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.”

BP Begins Top Kill to Plug Wellhead

Oil company BP is trying to plug the gushing spill in the Gulf of Mexico by forcing drilling mud into the well. The...

Expecting higher pandemic traffic, hundreds of Alaskans ask for better Turnagain Pass plowing

More than 1,600 Alaskans are asking Governor Mike Dunleavy to restore money for snow plowing in Turnagain Pass, which they say is needed more than ever during the ongoing pandemic.
Mayor Ethan Berkowitz at a COVID-19 press conference in Anchorage in March.

With ‘moral authority’ compromised in a pandemic, Anchorage mayor steps away

Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz resigned Tuesday, a day after the married mayor acknowledged what he described as a consensual, inappropriate messaging relationship with a television anchor.

Black Friday: 1; Family Budget: 0

Today was Black Friday, the traditional post-Thanksgiving start to the holiday shopping season. In Anchorage, at least one store opened at 4:00 a.m. and...
A red SUV with a label of "Kusko" ono the top waits below some power lines on a snowy/icy street

Bethel cab drivers get unwanted duty of enforcing testing mandate

Cab drivers say having to enforce a mandate to unwilling customers puts them in an awkward position.

Questions about federal shutdown’s impact on upcoming halibut season go unanswered

As the federal government shutdown wears on, a major question is going unanswered: Does the National Marine Fisheries Service have a plan to open Alaska’s halibut and sablefish fisheries if the shutdown lasts?

Redington declared winner after harrowing race to finish in Kobuk 440

The annual Kobuk 440 sled dog race came to a close on Tuesday after teams faced some of the toughest conditions in race history to cross the finish line in Kotzebue Tuesday. Ryan Redington was announced as the winner later that evening at the musher's banquet.

Dunleavy says restaurants and other retail businesses can reopen Friday

Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced on Tuesday restaurants and other retail businesses can begin offering more services on Friday, if they follow certain health guidelines.
salmon in a stream

Bycatch task force considers new rules, more research to protect Alaska fish intercepted at sea

As salmon runs falter and western Alaska villagers suffer, some worry that measures will be too incremental and slow to provide meaningful help.

Trump’s wall could drain money from Alaska military projects

President Trump's plan to divert $3.6 billion from military construction accounts could drain money from Alaska projects.

Rebuffed Shell tries to find future in Alaska

Shell Oil returned to Alaska a few years ago enthusiastic about the potential for finding and developing offshore oil and natural gas reserves. But...
People waitiing in line at a counter at the PFD office

Dunleavy decision on PFD could affect timing of dividend payment

If Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoes the $1,600 PFD the Legislature passed, Alaskans could receive dividends later than normal this year.
Juneau Police closed Kennedy Street between 5th and 4th Streets as they investigated the death of Juneau Mayor Greg Fisk on the evening of Monday November 30th. (Photo by: Mikko Wilson / KTOO)

Bill seeks to insure families of deceased law enforcement and firefighters

When law enforcement officers and firefighters die in the line of duty, their survivors may be left without health insurance. Three families of state troopers who died in the past three years have been covered under orders issued by Governors Sean Parnell and Bill Walker. But a future administration could change this. The families are looking for a permanent solution that will cover themselves and other survivors in the future. But there's a debate over how that should happen. Download Audio

Four decisions in three weeks: How Trump is transforming Alaska

Blink and you might have missed it: In just three weeks, there was a profound shift in the landscape for energy and environmental issues in Alaska. Listen now
a composite sketch

Alaska prosecutors release photos of possible third victim in sentencing for convicted killer Brian Smith

Prosecutors released images of the woman, allegedly found on Smith's cellphone, in court documents before his sentencing begins Friday.

Alaska Native leader and former Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott dies at 77

Byron Mallott, the Alaska Native leader who served as lieutenant governor under former Gov. Bill Walker, died unexpectedly at age 77.

‘Devastating’ and ‘significant’: Educators react to Dunleavy’s budget proposal

Education leaders are deeply worried about how the cuts will affect schools.
an Alaska Department of Corrections hiring sign

Alaska’s top-earning state employees include investment managers, troopers and psychiatrists

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s salary, set by a state board, is the 862nd highest below the manager of the Bethel airport.
moose burger

What happens to illegally killed moose? In Petersburg, the meat is turned into free burgers

Petersburg Rotary Club members Steve and Desi Burrell manage the club's Burger Bank, which has distributed more than 1,700 pounds of illegally hunted meat this year.

Emotions high as Anchorage’s largest homeless shelter shuts down after more than 2 years 

Dozens of people have moved from shelter to camping in the past weeks as the city closes its pandemic-era shelter.