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 large moose on a mushing trail standing over dogs that cannot move because they're still in harness

Moose attacks mushers’ team during a training run near Fairbanks, injuring 4 dogs

Bridgett Watkins' injured dogs are on the mend, and she’s back training with the others.

Why NASA’s new space telescope is pointed at the Big Dipper

Hint: It has to do with calibrating the telescope's ultrasensitive mirrors.
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Eielson pilot helps Air Force test bladder relief device for women

“This is really about the health and safety of the aircrew," she said. "So they can focus on the thing they need to focus on — which is the mission.”
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Watch: Alaska ranked choice voting, explained

Alaskans will have a new way to vote in state elections starting in 2022. Here's how it will work.
a person poses in front of a building and truck

The COVID-19 pandemic is leaving more children in Alaska’s foster care system without a stable home

While advocates are pushing hard to recruit new foster families, some say the problems at the state Office of Children’s Services are longstanding and extend into issues with staffing and support.
A woman smiling at the camera

Sophie Sergie cold case murder trial ends and goes to jury

Lawyers stepped the jury through evidence and testimony in four hours of closing remarks on Monday.
A college campus on a snowy day.

Anchorage judge to decide fate of $400 million scholarship fund

Lawyers for four Alaska university students and the state government presented their arguments to Superior Court Judge Adolf Zeman on Tuesday to determine the future of the Alaska Higher Education Investment Fund.
A man with a beard and a frosty parka

Brent Sass wins 350-mile Yukon Quest with summit-loving dog team

Brent Sass and his dogs dominated the last half of the 350-mile route this year.
pillars and dome of u.s. capitol

While Murkowski and Young steer toward middle ground in weekend statements, Sullivan tacked to their right

Alaska's D.C. delegation took different approaches to GOP calling Jan. 6 "legitimate political discourse."
A man stands next to a flag

New Anchorage police chief says his top priorities include building community trust and reducing violent crime

Michael Kerle described his top priorities on Monday during a news conference with reporters, just under a week into his new job leading Alaska's largest police department.
A white and blue sign outside of a multi-story white and blue medical building.

Former PeaceHealth nurses accuse hospital system of culture of retaliation against employees

It’s not the first time PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center has been scrutinized by federal labor officials for allegedly retaliating against its workforce. The hospital was accused of violating federal labor laws on retaliation four times in 2015.
A bison standing in front of a pickup in a snow-covered driveway, with more bison in the background

Deep snow is forcing bison onto Interior Alaska roads

This year’s deep, icy snowpack has forced bison to forage at farms and travel by road.
A woman in an apron standing next to a rack full of clothes

How a Dillingham hairstylist turned her salon into a free store

People can donate anything from clothes to furniture to daily necessities. The shop also serves as a place for anyone to get out of the cold and warm up.
Scattered blueish sea ice in water

Impacts of warming temperatures dominate discussion of Arctic Report Card

Warm temperatures, melting sea ice, ocean debris and permafrost degradation dominated discussion of the NOAA's 2021 Arctic Report Card.
A photo of a TV screen with a woman talking on a news show.

Murkowski, breaking with GOP, says Biden is right to nominate a Black woman to Supreme Court

Sen. Lisa Murkowski urged President Joe Biden on Sunday to pick an "exceptional individual" who has appeal to both parties.
A woman in a mask stands at a screen in a hospital

Americans get sicker as omicron stalls everything from heart surgeries to cancer care

Slammed by COVID-19, many U.S. hospitals have put off essential procedures. Delays are leading to consequences like heart attacks and sending people to emergency rooms to get care.
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 white man in a gray suit

Alaska House backs off sanctions for legislator in far-right Oath Keepers group

House Majority Leader Chris Tuck said it was “questionable” whether the votes were there to remove Republican Rep. David Eastman from committees.
A conference room with a some people

Alaska congressional delegation details benefits of federal infrastructure law to state lawmakers

Alaska’s congressional delegation told state lawmakers that the state has a unique opportunity to take advantage of the recently passed federal infrastructure law.