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.”

Biden administration starts process to add or change ‘special area’ restrictions in the NPR-A

The BLM seeks public views on whether to add to the "special areas" of the reserve, where oil and gas development is restricted.
A man in a red shirt.

After a spree of Anchorage police shootings, advocates call for a citizen review board

The board would be staffed by professional investigators who would be guided by a board made up of Anchorage residents, aimed at holding the Anchorage Police Department accountable.
a person holds a dog

Rabies could become a disease of the past. Here’s what it would take.

Asia and Africa — where 95% of rabies cases happen — have two obstacles to progress.
a homeless shelter

As Ketchikan’s main homeless shelter closed, participants voiced frustration

First City Homeless Services served its last meal on June 14, leaving a void for the hundreds who relied on it.
a business

Two members of a Washington family sentenced for selling fake Alaska Native art in Ketchikan

Prosecutors say the two were part of a scheme to pass off fake stone carvings and wood totem poles as traditional art made by local Tlingít and Haida artisans.
Mike Dunleavy

Goals for new Alaska crime law range from harsher penalties for drug dealers to reducing recidivism

Some celebrate major progress on the state’s thorniest crime issues while others criticize the methods.

All Alaska Carrs stores targeted for sale in Kroger-Albertsons merger plan

The stores set to be sold include all 11 Carrs locations in Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer and Wasilla.
a composite sketch

Alaska prosecutors release photos of possible third victim in sentencing for convicted killer Brian Smith

Prosecutors released images of the woman, allegedly found on Smith's cellphone, in court documents before his sentencing begins Friday.
Two kids rides bicycles

New East Anchorage mountain bike trails open after 2 dads advocated for them for years

Steve Cleary and Carl Battreall said they wanted a place on the east side of town where kids could learn to mountain bike.
frozen fish fillets

Alaska seafood marketers get $5M from feds after losing state funds

The Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute says part of the money will help it increase the state industry’s involvement in pet food products.
scientists

A 3D reconstruction of the woolly mammoth genome might help revive the extinct species

A skin sample from a 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth offers new insights into what made the animals tick — and could help de-extinction efforts.
evidence markers

Anchorage man fired shotgun at police and stranger before officers shot him, charges say

Damien Dollison, 51, is charged with felony assault for firing a shotgun at officers and a witness at an Anchorage gas station early Monday morning.
a dog

CDC’s new rules for dogs entering the U.S. will have unique impacts in Alaska

The new border rules include a ban on bringing any dog under six months old into the U.S.
a man

Workforce shortages and inflation are key challenges for Alaska’s small businesses, new survey says

Small businesses remain optimistic even as they face hiring competition from other states.
Juneau

The average single-family home costs more in Juneau than anywhere else in Alaska, study says

New economic data from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development reveals higher costs for almost everything.
a law enforcement truck in traffic

Teen dirt-bike rider fatally struck Big Lake woman on pedestrian path, troopers say

Troopers initially cited Brendan Clark, 19, after the Monday collision along Big Lake Road that killed Nadara Williams, 79, but more charges are possible.
a search team

Floatplane in fatal Kenai Peninsula crash was set to visit different lake, NTSB says

National Transportation Safety Board investigators say underwater video of the plane will be "crucial" in the Crescent Lake crash that killed two men.
A picture of the Mat-Su Borough School District Center

Mat-Su book review committee concludes, some books returned to shelves

The Mat-Su School Board has not taken action on all committee recommendations, but has voted to remove seven so far.
a creek

New federal program aims to speed restoration of damaged Alaska streams and rivers

A new program has a toolbox of techniques to be used as the Bureau of Land Management seeks to restore waterways damaged by mining.
A car parked near trees.

North Carolina woman dies in Nenana River rafting accident

Troopers say Pamela Waaser, 67, died June 24 in an accidental drowning after she fell into the river near Denali National Park.