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.”

mostly empty store shelves

Grocery store shortages are back. Here are some of the reasons why

Bare shelves at supermarkets are attributed to omicron, a labor shortage, climate change and other reasons. "We're really seeing the perfect storm," one industry expert told NPR.
A dog team mushes by a snowmachine.

Musher Ryan Redington’s dogs still recovering after hit by snowmachine in Wisconsin

On Saturday night, Redington said he was mushing his team on the trail when he saw a snowmachine barreling toward him at a high speed.  
A woman stands in front a of a pie chart.

Former head of Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. claims firing was politically motivated

Angela Rodell, the former head of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., claims her firing was “political retribution” by board members appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
A person in a hospital gown walks around a parked car in a snowy parking lot

Alaska reports daily COVID records as Anchorage hospitals feel pinch of omicron

An official from the Alaska Native Medical Center said the hospital is “very, very close” to declaring crisis standards of care.
Snow piled up at the entrance of a building.

Yakutat declares disaster emergency, citing an imminent threat of roofs collapsing

Borough Manager Jon Erickson said Yakutat has gotten about 6 feet of snow over the past few weeks, causing intermittent power outages, damage to buildings and school closures.
A man twirls a bright tinsel star.

Bristol Bay sings for slavii, but celebrations look different this year

Slavii is a Russian Orthodox tradition in what’s now Ukraine, but it has a long history in communities around the state, including Bristol Bay.
A man talks into a microphone.

Americans are tuning out as omicron rages. Experts call for health messaging to adapt.

Amid a surge in omicron cases and hospitalizations, public health is grappling with how to get a tuned out public to pay attention. Experts urge communicators to cut through the noise.
A COVID testing site.

Anchorage ER doctor says omicron presents a whole new set of challenges

While those infected with omicron tend to have milder symptoms, the sheer number of cases — more now than at any previous time in the pandemic — means hospitals are bracing for an influx of sick patients needing specialized care.
a man in an orange jacket behind a team of sled dogs

‘A long time coming’: Brent Sass bags first Copper Basin 300 win in 10 tries

Despite temperatures down to 60 below in this year's Copper Basin 300, Sass says it was a smooth race.
Yellow and red circles on a map.

Swarm of earthquakes, some strong, hits off Alaska’s Aleutian Islands

Natalia Ruppert, a seismologist at the Alaska Earthquake Center, said it was a “very unusual, very energetic swarm of earthquakes.”
A collapsed building.

No injuries after two buildings’ roofs collapse in Juneau

The roofs of at least two buildings in Juneau have failed, apparently due to heavy snow loads. Emergency responders confirmed both buildings were vacant.
correctional complex

State investigation finds Anchorage corrections officers used excessive force in 2017 pepper spray incident

The incident took place more than four years ago, and investigators say the state corrections department still hasn’t made adequate changes to prevent similar incidents.
a Covid-19 swab specialist in medical gown, face mask, and face shield prepares to swab a traveler

As COVID cases skyrocket, Alaska health officials closely watch hospitalizations, staffing

In the last week, the coronavirus’s omicron variant has pushed Alaska’s daily case counts higher than the fall delta variant surge and sidelined health care workers at an alarming rate.
A health care worker fixes her mask.

U.S. COVID hospitalizations hit new record high, raising risks for patients

There are more patients and, in some places, not enough health care workers to go around. Research shows the crowding will impact care and increase mortality for all patients.
A woman in a button-up shirt on a boat.

After 33 years, Fish Radio’s Laine Welch hangs up her mic

Laine Welch served as host of Alaska Fish Radio for more than three decades, bringing news and perspectives on the fishing industry to listeners around the state.
Fighter jets land on a runway

Alaska gains residents for the first time in four years

“It was just  0.1 percent,” said David Howell, the state demographer. “But still, it broke our trend of population losses that we’ve been seeing.”
An aerial view of cars snaking through a snowy parking lot.

Anchorage residents are still waiting out long lines at COVID test sites

The health department promised more test sites by Monday, but so far hours and locations haven’t increased forcing people to burn up sick leave and wait for up to 3 hours for a test.
A health worker grabs tests.

How to get insurance to pay for at-home COVID tests, according to the White House

The Biden administration says Americans should be able to order COVID tests online later this month.
The seal of the state of alaska as seen from below

Long-serving Alaska magistrate is fired after writing letter to the editor criticizing Republican Party

Seward Magistrate George Peck, the longest serving magistrate in Alaska, is no longer on the bench after writing letters to the editor critical of the Republican Party.
snow covered park, cars driving on a bend in the road, and a plane flies in front of snowy mountains

State job vacancies lead to unplowed roads and other service gaps

Critical state jobs are going unfilled this year. That’s led to unplowed roads, ferries tied up at dock and slowdowns in the court system.