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.”

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Craig Stowers asks a question about language on an election ballot during oral argument in an election recount case in Anchorage on Jan. 4, 2019.

Colleagues remember former Alaska Chief Justice Stowers for his dedication to law, courts

Stowers was chief justice from 2015 to 2018. He was a Superior Court judge for five years before becoming a justice.

Two more Alaska soldiers die in Iraq

34-year-old Staff Sergeant Carletta Davis of Anchorage and 24-year-old Sergeant Derek Stenroos of North Pole died Monday when a bomb went off next to...
a person walking by a sign

Kensington Mine cuts 20% of pay for some hourly employees, citing financial woes

In a memo sent in early January, the mine’s general manager said the mine will struggle to remain viable if it does not find ways to reduce costs.

Former governors tell Senators to vote down gas line plan

Former governors Wally Hickel and Tony Knowles today told the state Senate the same thing: "Vote No" on Governor Palin's proposal to allow TransCanada...
A woman poses for a portrait outside

Legislature modernizes 40-year-old definition of consent in sexual assault cases

"Alaska took a gargantuan step forward in updating our laws," says deputy attorney general.
Slick roads outside buildings

High winds cause Alaska Airlines jet to slide on icy Dillingham runway

The jet was carrying 74 passengers and four crew members. The airline said no one was injured.
school bus in front of building

A closer look at the Harvard charter school study making waves in Juneau

A new study ranks Alaska's charter schools No. 1 in the nation. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has cited the study in calls to expand charter schools.
A man wearing a hood and sunglasses, seen in a still from surveillance video

Anchorage man charged with robbing same credit union branch twice in 2 months

According to the charges, Etuale Ioane’s mother contacted police with a tip that the robber was her son, after seeing his photo in local news media reports.

NOAA law enforcement researches sexual harassment, assault among fisheries observers

NOAA’s office of law enforcement officials presented a report about sexual harassment of observers to a meeting of the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council in Kodiak. Listen now
High waters surround buildings

Dozens of Manley Hot Springs residents remain displaced after flood

Some Manley Hot Springs residents are frustrated by a lack of guidance and assistance as they begin recovering from last weekend’s major ice jam flood.
the side of a cruise ship

Norwegian Sun cruise ship docks in Juneau after hitting iceberg

The ship hit an iceberg near Hubbard Glacier on Saturday.

Climate change may have driven gray whale up Kuskowkim

Climate change may be responsible for pushing Alaska’s Gray Whales up into estuaries and rivers like the Kuskokwim. Listen now

State supplemental budget reaches $178 million, prompts Medicaid concern

Most of this cost — $92 million — is from Medicaid. Legislature is funding Medicaid at a lower level than state officials projected costs would run. On top of that, those projections were too low. Officials say more people enrolled in Medicaid due to the recession. Listen now
a house

As the permafrost melts, the houses in Nunapitchuk are breaking down

Settling homes across the Western Alaska village have suffered damage that makes them leak, leading to mold and long-term health issues.

Ted Stevens takes TSA to task

The head of the federal Transportation Security Administration got an earful from Ted Stevens at a US Senate Commerce Committee hearing today. Joel Southern, APRN...

Alyeska Pipeline Reports Spill

Alyeska Pipeline Service company reported a spill during a power failure at pump station nine this morning. The power failure resulted in the tank...
a fire station

Ketchikan firefighters lose vehicles in station fire

Wrangell has loaned Ketchikan an ambulance after Tuesday's South Tongass blaze, which left at least three vehicles presumed destroyed.

After years of loss, state economists forecast modest job growth in 2019

In 2019, state economists think Alaska could finally start gaining a modest amount of jobs.

Anchorage Assembly indefinitely tables advisory vote on Eagle River exit

The question of whether Eagle River, Chugiak, Peters Creek and Eklutna should secede from Anchorage is off the table for the foreseeable future. 
Cathy Giessel

Last-ditch attempt to return Alaska teacher, public employee pensions fails on Senate floor

The pension proposal would have piggybacked on a bill that aims to remedy the state’s teacher staffing crisis.