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.”

several red lights at a snowy intersection

Anchorage Assembly proposal would ban right-on-red turns in much of downtown

Supporters say the ban would bolster pedestrian safety and encourage more foot traffic. It’s part of a growing national trend.
pilings along a body water, two container cranes and a cargo ship

Big Lake lawmaker proposes state port authority take over Anchorage and Mat-Su ports

Rep. Kevin McCabe said he wasn’t able to answer questions about compensation for local governments, impacts to local property taxes or how port user groups feel about it.

Anchorage fire that left 2 dead may have been arson, police say

The deaths of two people after a fire early Thursday at a Young Street multi-family residence are now being investigated as homicides.
Brian Steven Smith

Anchorage murder trial opens with differing accounts of video that allegedly captured a killing

An Anchorage jury heard opening statements Tuesday in the trial of Brian Steven Smith, charged with murdering two Alaska Native women.
a map

Hoonah is attempting to form a borough again. Juneau is opposing some of it.

A portion of the proposed borough overlaps with land that Juneau once made an effort to annex.
an EBT sign

Alaska must face food stamp litigation after a year of stays, court says

U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason's court order said further delays would be “inefficient” after the state had a year to resolve its backlog.
a veterinary clinic

2 Kasilof residents charged with animal cruelty after dog found frozen to death

Staff at a Soldotna veterinary clinic said one of several dogs left outside in the case had likely died of malnourishment and hypothermia.
woven booties next to two bags

Mythical animal costs Denali-area clothing shop $53,000 in fines

A clothing shop near Denali National Park told an undercover investigator it was selling items made from Yakutat alpacas, which do not exist.

More women in Alaska will be covered by Medicaid during pregnancy and for the year after giving birth

The expansion will cover mothers during their first year, when they’re vulnerable to physical and mental illness.
A police car marked as Anchorage Police.

Woman, unborn child die after Mountain View shooting

Police say they detained a suspect at the scene of Sunday's shooting on North Park Street. Both deaths are now being investigated as homicides.
an airliner

NTSB says key bolts were missing from the door plug that blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9

According to preliminary NTSB findings, four key bolts were "missing" when a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 in midair last month.
homes

Alaska’s recent cold snap tested critical infrastructure, including in Mertarvik

The entire community was without electricity for more than three days, as subzero temperatures sapped the local generator's batteries.
a walrus's head poking out of the water

Microplastics found in body tissues of walruses harvested by Alaska hunters

“It’s a reflection of the plastic age we live in," said student researcher Tony Blade. "It’s ubiquitous."
Brent Sass

Sass makes it 6 as Yukon Quest victory aims him at Iditarod

Brent Sass credits his lead dogs and a lighter sled for his sixth Quest win Monday, as his team sets its sights on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Donald Trump

Federal appeals court rules Trump doesn’t have broad immunity from prosecution

Tuesday's decision comes at a crucial time for both Donald Trump and the federal case against him. He has said he will appeal the ruling.

Willow opponents try again, this time in a U.S. appeals court, to block ConocoPhillips oil development in Alaska

At the 9th Circuit, opponents of the Arctic drilling endeavor said the government didn't fully consider climate impacts before approving it.
hearing room

Alaska school administrators urge action on ‘crisis’ in teacher hiring and turnover

"We are struggling in the worst crisis Alaska has ever seen in terms of turnover. We can't recruit teachers," said Lisa Parady, who leads the Alaska Council of School Administrators.
bears

Kodiak bear cubs caught on video after escaping from Florida trainer

Body camera footage shows an unusually playful interaction between the cubs and two people who found them on a Florida road in December.
a woman looks at treasures

In this Anchorage Facebook group, they find ‘Olive the Things,’ plus a nicer view of humanity

At 19,000-people strong, the group can help you find everything from a hedgehog to a plumber. Sometimes “Olives” go above and beyond.
Sarah Vance

Alaska House votes to advance bill that would trim state voter rolls more quickly

Statistics show that Alaska has 108% of its 20-and-older population registered to vote on state rolls.