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 person uses a red snow blower.

Alaska’s cold climate ‘luck’ with three consecutive La Niña years is about to run out

National Weather Service climate researcher Brian Brettschneider says Alaska has been lucky to have two back-to-back La Niña years. That's about to change.
a train in snow

Alaska Railroad freight train derails after running into avalanche debris near Girdwood

There were no injuries, and the avalanche debris didn’t reach the Seward Highway.
a woman in a black dress talks into a microphone

Alaska House elects a speaker, Republican Rep. Cathy Tilton

With Tilton at the helm, the House can make committee assignments and begin other legislative business this session.
Two men and a woman sit at a desk on a television set.

Unstable January Snowpack Causes Avalanches in Southcentral Alaska | Alaska Insight

In this episode of Alaska Insight, Lori Townsend talks with avalanche experts Elliot Gaddy, a local guide and avalanche instructor, and John Sykes, a forecaster with the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center.
A white polar bear seems to sniff for a scent on the wind as it stands on gravel near a shoreline.

‘Just horrific’: Fatal polar bear mauling happened during storm

Officials say the polar bear killed a mother and her 1-year-old boy as she walked about 150 yards from the local school to health clinic in Wales.
a Canadian cabin

Matanuska ferry’s uncertain future complicates Southeast Alaskans’ Canada trips

Extended repairs to the Matanuska have left no state ferries serving the Canadian port of Prince Rupert, with planned sailings canceled.
Cathy Tilton

Fresh in power, Alaska House’s new Republican-led coalition outlines its priorities

"Fiscal stability" is No. 1, but specifics are hard to come by as the group gets organized.

Anchorage Assembly approves emergency changes to contracting, ombudsman authority in wake of allegations against mayor

The Anchorage Assembly approved three emergency ordinances during a special meeting Friday in response to allegations made against Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration.
A Regal Cinemas movie theater in East Anchorage.

Anchorage’s only IMAX theater is on a bankruptcy chopping block

If the Regal Cinema Stadium 16 theater in Anchorage closes, then Fairbanks would have Alaska’s sole IMAX screen.
a Juneau land lot

A tiny Juneau lot is the latest battleground in a dispute over tribal sovereignty

For a Southeast Alaska tribal group, the lot of less than 800 square feet represents tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
A woman in a brown suit jacket speaking at a podium.

USA Today finds Peltola left university a year earlier than claimed

USA Today examined the education claims of all House freshmen. The paper found a problem in Rep. Mary Peltola's.
the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska House majority forms to the right of the Senate’s

The House is finally organized and both chambers are diving into their agendas for the session.
a landscape photo, sea ice

1 of 2 missing Noorvik-bound snowmachiners found as search continues

Both the found snowmachiner, Josiah Ballot, and search crews have suffered frostbite amid ongoing efforts to find Thomas Brown.
a food stamps store sign

Lawsuit says Alaska Department of Health exposed thousands to hunger risk by not giving food aid

A complaint filed Friday alleges some families have waited four months for nutrition assistance.
Alaska Railroad crew working on tracks

Repairs complete on avalanche-damaged Alaska Railroad track

The track is a key link between Alaska’s Railbelt and Lower 48 rail freight.
a woman with a dozen eggs

Local Alaska egg producers fill cracks during shortage

Staff at the Poiema Farm say their 200 chickens and 80 ducks are yielding four dozen eggs a day, amid low winter production.
ranked choice ballot with a pen

Signature drive begins to rid Alaska of ranked choice voting

Organizers have a year to collect 27,000 signatures to put ranked choice voting on the 2024 ballot for repeal.
A snowplow pushes through thick snow on a residential street.

From next week to March 9, Anchorage school days will be 30 minutes longer

The Anchorage School Board approved the plan to make up for class time lost due to an unprecedented string of snow days in December.