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.”

Joe Gerace talks with people in front of dumpsters in front of the Sullivan Arena shelter

Disgraced former Anchorage health director accused of defrauding state militia

The state of Alaska wants more than $60,000 back from Joe Gerace, claiming he misrepresented his military background to the Alaska State Defense Force.
Construction workers walk down a city street.

Economic development officials launch campaign against Anchorage’s ‘talent crisis’

The Choose Anchorage action plan calls on leaders to improve education, housing and public infrastructure.
St. Lawrence Island

Remember the Russian men who fled to Alaska to avoid the war in Ukraine? They spoke to this reporter about their ordeal.

Charlie McCann, a feature writer for The Economist's long-form magazine "1843," caught up with the men after they spent three months in detention.
a landscape photo, sea ice

Missing Noorvik-bound snowmachiner found dead

Searchers found Thomas Brown's body about 10.5 miles from Kotzebue, near Cape Blossom. 
U.S. Capitol dome

Peltola, following in Don Young’s footsteps again, wins seat on House Transportation committee

The panel has jurisdiction over the Coast Guard, air travel and other areas of importance to Alaska.
woman with brown hair

Peltola says wrong date on her congressional bio is likely a reporting error she made decades ago

"It's really embarrassing, and I think it's probably my error," says Congresswoman Peltola.
Tongass National Forest

U.S. reinstates road and logging restrictions in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest

A federal agency said Wednesday it is reinstating restrictions on road-building and logging on the country’s largest national forest in southeast Alaska.
Kodiak fishing vessels

Kodiak’s Tanner crab fleet stand-down still strong a week in

Kodiak crabbers voted Sunday to press pause on the Tanner crab season altogether until they get a price from canneries they think is fair.
Jim Cockrell

State troopers, misled by false court order, detained school principal for mental health check

Troopers say a family member of Mary Fulp presented responding troopers with a written court order they said was signed by a state judge.
a Juneau education rally

With songs and speeches, Alaskans rally in Juneau for more education funding

Educators, students and parents gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol Monday night to call for more education funding.

Anchorage Mayor Bronson remains mum on accusations of unethical, unlawful actions

Bronson briefly addressed the Anchorage Assembly Tuesday night, the first regular Assembly meeting since former Municipal Manager Amy Demboski’s scathing letter.
a man in a tie

For likely the first time, the Anchorage Assembly legally compelled someone’s testimony

A municipal attorney said using subpoenas to discuss protected personnel records would protect the municipality. It’s an unprecedented move for the city.
Alaska Railroad crew working on tracks

Repairs complete on avalanche-damaged Alaska Railroad track

The track is a key link between Alaska’s Railbelt and Lower 48 rail freight.
Mike Dunleavy

Alaska Gov. Dunleavy urges Legislature to fund more legal action against Biden administration

Dunleavy said there are many reasons for optimism in Alaska during his State of the State address, calling for it to be the "most pro-life" state in the U.S.
the Glenn Highway

Mat-Su schools closed Tuesday amid Southcentral rain, icy roads

Light rain is expected to fall across much of the region Tuesday, with a storm possibly bringing more rain to Anchorage on Wednesday.
the Alaska Legislature's Bush Caucus

For rural Alaska lawmakers, local issues trumped party interests and swung the state House

The members of the House’s Bush Caucus explain how and why they flipped control of the chamber.
ranked choice ballot with a pen

Signature drive begins to rid Alaska of ranked choice voting

Organizers have a year to collect 27,000 signatures to put ranked choice voting on the 2024 ballot for repeal.
A snowplow pushes through thick snow on a residential street.

From next week to March 9, Anchorage school days will be 30 minutes longer

The Anchorage School Board approved the plan to make up for class time lost due to an unprecedented string of snow days in December.
a woman with a dozen eggs

Local Alaska egg producers fill cracks during shortage

Staff at the Poiema Farm say their 200 chickens and 80 ducks are yielding four dozen eggs a day, amid low winter production.
a food stamps store sign

Lawsuit says Alaska Department of Health exposed thousands to hunger risk by not giving food aid

A complaint filed Friday alleges some families have waited four months for nutrition assistance.