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.”

profile shots of three people

It’s Peltola, Begich, Dahlstrom in U.S. House race

The primary prunes the candidates from a dozen to four. Frequent candidate Gerald Heikes gained name recognition from a negative ad campaign.

Meet the chef making Alaska proud on PBS cooking show | INDIE ALASKA

https://youtu.be/uZjQg9m7nho Music by Universal Production Music

2 people injured in wolf attack while stopped on the Dalton Highway, troopers say

The people bitten Monday afternoon were treated in Fairbanks, troopers said. The wolf ran away after another motorist shot at it.
a home

Prosecutors find officer justified in deadly shooting of Anchorage woman during SWAT standoff

Officials determined that Sgt. John Butler was legally justified in shooting and killing 58-year-old Lisa Fordyce-Blair in June after a lengthy SWAT standoff at her home.
flooding

Coastal Yukon River faces flood advisory as lower Kuskokwim catalogs flood impacts

Meteorologists say Tropical Storm Ampil could back up the Yukon River, causing erosion and structural damage like that on the Kuskokwim.
Emergency sign at a hospital trauma center

CEOs earn big bucks at nonprofit hospitals. But does that benefit patients?

Some researchers wonder if CEOs' ballooning paychecks align with what’s best for patients and taxpayers.

Anchorage police say teenage girl walked toward officer with a knife before fatally shot

Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case released a few additional details about the shooting, but said much still remains under investigation.
A stretch of open highway

Interior sees record temperatures as former typhoon approaches Alaska

Some temperatures in the eastern Interior hit 90 degrees Sunday, as ex-Typhoon Ampil moves toward Western Alaska this week.
A man in a suit poses outside

Anchorage’s local government has a cash flow problem

It's another consequence of city bookkeepers’ delayed, but inevitable corrections to tangled and inconsistent financial recordkeeping.
Blue and red police lights.

Anchorage police investigate weekend homicides that left 2 men dead

Police have arrested a 33-year-old man in one of the men’s deaths, and are still seeking a suspect in the other.

Disagreements over bipartisanship fuel five-way race for Eagle River state Senate seat

Sen. Kelly Merrick says she joined a 17-member bipartisan Senate majority to get things done. Opponents say she betrayed conservative voters.
a tracker

Alaska elections officials plan to debut new ballot-tracking system with Aug. 20 primary

The system will allow the Division of Elections to track packages of ballots as they return to Juneau from remote locations.
flooding

Bering Sea storm brings erosion and flooding to Western Alaska communities

Some residents report that the flooding is worse than Typhoon Merbok, and that it rivals this year’s historic breakup floods on the Kuskokwim.

More than 100 people gather in downtown Anchorage for vigil honoring teenager killed by police

Easter Leafa, 16, recently moved to Alaska from American Samoa and was set to start her junior year of high school this week before she was killed.
A couple holding an "Alaskan jalapeno popper"

For this local food stand, the Alaska State Fair is a whole lot of work and a massive opportunity

For many, the Alaska State Fair is a time to relax and have fun. But for this couple, it’s also a massive opportunity.
A police car marked as Anchorage Police.

Anchorage man fired shotgun at homeless people from pickup, police say

Andres Corona, 39, made disparaging comments about people who are homeless as he was being booked in jail, prosecutors say.
a mountain

In America’s largest state House district, 6 people vie for a seat in the Alaska Legislature

The contest for Interior Alaska’s House District 36 has more candidates than any other legislative race this year.
a person wearing gloves

COVID is on the rise this summer. Here’s why and what else you should know.

There is a worldwide COVID-19 wave this summer, and a new vaccine coming in September.
a small sign that says "blockbuster" is perched atop a blue box. a man with glasses is smiling behind it with a house in the far background

Here’s an entirely new (but also very old) way of discovering your next favorite movie

Filmmaker Matt Jardin recently launched Alaska’s first Free Blockbuster box. It’s part of a national movement that braids together nostalgia and community.

Anchorage Mayor LaFrance announces changes to police department after officer kills teenager

“We cannot take back the pain associated with this loss, but we can do everything in our power to make sure this doesn’t happen again in Anchorage,” Mayor LaFrance said in a statement.