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.”

Dave D'Amato discusses the homeless improvements at the Sullivan Arena.

Anchorage’s deputy health director resigns

It’s unclear what led to Dave D’Amato’s resignation about three months into his job as one of the top officials in the city’s health department.
A woman in listening

CDC says Americans can now go unmasked in many parts of the country

The federal health agency released new guidance for when Americans need to mask up indoors, saying about 70% of the population lives in a place where it's safe to go mask free.
a woman speaks

Ketanji Brown Jackson, Biden’s Supreme Court nominee, has blazed trails all her life

Unlike most judges, her background is not as a prosecutor or major corporate lawyer, and her personal life also defies stereotypes.
A family of four poses for a photo on top of a high hill, with mountains behind them

For some Alaskans, a foreign war hits close to home

Alaskans have been watching Russia’s invasion unfold from thousands of miles away this week. But for some, the news hits closer to home.

‘You’re all on the same team’: Junior Native Youth Olympics bring Alaskan kids together

This year’s Junior Native Youth Olympic Games are virtual, with nearly 300 participants sending in videos of themselves competing in the events.
A team photo of a coed high school basketball team

For the first time in nearly 2 decades, Mekoryuk has a high school basketball team

Two girls and five boys play on the co-ed team in a season that has gone quite well.

Alaska lawmaker retaliates after Washington proposes tax on fuel exports

The Washington legislation would increase fuel exported to Alaska, Idaho and Oregon by 6 cents per gallon. It wouldn’t affect Washington residents. 
Gov. Dunleavy stands behind a lectern next to a sign that says "relief for Alaskans"

How a rise in oil prices could impact this year’s PFD

With a recent rise in oil prices, the governor is again pushing for a higher PFD, plus an additional payment to boost last year's PFD. Legislators have other ideas.

Alaska delegation condemns Putin’s aggression; senators say Biden could do more

Murkowski and Sullivan say Biden's crisis energy policy falls short

Hatcher Pass avalanche closure could last another two weeks or more

The state transportation department closed Hatcher Pass Road on Feb. 14.
a plane takes off

Alaska-based troops have not been deployed in response to Russia invasion, commanders say

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered another 7,000 troops to Europe Thursday to bolster NATO member nations in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 
A gloomy landscape photo

In Ukraine, the road to war was paved by the failure of diplomacy

The invasion of Ukraine occurred despite weeks of diplomatic efforts, including calls between President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin and European leaders' visits to Putin in Moscow.
A side by side image of a scabby hairless dog lying on a couch next to a harnessed sled dog leaping in the air on a snowy trail

Vets were once unsure whether Zeke would live. Now, he’s racing in the Iditarod.

Six years ago, Kailyn Davis adopted Zeke. He was a hairless, scabby rescue dog. She says running with a dog team has helped him heal.
A cat looks out the window

A man threatened to kill himself. Juneau police shot at him, and hit two nearby homes instead.

State and local authorities say they're investigating the shooting.
A woman in a mask standing on a landing, seen looking down through the stairwell from the landing below

Mask and COVID-19 test requirements are dropped for Alaska State Capitol

The rules will continue to require those who test positive for the virus to isolate. 

Legislative Council approves plan to spend up to $5.5M to convert Juneau building into apartments for lawmakers

The council voted 9 to 5 to approve the plan to spend up to $5.5 million to turn the Assembly Building into 33 apartments for the session.
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin speaks at the 2016 Politicon at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California, June 26, 2016. (Creative Commons photo by Gage Skidmore)

Judge: Sarah Palin seeks new trial in defamation lawsuit

The judge said jurors knew before delivering their verdict against Palin that he had ruled against her as a matter of law the previous day.
a nurse administers a vaccine to a patient

As COVID numbers drop, state health officials continue to urge vaccination

State epidemiologist Dr. Joe McLaughlin shared data that shows COVID infections carry much greater risk for heart problems than vaccinations.
A white man with a bald head speaks into a microphone

Sitka lawmaker breaks two leg bones in paragliding mishap

Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins had gone paragliding in Anchorage over the weekend with fellow lawmaker Rep. Laddie Shaw.