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 computer imageg showinng yellowish blobs on the outside and red balls closer t the middle

Alaska’s high COVID-19 case counts are even higher than the state’s data show

The true numbers could be 25% to 50% larger than those being reported due to a bottleneck in data entry, state officials say. “It’s significant -- we’re not missing 10 cases each day,” a state epidemiologist said.

Murkowski’s latest Pebble action disappoints mine opponents

Opponents of the Pebble Mine are underwhelmed by Sen. Murkowski's latest bill to fund federal resource agencies.
The sign outside the federal courthouse in Anchorage along 7th Avenue with the museum in the background

Wasilla woman’s lawsuit says she was fired after asking to telework amid COVID-19

Kimberly Thacker claims in her lawsuit against Quest Diagnostics that the company violated the Family Medical Leave Act when it refused her requests to telework and then terminated her over the ongoing dispute in March.
A man and a woman with american flag gear stand at a table. The man is looking at his phone, the wooan is signing a paper

Bethel elections chairperson hung Trump flags near polling site. Voters aren’t happy about it

The partisan displays have seeded doubts about the Bethel election process and raised ethical concerns.
A woman in a blue shirt feeds documents into a beige machien atop a table in an office.

Alaska’s ballot count continues, two House races shift

Democratic Rep. Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins took the lead in his race, while Liz Snyder cut Republican Rep Lance Pruitt's lead down to just 56 votes in a race that looks to be a nail-biter.
a person behind a podium talking to a debate moderator

Alaska Rep. Don Young, 87, says he’s been diagnosed with COVID-19

Congressman Don Young has been diagnosed with coronavirus. At 87, Young is the oldest member of the U.S. House of Representatives and faces an elevated risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
A white man in a gray suit in front of an american and alasksan flag

Gov. Mike Dunleavy issues urgent warning to Alaskans about coronavirus surge

The alert was sent to cellphones in Alaska, with a link to a YouTube video of the governor,
An arch in the snow made from giant whale ribs

Utqiagvik passes unique punishment for violators of COVID rules

Rule breakers are required to produce a public service announcement about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
A woman speaking at a podium

Murkowski says Americans expect an ‘orderly’ transition

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said President Donald Trump has the right to go to court if he believes there has been evidence of voter fraud, but she hasn't seen any evidence from the president yet.
An envelope with a division of elections address is placed in a mailbox

Initiative to overhaul Alaska elections jumps to narrow lead after Thursday’s ballot counts

It’s not certain that the roughly 30,000 remaining uncounted ballots will follow the same trends as the ones counted Thursday. But if they do, the election initiative would win by thousands of votes.
A health care provider in full personal protective equipment in a Juneau hospital room.

Across Alaska, as the pandemic sends more staff home, hospitals prepare for the worst

As coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket in the state, cracks are appearing in Alaska's fragile health care system.
a person behind a podium talking to a debate moderator

Aside from tweet, U.S. Rep. Young, staff remain silent on COVID-19 diagnosis

Young’s opponent in last week’s election, Democratic Party-endorsed independent Alyse Galvin, said the Congressman’s staff could not reach him Friday when she wanted to call him to concede.
Red billowy objexxt with blue rods latching onto them

Hospitalizations rise, as nearly 1,400 infections reported over the weekend

It's the second-highest daily COVID-19 tally so far during the pandemic. Saturday's count was the highest.
A skier in a blue and red white striped race uniform skis on a snowy trail with spruce trees around

Alaska’s elite nordic skiers face tough decisions on European World Cup

Some racers think the risks of racing at the sports highest level aren't worth the uncertainty of racing, or the risks of spreading - or catching - COVID-19.
A white man with glasses and a mask sits at a desk

Alaska House control unclear as Republican leader trails by 17 votes

Democrat Liz Snyder leads Republican Rep. Lance Pruitt, the leader of the Alaska House Republican minority caucus, by just 17 votes with an estimated 114 absentee ballots left to count.
A man speaks at a podium

Rep. Young released from hospital and recovering from COVID-19

Congressman Young says he's on the mend, after announcing last week that he'd tested positive for COVID -19.

LISTEN: A COVID-19 vaccine is on the horizon, but Alaska faces unique challenges

There will be challenges with getting a COVID-19 vaccine to people, especially in rural areas like those in Alaska.

Trump administration rushes to sell oil rights in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The official "call for nominations" launches a 30-day comment period. It will also allow the Bureau of Land Management to move forward with a lease sale, which it must announce 30 days in advance.
A white man in a blue zipper jacket sits at a table and speaks

Alaska governor defends virus approach amid criticism on all sides

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is walking the line between those who think he’s not doing enough to address rising case counts to those who think he’s been overreaching in his approach.
A red and white building

Y-K health center recommends month-long lockdown for region

The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta’s health corporation warns that the region’s rising COVID-19 surge could soon overwhelm the local health care system.