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.”

Dallas Seavey Takes Iditarod Lead

UPDATE: Dallas Seavey overtakes Aliy Zirkle for the lead, checking out of Safety at 1:16 a.m. Denali musher Jeff King scratched near Safety at 11:50 Monday evening as he closed in on front-runner Aliy Zirkle - who remains in the checkpoint. King told race officials he was having difficulty navigating the trail due to severe wind in the area.

Outrage as Anchorage man charged in violent attack receives no jail time

The state Department of Law is defending its plea deal with an Anchorage man - originally charged with kidnapping and assaulting a woman to whom he offered a ride. He was let off this week on time served, with some suspended. And that has angered some, including a group organizing to campaign against retaining the judge in the case. Listen now

Alaska rolls out plan to use hotels, dorms to quarantine health care workers and homeless families

The new mandate gives the state access to federal funding to help pay for the temporary housing if it's needed.

Hostility Remains Over Health Care Bill

President Obama may have signed major health care legislation into law two days ago but debate – and hostility –continues in the nation’s...
A woman shovels snow from a driveway.

‘Anomaly’ winter storm closes Anchorage and Mat-Su schools, slows traffic

The latest storm brought more than a foot of new snow. The snow again closed schools, tangled traffic and left residents frustrated about unplowed roads.

Sullivan backs Trump on China import taxes

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan praised President Trump's trade strategy toward China as a "positive and needed course correction." Listen now
a person holds their arms out as a man runs a security wand

Hundreds of people are moving from Anchorage homeless camps into hotel rooms

City officials say demand is much higher than expected, and the new numbers mean there could be 400 people or more left out in the cold. 
Exterior: An office building

Almost 1 in 5 Alaska state jobs is vacant as agencies struggle to hire, retain employees

The vacancies are slowing services, canceling ferries and could strain the Alaska Permanent Fund.

Nic Petit taps Jeff King for last-minute takeover of his Iditarod team after positive COVID test

Four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King says he took 30 minutes to think about it and then said yes.
honey buckets in teller

Study links lack of running water to prevalence of ear infections among rural Alaska children

Data from screenings of more than 1,600 Bering Strait schoolchildren found that lack of running water corresponded to a 53% higher rate of middle-ear infections.
flipped Humvee

Air Force investigators lay out lapse after lapse that led up to Eagle River ROTC cadet’s death in Humvee crash

Untrained cadets were given unsupervised access to old humvees intended only for use as bombing targets that were improperly put into service.
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Efforts to ban books jumped an ‘unprecedented’ four-fold in 2021, ALA report says

The American Library Association says that this year there have been more challenges to books than they have seen since they started tracking it in 2000.

Alaska broadcasting pioneer Augie Hiebert passes away at 90

Alaska broadcasting pioneer Augie Hiebert died this morning in Anchorage. He was 90 years old. Hiebert started his Alaska broadcasting career in Fairbanks long...

What to know about the new COVID, flu and RSV shots in Alaska this fall  

Alaskans will soon be able to get the new COVID vaccine, with a new respiratory syncytial virus immunization for infants already available.
dirt runway with hills in the background

Top four gubernatorial candidates voice support for Donlin mine

Walker, who is running for re-election as an independent, and three other top gubernatorial candidates have pledged support for the Donlin mine, which would be the one of the biggest gold mines in the world. Listen now

Juneau Symphony Names Troy Quinn its Newest Conductor

The Juneau Symphony has named Troy Quinn its newest conductor. While Quinn has an advanced degree in conducting, he’s also game to bring pop culture to the orchestra. Download Audio:

Alaska-based vets reflect on Afghanistan, resurgence of Taliban

The withdrawal of the U.S. military from Afghanistan has been watched closely by veterans of the 20-year war, who’ve expressed a range of emotions and opinions as the Taliban have once again swept into power.
A man stands behind and counter and in front of skis.

Supply chain bottlenecks are holding up winter gear in Anchorage

Across Anchorage, with snow covering the ground and temperatures dropping, waitlists for fat-tire bikes and skis are common. The demand for winter outdoor gear is high.
a police vehicle

Former Skagway resident charged with manslaughter in 2 overdose deaths

Jacob Cotton, 33, is also charged with misconduct involving controlled substances in the 2023 fentanyl deaths of Anthony Bowers and James Cook.
a police siren

Troopers warn of lethal batch of drugs in Mat-Su after 3 overdose deaths in 24 hours

The lethal batch of illegal drugs likely contains fentanyl, according to Alaska State Troopers.