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.”

Guardian Flight Nevada crash

Fatal Nevada crash is Guardian Flight’s 3rd after Alaska, Hawaii crashes

A review of records shows that with the latest crash, 11 people total have now died on planes owned and operated by Guardian Flight.
a woman sits at a desk

Senate bill aims to address state employment crisis with a better retirement system

SB 88 would return public employees to a pension plan that would guarantee set payments upon retirement.
Jim Crawford at a conference table

Anchorage Assembly members want commission appointee to resign for raising stereotypes about homelessness

Jim Crawford serves on an advisory commission, and suggested race and mental illness cause homelessness during a recent meeting.
A musher in the snow with a yellow parka drives a team of dogs

This year’s Iditarod field is the smallest in history. Could a bigger prize and more races boost interest?

With just 33 teams in this year’s Iditarod, many are questioning how the organization can keep attracting mushers to the expensive sport.
A woman with a wedding dress pets a dog.

Our 25 favorite photos from the 2023 Iditarod ceremonial start

Thirty-three teams and dozens of sled dogs dashed down city streets and trails on Saturday, ahead of the official race start Sunday.
A musher in a big parka and orange jacket rides down a city street

Iditapod bonus: Extended interview with Brent Sass

Reigning Iditarod champ Brent Sass talks about his hectic life in the tiny town of Eureka, his newfound confidence and his mushing philosophy.
a dog leans against his owner

Moose, leading the charge to the next snack break

Meet Moose, the “heart dog” for KattiJo Deeter.
Two yellow lead dogs in bright pink booties

Iditapod: Iditarod kicks off with a chilly start

Iditarod mushers took their sled dog teams on an untimed, celebratory fun run from downtown Anchorage on the city’s trails, with hundreds of fans cheering along the way. We hear from mushers and fans – maybe the pitter patter of little dog feet – as well as a joyful bride, a grumpy bear, a curious moose (or three), a former Miss Alaska and her mom, who had a fox on her head, and more!
While, a crowd gathers around a dog team, a spectator offers a passing musher candy.

And they’re off: Iditarod teams start their 1,000-mile dash to Nome

Some mushers were trying to calm their nerves Sunday, and others had nerves of steel.
caution tape around a commercial building

Anchorage officials report a second building collapse this weekend with no injuries

This is the second reported roof collapse in Anchorage in two days.
a man hugs a dog outside

Boomer, the ‘bull in a china store’

Iditarod musher Jed Stephensen said the 3-year-old dog is "just a constant explosion."
Two dogs wearing bright orange booties smile wide in their harnesses.

Iditapod: One paw in front of the other

Iditarod mushers took their sled dog teams on an untimed, celebratory fun run from downtown Anchorage on the city’s trails, with hundreds of fans cheering along the way. We hear from mushers and fans – maybe the pitter patter of little dog feet – as well as a joyful bride, a grumpy bear, a curious moose (or three), a former Miss Alaska and her mom, who had a fox on her head, and more!
brown water comes out of sink

Craig issues boil water notice after failures at treatment plant

Officials in the Southeast Alaska community are asking residents to conserve water “as much as possible.”
A dog team runs in front of some mountains

Iditarod mushers cope with warm temperatures as they arrive at Alaska Range

Mushers shrugged off jackets and dogs sunbathed in the snow as temperatures hovered around 40 degrees — hot by Alaska winter standards.
A man lies with his dog hugging it

Photos: Iditarod mushers shrug off jackets and sled dogs sunbathe

The Rainy Pass checkpoint is about 150 miles into the race and, tucked into the Alaska Range, it’s a scenic place to rest.
Gary Stevens and Cathy Tilton

Alaska Legislature votes down raises for governor and other top officials

The Alaska Legislature has voted unanimously to block raises for the state’s governor, lieutenant governor and commissioners.
a sled dog is pet on the head

JoAnna, a hyper-obedient leader

Once JoAnna gets going, she doesn’t stop. 
A man with a hat is standing on a sidewalk next to a utility pole.

Connecting the Seward and Glenn highways scarred Fairview. Now, lots of agencies want to make it right.

The Anchorage neighborhood recently won a federal grant specifically for repairing damage to the community from past transportation projects.
a man in a green hat and orange buff

Triathletes, boxers and skiers: How different sports help these Iditarod mushers compete

This year’s mushers include a former all-conference football player, an Ironman triathlete and a member of a national championship ski team.