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.”

am an speaks into a microphone

Gov. Dunleavy’s proposed budget continues yearslong trend of flat funding for Alaska schools

Because of inflation, flat school funding over the past several years essentially means that the money school districts have received has been worth less each year.
An older woman shows off the words "Boss" and "Soul" on her knuckles. In the background a person bungee jumps.

Bucket List Bungee Jumping in Rural Alaska | INDIE ALASKA

Meet Angelique Echols. After a tragic loss, she's now living in remote Chitina, Alaska knocking items off her bucket list.
A man in a black coat walks on a snow roadway.

Anchorage and Mat-Su schools closed after 3rd major snowstorm hits the region

Anchorage and Mat-Su Borough schools and state offices are closed Thursday as a third major winter storm this month coated the area with snow overnight Wednesday.
David Eastman eligibility trial

At legislative eligibility trial, Eastman confirms membership in anti-government militia

In sworn testimony, Alaska Rep. David Eastman said he remains a member of the Oath Keepers militia — which may make him ineligible to serve as a state lawmaker.
Aerial photo of a large fire burning in brown tundra

Alaska wildfire researchers grapple with changing climate’s effects on predictability

In March, Uma Bhatt and her team will try to predict how bad the upcoming fire season will be.
a snow plow

From Buzz Iceclear to Clearopathra, snowplow naming gains traction around the country

What do Buzz Iceclear, Clearopathra and Snowbi Wan Kenobi all have in common? They are some of the named snowplows hard at work during the winter season.

Respiratory virus cases are filling hospital beds in Alaska

At the same time, the state is seeing a shortage of amoxicillin.
the Alaska State Capitol

Ahead of first-draft state budget, oil prices are driving a tighter Alaska fiscal picture

Alaska’s revenue forecast, to be updated this week, relies on oil futures markets that are at their lowest point this year.
A person uses a red snow blower.

Anchorage’s back to back (to back?) snowstorm totals pushing city toward December record

Back for our Ask a Climatologist segment, Brian Brettschneider with the National Weather Service says there are a couple ways to think about the snow, including one measurement that gets at how it feels to, say, shovel it out of driveways.
A group of Police officers bring out a coffin covered in an American flag

Man killed by a muskox near Nome

Troopers say Curtis Worland was trying to haze a group of muskox away from his dog kennel on Tuesday when one of the muskox attacked.
livestream still showing four boxes

Wasilla Rep. Eastman’s qualifications trial delves into Oath Keeper ideology

Rep. David Eastman isn't accused of attacking the U.S. Capitol. But if he belongs to a group that did, his legislative career could be over.
A woman in a blazer smiles at the camera.

Nancy Dahlstrom has spent most of her 20-year political career out of the spotlight. Now she’s second in command.

Dahlstrom said she’s committed to upholding the policies of the election system set in law. Even so, she expressed reservations about the current ranked choice voting system.

In wake of a smaller $48M deficit, Anchorage school officials weigh numerous budget cuts

School board members on Saturday found wide consensus on closing Abbott Loop Elementary School, increasing the student-to-teacher ratio by one and using roughly $28 million in savings to close next year's budget gap.

Iconic Fairbanks satellite dish helps map floods thousands of miles away, under trees, clouds and at night

Franz Meyer, chief scientist at the Alaska Satellite facility, and his colleagues use satellites to map what's happening on the ground, even if it's covered by trees or clouds.
a damaged fish camp

Arctic Report Card 2022: Rapid climate change brings extreme events to the North

NOAA Administrator Richard Spinrad says the changes are visible in diminished sea ice, plankton blooms, mass seabird die-offs, coastal erosion and damage to Arctic communities.
Cars drive down a road while a person walks in the middle of the road. The sidewalk to their left is covered in snow.

Mat-Su schools closed, Anchorage schools reopen Tuesday after weekend storm

Mat-Su Borough schools remained closed Tuesday in the wake of Sunday’s major snowstorm, with Anchorage schools set to reopen after four consecutive snow days.
Snow plows plow snow on snowy street.

Anchorage Mayor Bronson commits more workers and equipment to snow removal

Bronson said the new agreements will bring up to 10 additional graders, 10 plow trucks and numerous dump trucks.
a woman in a sweater poses for a photo, seated at a table

Alaska elections chief, never one for drama, makes an orderly exit after a big year

Gail Fenumiai is retiring just as Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom takes up her new duties, which include overseeing elections.
A woman shovels snow from a driveway.

‘Anomaly’ winter storm closes Anchorage and Mat-Su schools, slows traffic

The latest storm brought more than a foot of new snow. The snow again closed schools, tangled traffic and left residents frustrated about unplowed roads.
A snowy street with a Speed Limit 25 mph sign

Kenai woman killed by plow truck in whiteout conditions

About 18 inches of snow were piled on the roadway at the time of the fatal crash, troopers say.