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 couple

Family says Homer photographer killed in moose attack knew the risks, died doing what he loved

The family of Dale Chorman, who was fatally attacked by a moose Sunday, said the amateur photographer died doing what he loved.
a sign

Shell abandons North Slope oil leases, raising questions about the industry’s future in Alaska

As the world pivots toward lower-carbon energy sources, experts say some of the state’s hard-to-tap oil prospects are becoming less attractive.
woman with long hair and glasses

Peltola sponsors a bill to limit salmon bycatch. The pollock industry calls it ‘unworkable.’

The bill would restrict bottom trawling. Another would boost grants for research. But Peltola acknowledges Congress is unlikely to pass them.

With a Railbelt natural gas crunch looming, the legislative session had a special focus on energy bills

State lawmakers passed several energy bills this session aimed at updating the Railbelt’s electrical grid and speeding up the transition to renewable energy.
a man

Coast Guard says a wave likely overwhelmed charter boat near Sitka last year, killing 5

A U.S. Coast Guard team spent the past year reconstructing the Awakin's final trip, trying to learn what befell the boat and the five people on board.
A man stands in front of a window.

Meet Scott Kendall, father of Alaska’s ranked choice voting and lightning rod for the right

Kendall also filed a lawsuit challenging the homeschool reimbursement program. He draws a lot of right-wing ire.
fishing boats

Alaska commercial fishers will only pay to register vessels once under pending bill

House Bill 19, awaiting Gov. Mike Dunleavy's signature, would end the state Division of Motor Vehicles vessel registration fee.

Anchorage green spaces trashed and damaged as homelessness crisis continues

At the same time, advocates in Alaska's largest city and unhoused people themselves say they have nowhere else to go.
Jesse Bjorkman

Alaska Legislature passes bill enabling employers to use saliva tests for drugs, alcohol

If Gov. Mike Dunleavy signs SB 196 or allows it to become law, employers using saliva tests would be legally protected.
several red lights at a snowy intersection

Anchorage Assembly rejects a right-on-red ban in downtown

The measure would’ve banned vehicles from turning right at red lights in the area between 3rd and 9th avenues and Gambell and L streets.
singers

Native advocates celebrate passage of bill to address Alaska’s MMIP crisis

Alaska Native groups say they've worked for years to get agencies to address the state's high rate of missing and murdered Indigenous people.
a ticket counter

Former Yute Commuter Service manager charged in $200K embezzlement case

Prosecutors say Nathan McCabe, 40, defrauded Yute and Bethel's Riverside Apartments of the funds over a period of several months.
A woman with a microphone stands during a debate

Suzanne LaFrance declares victory in Anchorage mayor’s race

After another 27,000 ballots were counted, LaFrance's lead over Dave Bronson narrowed by percentage points, but widened in absolute votes.
An image of a mountain shows where a fall occured

Solo climber dies in fall on Denali

The National Park Service identified the climber as T. Hagiwara from Japan.
Mike Dunleavy

Dunleavy examining energy bills passed by Alaska Legislature

Gov. Mike Dunleavy was optimistic about a bill on carbon storage, but was pondering next steps on royalty relief bills that didn't pass.
a man

A mother moose killed a Homer man trying to photograph her new calves

Dale Chorman, 70, was looking at newborn moose calves on his property Sunday when the cow moose kicked him, according to his family.
Blue and red police lights.

Anchorage police arrest man in fatal Midtown hit-and-run collision

Police say Larry W. Anderson, Jr., 40, struck and killed a woman crossing A Street Monday night, then left the scene.
a lake near a town

Plane in deadly lake crash near Nondalton was making brief flight, troopers say

Troopers say Dave Hedgers, 58, and Aaron Fryar, 45, planned to fly just 30 miles from Port Alsworth to Pedro Bay. But they never arrived.
A woman helps a student with their homework.

Meet Phyllis Bowie, Anchorage’s longest-serving teacher who’s retiring after 50 years

Her students and coworkers describe her as the cornerstone of the school, and have crowned her the queen of alternative education.
Andi Story

After several deadly drownings, Alaska Legislature votes to require harbor safety ladders

House Bill 345 is aimed at reducing drownings. It was one of more than 60 bills that the Legislature passed in its final hours.