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.”

A high school from the outside

Ketchikan wrestling meet linked to 23 COVID cases in Southeast Alaska

Infections were reported in Craig, Klawock, Sitka, Wrangell and Ketchikan.
A frog partially submerged in water

Deadly fungus threatens Alaska amphibians

It’s not always lethal, but the fungus has decimated frog populations around the world and is thought to be responsible for up to 90 extinctions. Researchers aren’t sure how it got to Alaska, but it has been observed here since the year 2000.

Justice Department brings federal criminal charges against Derek Chauvin, 3 others

The Justice Department has filed federal criminal charges against Derek Chauvin, accusing the former police officer of using excessive force and violating the civil rights of George Floyd. Floyd died after Chauvin pressed on his neck for more than nine minutes on the pavement outside a convenience store in Minneapolis last year.
A person inserts a syring in a jar of liquid

Yup’ik college student, founder of Alaska biotech company, wins international entrepreneur award

Michael Martinez, a UAA student originally from Kotlik won an international award for finding a way to extract rare earth metals without hurting the environment.

As lumber prices climb, Alaskans increasingly mill their own

A year and half ago, Rittgers said he was taking orders for one sawmill a week. Now, he and his daughter take deposits for three or four sawmills a day.
Two white men pictureed side by side

Bronson outraises Dunbar in latest campaign finance reports

Bronson’s campaign has outraised Dunbar’s in the runoff election by about $77,000, but overall, Dunbar has still raised more — close to $591,000 in total, compared to Bronson’s $559,000.
A woman lifts her kneww

After a pandemic year, ‘extreme hip hop’ aerobics takes hold in Anchorage’s Pacific Islander community

Community leaders say that after the severe impact of COVID-19 on the Pacific Islander community, there's been a renewed focus on health and fitness.

Eagle River man, charged in woman’s disappearance, was filmed carrying a body to his car

A surveillance camera captured Eddie Thomas Jr. carrying a body to his car in Eagle River days before his ex-girlfriend was found dead at the base of a cliff near Eklutna Lake Road, according to a newly-filed charging document.

Did agents raid home of wrong woman over Jan. 6 riot? Maybe.

A warrant obtained by the Associated Press shows a Homer couples home was raided by federal agents seeking a laptop belonging to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which was taken during the Jan. 6 capitol insurrection.
An aerial view of a factory near water.

A state corporation is still pushing a massive gas line plan in Alaska. Is it a pipe dream?

The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation says the 800-mile natural gas line will be good for the state’s economy and energy costs. But critics argue that it’s time to give up on the expensive, decades-long dream.
Two white men pictureed side by side

Still deciding between Bronson and Dunbar? Here’s where they come down on major issues.

Anchorage voters still have about a week to cast their ballots as the city chooses its next mayor in a runoff election. The two...
A giant snowy mountain

Skier dies after crevasse fall in Alaska national park

Mason Stansfield, age 28, of Ouray, Colorado, fell into a crevasse fell 100 feet down. He died during the fall, according to officials.
A parking lot of a high school

Fairbanks teacher on leave after comments in class about George Floyd

A video of an online lesson shows a Lathrop teacher telling students that George Floyd would be alive if he had complied with police orders. Floyd was murdered by a white police officer, Derek Chauvin.

Children now account for 22% of new U.S. COVID cases. Why is that?

On Monday, the AAP said children represented 22.4% of new cases reported in the past week, accounting for 71,649 out of 319,601 cases. The latest report, drawn from data collected through April 29, illustrates how children's share of coronavirus infections has grown in recent weeks.
Man in a suit in front of a desk mic

In address to Legislature, Sullivan slams Biden resource decisions

In an address to a joint session in the Legislature, Sullivan said Alaska’s economy benefited from a series of decisions by former President Trump’s administration.

Why lagging COVID vaccine rate at rural hospitals ‘needs to be fixed now’

A new survey conducted by the National Rural Health Association and Chartis Center for Rural Health showed that 30% of the 160 rural hospital executives who responded said less than half of their employees had been vaccinated — even though health care workers have been eligible for months now. Only about a third said that 70% or more of their staff were vaccinated.
Two white men pictureed side by side

WATCH: Anchorage mayor candidates debate visions for the city

Former Air Force and commercial pilot Dave Bronson and Assemblymember and Alaska Army National Guard Captain Forrest Dunbar are the two runoff candidates for the Anchorage mayoral election.
A black bear below some alders on a river bank

Hikers have standoff with black bear near Seward

The odds of getting attacked by a bear are one in over two million. That’s why Sarah Wallner, who was mauled by a grizzly in 2007, could not believe her misfortune when she and two friends ended up in a standoff with a black bear at Tonsina Creek, near Seward, on Thursday.

‘This place is on fire with COVID’: Younger, unvaccinated patients strain Fairbanks hospital

Medical workers at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital say the hospital’s capacity is being strained by high COVID-19 rates, and the community should be more alarmed.
A sign fro a high school with an indian mascot

Washington law bans Native-themed school mascots — unless nearby tribe approves

Washington public schools with Native American-themed team names or mascots have until year's end to find a new mascot or try to win the blessing of a nearby tribe for continued use under an exception.