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 crew in a spacecraft

The 1st private astronaut mission to International Space Station is back on Earth

Flying back in a SpaceX capsule, they splashed down in the Atlantic off the Florida coast to close out a 17-day tour that cost them $55 million apiece.
Aerial photo of a large fire burning in brown tundra

The largest April wildfire in Alaska in a quarter century is burning near Kwethluk

The fire still is not threatening the community of Kwethluk or any Native allotments.
A woman seen in profile, with her shadow cast on the side of a house

Their mom died of COVID. They say conspiracy theories are what really killed her.

Stephanie was usually careful about her health and regular vaccinations. But then she got into sharing far-out videos and fringe ideas. When COVID hit, misinformation put her and her husband at risk.

Alaska artist’s new film captures ‘slow motion tsunami’ of plastic marine debris

It's called "If You Give a Beach a Bottle," it's by Max Romey and it incorporates scenes of volunteers cleaning up Alaska shorelines littered with marine debris, coupled with images from Romey's watercolor sketchbooks.
White man in blue blazer

Alaska Republican Party endorses Nick Begich III for US House

It’s the party’s first official endorsement in the crowded race.

Interior Department opens 27 million acres for Alaska Native Vietnam veteran land allotments

Veteran Nelson Angapak applauded Interior Secretary Deb Haaland for her outreach to the state’s Native Vietnam vets. "We’re grateful that through her efforts and the efforts of the Department of Interior and Bureau of Land Management, the land base for our veterans has expanded," said Angapak.
A woman's hand holds a tap into a birch tree

Birch tree tappers say a warming Alaska is making the harvest season harder to predict

https://youtu.be/zHP6lEi-Iiw April is birch tree sap season in Southcentral Alaska. A season that is harder and harder to predict because of climate change. Alaska Public...
masked passengers entering an airport

These airlines are letting passengers banned for mask violations back on planes

Delta, United, American and Alaska Airlines have announced they're now allowing some passengers who were once banned to fly with them again.
Passengers wait at a luggage gate

Anchorage air travelers say few passengers are wearing masks following this week’s court ruling

Alaskans at the Anchorage airport estimated about 10% of passengers on their recent flights had masks on.

Anchorage high school opens professional clothing resale store for students

"We see their posture totally change once they get into the outfit," teacher Stacy Miller said. "They can own the look and also own that feeling of empowerment."

Interior Secretary Haaland still undecided on King Cove Road after village visit

During her trip, Haaland said, she heard from residents about the importance of the road due to various transportation and medical challenges. As of now, she said, she’s made no decision on the road project. 
Television host interviews guests over Zoom.

Tracking permafrost thaw will help Alaska communities better adapt to climate change | Alaska Insight

A new program called Permafrost Pathways has a dual aim of measuring greenhouse gas emissions and supporting community adaptation ideas.
A mostly spruce forest with a bunch of smoke rising and a mcDonalds arch

At statewide convention in Fairbanks, GOP plans to focus on election law changes

It has been six years since Fairbanks hosted the statewide Republican convention, and it sold out earlier this week.
people talk around a table

Mock M&M election teaches Alaskans about ranked choice voting

At the mock election in Juneau, participants could only pick one M&M — that’s how Alaska’s new primary will work.
A cruise ship with a mountain in the background.

Cruise ships visiting Alaska this summer will require most passengers to be vaccinated

Under a proposal from Royal Caribbean, 95% of crew and all eligible passengers 12 and older are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
An aerial view of a parking lot next to some woods.

Listening session on 200-person shelter in East Anchorage rescheduled for Monday

At the first listening session last week, some members of the public asked for more specifics about the plan and more input from officials involved.
Two people standing on the deck of a boat watching three others empty a pot

Unalaska fisherman hopes youth program can revitalize island’s fishery

Unalaska fisherman Dustan Dickerson says the program is one way to get a new generation into the industry.
A hand holding a mask

The U.S. Justice Department will appeal the recent mask ruling by a federal judge

The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in all indoor public transportation settings and says "wearing masks is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations, such as the transportation corridor."

Anchorage Assembly likely to maintain progressive supermajority as 3 incumbents hold off challengers

East Anchorage Assembly member Forrest Dunbar, West Anchorage member Kameron Perez-Verdia and Midtown Anchorage member Meg Zaletel faced a slate of well-funded conservative challengers this year, with Mayor Bronson throwing his support behind unseating the incumbents.

On 4/20, Alaska House passes bill on marijuana records, underage possession

House Bill 246 would make past records of marijuana possession unavailable to the general public in searches of court cases.