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 red and white plane flies over water, above someone in the water.

Search suspended for woman who fell overboard from a cruise ship in Southeast Alaska

A cruise ship camera showed the woman going overboard at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday as the ship sailed from Juneau to Skagway.

Developer plans construction of $200M project in downtown Anchorage, including tearing down 4th Avenue Theatre

Developer Peach Holdings LLC is expected to spend roughly $200 million to overhaul the city block between 4th and 5th Avenues and F and G Streets. The developer already owns most of the properties on the block, including the 4th Avenue Theatre.
someone looks with a magnifying glass at a black and white image

This eight-person crew is trying to find a century-old shipwreck in Southeast Alaska. Here’s how.

The process involves a lot of research and an arsenal of sonar equipment, aerial drones and a magnetometer.
ballot and pen

Split: Alaska liberals fear a shutout in 48-way race for US House

There’s an angst gnawing at Alaska’s liberals. They fear a split will put four conservatives on the ballot.
Bison near a truck

As snow melts, Interior Alaska biologists tally number of winter-killed wildlife

Biologists say the bison population took a big hit this summer. More than a dozen were hit and killed by vehicles because the animals were using roads in lieu of their usual trails, which were covered by deep snow and ice.
An aerial view of one of the exploration pads and wells that ConocoPhillips drilled during the 2018 exploration season at its Willow prospect.

Alaska’s largest oil producer asks judge to block release of drilling info from NPR-A

ConocoPhillips Alaska is asking a judge to issue an injunction against the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission that would maintain the confidentiality of records the commission has from Conoco’s wells in the NPR-A.
people in a meeting room

Alaska Legislature OKs increase to rural power subsidy

Legislators are warned that community assistance grants may become unreliable.
A child with a mask and a doll gets a shot

FDA authorizes first COVID booster for children ages 5 to 11

The Food and Drug Administration expanded authorization of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID vaccine to enable kids ages 5 to 11 who were vaccinated at least five months ago to get a third shot.
The University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau, shown on July 25, 2019 (David Purdy/KTOO)

University of Alaska regents approve faculty pay increases. But the union says negotiations aren’t over.

“This a very puzzling action by President Pitney and the Board of Regents,” said Tony Rickard, chief negotiator for United Academics.
a person holds an eagle while another person looks at it

Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka temporarily suspends bird rescues as concerns mount about bird flu

Staff has also moved the eagles that live in the outdoor habitat into their cages to reduce their risk of exposure to the virus. 
a covid-19 test and a postal service envelope

The federal government is offering another round of free COVID tests

Households in the U.S. will receive eight test kits via the U.S. Postal Service. The release comes as cases have risen over 60% in the U.S. over the past two weeks.
a group of people smiling and laughing in a meeting room

Alaska House approves major update to alcohol laws, including changes for breweries

Brewery and distillery taprooms will be able to stay open until 9 p.m.
An Alaska Native woman stands up and speaks in a open room with others at their desks

Alaska Senate passes tribal recognition bill

The measure passed 15-0 and will return to the House, which passed a similar version last year. If the House agrees to the Senate version, the bill will go to the governor.
a woman sits on the beach

Police say they’ve caught Duffy Murnane’s killer. Now her mom is fighting cancer: ‘I’m going to be there at that trial.’

Sara Berg says she's glad to know what happened to her daughter and to have a chance at getting justice. But she says what happened was horrific, and now Berg is trying to hold off cancer long enough to see Kirby Calderwood taken to trial.
A woman walks out of the house of representatives to a small crowd

Alaska House rejects $5,500 payout, sends budget to negotiating committee

The cost of $3.6 billion for dividends and energy payments was too large for a majority of lawmakers
a boy in a chair

Body of missing 7-year-old boy found on Kodiak’s Pillar Mountain

Troopers said there were no obvious signs of foul play identified at the scene and the investigation into the boy’s death is ongoing.
A black woman with hoop earrings

Bronson fires director of Anchorage’s Office of Equal Opportunity

Heather MacAlpine served in the position for seven years. She says she was not given a reason for her firing.
the tail of an Alaska Airlines plane

Alaska Airlines flight cancellations to continue through May

“I’m deeply sorry,” said the Alaska Airlines CEO. “I hear every day from friends, neighbors and guests about how disruptive our flight cancellations have been.”
Healthcare workers throwing pies at the carnival for nurses week.

Rooftop celebration for ANTHC nurses is moment of joy after two tough years

While the pandemic is ongoing, and COVID-19 cases continue to pop up, it’s gotten to a point where for one sunny day, nurses could relax, meet with colleagues, enjoy some treats and, if their aim is good, hit their boss with a whipped cream pie.

Alaska Permanent Fund dividend amount still in limbo, as state House leaders delay budget vote

For individual legislators, in an election year, stalling a bigger PFD in the name of sustainable budgeting is a tough call, especially with oil prices high. But for others, it's clear cut: If oil prices drop, the state will spend down savings and have to make up the difference with taxes, drastic cuts or both.