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.”

Health officials announce 10 new cases of COVID-19 in Alaska

Seven of the new cases are in Anchorage, two in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and one in Juneau.

JBER declares emergency after seven test positive for COVID-19

Seven people have tested positive for coronavirus at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson testing center, according to a Facebook post on Sunday night.

‘There’s sunshine again’: Thousands of meals delivered daily to Anchorage students as coronavirus closes classrooms

On Friday, the Anchorage School District handed out more than 18,000 free meals to Anchorage students.

Anchorage mayor joins calls for travel restrictions as questions of authority linger

Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz said he’s waiting to hear from city attorneys about whether he has the authority to adopt such restrictions himself, when it comes to the state-run Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.
A man gesticulating behind a desk

State Senate approves $1,000 stimulus checks

The Alaska Senate passed the state budget on Monday, including a $1,000 economic stimulus payment to everyone who received a permanent fund dividend last year.

Dunleavy administration mandates two-week quarantine for people traveling into Alaska

The number of known coronavirus cases in Alaska had also grown to 36 by Monday.

Alaska leaders have taken drastic measures to slow the coronavirus. The ‘$1 million question’ is whether they’re enough.

As the coronavirus inflicts huge damage on the state and national economy, there’s increasing discussion about how far public health mandates should go, and how long they can be sustained. At the same time, doctors and some community leaders are pushing even more aggressive social distancing measures, and limits on travel.

Juneau coronavirus patient is in critical care, the first Alaskan hospitalized with the virus

A patient with COVID-19 was currently in the critical care unit at Bartlett Regional Hospital on Tuesday.

Outrage grows that many Alaska state workers can’t heed the call to stay home

State workers are worried about their exposure, and one union is suing the state.

Longtime Petersburg resident, hospitalized in Washington state, has died of coronavirus

A Petersburg man in a Seattle hospital after testing positive with COVID-19 Monday, March 16, his family said.

‘Like we opened a new business’: Anchorage restaurants adapt to life without dining rooms

Some restaurants are keeping the doors open by adapting to this new normal. But, the transition hasn’t been easy.

Number of coronavirus cases in Alaska jumps to 59

The number of known cases increased by 17 from the announcement just a day earlier.
Two crew men shovel a deck full of fish on board a large boat

State proposes $100 million loan guarantee program as hundreds of Alaska businesses seek approval for out-of-state workers

Some 600 business entities have filed plans with the state outlining how they'll safely bring out-of-state workers into Alaska to support "critical infrastructure" amid the coronavirus pandemic, officials said Wednesday.

Out of work in Alaska because of the coronavirus? Here’s what you can do now and the help that’s on the way

With unemployment claims skyrocketing around the country, state and federal leaders are scrambling to get bills passed to expand unemployment and other benefits to...

Alaska health department confirms 10 new COVID-19 cases

The case count rose to 69 by Thursday, up from 59 a day before.

Hair stylists, barbers, tattooists among those with fewest options amid coronavirus closures

Industry structure means many workers are uniquely ill-equipped for the mass closures now in place for the foreseeable future.

As number of COVID-19 cases grows, Alaska officials warn of a limited healthcare system

State officials pleaded with Alaskans on Thursday to stay home to avoid overrunning the health care system, but they did not go as far as ordering residents to shelter in place.

Anchorage Mayor extends ‘hunker down’ order and delays tax day

Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz announced today the city is extending the hunker down order until April 14 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Anchorage patient first to die from COVID-19 in Alaska

The first person to die in Alaska after testing positive for COVID-19 passed away Friday at Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage.

Wristbands, longer shifts, fever checks: How Alaska oil companies are responding to the global pandemic

While work is continuing on Alaska’s remote North Slope, oil and gas companies say it’s not business as usual. They’re taking new precautions to keep the virus away.