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.”

Ed Mercer

Juneau Police Chief Ed Mercer retires after 31-year career

Mercer, Juneau's first Alaska Native police chief, is retiring after more than 20 years of service in the state's capital.
a search

Body of woman lost under Eagle River ice in December found

Police say a body found Sunday at the North Fork Trailhead is that of Amanda Richmond, last seen Dec. 23 trying to rescue a dog from the river.

UAS and Yukon College Partnership Advances Native Language Efforts

University of Alaska Southeast and Yukon College signed an agreement this weekend that renews a more than 25-year relationship. The two institutions will continue to work together in various academic fields, including resource development and Native languages.
Three relatively small windmills turn above small, one-story homes. Green grass in the foreground and thick fog in the background .

COVID-19 cases confirmed in St. Lawrence Island communities

According to the regional health corporation, his newest patient was tested as a close contact of the individual in Savoonga who was confirmed as a positive case on Sunday.

Biologists Leaving For Unique Study on Polar Bears

Photo by Eric Regehr. US Fish and Wildlife. Biologists will have the rare opportunity to study polar bears in the Beaufort Sea at this...

Legislature OKs up to $12.5M for new LIO site

The Legislative Council approved spending up to $12.5 million to buy the Walls Fargo Bank building in Anchorage’s Spenard neighborhood on Monday. The building would be used for legislative offices and to provide a venue for public testimony.
a church

Kenai Peninsula board narrowly rejects Nikolaevsk’s proposal for a charter school

The Russian Old Believer village wanted the school to focus on Russian language immersion and to follow a subsistence calendar.

Response period still open in Kensington Mine appeal

Interested parties have until February 28 to file a response to a U.S. Supreme Court appeal of a lower court decision striking down the...

Cook Inlet Oil Draws Attention

While local officials and oil producer talk about a decline in oil production in Cook Inlet, at least one company is taking more...
A waiter in an apron and a face mask delivers food to a table.

Wages are going up and so is inflation. Consumer prices have hit a 13-year high.

Consumer prices rose 5.4% in the 12 months ending in July, matching the highest rate of inflation in nearly 13 years. The cost of rent, food and gasoline continues to climb.

Search for two missing Juneau men fruitless so far

There's still no sign of two Juneau men missing since Saturday on a flight from Young Lake on Admiralty Island. But today’s weather has...
a proposed Alaska state ferry

DOT pursues diesel-electric hybrid design for Tustumena replacement

The aging state ferry Tustumena's replacement is likely to be a battery-powered diesel-electric hybrid, as the state leverages federal funds to green up its fleet.
A hearing room with a bunch of people

Dispute over funds casts doubt on Alaska dividend amount

The Alaska House passed legislation Tuesday calling for a $1,100 dividend to residents but there are different interpretations as to whether much of the money that would be used for the checks is available.
cars lined up and a sign that reads "COVID-19 TESTING SITE"

Alaska records 28 more COVID-19 deaths

The deaths reported Tuesday happened in regions around Alaska and were mostly people in their 60s or older.
A person in masks, gloves and a white coat gives a shot in another person's arm.

CDC backs expansion of COVID boosters for all adults

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky gave the green light to boosters just hours after a panel of vaccine advisors voted unanimously to recommend boosters for anyone 18 and older.

Alaska Democratic Party Holds Convention In Nome

The Alaska Democratic Party ended its weekend convention in Nome on Sunday with resolutions on issues ranging from Alaska Native rights to same-sex marriage and came away with a full lineup of candidates for key November races. Download Audio

Legislators will get long weekend, then it's back to work

The Alaska Legislature is starting to wind down for its spring vacation this weekend. But quite a few things have been left hanging as...

Democrats May Sue Over Voting Booth Write-In Lists

Associated Press Alaska Democrats are threatening to sue the state, alleging election officials are trying to influence the outcome of the U.S. Senate race...

In wake of a smaller $48M deficit, Anchorage school officials weigh numerous budget cuts

School board members on Saturday found wide consensus on closing Abbott Loop Elementary School, increasing the student-to-teacher ratio by one and using roughly $28 million in savings to close next year's budget gap.
An Alaska State Trooper cruiser parked on Nome’s Front Street in January 2015.

Five dead in small commercial plane crash outside of Bethel

Bethel, Alaska — Five people are dead following a plane crash Thursday near the lower Kuskokwim community of Tuntutuliak, according to Alaska State Troopers....