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 harbor

Lower Cook Inlet fishermen try to stay afloat after tough salmon season

A season of low prices, high costs and a poor pink salmon run has come on the heels of last year’s market collapse.
A crowd of People in a ballroom.

Thousands of Alaska Natives to gather in Anchorage

"The Convention is the largest representative annual gathering in the United States of Native peoples," the Alaska Federation of Natives says.
Blue and red police lights.

Man who tried to burn down Anchorage apartment building charged officers with knife, police say

Patrick Moran, 34, was charged with arson, assault, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment in the Saturday incident.
a man

Juneau police arrest suspect in swastika vandalism

Ryan Jaravata, 41, faces one felony charge of third-degree criminal mischief related to the alleged crimes.
an ocean

The U.S. gets a new national marine sanctuary, the first led by a tribe

Over 4,500 square miles of ocean will be protected off California. It will be managed in partnership with the Indigenous groups that fought to create it.
two ships at sea

Cargo ship carrying 300K gallons of fuel endures storm near Unalaska

Four crew members were evacuated rom the Panamanian cargo ship during a major weekend storm.

Peltola, Begich face off in amiable Debate for the State

The candidates for U.S. House offered differing views on abortion and presidential elections while showcasing a difference in personal style.
a woman

Ad check: Does Alaska’s congresswoman vote with President Biden 80% of the time?

Yes, if you look at last year and only at the votes the president announced a position on. Most Democrats align more closely.

Man fatally shot after running at an officer with a knife made several 911 calls, Anchorage police say

James Afuvai, 24, allegedly told officers he was in trouble and that shots had been fired nearby. Police “weren't able to find any sort of crime scene or area where there was somebody else in danger.”
political ads on a table

That ad claiming Begich ‘sold phony medical devices’? Here’s the backstory.

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola is running an attack ad on her Republican opponent, disparaging how he made his personal wealth.
Downtown Anchorage, with water in the foreground and mountains behind.

Anchorage Assembly considers ballot proposition that would introduce a 3% sales tax

If approved, supporters estimate it would generate about $180 million in annual revenue for the city.
a tiger

Meet Natasha, the Alaska Zoo’s new tiger 

She’s 11 years old, about 300 pounds and arrived in Anchorage this week on a FedEx flight.
two men

Former Democratic legislator narrowly wins Fairbanks Borough mayoral race

Grier Hopkins defeated fellow former state lawmaker John Coghill by just 154 votes in the high-turnout election.
St. Paul

St. Paul seafood processing facility unlikely to reopen for surprise snow crab fishery

Trident Seafoods says opening the Pribilof Island's facility for the fishery's low catch would not be economical.
a man

Palmer city manager resigns with $75,000 payout

Stephen Jellie's resignation was announced during an emergency city council meeting Wednesday.
a parade vehicle

Cat lost at Sitka’s animal shelter leads to conflict over volunteers

The volunteers, who ran the shelter for nearly a year but were locked out this summer, want city officials to let them back in.
a washed-out bridge

Alaska sends National Guard, other help to hurricane-hit states in the Lower 48

Fifty National Guard soldiers are expected to travel to Florida this week, an official with the Alaska National Guard said.
People waiting in line waiting to cast their vote.

Moderate Alaska House and Senate candidates lead in fundraising a month out from election

“Moderate to progressive people have figured out fundraising better than their Republican counterparts,” political consultant Jim Lottsfeldt said.
a man

Palmer’s new city manager facing possible removal over ‘imminent threat’ of employee lawsuits

Palmer City Manager Stephen Jellie will appear at an emergency city council meeting Wednesday.
an animal resembling a dog

That mysterious animal spotted in Anchorage? Likely not a wolf, Fish and Game says

Photos of the animal recently circulated widely online, prompting a flurry of debate about whether the animal was a wolf or just a dog.