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 portrait of a man peering over his glasses

Another big Fed rate hike is here to battle inflation. Economy hangs in balance.

U.S. Federal Reserve raises rates for fourth time in 2022, this time by another three-quarters of a percentage point to battle inflation. It's at a size and pace we haven't seen since the 1980s.
A Regal Cinemas movie theater in East Anchorage.

Anchorage’s IMAX movie theater spared from bankruptcy closure — for now

In a court filing, attorneys for the parent company say they are still negotiating with the theater’s landlord.

Contractor’s blunder causes outage to University of Alaska statewide network

The University of Alaska's information technology infrastructure and many of its network systems suffered a prolonged, widespread outage Wednesday on at least two campuses -- Fairbanks and Anchorage. Listen now

Iditapod: Nicolas Petit leads mushers to the Yukon

In Episode 8, we talk about Nicolas Petit being the first to the Yukon, Martin Buser's recovery from last year's injury, Yukon Quest v. Iditarod, and veteran dog teams.
a man in a tie walks out of a courtroom

Former Veco boss who served prison time in corruption scandal has died

Bill Allen, who was at the pinnacle of wealth and power in Alaska until he was exposed as a central figure in a political corruption scandal, died last week at age 85.

Rare polar bear sighting causes a stir in Kotzebue

Locals in Kotzebue showed a mix of excitement and concern over the weekend in response to reports that a rare polar bear was spotted in the area.
evidence markers

Anchorage man fired shotgun at police and stranger before officers shot him, charges say

Damien Dollison, 51, is charged with felony assault for firing a shotgun at officers and a witness at an Anchorage gas station early Monday morning.
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 car parked near trees.

‘We are working on this’: Troopers get significant tip in 2020 Interior missing-persons case

Troopers Capt. Eric Spitzer says this week's break advances one of four cases of Alaska Native people reported missing in the Fairbanks area two years ago.
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.
An empty conference room

As Anchorage students return to classrooms, COVID risk and learning loss top list of concerns

While relatively few COVID-19 tests have come back positive, the latest grade data shows an increase in failing marks.

Report: Pilot drank alcohol before Girdwood crash that killed 4

A pilot killed in a plane crash along with three passengers near Girdwood last summer had been drinking alcohol prior to flying, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board.
alaska canadian border sig

Border woes: When Canada says no

Kathryn Miller and her boyfriend were just trying to get home to Juneau with a truck they'd just purchased in Anchorage. But at the...
a person holds their arms out as a man runs a security wand

Hundreds of people are moving from Anchorage homeless camps into hotel rooms

City officials say demand is much higher than expected, and the new numbers mean there could be 400 people or more left out in the cold. 
A person in a mask.

What we know about the symptoms — and the severity — of the omicron variant

Researchers are looking at data from U.S. cases to determine if the variant causes milder disease. Even if the answer is yes, they say, rates of hospitalization could be high during the surge.

Support and concern as Ambler Road comment period draws to a close

It's a big road in a state with not that many of them. Proponents say it will enable growth of the mining industry, and create jobs. Detractors worry about impacts to subsistence. Listen now

Moratorium Lifted on Health Applications

The moratorium has been partially lifted on the state's authority to accept new applications for Personal Care Assistance through the US Department of...
a brewery

Alaska brewers sue state alcohol board on entertainment rules

Three Alaska breweries are challenging a recently weakened state ban on live entertainment at breweries and wineries, calling it unconstitutional.
a woman in a dress speaks into a microphone

‘Our school is taking a dive’: Nikolaevsk parents push for a charter school

The isolated village of Nikolaevsk was founded by Russian Old Believers.

Talk to your Neighbor: Anchorage community members continue to encourage COVID-19 vaccination | Alaska Insight

On this episode of Alaska Insight, hear from your neighbors about why they chose to get vaccinated or not.