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 settle on roughly $1,650 PFD, energy relief amount

The budget also includes $175 million in one-time funding for public schools, roughly equivalent to $680 in base per-student funding.
demonstrators

Ketchikan residents protest imitation totem poles carved by convicted murderer

The contested poles are planned decoration for a crafts market. The City Council will mull its regulatory authority over them at a May 16 meeting.

Alaska Legislature pushes through flurry of bills as session gets down to the wire

The House spent hours debating and eventually passing a bill restricting trans girls from being on girls’ sports teams.
A boy in a black striped T-shirt practices cello in an auditorium. with his sister and teacher.

Correspondence school families say recent Alaska court ruling left them panicked, shocked and angry

Alaska Public Media asked homeschool families to tell us how the court decision impacts their lives and received a flood of responses.
a group of people in a meeting room

Alaska House passes trans sports ban after extended filibuster by opponents

The bill now heads to the state Senate, where it is expected to die without becoming law.
the Alaska Supreme Court

Alaska Supreme Court upholds Valdez ordinance that limited fur trapping

The court's ruling indicated that municipal rules that restrict trapping are legal under public safety and land-use rules.
an apology

Alaska lawmakers support push to investigate, document forced assimilation in boarding schools 

The widely supported resolution supports a bill championed by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski in Congress.
a mountain goat

Avalanches are a leading cause of death for Southeast Alaska’s mountain goats

New research from the University of Alaska Southeast shows the scale of mountain goat mortality from avalanches for the first time.

Anchorage police fatally shoot armed man after Sand Lake domestic dispute

Four officers opened fire on the man outside a Bearfoot Drive apartment complex after police say he raised a long gun at them.

Key senators skeptical royalty relief proposals would boost Cook Inlet gas output

It’s one of several ideas lawmakers are mulling to ease a projected gas shortfall in the basin that’s powered much of the state for decades.
A man in a suit speaks in a microphone.

Alaska U.S. House candidate Begich gets Freedom Fund endorsement

Nick Begich III gained the endorsement of the House Freedom Fund. He says he's not sure he'd join the hard-right caucus if elected.

Reentry services after incarceration | Alaska Insight

Host Lori Townsend and her guests discuss paths to success for incarcerated Alaskans on this Alaska Insight
a truck drives through floodwaters

Dunleavy declares disaster amid historic breakup flooding on the Kuskokwim River

The declaration comes as icy water continues to flood multiple communities on the lower Kuskokwim River.
a musher and his dogs

Veteran musher Ramey Smyth to rebuild Iditarod’s collapsed Burled Arch in Nome

The veteran musher is also the owner of Willow-based Smyth Logwork and Construction, with a family history of building log homes.
a king salmon

Southeast Alaska not ready for a hatchery-only king fishery, study finds

Researchers say a major concern that arose from the study was incidentally killing wild kings while targeting the hatchery fish.
two people sit at a desk

Alaska Senate OKs increased access to birth control

Alaskans may access up to 12 months worth of contraceptives at a time and without a co-pay from the state’s pharmacies if the bill becomes law.
the Alaska Capitol

Brinksmanship and compromise emerge in Alaska’s Capitol as legislative session nears an end

Legislators are combining varied pieces of legislation to get them across the finish line in the state Capitol.
a person speaks behind a podium

Sudden ANTHC leadership change: Valerie Davidson no longer at the helm

The news traveled fast to her old boss, former Gov. Bill Walker, who said he’s both surprised and dismayed.
money

California says restaurants must bake all of their add-on fees into menu prices

Starting July 1, California restaurant menus must list comprehensive prices for each item, with all mandatory charges baked into one figure.
a truck drives through water

Kuskokwim River breakup floods roads, impacts drinking water for some communities

As of Thursday, river observers said there had not been any reported flooding impacts to structures like homes or businesses.