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.”

people walking with shopping bags

Despite high inflation, Americans are spending like crazy — and it’s kind of puzzling

Americans began the new year with a spending spree, but businesses are not sure how long it can last.
a blue two-story building

On its own: How local organizations piece together search and rescue operations along Alaska’s Arctic coastline

While no single organization has enough resources, a cooperative effort is building as more ships sail through the Arctic’s icy seas.

Anchorage Assembly considers adding paid parental leave for city workers after mayor revoked policy

It’s the second time in less than two years that Assembly member Austin Quinn-Davidson has attempted to secure paid parental leave for city workers.

24 photos of Alaska’s massive and bright aurora show

Scientists expect the strong solar activity to continue with more sightings this week.
A Regal Cinemas movie theater in East Anchorage.

Anchorage’s IMAX movie theater spared from bankruptcy closure — for now

In a court filing, attorneys for the parent company say they are still negotiating with the theater’s landlord.
a mountain behind boats

Alaska’s Mount Edgecumbe volcano shows more signs of reawakening, scientists say

The Alaska Volcano Observatory is planning to install additional instruments on Southeast Alaska’s most prominent volcano.
Tuluksak

Tuluksak teachers trying to manage after 2 weeks without running water

The nearly 300 people residing in Tuluksak are still waiting for help for the school, which hasn’t had access to running water since Feb. 9.
Brent Sass 2023 Yukon Quest start

All eyes on reigning Iditarod champ Brent Sass in small, yet competitive field

Nearly all of last year’s top dog teams are returning to the Iditarod, though some of the mushers have changed.
king salmon

Juneau joins Southeast communities in backing king salmon troll fishery

Juneau's Assembly is the latest to support Southeast Alaska’s king salmon troll fishery against a lawsuit that could threaten its future.
a collage of five photos of mushers

Meet 5 Iditarod rookies from a Denali climber to a former garbage truck driver

More than one in four competitors in this year’s Iditarod are rookie mushers.
Man in plaid jacket.

Juneau update: James Brooks does the math on school funding and Alaska Permanent Fund dividends

The Legislature has had 45 days to get its arms around the problems. Next up: search for solutions, says Alaska Beacon reporter James Brooks.

Anchorage Assembly member wants to ban the city from using of facial recognition technology

“Oftentimes, facial recognition algorithms and the databases they use end up having inaccuracies," said Assembly member Joey Sweet.
the Willow oil project

What’s the Willow project? An explainer on the battle over the major Alaska oil proposal

President Biden's administration is weighing approval of a major oil project on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope.
a woman sits at a desk

Alaska senators introduce bipartisan bill intended to revive a pension program for state workers

One in five state jobs is vacant, and reintroducing a pension will help the state fix its recruitment problems, bill sponsors said.
dogs run on a trail

The race is on: What to know about the 2023 Iditarod

How are Iditarod trail conditions? Why so few mushers this year? We answer those questions and more.

Mat-Su school bus drivers reach tentative contract agreement, potentially ending month-long strike

Teamsters Local 959 officials announced Thursday night that they’d reached a tentative agreement with Durham School Services.
Lawrence Lekanoff

Anchorage cold case solved: DNA leads to suspect in 1994 child sexual assault

Lawrence Andrew Lekanoff was indicted last week by an Anchorage grand jury. He is now 52 and was 23 when the assault took place.
the corner of the City Hall building

State says Anchorage faces more than $600K in fines for safety violations. City officials say they’ve been addressed.

Safety concerns went back to the administrations of Mayors Ethan Berkowitz and Dan Sullivan and ranged from a lack of guardrails in some facilities and workers being exposed to electrical hazards to workplace injuries not being reported on time. 
a dog leaps into the air, on a dog team

Iditapod: Springing back as Iditarod begins anew

That's right, it's Iditarod time, and we're back with another season of Iditapod. In the first episode of our seventh season, host Casey Grove and trail reporters Lex Treinen and Ben Matheson discuss the smallest field in race history and how a quarter of the mushers in the 2023 Iditarod are rookies. We also recap last year's race, talk about the legacy of the late four-time champion Lance Mackey and we even have a Dog of the Day, a spunky little leader named Dusty.
two people and a check

Alaskans owe less tax than expected for their PFDs because of energy relief payment

The $662 energy relief portion of the payout is not subject to federal taxes, according to a recent IRS announcement.