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.”

Alaska lawmakers sprinted to the almost-finish. But now their work is stalling amid PFD dispute.

Lawmakers failed to pass a budget by the end of the regular session last week. Now, as a special session begins in Juneau, their momentum seems to have stalled amid disagreements over the size of the Permanent Fund dividend.
A view a cliffside of a community surrounded by water and mountains.

Metlakatla reports COVID-19 death as community faces worst outbreak yet

On Monday, local authorities announced the community’s second death from the disease during the pandemic.
A white woman in a pink coat speaks with a microphone

Murkowski supports commission to investigate attack on Capitol

She is the second GOP senator to back the Jan. 6 commission bill. Sen. Sullivan says he hasn't decided.
A tall snowy mountain, its peak peaking out through the clouds.

Climber in critical condition after falling almost 1,000 feet on Denali

Climbers at the 17,200-foot high camp on Denali’s West Buttress route witnessed the “un-roped mountaineer take an almost 1,000-foot tumbling fall” from Denali Pass around 6 p.m. Monday.
signs on a door

Acting Mayor ends Anchorage’s emergency proclamation

Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson announced that Anchorage’s emergency proclamation ended Tuesday at an Assembly meeting last night.

Nikiski trampling a reminder to take caution during moose calving season, troopers say

A Nikiski woman was trampled by a cow moose Monday evening when she got too close to its newborn calf, according to the Alaska Wildlife Troopers.
A man in a winter jacket and boots stands on a muddy patch of a swampy lagoon.

Researchers roll out new erosion tracking tech in Bristol Bay

Researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks will travel to Dillingham this week to continue erosion research in Bristol Bay’s coastal communities.
Senator Dan Sullivan speaking to the media

Sullivan breaks with Republican senators to champion trails

Trail advocates applaud U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan for crossing the aisle on a bill to fund trails.
A smoke plume rises behind a subdivision of beige homes.

Aleutian volcano sees first major eruption since 1974

Scientists have downgraded the alert level at Great Sitkin Volcano near the Aleutian Island of Adak following an eruption Tuesday night.
The seal of the state of alaska as seen from below

Vote on Alaska Supreme Court nominees close and contentious

The votes prior to finalizing a list of nominees sent to Gov. Mike Dunleavy involved a tie-breaker by state Supreme Court Chief Justice Joel Bolger, whose seat on the high court is the one going vacant when he retires in June.
Several white crosses in the trees

Bill protecting Unangax̂ cemetery in Southeast Alaska passes Legislature, awaits Dunleavy’s signature

When the Japanese military invaded the Aleutians during World War II, the U.S. government forced Unangax̂ people to live in two internment camps in Southeast Alaska. They were held there for two years and were not provided with basic necessities like clean water.
Shadows of two firefighters are backlit by flames, overlooking a city at night.

Earth is barreling toward 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming, scientists warn

Scientists say humans must keep global temperatures from increasing more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. The World Meteorological Organization warns that number is looming.

Independent travelers pour into Anchorage as summer tourism season begins

Big cruise ships recently got the green light to sail to the state again. At the same time, independent travelers are showing up in force in Southcentral.
An oil platform at dusk

Hilcorp gets more time to replace leaky pipeline in Cook Inlet

Hilcorp’s line, which delivers fuel gas to a system of oil platforms in the inlet, sprung a leak last month.
An aerial view of one of the exploration pads and wells that ConocoPhillips drilled during the 2018 exploration season at its Willow prospect.

Biden administration throws support behind massive Willow oil project in NPR-A

Alaska’s congressional delegation cheered the news, while environmental groups feel betrayed.
A building with the letters LED in front

Anchorage’s largest soup kitchen looks to temporarily move food prep downtown

Bean’s Cafe Director Lisa Sauder said the kitchen identified the site of the Platinum Jaxx and LED Ultra Lounge on 6th Avenue as a building it could purchase and use to make meals.
A mirrored building.

Anchorage clerk reports ‘unprecedented harassment’ of election workers during mayoral runoff

The municipal clerk also says there was "intense scrutiny of the election (and) the dissemination of disinformation to sow distrust among voters."
two people stand outside

After swastika sticker incident, Anchorage rabbi calls for acts of kindness

The director and curator of the Alaska Jewish Museum say they’ve beefed up security after several stickers with swastikas were found plastered on their building. But they say community support shows that there’s a lot more good than hate in Anchorage.

How Anchorage high school yearbooks documented a pandemic year

From screenshots of Zoom classes to requesting student selfies, these two yearbook staffs got creative to capture an unusual year.
The bow of a white cruise ship

Norwegian Cruise Line signs agreement to return to Alaska

In a step toward a limited, late summer cruise season, Norwegian Cruise Line has signed an agreement with the state of Alaska and several of Alaska’s port operators.