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 man

After years of trying, the U.S. government may finally mandate safer table saws

After years of false starts, the Consumer Product Safety Commission looks poised to mandate a blade safety brake on all new table saws sold in the U.S.
A bunh of cables behind a box

Federal discount on broadband is ending for 25,000 Alaska families

A subsidy helping low-income families afford broadband is running out of money. The Biden administration wants Congress to keep it going.
an Eielson Air Force Base F-16

Air Force to send ‘Arctic Pay’ to most of its Alaska-based service members

JBER airmen can get a lump-sum payment of $1,000, or $2,000 if they have families. The bonus is double for those at Eielson.

Alaska lawmakers chop budget for Dunleavy’s ‘statehood defense’

Rep. Andy Josephson, a member of the House Finance Committee, said he had concerns about the effort and "whether some of it is waste."
two candidates campaigning outside

Bronson and LaFrance prepare for runoff in Anchorage mayoral election

Suzanne LaFrance has roughly 600 more votes than incumbent Mayor Dave Bronson, according to the tally posted Tuesday night.
a photo of three people

Incumbents lead in Anchorage School Board races

By Tuesday night, nearly 45,000 ballots had been tallied. Thousands of additional ballots will be counted over the next week.
The snowy facade of Inlet View Elementary School in Anchorage.

Anchorage school bond passing and public bathroom bond failing in early results

A bond to pay for cemetery projects was also failing Tuesday night, while bonds for ambulances, trail upgrades and road projects were passing.
A man in a green jacket waves to fans on a street in downtown Anchorage Alaska.

In fundraising pitch, Iditarod planners say financial woes could jeopardize epic sled dog race

The message comes at a time when major Iditarod sponsors have dropped out, and inflation has increased the cost of participation.
a bay

NOAA responds to entangled whale in Unalaska’s Iliuliuk Bay

Authorities are gathering images and information to coordinate helping an entangled humpback in Unalaska’s Iliuliuk Bay.
A "lane closed" sign, with a detour sign below it pointing right.

More revisions needed after partial federal approval of key state transportation plan

The delayed approval process is not likely to bog down construction this summer, Alaska Transportation Commissioner Ryan Anderson told lawmakers.
a damaged building

Taiwan emerges remarkably unscathed after massive earthquake

The day after the Asian island's worst quake in a quarter century, most residents cannot stop talking about how much worse it could have been.
pig fat sitting in jars

This farm is the only Grade “A” goat dairy in Alaska

“I kind of joked that I started a Grade “A” dairy with a “C” team,” said Kelli Foreman who runs Kodiak's Heritage Farm and Ranch.
election workers

Supporters of Alaska election system file suit seeking to block repeal initiative

Plaintiffs say the Alaska Division of Elections wrongly certified petitions in favor of the repeal of open primaries and ranked choice voting.
crowberries

Alaska school year could start in September under new proposal

The later start date would allow students to spend more time on subsistence activities and working in construction or tourism jobs.
a cruise ship

City and cruise lines agree to conceptual cruise visitor limits in Juneau

City Tourism Manager Alix Pierce says the agreement is still far from final. If approved, the limits would go into effect during the 2026 season.
a campground

Juneau Assembly sticks with plan to relocate city-run homeless camp

The new planned site, near the city's indoor cold weather shelter, has faced pushback from business owners in the area who fear higher crime.
a landslide

New work season opens for Denali Park Road bridge

The $100 million Pretty Rocks Bridge will cross the site of a landslide that has closed the road at Mile 45 since 2021.
The front of a building with a line of street lights lead to a building. The sign above the entrance reads "Federal Building US Courthouse."

Man serving life sentence in Georgia accused of sending bomb to Anchorage courthouse

David Cassady, 55, allegedly mailed bombs to Anchorage's federal courthouse and Washington, D.C. in 2020 as he served a life sentence.
Areas under tsunami warning

Tsunami program that informs Alaskans of the danger is itself at risk

It funds maps, sirens and education. "Losing this program, really, at the end of the day could mean deaths in Alaska," says a state official.
A student sitting on the shoulders of another student holding up a sign in protest.

Alaska students stage statewide walkout to protest education funding veto

Students protested Gov. Dunleavy’s veto of an education funding bill and the Legislature's failure to override the veto.