees — hot by Alaska winter standards.
A man lies with his dog hugging it

Photos: Iditarod mushers shrug off jackets and sled dogs sunbathe

The Rainy Pass checkpoint is about 150 miles into the race and, tucked into the Alaska Range, it’s a scenic place to rest.
brown water comes out of sink

Craig issues boil water notice after failures at treatment plant

Officials in the Southeast Alaska community are asking residents to conserve water “as much as possible.”
Two dogs wearing bright orange booties smile wide in their harnesses.

Iditapod: One paw in front of the other

Iditarod mushers took their sled dog teams on an untimed, celebratory fun run from downtown Anchorage on the city’s trails, with hundreds of fans cheering along the way. We hear from mushers and fans – maybe the pitter patter of little dog feet – as well as a joyful bride, a grumpy bear, a curious moose (or three), a former Miss Alaska and her mom, who had a fox on her head, and more!
A musher in a big parka and orange jacket rides down a city street

Iditapod bonus: Extended interview with Brent Sass

Reigning Iditarod champ Brent Sass talks about his hectic life in the tiny town of Eureka, his newfound confidence and his mushing philosophy.
Jim Crawford at a conference table

Anchorage Assembly members want commission appointee to resign for raising stereotypes about homelessness

Jim Crawford serves on an advisory commission, and suggested race and mental illness cause homelessness during a recent meeting.
two people and a check

Alaskans owe less tax than expected for their PFDs because of energy relief payment

The $662 energy relief portion of the payout is not subject to federal taxes, according to a recent IRS announcement.
a woman sits at a desk

Senate bill aims to address state employment crisis with a better retirement system

SB 88 would return public employees to a pension plan that would guarantee set payments upon retirement.
a man hugs a dog outside

Boomer, the ‘bull in a china store’

Iditarod musher Jed Stephensen said the 3-year-old dog is "just a constant explosion."