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 large cruise ship with a white cabin and a blue hull

The Westerdam, turned away from Asia ports over coronavirus fears, will dock in Juneau

One passenger from the Westerdam initially tested positive for the virus but has since been cleared. All passengers have now left the ship, and the crew has tested negative.

Musher Jeff King pulls out of Iditarod because of health emergency, rookie handler will run his team

Hours after a live event in Anchorage, the veteran musher was in the ER for what looked like a hernia, but turned out to be much more serious.

Female Denali Commission employees file discrimination complaints against boss

At least four female employees have filed civil rights complaints against the top executive at the Denali Commission, according to an Anchorage lawyer. Jason Hoke has been out of the office since Friday.

Alaska’s first known coronavirus patient arrived on a cargo flight and went to an ER in Anchorage, state officials say

Alaska's chief medical officer called it an isolated case that health officials believe they can contain.
A red and white building

Here’s how the Bethel hospital is preparing to respond to coronavirus

The Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation is increasing its inventory of personal protective equipment, including masks, gowns, and gloves, at its Bethel hospital and village clinics.

The risk of coronavirus remains low in Alaska, but empty Anchorage store shelves reveal rising anxiety

Listen to this story: Although she lives in Wasilla, Ann Williams was on a city-wide tour of Anchorage stores Wednesday, looking for one very specific...

House bill would pay roughly $900 PFDs under new formula

Leaders of the Alaska House majority have introduced a bill that would set permanent fund dividends at roughly $900. That’s a little more than half of the $1,600 dividends paid out the last two years and significantly less than the roughly $3,000 Gov. Mike Dunleavy wants under the formula set in state law.

‘It’s pretty much everywhere’: Iditarod mushers should prepare for deep snow, race officials say

Iditarod race marshal Mark Nordman said the word for this year’s race may be “patience” as teams navigate deep snow along much of the trail.

Coronavirus update, March 5: Eight negative tests, one pending; school districts weigh travel restrictions

The Anchorage School District announced Wednesday it has cancelled all school sponsored out-of-state travel through April

Hilcorp revived this declining North Slope oil field. Can it do the same for Prudhoe Bay?

While many North Slope fields are only the decline, production at Hilcorp's Milne Point has actually increased by huge amounts. Now, the company is acquiring the massive Prudhoe Bay field, raising hopes of a similar revival there.

Is your Alaska doctor as worried about coronavirus as you are? Maybe not.

There are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Alaska. The state is testing more patients everyday and medical experts say the virus is likely to be discovered in the state soon. At local clinics and hospitals, doctors are fielding lots of questions. Many say they're counseling patients to take COVID-19 seriously, but not to panic.
Grey and white sled dogs howl in nblack harnesses

Our favorite 20 photos from the Iditarod ceremonial start in Anchorage

Dozens of mushers and hundreds of sled dogs paraded through Anchorage on Saturday.

Amid coronavirus fears, who decides if a cruise ship can come or not?

Alaska’s cruise ship season begins in April, and that’s making a lot of people anxious in port towns that have, so far, been untouched by the COVID-19 virus.

Amid national crunch, Alaska’s coronavirus test supply is adequate, officials say

There's a national testing crunch right now for the coronavirus as the number of cases rise, with Vice President Mike Pence acknowledging that there aren't enough to meet demand

Meet 4 Iditarod rookies who say they’re putting years of training to the test

Among the 57 mushers, a dozen are rookies competing in the Iditarod for the first time.

Dunleavy urges calm as a volatile economy and tourism warnings add to Alaska coronavirus anxiety

As the coronavirus continued to cause havoc for the global economy Monday in ways that threaten the stability of Alaska's budget, the Permanent Fund and tourism, Governor Mike Dunleavy called a news conference to soothe Alaskans' anxiety.

Federal warnings against cruises rattle Alaska travel industry

Listen to this story: The State Department and federal health experts are now advising people against cruise ship travel. That’s led to questions over whether...
A man waves his arms

‘The best trail I’ve ever seen’: Iditarod teams rest in the sun at Rainy Pass as they settle into the competition

Although they battled storms and deep snow the first dozen miles, many mushers said the trail ascending the Alaska Range to the Rainy Pass checkpoint was as good as they ever remember it.

Lawmakers crafting plan to end session if coronavirus comes to Juneau

The Legislative Council formed an emergency response preparedness subcommittee Tuesday that would develop a plan for an early adjournment of the session.

Meet Sean Underwood, the musher who found out last week he’d be racing the 2020 Iditarod

Four-time Iditarod champion Jeff King tapped Underwood, a 28-year-old from Atlanta, to take over his sled dog team after he had emergency surgery.