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.”

stacks of shipping containers. A few read "Matson."

The unseen factor driving Alaska’s migration losses

It's not about the leavers. New arrivals are staying away in droves, driving Alaska to an unprecedented 12th year of net negative migration.
a boot

An Alaska company is launching an updated Bunny Boot

The Alaska Gear Company's new boots, based on the original U.S. military design, are now available for preorder.

Dunleavy vetoes tax breaks for Turo operators, leaving owners to collect rental car taxes themselves

Senate Bill 127 would have lowered taxes on app-based rentals and made it harder for Turo owners to skip out on their tax bills.
a man speaking at a podium

Anchorage business owners offer support for ballot measure to raise minimum wage

Ballot Measure 1 would raise the minimum wage from $11.73 to $15 by 2027. Supporters say it’ll positively impact businesses.

Alaska Democrats ask judge to remove imprisoned out-of-state U.S. House candidate from November ballot

Eric Hafner is serving a 20-year sentence in a New York federal prison. Alaska Democrats argue that should disqualify him from the ballot.
Class desks in front of clear windows with alternated yellow and blue tints

ACLU files injunction in lawsuit over Mat-Su schools bathroom policy

The ACLU’s motion seeks to allow one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, a student who identifies as a boy, to use the boys bathroom.
overdose kits

Alaska schools to be stocked with anti-overdose kits under new law

Hundreds of overdose-reversal kits are headed to schools as part of a strategy to combat Alaska’s high rate of opioid deaths.
people outside of a school

These are the 2 students and 2 teachers killed at Apalachee High School in Georgia

Just one month into the school year, four people were ripped away from their loved ones, their lives ended by a mass shooting.
a ship

Ship en route to repair Sitka’s damaged fiber optic cable

The cable repair ship bound for Southeast waters is currently in Canada, and should arrive by the end of the week.
a helicopter

Alaska Air National Guard responded to 3 plane crashes in ‘very busy’ weekend

A spokesman says Guardsmen rescued eight people in five missions "all over the place" during the Labor Day weekend.
a protest

Alaska judge strikes down requirement that only licensed physicians provide abortions

A judge agreed with Planned Parenthood that barring clinicians from providing services violates the state's constitution.
A sign that reads "UAA, UNIVERSITY of ALASKA ANCHORAGE." There are flowers in planters in front of it.

For some University of Alaska faculty, the next paycheck could be $0

University officials say they have made headway on the problem and faculty will be paid “as soon as possible."
People waiting in line waiting to cast their vote.

Why candidates are withdrawing from Alaska’s general election

Eleven candidates dropped out after the primary. Many said they wanted to help build support around stronger candidates.
2018 Alaska earthquake damage

UAF scientists hope new forecast method can predict major earthquakes months in advance

Társilo Girona says he and other researchers trained an algorithm to analyze 30 years of earthquake data in Alaska and California.
A sign says Anchorage School District.

Anchorage School District student tests positive for whooping cough

One confirmed case and two suspected cases of the infection were reported to the district this week.
three men

Alaska bill making church and synagogue vandalism a felony is signed into law

Alaskas's new law addresses vandalism attacks on synagogues and other religious sites, which are increasing nationwide.
a semi truck

Driver hurt when semi goes off Seward Highway and into Turnagain Arm

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, police say.
officials

Murkowski pledges federal support for Ketchikan landslide recovery efforts

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski told officials last week that she would work to secure federal dollars for rebuilding efforts after the fatal slide.
a harbor

It could take nearly 2 weeks to repair a broken fiber optic cable that has caused widespread outages in Sitka

Sitka has been without internet access since an undersea fiber optic cable broke Thursday, cutting off most residents from the online world.
a map

Landslide triggers 55-foot tsunami wave at Kenai Fjords National Park

Heavy rains and melting glaciers are making landslides in the area more common, says a geologist.