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.”

bus driver speaking in microphone

Anchorage School District says rotating bus schedule will continue until further notice

District leaders had previously hoped to end its rotating bus schedule by the start of October. But not enough drivers are coming back from tourism jobs in time.
A woman in red short throws a basketball.

Anchorage hoop hero Alissa Pili returns home for Great Alaska Shootout

Alissa Pili is in her final year of eligibility, so this might be the last time Anchorage hoop fans can catch her playing in her hometown.

State files lawsuit against Mercer for shortfall

The state today filed suit against the consulting firm that was monitoring and advising the state employees’ and teachers’ retirement systems when the current...

Senate Medicaid budget cut may overstate savings

Federal and state law require certain Medicaid funding. The Senate’s Medicaid funding levels fall short of state projections for that obligation. Listen now

Congressional delegation on Trump: Meh

We asked Congressman Don Young and U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski how they feel about Donald Trump these days. Their responses ranged from tepid to chilly. Download Audio

Protesters flood Capitol steps in support of Planned Parenthood

A crowd gathered in the drizzle on the capitol steps Tuesday to show their support for Planned Parenthood. In recent weeks, Republican lawmakers have tried to strip the organization of its federal funding. Download Audio

Interior asking public not ‘if’, but ‘how’ to allow drilling in ANWR

At the meeting, officials said the Trump administration must move forward with oil lease sales in ANWR. About 100 protesters gathered outside. Listen now
a water room with people working

‘People really pulled together’: Volunteers help fix Nenana’s frozen-up water plant

After Nenana’s water-treatment plant froze up Monday, leaving about 150 homes without water, city workers and volunteers got the system back up and running in about 12 hours.
The seal of the state of alaska as seen from below

Alaska to pay ACLU attorneys after losing lawsuit over abortion-related court funding vetoes

The state of Alaska has been ordered to pay nearly $87,000 in attorneys fees to the American Civil Liberties Union after losing a lawsuit over the governor’s vetoes of court funding in 2019 and 2020.
A man sitting at a teacher's desk

New to Alaska, Filipino teachers find their rhythm in Aniak

Nearly all of the Kuspuk School District’s new teaching staff come from the Philippines.
A brown wooden building in the woods

COVID-19 outbreak reported at Hiland prison

Three prisons in the state currently have over 100 active COVID-19 cases.
A teacher sits at her desk in a classroom full of tables and chairs but no students

It’s official: Anchorage School District postpones start of in-person classes

Anchorage Schools Superintendent Deena Bishop had mentioned earlier this week that a rapid increase in COVID infections would likely delay bringing kids back to classrooms.

Man found guilty of murder in Alaska Native woman’s killing that was captured on stolen memory card

The Anchorage jury returned a unanimous verdict against Brian Steven Smith after deliberating for less than two hours.
ballot and pen

Split: Alaska liberals fear a shutout in 48-way race for US House

There’s an angst gnawing at Alaska’s liberals. They fear a split will put four conservatives on the ballot.
a man in a tie stands in a meeting room

State judge to decide eligibility of Alaska lawmaker linked to Oath Keepers

A Matanuska-Susitna Borough man says Rep. David Eastman has violated the "disloyalty clause" of the Alaska Constitution.
A group of children play in puddles.

Majority of Alaska students will start the school year under universal mask policies

A comparison of mask policies from school districts around the state show the majority of districts, urban and rural, have implemented universal mask policies for the start of the school year.
Homer firefighters

Fire destroys Fritz Creek General Store near Homer

The blaze in the unoccupied building, which also housed a post office, liquor store and gas station, was reported around 4 a.m. Thursday.
two children with a fishing net in the water

Interior Department puts $40M toward community relocation efforts for Newtok and Napakiak

“We’ve never really done anything like this before in this country, particularly for tribes,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland.

Dunleavy taps Sean Parnell for gas line advice

Dunleavy’s transition chairman Tuckerman Babcock also announced that former Libertarian Party state legislator Dick Randolph will be an adviser on constitutional amendments. Listen now