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.”

The Ketchikan state courthouse

Ketchikan suspect charged with attempted murder after bound man claims he escaped car

Nathan Ta'ala, 33, was indicted by a Ketchikan grand jury after a trooper found the alleged victim running in traffic wounded on July 7.

Parnell Administration, Unions Reach Tentative Agreement

The Parnell administration and two public employee unions have reached tentative agreement for a new three-year contract to begin in July. The Alaska Public Employees Association settled earlier this week; the Alaska State Employees Association finished late Thursday afternoon.

Aboard Alaska’s endangered ferries, passengers fear a “giant step back in time”

Step onboard the MV LeConte, where a single trip last week showed how Southeast Alaska residents have knit the state's ferries into their lives – and how they would adapt if the ships stopped running, and Gov. Mike Dunleavy is proposing.

The Legislature organizes bipartisan coalitions

The state House and Senate today organized their majority coalitions – even though the vote tallies in six House Districts and one Senate District...

Alaskans for Justice Hold Anchorage Rally

A number of Alaskans, including our congressional delegation, turned up for a rally at the Anchorage airport organized by Alaskans for Justice, a group...
a Petersburg fire

Petersburg Catholic church burns in 10-hour fire

Petersburg’s Catholic church, St. Catherine of Siena, caught fire Thursday afternoon in a blaze that continued for nearly 10 hours.

Why is the US so far behind in the Arctic? Clues emerge at congressional hearing

Retired admiral Thad Allen, a former Coast Guard commandant, said the country needs to wake up to the strategic importance of the Arctic Ocean and commit more resources to it.
A beige building with a red metal roof labelled "Sitka Police Department"

Neighbors shaken but unhurt after 4-year-old fires AK-47 in Sitka

Sitka police are investigating a near-tragedy that occurred over the weekend when a small child playing with a high-powered rifle fired shots into his trailer court. No one was injured in the incident, but police say it was a very close call.

Alaska election officials now say all voting precincts will be staffed on Election Day

A day earlier, they feared as many as 10 rural precincts would be unstaffed.
A family snapshot of four people sitting on a bed

After tribal court ruling, toddler killed in St. Paul will be buried next to his mother

The boy’s paternal aunt had power of attorney. That side of the family pushed for him to be buried in Anchorage, where he died.

New poll says Dunleavy-Begich spread is under 5 percent

The latest poll was conducted after independent Gov. Bill Walker suspended his campaign.

Vic Kohring hopes new evidence will keep him out of prison

Convicted former lawmaker Vic Kohring has formally submitted the evidence which he hopes will keep him out of federal prison. He's been convicted of...
a man

Ketchikan jurors convict man in 1993 cold-case rape

The jury took about an hour to convict Michael J. Williams, who was linked to the case by DNA evidence, after nearly a week of testimony.

Fisheries managers want to balance pollock catch against salmon returns

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, meeting in Kodiak today, narrowed down its options for reducing King salmon bycatch by the Bering Sea pollock...
pillars and dome of u.s. capitol

Alaska’s congresswoman says she’s reserving judgment on the new House speaker. But she liked his first address.

There's plenty for a Democrat to dislike about Speaker Mike Johnson. Rep. Mary Peltola likes his message on unity.

Wildlife rescuers overwhelmed with starving sea birds

Common murre seabirds are challenging rescue workers as they make their way inland, becoming stranded and hungry. Download Audio

US Supreme Court declines to rule on Exxon Valdez punitive damage interest

The US Supreme Court today (Tuesday) declined to rule on the issue of whether plaintiffs in the Exxon Valdez oil spill case should receive...
A person wearing blue gloves draws liquid from a vial into a syringe

Alaska’s ‘breakthrough’ COVID cases on par with expectations, state epidemiologist says

State Epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin says there are some nuances in the numbers related to breakthrough infections but the proportion in Alaska is about what you would expect.