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.”

Congresswoman Peltola hires Josh Revak, a Republican former rival, to run her Alaska office

“We may have different party affiliations, but the job is about serving all Alaskans,” Revak said
people wave signs on a picket line

No new offer in Mat-Su school bus drivers’ strike as parents’ anger builds

The bus strike has tangled transportation in a district that serves roughly 19,000 students across a region about the size of West Virginia. 

Skull found near Canadian border belonged to a man who was likely killed by a bear in the ’70s

Troopers identified the remains as Gary Frank Sotherden of New York. They believe he died in a bear mauling.
A map of the Willow development on Alaska's North Slope

BLM proposes allowing ConocoPhillips to drill most of its Arctic Willow project

A final decision is expected in 30 days. The Interior Department still has "substantial concerns."
gas prices on a mobil sign

Exxon announced record earnings. It’s bound to renew scrutiny of Big Oil.

Exxon earned nearly $56 billion in profit last year, the biggest annual profit any Western oil company has ever seen. Chevron set its own record with $35 billion in profit.
small bodies of water dot the tundra

EPA stops Alaska’s Pebble mine with rarely used power

The decision caps a decades-long battle over a region that is home to both the world’s largest wild salmon run and one of the world’s largest deposits of copper and gold.
a mother and child

‘Hungry, frustrated and unheard’: With food stamp backlog, Alaska mom struggles to feed son

A state leader cites multiple reasons for the growth of the backlog, which has no clear end in sight.
a woman in a striped shirt

Nikiski legislator hires former Alaska budget director Donna Arduin as policy advisor

Donna Arduin worked in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s office between 2018 and 2019 and was the architect behind his plan to cut over $1 billion in state spending.
A mirrored building.

What do you want to ask Anchorage Assembly and school board candidates?

What issues matter most to you? Help us create our candidate questionnaires.
Large white boxes that read "Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Box" sit in a warehouse.

Here’s who’s running for Anchorage Assembly

A majority of Assembly seats are up for election and only two incumbents are running.
a woman

Bristol Bay braces for EPA’s final decision on the proposed Pebble mine

If the EPA finalizes a ban on mining activities at the site of the proposed Pebble Mine at the end of the month, it would effectively kill the mine.
boats in a harbor

After a 2-week stand-down, Kodiak’s Tanner crab strike is over

After two weeks of staying at the dock, Kodiak’s Tanner crab fleet is finally going fishing after crews and processors agreed on a price.
Pete Kaiser

Bethel’s Pete Kaiser notches his 7th Kusko 300 win

Kaiser arrived at the Bethel finish line at 12:26 p.m. on Sunday with his team of 11 dogs.
sign in front of building that says: anchorage police department

1 man killed and another injured in downtown Anchorage shooting

The shooting happened outside of the Gaslight Lounge. It’s the second fatal incident in the area in two months.
A view of 4th Ave in Anchorage from a rooftop.

2022 Destination Assessment proposes ways to make Anchorage more appealing

Destination development consultant Roger Brooks presented eight initiatives on how to make Anchorage more appealing to visitors and residents.
A man and a woman sit at a desk with a second man on a TV monitor.

Reversing Outmigration in Anchorage | Alaska Insight

Anchorage and Alaska have seen a decade-long pattern of population decline. Birth rates are slowing, and more people are leaving the city than coming in.
a Tanner crab

Inside Kodiak’s crab standoff

Crews from more than 100 boats are waiting for a higher price, but experts say they are facing global market forces unlikely to budge.
A runner bounds down a wet dirt trail wearing black shorts, a red backpack and an orange windbreaker. Mountains rise into mist in the background and there are wet leaves and other vegetation in the foreground.

Alaska Long Trail could bring tourists, money and opportunity to Kenai Peninsula

A 500-mile trail connecting the Kenai Peninsula to Fairbanks is in the works, which organizers say could bring big economic impacts along its path.
a musher and a small child arrive to Nome

Five Indigenous mushers set to compete in 2023 Iditarod despite rising costs

First climate change and now financial worries are forcing some competitors to stay off the trail this year.
A blue bow with a yellow stripe at a dock

Feds award $285M for Alaska ferries. But to get it, the state needs to put up money, too.

Gov. Dunleavy has cut state funding for ferries and reduced the fleet. Sen. Murkowski says, "Let's not mess this up."