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.”

the Glenn Highway

Mat-Su schools closed Tuesday amid Southcentral rain, icy roads

Light rain is expected to fall across much of the region Tuesday, with a storm possibly bringing more rain to Anchorage on Wednesday.
Mike Dunleavy

Alaska Gov. Dunleavy urges Legislature to fund more legal action against Biden administration

Dunleavy said there are many reasons for optimism in Alaska during his State of the State address, calling for it to be the "most pro-life" state in the U.S.
the Alaska Legislature's Bush Caucus

For rural Alaska lawmakers, local issues trumped party interests and swung the state House

The members of the House’s Bush Caucus explain how and why they flipped control of the chamber.
a man in a tie

For likely the first time, the Anchorage Assembly legally compelled someone’s testimony

A municipal attorney said using subpoenas to discuss protected personnel records would protect the municipality. It’s an unprecedented move for the city.

Anchorage Mayor Bronson remains mum on accusations of unethical, unlawful actions

Bronson briefly addressed the Anchorage Assembly Tuesday night, the first regular Assembly meeting since former Municipal Manager Amy Demboski’s scathing letter.
a Juneau education rally

With songs and speeches, Alaskans rally in Juneau for more education funding

Educators, students and parents gathered on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol Monday night to call for more education funding.
Jim Cockrell

State troopers, misled by false court order, detained school principal for mental health check

Troopers say a family member of Mary Fulp presented responding troopers with a written court order they said was signed by a state judge.
Kodiak fishing vessels

Kodiak’s Tanner crab fleet stand-down still strong a week in

Kodiak crabbers voted Sunday to press pause on the Tanner crab season altogether until they get a price from canneries they think is fair.
Tongass National Forest

U.S. reinstates road and logging restrictions in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest

A federal agency said Wednesday it is reinstating restrictions on road-building and logging on the country’s largest national forest in southeast Alaska.
woman with brown hair

Peltola says wrong date on her congressional bio is likely a reporting error she made decades ago

"It's really embarrassing, and I think it's probably my error," says Congresswoman Peltola.
U.S. Capitol dome

Peltola, following in Don Young’s footsteps again, wins seat on House Transportation committee

The panel has jurisdiction over the Coast Guard, air travel and other areas of importance to Alaska.
St. Lawrence Island

Remember the Russian men who fled to Alaska to avoid the war in Ukraine? They spoke to this reporter about their ordeal.

Charlie McCann, a feature writer for The Economist's long-form magazine "1843," caught up with the men after they spent three months in detention.
Construction workers walk down a city street.

Economic development officials launch campaign against Anchorage’s ‘talent crisis’

The Choose Anchorage action plan calls on leaders to improve education, housing and public infrastructure.
a landscape photo, sea ice

Missing Noorvik-bound snowmachiner found dead

Searchers found Thomas Brown's body about 10.5 miles from Kotzebue, near Cape Blossom. 
A blue bow with a yellow stripe at a dock

Feds award $285M for Alaska ferries. But to get it, the state needs to put up money, too.

Gov. Dunleavy has cut state funding for ferries and reduced the fleet. Sen. Murkowski says, "Let's not mess this up."
Joe Gerace talks with people in front of dumpsters in front of the Sullivan Arena shelter

Disgraced former Anchorage health director accused of defrauding state militia

The state of Alaska wants more than $60,000 back from Joe Gerace, claiming he misrepresented his military background to the Alaska State Defense Force.
A mirrored building.

What do you want to ask Anchorage Assembly and school board candidates?

What issues matter most to you? Help us create our candidate questionnaires.
a musher and a small child arrive to Nome

Five Indigenous mushers set to compete in 2023 Iditarod despite rising costs

First climate change and now financial worries are forcing some competitors to stay off the trail this year.
A runner bounds down a wet dirt trail wearing black shorts, a red backpack and an orange windbreaker. Mountains rise into mist in the background and there are wet leaves and other vegetation in the foreground.

Alaska Long Trail could bring tourists, money and opportunity to Kenai Peninsula

A 500-mile trail connecting the Kenai Peninsula to Fairbanks is in the works, which organizers say could bring big economic impacts along its path.
a Tanner crab

Inside Kodiak’s crab standoff

Crews from more than 100 boats are waiting for a higher price, but experts say they are facing global market forces unlikely to budge.