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 building outside

Alaska Legislature’s new apartment building is on budget and on schedule

The joint House-Senate Legislative Council has agreed to spend almost $9 million turning the building into 33 apartments. 
a Southeast tribal values poster

Trial digs into use of tribal values in Ketchikan schools

A trial will determine if traditional values including “reverence for our creator” posted in Ketchikan schools violates the First Amendment.

Interior Secretary Haaland still undecided on King Cove Road after village visit

During her trip, Haaland said, she heard from residents about the importance of the road due to various transportation and medical challenges. As of now, she said, she’s made no decision on the road project. 
a person stands in front of a giant cruise ship

Rep. Don Young looks for workaround on Canada cruise ship ban

U.S. Rep. Don Young introduced legislation on Wednesday that aims to allow large cruise ships to return to Alaska this summer.
two women look at a crab, one takes notes and one measures it

Southeast’s Dungeness crab fishery to close early after slow start

It’s only the third time in the last 20 years that the season has been shortened — 2013 and 2017 saw early closures, too.

Senate Republicans reject Walker’s Senate pick, Kowalke

Soldotna Republican Sen. Peter Micciche said the rejection was based on Walker not following the traditional process. Listen now

Have Alaska’s US lawmakers read the Mueller report? We asked.

You can get an “I read the Mueller Report” button for bragging rights. But no one in Alaska’s congressional delegation can rightfully wear that button. Not yet, anyway.

Alaska officials say hackers stole voter info, didn’t compromise election integrity

State officials said Thursday hackers stole personal information such as birth dates and driver's license numbers of more than 100,000 Alaska voters, though they stressed the hack had no effect on the results of last month's election.
a shipping container and a sign that reads "COVID-19 TESTING SITE"

Officials warn of plateau as Alaska reports 964 new resident COVID cases

Cases have increased by an average of 8% in the last week, but they are still lower than the record highs at the end of September.
a musher waves from the back of a sled on a snowy day

Two Iditarod mushers rescued from trail

Gerhardt Thiart and Bridgett Watkins were rescued and flown to Nome.

Dahlstrom Resigns from Parnell Administration

Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau Former Eagle River representative Nancy Dahlstrom has resigned from her new job with the Parnell Administration.  Parnell says he...
the corner of the City Hall building

Anchorage anti-panhandling signs cite unconstitutional law

The city of Anchorage has spent nearly $9,000 on new anti-panhandling signs, but the law the signs refer to was found unconstitutional nearly a decade ago.
Sen. Maria Cantwel

Washington senator says Congress should block Pebble’s permit

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell says she’ll support a bill to block a permit for the Pebble Mine. She also wants an investigation into whether Pebble’s CEO lied to Congress.

Sexual abuse claims against Jesuits have broad repercussions for several Northwest colleges

Abuse claims from Alaskans who say they were victimized by Jesuit priests might affect the future of colleges in Washington State. Attorneys have begun...

Republicans Oust Millette as Chair

The Alaska Republican Party's Executive Committee has blocked incoming party chair. Russ Millette from taking his position. In a meeting last night, the committee voted to oust Millette, who was elected to the chairman's position at the party's annual state convention in April of last year. Millette says he's weighing his options to fight the decision.

Over 100 people rally in Anchorage as part of Global Climate Strike

More than 100 people rallied in Anchorage today in solidarity with an international effort for a Global Climate Strike to raise awareness of climate change.
a homeless camp

Domestic violence is feeding Alaska’s homelessness crisis

Some Alaska shelters are building long-term housing to keep women safe.

New EPA head for Alaska talks Pebble, budget cuts and climate change

Hladick said his boss -- EPA administrator Scott Pruitt -- recently called him up seeking some local knowledge, on a hot topic for many Alaskans: the proposed Pebble Mine. Listen now
A bulletin board in teacher Katie McDaniel’s kindergarten classroom at Huffman Elementary School. The signs remind students to wear a mask, use hand sanitizer and stay home if they’re sick.

Anchorage School District to make masking optional on Feb. 28

Superintendent Deena Bishop said the change follows a rapid drop in COVID cases in the state and the widespread availability of vaccines.

Man charged with selling bootleg alcohol to Anchorage homeless residents

Investigators say Brandon Reed sold thousands of dollars' worth of vodka to people at the Sullivan Arena and other places frequented by the homeless.