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.”

people with suitcases wait in line

Southwest cancels 5,400 flights in less than 48 hours in a ‘full-blown meltdown’

The disruptions add to chaos that has left people stranded at airports across the country, many of them with little idea of when they can get home or where their bags are.
Buffalo snowstorm

At least 50 people have died across the U.S. in ‘once-in-a-generation storm’

A massive winter storm that's killed about 50 people across the U.S. is expected to claim more lives as the frigid weather continues into the week.
a grocery store

With thousands waiting, state says food stamp backlog won’t improve any time soon

As Alaskans choose between paying bills and buying food, Alaska's health commissioner says a months-long food stamp backlog won't improve any time soon.
a woman poses for a photo, in a blue jacket

Alaska projects in $1.7 trillion bill have Murkowski beaming; Sullivan votes no

Murkowski got nearly half a billion dollars in Alaska earmarks. Sullivan says there was no time to read the 4,000 pages.
A woman poses in front of books

The Anchorage Public Library finally has a confirmed director

Unlike Mayor Bronson’s past picks, veteran librarian Virginia McClure has a strong library background and the Assembly’s confidence.
a boat with buoys on the side

Nearly 3 years after deadly sinking, debris from the Scandies Rose finds its way to a family in Kodiak

“When I touched those buoys it was like getting a hug from my brother," said Gerry Cobban Knagin.

Alaska’s first Miss America, Emma Broyles, reflects on her year in the spotlight

Broyles became a statewide sensation after she became the first Alaskan and the first Korean American named Miss America last year. 
a polar bear cub

Alaska Zoo takes in orphaned Prudhoe Bay polar bear cub

After its capture and transport to Anchorage, the cub weighed in slightly underweight at 103 pounds. The cub is being treated at the zoo, and is not on public display.
a virtual courtroom

Rep. Eastman isn’t just an Oath Keeper but also supported their cause on Jan. 6, opposing attorney argues

Eastman intended "to be part of the insurrection on Jan. 6," a lawyer trying to disqualify the legislator said.
An older white man in a tan suit, a woman in a black blouse and a white man in a grey suit and red tie speak at a table in front of microphones

Anchorage’s ousted muni manager says work environment was toxic

Amy Demboski thinks the mayor fired her because she wrote out concerns about municipal agencies repeatedly overstepping their legal authority.
a meteor in the night sky

Intense meteor brightens Southcentral Alaska’s winter solstice

The winter solstice may be short on sunlight, but Alaskans saw a different kind of illumination Wednesday from a falling meteor widely seen across Southcentral Alaska.
a sepia portrait of two men positing for a photograph

‘Black Lives in Alaska’ highlights more than 150 years of African American history in the Last Frontier

Author and historian Ian Hartman says while most of early Alaska history focuses on territorial days and the Klondike Gold Rush, Black people have lived and worked in the region long before.
Bright skies and noon golden hour sun shines through tree branches heavy with snow.

Ways to celebrate winter solstice in Anchorage

It’s the darkest day of the year. Each day ahead, until summer solstice, will get a little bit longer.
flooding around a series of homes

‘Unusual for sure’: Excessive rain triggers flood warning in Unalaska

The city has closed several roads and public buildings.
a woman with a dog team

COVID-19 pushed Alaska’s death rate higher and life expectancy lower in 2021

The report documented noticeable increases in alcohol-related and drug-related fatalities in 2021.
Rows of cots are organized on the floor of an arena.

Anchorage Assembly approves Sullivan Arena shelter expansion, with begrudging ‘yes’ vote

“Homelessness, and I know some will disagree with this, but it has been politicized, and the homeless are paying with their lives," said Assembly member Randy Sulte.
colorful spices in a box

A refugee-led co-op in Anchorage provides work experience, with flavor

The FIG program’s Global Spice Blends has grown in popularity, providing job opportunities and community building for recently resettled refugees.
A man in a suit and tie sits on a board of directors.

Anchorage students may have stretch of longer school days to make up for recent snow days

District officials are proposing to add 30 minutes to each school day between Jan. 30 and March 9.
One woman cries while speaking into a microphone.

Anchorage School Board recommends closing Abbott Loop Elementary among other preliminary budget cuts

Recommended cuts also include getting rid of virtual learning for elementary school students and increasing the district’s pupil to teacher ratio by one across all grade levels, likely making class sizes larger.
a man with an eye patch and glasses talks into a microphone

Oath Keeper founder Stewart Rhodes testifies in Alaska Rep. Eastman’s defense

Would Oath Keepers overthrow the government? Their jailed founder says no.