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 man in a tie and jacket stands in front of a podium, flanked by three people.

Alaska seeks to collect more than 20,000 missing DNA samples from people charged with crimes

Alaska law requires that state and local law enforcement agencies collect DNA samples from all people charged with a crime against another person or a felony. But over the past 25 years, that hasn't happened in thousands of cases.

Ocean acidification sets off alarm bells

Increasingly acidic waters in the Pacific Ocean may be a factor in the steep decline of salmon runs in the lower 48 states and...
the Anchorage Correctional Complex

Anchorage inmate dies after 2 days in custody in 7th Alaska inmate death this year

Tristan Andrews was housed at the Anchorage Correctional Complex when he was pronounced dead on Aug. 29. He was 29 years old.
woman on boat with video camera pointed at her.

Alaska Rep. Peltola stuns home region by defending Donlin gold mine, a project she used to oppose

Democrat Mary Peltola joined Alaska's U.S. senators on a legal brief defending the mine in a lawsuit brought by Kuskokwim tribes.
a truck with a giant potato on it

Skagway’s music festival has a special guest this year: a giant fiberglass potato.

The Southeast town is embracing the weirdness. The mayor has declared Saturday "Idaho Potato Day." And two locals will be crowned Queen and King of Potatoes for the day.

Mining reforms debated in Congress

Don Young and other critics argued today that the latest round of proposals to reform the 135-year-old federal law covering mining on public lands...
dog team on urban street

Anchorage sees return of Fur Rondy sled dog races after COVID hiatus

Nineteen dog teams launched from Fourth Avenue amid familiar rituals and unusual weather.

Evacuees Return to Crooked Creek

Angela Denning-Barnes, KYUK – Bethel Evacuees returned to flood damaged Crooked Creek Friday after spending days at the nearby Donlin Creek Gold Mine site....
Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks with reporters inside the Division of Election office in Anchorage

Crossing party lines, Manchin endorses Murkowski’s Senate campaign

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin on Sunday endorsed Republican colleague Lisa Murkowski for reelection, crossing party lines to back the incumbent from Alaska who faces a primary challenger supported by former President Donald Trump.
a parking lot

Woman lying in Anchorage Walmart parking lot run over and killed

Police say the woman, who was run over by a minivan, died outside the South Anchorage Walmart Wednesday afternoon. No charges have been filed.

Computer Glitch Means $2 Million in Anchorage OT

An overlooked computer glitch  in Anchorage is being blamed for about $2 million worth of overtime paid in error to city employees. Ellen Lockyer,...

Oil-tax bill moves to House Finance

The House Finance Committee is scheduled to begin meeting on the Oil Tax Bill right now. This is the first hearing of the tax...

House votes for mining regulation changes

The Democratic-controlled U.S. House approved a bill today that calls for a big overhaul of the laws that govern hard rock mining on public...
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.
From across the street is the Anchorage Police Department, where an American and Alaskan Flag sit in front of a parking lot full of police cars.

City of Anchorage sued for not having body-worn cameras on police officers

Voters approved the cameras more than two years ago. In a lawsuit filed Wednesday, Alaska Black Caucus attorneys argue that the city and the police department are “thwarting the process by proffering one excuse after another, with no end in sight.”

Alaska emergency crews study up for nation’s first LNG by rail

Starting tomorrow, the Alaska Railroad will be the first in the nation to carry liquefied natural gas by rail. With the Federal Rail Administration’s blessing, LNG will travel the tracks from Anchorage to Fairbanks.

Alyeska Pipeline Spill Update

The Trans Alaska Pipeline system is still shut down as Alyeska Pipeline Service Company continues their assessment of the spill. Alyeska Pipeline Service Company spokeswoman...

Murkowski at odds with Trump’s call to end NEA funding

President Trump’s budget calls for ending funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. The NEA has been a frequent target of Republicans, but U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski supports the endowment, and Tuesday she won an award for it. Listen now
a gavel

Alaska alleges ‘widespread fraud’ by Anchorage ATM business serving villages, small businesses

James Dainis, who owns the business, says the state is mistaken and dissatisfied customers will be refunded.
Julie Kitka

Alaska delegation nominates longtime Native leader to be co-chair of the Denali Commission

Julie Kitka, who served for decades as president of the Alaska Federation of Natives, was tapped to be the federal co-chair of the agency.