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.”

three people at a meeting

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly swiftly kills proposed tobacco tax

Mayor Peter Micciche called the proposal a "nanny tax for child care, essentially."
two people on a trail

Lawmaker-approved Alaska Long Trail projects, all in Anchorage, await governor’s verdict

The biggest project approved would put just over $1 million toward creating an uninterrupted 25-mile connection between Turnagain Arm and the northern area of Anchorage.
a pipeline

Oil industry employee dies in workplace incident at Prudhoe Bay

The death is the fourth reported workplace fatality on Alaska’s North Slope in a little over a year.
fishing nets

How much fish do Alaskans eat? Enough to require new water pollution rules, EPA says

The EPA is giving the state six to 12 months to come up with new or revised standards for more than 100 pollutants in state waters.

Michigan man is accused of burglarizing cars and stealing a SUV at Anchorage’s airport

Troopers say they caught the man as he sped down the Seward Highway. He also faces a DUI charge.
A man holding a microphone appears to speak while standing in front of a lecturn.

In Alaska, top cybersecurity official says state’s remoteness makes it vulnerable but touts resiliency

Being disconnected from the rest of the U.S. means a cyberattack on Alaska's infrastructure could cause big problems.
two men pose

Downtown Anchorage businesses are stressed. Advocates hope new projects will revitalize the area.

Between a rise in homelessness and a hit to the economy, several business owners say they’re fighting to stay afloat.
a seal pup

2 Southcentral Alaska seal pups admitted to Alaska SeaLife Center

The pups are the third and fourth seals from the state to be admitted this season.
a courthouse

Alaska state judge considers fine against backers of ranked choice repeal measure

Judge Laura Hartz said she intends to issue a decision by June 21, though it may not be until the following Monday.
a D-Day remembrance

Biden commemorates D-Day invasion’s 80th anniversary, linking it to Ukraine conflict

President Biden said the historic invasion is a reminder of the costs of freedom and democracy — and the value of alliances.
a woman speaks in front of two flags

Anchorage police identify the man fatally shot by officers on Monday as a 21-year-old

This is the third armed man shot by Anchorage officers in the past month.
a portrait of a woman

Murkowski votes to advance Democrats’ ‘messaging’ bill on contraception rights

Only two Republicans crossed the aisle. Sen. Dan Sullivan didn't vote on the birth control bill, which is now stalled.
Two men sit at a table.

Anchorage School Board approves career academies with opt-out provision after 9th grade

Business leaders voiced overwhelming support for the career academies model, which freshman will begin this fall.
boats

Alaska State Troopers identify boater killed in collision near Petersburg

Local officials say a larger fishing vessel hit a 20-foot skiff Wednesday morning in the Wrangell Narrows.
a child care center

Fort Wainwright just opened the Army’s largest child care center

Staff hope the new Denegee Child Development Center will help clear the fort's waiting list of children in need of child care.
a wildfire

An Alaska wildlife refuge is changing its wildfire strategy to limit carbon emissions

If blazes break out in parts of the Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge, firefighters will protect forest floor and permafrost that hold carbon.
A car parked near trees.

4 Canadians suspected of crimes after boating to Fort Yukon

Troopers say the boaters were questioned Friday after traveling down the Porcupine River. They may face charges including human smuggling.
shops

Ketchikan man agrees not to raise fake totem poles carved by convicted murderer

After meeting with Indigenous leaders, Joseph Machini also agreed not to use the name “potlatch” for his marketplace.