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.”

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.
A person at a window counter

Alaska courts disconnect online services after cyberattack

Court filings, court record searches, and payments of fines aren’t currently accessible online, and online court hearings scheduled over the next few days will take place over the phone.
Photos of two men side by side

RUNNING 2021: Runoff for Mayor of Anchorage

Hometown Alaska is hosting a mayoral candidates' discussion between Dave Bronson and Forrest Dunbar.
LArge wooden doors opening to a dais

Lawmakers reject $3,000 dividend during weekend debate

Early in a marathon day of floor sessions on Saturday, the Alaska House of Representatives rejected a proposal to pay permanent fund dividends of more than $3,000 this year.
A for sale sign in front of a white house.

Is Alaska’s pandemic housing market burning out or getting hotter?

It's a seller's market: homes are going fast and at high prices. But experts say they're not seeing the warning signs of a housing bubble.
A Mexican woman smiles in front of her expresso machine

Entrepreneur finds community and success bringing Latin American flavors to Anchorage coffee scene

Estrella Elizabeth Rodriguez-Northcutt is finding success serving Horchata lattes, cafe de olla, and Jamaica, a hibiscus tea. She says she's already converted a few customers who used to prefer their coffee black.
A woman in a mask in front of a glass door

Sister’s COVID illness inspires Anchorage woman’s effort to get Hmong community vaccinated

As details were falling into place for Anchorage's first vaccine clinic targeting the Hmong community, May Ramirez-Xiong sister was hospitalized with COVID-19, inspiring Ramirez-Xiong and others to redouble their efforts to get the community vaccinated.
A woman in an orange coat points to a chart with a graph on the senate floor

There have been two attempts in Congress to save Alaska’s cruise season in the last week. Both have failed.

The U.S. Senate on Thursday blocked consideration of a waiver that would have allowed foreign-flagged cruise ships to visit Alaska ports this summer.

U.S. vaccinations may be reaching a tipping point to stop the virus, experts say

While some researchers says it's still too soon to know for sure, a growing number of epidemiologists, infectious disease researchers and public health experts think the country might have reached — or be about to reach — that crucial inflection point.

Homer couple’s home and business raided by FBI, possibly in connection to Jan. 6 insurrection

A Homer couple say their home and business was raided by the FBI on Wednesday morning. An FBI spokesperson confirmed that agents visited Paul and Marilyn Heuper at Homer Inn and Spa, though described it as “a court-authorized law-enforcement activity,” and not a raid.
A person gets tested for coronavirus.

State reports small number of ‘breakthrough’ COVID-19 cases in fully-vaccinated Alaskans

State health officials reported that one-tenth of 1% of vaccinated Alaskans tested positive for COVID-19 in February and March, and most did not have symptoms.
A sign for Anchorage Ppolic on a rainy day

LISTEN: New study examines Alaska law enforcement officers’ use of deadly force

The report notes that a third of such incidents involved a person expressing they wanted officers to end their life and that, most often, the person displayed or used a firearm during the incident.

Former Alaska Arts Council employee wins $85K settlement after losing her job for criticizing governor

Keren Lowell worked for the Alaska Council on the Arts over a span of eight years and lost her job in 2019, when Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed the council's funding. When the funding was restored, most of her coworkers were hired back, but Lowell was not.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Two people wearing masks avoid social distancing in Central Park as temperatures rose amid the coronavirus pandemic on April 25, 2020 in New York City, United States. COVID-19 has spread to most countries around the world, claiming over 200,000 lives with over 2.8 million cases. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)

CDC: If you’re vaccinated, you don’t need to mask outdoors (unless you’re in a crowd)

Still, the CDC is urging all people — vaccinated or not — to continue avoiding medium or large gatherings, since it's still learning how well the vaccines work to curb the spread of the virus.