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.”

an oil and gas platform in the water

This oil platform stopped pumping 30 years ago. Alaska still won’t make the owner tear it down.

Owners can put off the costly process of tearing down the platforms using a strategy one critic calls “delay, deny and diddle around.” And in Alaska, the state has let them do it — for decades.
A campaign sign supporting Mayor Dave Bronson's reelection vandalized with "Free Palestine"

Anchorage woman charged with vandalizing Bronson campaign signs

Police charged a 27-year-old East Anchorage woman with two felonies and a misdemeanor in connection with 14 vandalized campaign signs.
Blue and red police lights.

Wasilla woman struck and killed by Alaska Railroad train

Wasilla police say Diana Wilson, 48, was lying in the freight train's path Friday night, but investigators haven't determined why.
A woman in a black graduation gown walks up to a podium.

UAA graduation is extra sweet for students who missed high school ceremonies 4 years ago

Sunday’s ceremony stands in contrast to four years ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought in-person gatherings to a halt across the globe.
a utility room

A utility room under Mertarvik’s public school is full of raw sewage

Excrement has been backing up into the building for months, but the tribal council that owns it had no idea how bad things were until recently.
a wireless tower

GCI mobile customers in Bethel demand answers after weeks of call issues

The telecom firm says the problem is now fixed. But business owners say they've been hurt by spotty service for incoming calls in April.
The back of a police vehicle

Fort Wainwright soldier fatally shot outside Fairbanks bar

Police say Shamar Snipes, 21, and Sharif Makkar, 27, were initially charged with assault after the shooting early Saturday of Brandon Moultrie.
a car

State halts work on expanded arrest authority for Chickaloon tribal officers

Citing local concerns, Alaska's Public Safety commissioner said the state was not pursuing new commissions for Chickaloon tribal police around Sutton.
A woman in a red outfit sits at a desk with a screen behind her talking to another woman.

Judy Woodruff discusses political division in America | Alaska Insight

Judy Woodruff joins Lori Townsend to discuss political division on this Alaska Insight.
A man in a black hoodie and black rubber gloves cuts through marbled bowhead whale meat with a knife.

For one Utqiaġvik family, spring bowhead whaling marks an important milestone

The Aaluk Crew landed Utqiaġvik's first bowhead whale of the spring season last week. It was also 17-year-old striker Donald "Button" Adams' first catch.
A man and a woman ask each-other questions at a podium.

Bronson, LaFrance offer different views and priorities in Alaska Public Media-ADN mayoral runoff debate

Bronson centered homelessness in his debate remarks, while LaFrance focused on providing basic city services.
A sign reads "Nesbett Courthouse," behind the sign, pedestrians walk on the sidewalk.

Homeschool ruling is on hold — but only through the end of June, judge rules

The judge’s order denying the state’s motion for a longer stay of the ruling also clarifies key aspects of the case.
2024 Anchorage Mayoral Runoff Debate broadcast or stream. Love on Facebook and YouTube. Logos: Anchorage Daily News and Alaska Public Media. Image of moderators Tom Hewitt and Lori Townsend.

Watch our 2024 Anchorage Mayoral Runoff Debate

Incumbent Dave Bronson and challenger Suzanne LaFrance shared their plans for Anchorage during our live mayoral debate.

Dunleavy says lawmakers shouldn’t pass bills to address homeschool decision. Lawmakers say that’s risky.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is calling on lawmakers to pause their efforts to address a court ruling that threatens the state’s homeschool system, saying they...
a crash site

Burning engine fell from plane just before fatal crash near Fairbanks, NTSB says

The NTSB's Clint Johnson says video and witness reports of the fire are "a key piece of evidence" in the April 23 crash, which killed both crew members.
Two cars side by side getting a touchless car wash.

Car wash companies expand in Anchorage amid national boom  

According to Bloomberg, there are about 60,000 car washes in the country, and some forecasts show that number could double by 2030.
women

Juneau parents petition to recall school board leaders in response to district’s consolidation plan

The petitioners are worried about the impacts of closing and rearranging schools for students, as the board addresses a $7.9 million deficit.
a forest

U.S. Forest Service seeks public input in revising its long-term plan for the Tongass

The federal agency will spend the rest of this year gathering public input and then take the next couple of years to finalize a new plan.
lawmakers

Alaska Senate passes draft budget, confirming $175M in bonus public-school funding

Gov. Mike Dunleavy told reporters that he's "open to the increase" proposed by state lawmakers in the draft budget bill.
a doctor

After downsizing health care for years, Pentagon says medical readiness was a casualty

After a decade of downsizing, Defense Department officials admit they need to rebuild the medical force and the general health of active duty troops.