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 woman hugs her mother at a podium.

Suzanne LaFrance sworn in as first woman elected Anchorage mayor

“Today's about this special place we call home and what we're going to do together to fix it up and make it the place we all know it can be,” LaFrance said.

Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat sues to overturn NPR-A rule

The lawsuit aims to void development restrictions in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. A new Supreme Court decision may give it a boost.
a hotshot crew

Denali National Park closure continues as Outside wildfire crews arrive

Firefighters made progress Monday against the Riley Fire, but passenger trains to the park have been canceled and power in the area remains out.
an airplane

Ravn Alaska names new CEO, loses mileage-sharing agreement with Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines says it suspended the agreement over Ravn's recent “transition in leadership” to California businessman Tom Hsieh.

APD confirms its SWAT officer killed East Anchorage resident in standoff 

This marks the department’s third killing and fourth shooting in two months.
A woman smiles at the camera next to an image of a butchered salmon.

How to heal your soil on an island covered in volcanic ash | INDIE ALASKA

Marion Owen is learning how to repair Kodiak's dense, ashy soil through the power of compost to grow the garden of her dreams.
A woman with glasses and a blue shirt stands in front of a window looking to the left with a serious expression.

A Palmer mom lost $3K to scammers. She wants to help you avoid falling for the scheme.

Samantha Norman recently fell victim to a phone scam that police say is becoming increasingly sophisticated.
A concrete sign with the words "Anchorage Correctional Complex_

2 more Alaska inmates die as details emerge on early-morning Anchorage jail death

State officials say two inmates suffered medical deaths last week, as Anchorage police investigate the June 26 death of 38-year-old Ross Greenley.

Why last week’s Alaska Supreme Court ruling isn’t the final word on homeschool allotments

There's a key question the court left open: whether Alaska correspondence schools can allow parents to spend public money at private schools.
A tent with a gray tarp over over it set up with a kids playground in the distance.

Anchorage police arrest bail jumper for sexual assault of woman in tent

Two women reported attacks within a few days of each other at the same location and gave a similar description of their assailant.
a man in a suit

Seward man accused of threatening to ‘bomb and shoot’ Dunleavy’s office

Troopers say they found an incriminating search history linked to Matthew Stanley, including “what happens when a state governor gets threatened.”
A yellow and red super scooper plane, dumping water over smoke emerging from mountainous terrain

Interior Alaska wildfires flare up with wind, but soggy storm expected to dampen flames

The Grapefruit Complex had burned about 70,000 acres around miles 30 to 65 of the Elliott Highway, prompting an evacuation notice.
A woman speaks at a podium.

Anchorage Mayor LaFrance announces 6 new executive hires

LaFrance announced a deputy chief of staff, policy advisor, constituent relations and external affairs directors and two special assistants.
A breakdancer

As breaking makes its Olympic debut, an Anchorage dancer is focused on growing the sport in Alaska

B-Boy Icey Ives said Alaska has a tight-knit dance scene that’s welcoming to all skill levels. 
Ben Mallott

Ben Mallott to become next Alaska Federation of Natives president

Mallott will replace Julie Kitka as president and CEO. It's the first time in more than three decades that AFN has had new leadership.
Keir Starmer

Britain swings to the center-left in historic U.K. election landslide

After 14 years of Conservative rule, Britons elected a new government dominated by the Labour Party, in its first national victory in nearly 20 years.
Two people ride on an ATV toward a white pickup truck.

2 dead in 3 Kodiak ATV crashes over Fourth of July holiday

Troopers say all three of the crashes overnight Wednesday, which killed a 65-year-old man and a teenage boy, were separate incidents.
a fish processor

Fire reduces new Bristol Bay floating fish processor’s capacity

Northline Seafoods says nobody was hurt in Sunday's fire aboard the Hannah, but its processing capacity is down to about a third of normal.
Aniak

Aniak’s tribe sues state, feds over ancestral remains taken from airport site

The Aniak Traditional Council claims that the remains, part of a burial site discovered during 2020 construction work, have not been returned.
a man

Alaska Native groups push back against racist rant outside Fairbanks grocery store

Two Native organizations in Fairbanks have denounced a recent harassment incident at a local grocery store.