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.”

Her son died of an overdose in Anchorage. Now she’s pushing for city police to carry Narcan.

While many police departments across the state use Narcan, the Anchorage Police Department — the state’s largest law enforcement agency — does not. 
moving vans parked on a street

Despite near-record job availability, more recent arrivals are choosing to leave Alaska

In the 1990s, just over half of people who moved to Alaska in their 30s stayed for at least 10 years. Lately that’s fallen to about 40%.
A fence around a building

Efforts fail to save Anchorage’s historic 4th Avenue Theatre from demolition

Anchorage entrepreneur Austin “Cap” Lathrop opened the 4th Avenue Theatre, with nearly 1,000 seats, on May 31, 1947, with a showing of “The Jolson Story.”
a crowd of people stand outside, mostly wearing red white and blue

Anchorage police say 2 officers violated policy in ‘white privilege card’ stop

It’s not clear what disciplinary actions the two officers faced, if any, because the department is treating it as a confidential personnel matter.
A tan building

Bronson’s pick for top Anchorage librarian declines job, leaving controversial deputy director in charge

Three months after Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson announced a new pick to lead the city’s library system, officials say Robert Hudson will not be taking the job after all. 
Goose Creek Prison. Photo by Ellen Lockyer, KSKA - Anchorage.

Former Alaska correctional officer sentenced for smuggling drugs and cellphones into prison

Angela Lincoln, 44, was arrested in November 2021 and shortly after pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy and bribery.
a portrait of a main in a suit

There are thousands of jobs open in Anchorage but not enough workers to fill them, says economic report

It’s not because people don’t want to work, said Anchorage Economic Development Corp. CEO Bill Popp.
a person holds a sign for monkeypox vaccinations

White House declares monkeypox a public health emergency

Declaring a public health emergency can free up resources to help the administration respond to the monkeypox outbreak. So far more than 6,000 people in the U.S. have been infected.

In Anchorage, modern tools breathe new life into cultural education

The camp allows Alaska Native students to reproduce their ancestors’ ancient designs. In the process, they learn the sorts of things rarely covered in high school history: Native heritage, technology, and a sense of place.

Anchorage School District could suspend bus routes due to driver shortage

Superintendent Jharrett Bryantt says the district is currently 75 bus drivers short.
a man sits next to a canoe outside

Alaska Geographic publishes guide to Kenai National Wildlife Refuge canoe trails

For his research, Dave Atcheson’s been back out onto the canoe trails he's been paddling for decades. Atcheson and Alaska Geographic just published a guidebook that chronicles that system so others can enjoy it like he has.

Alaska-based soldier and Florida-based wife admit to marrying for military benefits and US citizenship

Jacob Twork and Eddy Carolina Cruz both signed plea deals filed in federal court Tuesday in which they admitted to one felony count each of conspiracy to commit marriage fraud.
a camp in the woods

Outdoor deaths in Anchorage spiked in June, coinciding with sharp increase in unsheltered homelessness

Six people died outside in the city in June, the highest number in at least two years. Advocates fear the trend could continue without immediate action.
A teenager in an orange flight suit stands in front of a small plane

Youngest pilot to attempt solo flight around the world lands in Unalaska

Mack Rutherford, 17, landed Monday in Unalaska in his Shark ultralight plane.
a person speaks into a microphone

Sullivan joins 25 other Republican senators in praising Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is the highest-ranking American official to visit the self-ruled island in 25 years.
a man in a tie stands in a meeting room

Alaska legislator, member of Oath Keepers, faces lawsuit challenging his eligibility for office

Members of the Oath Keepers, including the group’s founder, have been accused of crimes linked to the Jan. 6 riots.
A gray-white wolf looks toward the camera from a snowy background.

Death of Alaska Zoo’s lone wolf, Windy, signals end to resident wolf pack’s reign

Windy was a gray female who came to the zoo in Anchorage in 2006, one of a half-dozen pups the Alaska Department of Fish and Game took from a predator control zone, where wolves were being hunted and trapped.
A group of smiling people pose aboard a retired Alaska Marine Highway ferry.

Four Ukrainian refugees are living and working on a retired Alaska state ferry

"I'm very happy to be in the USA, because in the USA I am in a safe zone. I'm very happy that I don't listen to the sound of bombs," said 16-year-old Sofia Zagrebelskaa, who is now living on the retired ferry Malaspina with her mother.

Bipartisan group that includes Murkowski introduces a bill to protect abortion rights

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski introduced the legislation with Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.