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.”

Legislative chamber

Alaska legislative races take shape approaching filing deadline, with some big surprises

There are some big names among Alaska lawmakers who say they're bowing out, while some others are running unopposed.
a mountain

1 climber rescued, 1 dead after days stranded near Denali’s summit

The two climbers had waited for rescue in a snow cave after an extended summit push left they hypothermic and exhausted.

A Homer needle exchange offers safer supplies for rural Alaskans and a bridge to recovery

Alaska’s geography means many people in rural areas have trouble getting clean syringes.
a group of people talk at a meeting

Juneau’s hospital is bleeding cash. City leaders are considering cutting services to stop it.

“We’re left with very stark choices about how we want to move forward,” said Max Mertz, the hospital board’s finance committee chair.

Surprise moves ahead of Saturday deadline scramble races for Alaska Legislature

Among the shakeups: Rep. Tom McKay is dropping his bid for reelection and running for Senate instead. And Sen. Click Bishop and Rep. Dan Oritz are calling it quits.
portraits of three men

Alaska Gov. Dunleavy, Sen. Sullivan say Trump conviction was politically motivated

A New York jury handed down the historic verdict Thursday afternoon, the first time a former president has been convicted of a crime.
Donald Trump

Former President Trump is found guilty in historic New York criminal case

Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty of falsifying business records to influence the outcome of the 2016 election.
a house

Organization awards home in Fairbanks to combat-wounded Army veteran

A gifted residence has allowed a soldier wounded in Afghanistan to realize his family's dream of living in Alaska.
a mountain

2 climbers stranded for days in snow cave near Denali summit

The climbers, who have awaited aid since Tuesday, signaled rescue crews from a snow cave late Wednesday that their transmitter was dying.
a sign

Alaska health officials point to wastewater sampling as useful disease-tracking tool

Wastewater testing is helpful in keeping track of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases, and state health officials hope to expand it.
a flag

Denali National Park contractor says American flag was removed from vehicle after road-noise complaint

Federal Highway Administration officials say they relayed the complaint to Granite Construction, which removed the flag from the vehicle on May 16.
a protected bike lane

Downtown Anchorage is getting a protected bike lane for the summer

Transportation officials will study before and after conditions. They’re predicting a safer, quieter road that will boost business.
A screenshot that shows artwork of mammoths with other large animals.

Could Alaska once again be home to woolly mammoths? This reporter had to find out.

Northern Journal reporter Nat Herz went down a rabbit hole recently to understand how woolly mammoths might be "de-extincted" in Alaska.
A man with two dogs

Brent Sass to retire from sled dog racing months after sex assault allegations

The Iditarod had banned its 2022 champion from this year's race following accusations that he sexually assaulted multiple women.
a hurricane

Forecasters predict another sweltering summer. Are we ready?

Scientists say 2024 will likely bring another hotter-than-normal summer and, with it, the potential for more climate-driven disasters.
a map

Pipeline proposed to power Donlin mine could have impacts from Y-K Delta to Cook Inlet

If it’s built, Donlin would be one of the largest open-pit gold mines in the world, powered by a gas pipeline stretching to Cook Inlet.
buttons

Ranked-choice voting that has rocked Alaska politics faces November tests across the nation

Alaska’s new electoral system has been a model for voters frustrated by political polarization and a sense that they lack real choice at the ballot box.
the kenai courthouse

Appeals court approves involuntarily medicating Nikiski man for murder trial

River Aspelund, accused of killing his mother in 2022, had challenged his antipsychotic medication by Alaska Psychiatric Institute staff.
a store

State prosecutors sue Ketchikan jeweler over sale of fake gold

The state is seeking to bar Soni, Inc. from selling fraudulent or misrepresented items, after staff allegedly made false claims about them.
two buildings

Judicial Council recommends Alaskans keep all judges, including jurist behind correspondence ruling

Adolf Zeman is only one of 19 judges that will be on the November general election ballot, but he’s received the lion’s share of attention.