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 person in a black underwear suit drinks coffee as others walk through the door

At the Takotna checkpoint, Iditarod mushers indulge in sleep and pies

The only things that disrupted the peace: mushers snoring.
A man dressed in a grey suit with a purple tie discuses the three-year economic outlook at the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation luncheon held at the Dena'ina Center.

Anchorage population expected to increase in 2023, the first time in 7 years

But the increase is small: "a whopping 0.3%," said Bill Popp, president and CEO of the Anchorage Economic Development Corp.
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.

UAF to Get New Climate Center in Anchorage

The University of Alaska Fairbanks will host a new federal regional center for climate change research.  The Anchorage-based Climate Science Center is the...
a cash-only sign at a store

‘Like night and day’: Fiber-optic cables aim to make Y-K Delta internet faster, cheaper

Two subsea cables being deployed with $100 million in federal funding will bring fiber-optic internet service to Bethel and many other Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta communities.
a ship near the mountains

In victory for commercial fishermen, court orders Cook Inlet fishery to reopen

Judge Joshua Kindred said the federal closure was arbitrary and capricious and that the closure did not comply with national standards.

New federal grant for preserving Alaska Native languages

A National Science Foundation grant will help linguists work to preserve 11 Alaska Native languages over the next 3 years. Dr. Michael Krauss, Professor...

Peter Pan Seafoods Port Moller plant devastated in overnight fire

The Peter Pan Seafoods processing plant in Port Moller has been devastated by a massive fire that burned through Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning. Listen now

Alaska legislative investigator subpoenas Todd Palin in Monegan/Wooten matter

The investigator looking into the events surrounding the firing of Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan updated legislators this morning on his work so far...
A blue building with a water tower that says 'palmer'

Mat-Su had a large number of excess deaths last year, raising questions about COVID-19 reporting

The Mat-Su Borough had the country’s lowest number of reported COVID-19 deaths compared to the number of people who died in the borough beyond what would normally be expected, according to recently published analysis.

Juneau Birders Photograph Rare Long-Billed Curlew

A Juneau couple has likely made the first verified sighting of a Long-billed Curlew in Alaska. North America’s largest shorebird, rarely seen in this part of the country, may become No. 502 on the Checklist of Alaska Birds. Download Audio

Murkowski Votes Catching Capitol Hill’s Attention

Photo and Story by Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC Senator Lisa Murkowski may have passed a big hurdle Wednesday with the Alaska Supreme...

University of Alaska president resigns amid blowback from Wisconsin job search

Monday’s surprise announcement from the University of Alaska Board of Regents comes amid escalating calls for Jim Johnsen to step down as UA president following his interviews for a job in Wisconsin, and comments he made about diversity and the PFD during that process.

Senator Murkowski gains seat on Appropriations Committee

Senator Lisa Murkowski has secured a seat on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Her office announced the appointment today. In order to take the...
a dog

Rabies prompts new CDC rules for bringing dogs to the U.S.

Owners must confirm dogs either have a valid rabies vaccine or haven't been in a country where rabies is endemic in the last six months.

Bethel Man Recovering From Gunshot Wound After Altercation With Police

A 31-year-old Bethel man is recovering after being shot by a police officer during an altercation Friday. The man, Aaron Moses, was stabilized in Bethel and medevaced to Anchorage. One officer was also treated for minor injuries. Download Audio
fishing boats in the water

Alaska salmon fishers fume over low prices, but processors say they’re hurting too

Bristol Bay fishers are calling for strikes, lawsuits and “picket signs and pitchforks” in response to low salmon prices. But an industry expert says processors have been hurt too.
school bus in front of building

Teacher retention bonus bill moves forward in Alaska House

The bill would give bonuses of up to $15,000 to full-time teachers at the end of each school year.

As the state’s gasline corporation hopes for investment interest, lawmakers look for answers

For the last two months the state’s gasline corporation has asked potential customers and investors in the state-led project to formally show interest in the massive pipeline project, without being bound by a contract.