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 debate

At U.S. House debate in Kodiak, candidates differ on future of Alaska fisheries

Nick Begich emphasized fighting for the state, Mary Peltola focused on support in Congress and John Howe called himself a "third wheel."
a bear

In Fat Bear Week rematch, mama bear Grazer defeats rival that killed her cub

The 2023 winner beat Chunk, whose attack on her cubs postponed this year's Katmai National Park and Preserve contest.
a sign

Woman killed in Nikiski trailer fire

Troopers say the cause of the fatal fire, early on Oct. 2 near Island Lake, hasn't yet been determined.
Juneau

Juneau has nearly 400 registered short-term rentals. How close is the city to regulating them?

The Assembly hopes to ensure operators are paying taxes and learn more about the capital's short-term rental market.
fishing boats

Judge approves former Peter Pan Seafoods co-owner’s bid for company assets

Thursday's $37.3 million sale to Rodger May includes former Peter Pan processing plants in Dillingham, King Cove and Port Moller.

LaFrance proposes selling $2M tent-like building that prior administration wanted to use as a homeless shelter

Mayor Suzanne LaFrance says the Port of Alaska will pay the roughly $2.4 million the city initially bought the structure for.
a newsstand

Anchorage Daily News staff votes on unionization, results to come in November

If the vote is successful, the Anchorage Daily News would be the state’s only currently unionized newsroom.
a woman speaks into a microphone behind a podium

In reversal, Anchorage Assembly approves $250K settlement with Demboski

“As much as it pains me to pass out money like this, I do think this is in the best interest of the city at this time,” said Assembly member Karen Bronga.
a river

Juneau leaders propose sandbags, barriers for Mendenhall Valley flood mitigation

The devices are part of phase one in the capital city's plan to counter glacial outburst flooding that has flooded homes.
A yellow leaf on a green lawn

Alaska’s winter off to slow start with late freeze-up and above normal temperatures

Take Fairbanks, for example, which had its latest freeze-up on record, in about 125 years of record keeping.
a fire

Haines family suffers huge fire, hunting accident in same weekend

The Saturday fire destroyed four businesses and four apartments, hours after owner Michael Ward Sr.'s son was hurt in a fall.

In surprising move, Bering Sea snow crab fishery to reopen after 2-year closure

Bering Sea fishermen will be allowed to harvest about 4.7 million pounds of opilio, also known as snow crab, starting Oct. 15.
the Supreme Court

Can ghost guns be regulated as firearms? The Supreme Court will decide.

The government says ghost guns kits count as a firearm under a 1968 law. But challengers contend “a kit of parts is not a weapon.”
Tom McKay

Anchorage legislator submitted resignation to get state job, then reversed course

A possible legal snag has put Rep. Tom McKay’s plans on hold, at least temporarily.
a correctional center

Man charged in fatal stabbings of Hooper Bay women makes first court appearance

A judge set Shaquille Carawan's bail at $1.5 million Monday in the deaths of Abigail Olson and Novely Rivers.
a landslide

Ketchikan-area landslide strands multiple people along remote road

Sunday's slide came a month and a half after a slide near downtown Ketchikan killed one person and destroyed multiple homes.
a state ferry

Alaska’s 20-year ferry plan nears completion

Alaska’s ferry system has been working on this extensive plan for the last two years.
brown bears

Juneau hunters recount brown bear attack that left one battered, but alive

Even though everyone walked away from the encounter with a brown bear sow, it left the seasoned hunters rattled.
the Willow project

Alaska can expect very different approaches on resource projects, depending on the president

The Anchorage Daily News took a look at how various projects might be affected if either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris is elected president.
a hurricane

Fast-growing Hurricane Milton is officially a Category 5 storm as it nears Florida

Milton grew quickly into a Category 5 storm Monday morning and is forecast to make landfall in Florida midweek.