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 tiger at the Alaska Zoo

Kunali, the Alaska Zoo’s remaining tiger, dies at 19

The endangered Amur tiger, named Kunali, died a year after his brother Korol. Both tigers were 19 when they died.
the Alaska State Capitol

Anchorage Democrat alleges governor threatened Republicans before veto vote, prompting denials

Fairbanks’ school board president amplified a version of the claims, but targets say the allegations are baseless.
A person holds an iphone

Alaskans’ losses to online fraud have almost doubled, FBI says

Alaskans reported online fraud at the second highest rate per capita in the nation last year, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation complaints.
A man on a ladder installs a piece of equipment on the upper part of a wall.

Alaska creates climate plan to reduce statewide emissions and fund a wide range of sustainable energy projects

The state identified almost a billion dollars in need for projects that would help lower energy costs for an EPA grant program. 

Alaska senator takes aim at regulation that would slash tailpipe emissions and boost electric car sales

Sen. Sullivan says Biden wants to "force people to buy certain cars." He says he'll try to overturn the rule.
A man smiling with glasses

New development center will connect Alaska businesses with AI tools

The Alaska Small Business Development Center has a new resource center aimed at familiarizing businesses with AI tools. 
Mike Johnson

House passes bills to avert a government shutdown; package now heads to the Senate

The compromise would fund the federal government through the end of the fiscal year. The Senate now must approve it with less than a day left.
Four people, a man in a suit with red tie, a woman with a deep red blazer, a man in a suit with purple tie, and a man in a suit with a striped tie stand behind podiums in front of a white backdrop with the logos for PBS, NPR, and Alaska Public Media preparing for a debate.

Anchorage mayoral candidates describe city in decline during Alaska Public Media-ADN debate

Over 90 minutes, the four major candidates answered a series of questions related to topics like homelessness, an impending natural gas shortage and climate change.
A man in a medical mask

Former head of Anchorage Health Department settles fraud suit with state for $30,000

The Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs brought a lawsuit against Joe Gerace after the state said it discovered he’d misrepresented his military rank and believed he received undeservedly high pay.
an airliner

FBI letter tells Alaska Airlines passengers they are ‘a possible victim of a crime’

"We want answers, accountability, and safer planes" — and a federal investigation will help, said an attorney for passengers of the Jan. 5 flight.
A man carries a sled full of shovels in winter.

Anchorage is about a foot shy of breaking winter snowfall record

NWS climatologist Brian Brettschneider says the prospect of Anchorage having more than 134.5 inches of total snowfall this winter is “not looking good.”

Congress bought a stopgap icebreaker for the Arctic, but its $1.2 trillion bill has no money to build a new one

The bill has $125 million to buy a ship that Shell used in its ill-fated Arctic drilling venture. The Coast Guard plans to base it in Juneau.
the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska House adds measure raising age of consent to 18 to child sex trafficking bill

A bipartisan majority of the House approved the measure as an amendment to a bill that would provide for child sex trafficking screenings.
a man

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun to step down, part of a shakeup after 737 Max problems

After several difficult months, Boeing announced its embattled chief executive will step down at the end of this year.
lawmakers

Alaska House votes to give police warrantless emergency access to cellphone location data

Lawmakers have also passed other bills on storage rentals, fireworks rules, telemedicine and federal lands.
salmon

Environmental DNA offers scientists a look at salmon’s past and future

Scales and other genetic material can be collected from seawater up to two days after fish leave an area, according to a new paper.
a mountain

Warmer weather could increase Kenai Peninsula avalanche threat

Areas most prone to avalanches are those under the steep slopes where many summertime hiking trails on or near the Kenai Peninsula are located.
a road

Unalaska to pursue geothermal energy project with new partners

For the city’s plan to work without Chena Power’s involvement, the Ounalashka Corp. would likely have to break ties with Chena.
a ship

New Coast Guard alert system aims to reduce the number of whales hit by vessels

The Coast Guard is stepping up to help improve one of the most used whale report apps, WRAS, which also forms the basis for Canada's alert system.
man speaking in legislative chamber

Senate passes fast-tracked rural school broadband bill, Dunleavy promises quick signature

The bill increases the amount of state money for school districts to purchase broadband service. Gov. Dunleavy indicated he'll sign it.