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.”

The outside of a big cruise ship

First large cruise ship of the season docks in Alaska. It’s half full.

After two summers of little to no business, Juneau’s tourist shops, tour operators and other local businesses are eager for visitors.
a close up photo of a home covid test

Can we trust rapid COVID tests against BA.2? This is what the experts say.

With the BA.2 subvariant of omicron pushing infection rates up, many are reaching for at-home rapid tests. Here's what experts say on how best to use them.
Bees in a shipping container

Millions of Alaska-bound honeybees die at Atlanta airport

Soldotna beekeeper Sarah McElrea said the loss is devastating.
A tan building

Mobile crisis team and school resource officers among budget revisions passed by Anchorage Assembly

A little under $1 million of the added funding comes from unspent alcohol taxes from last year. Assembly member Forrest Dunbar says the increase in spending from general property taxes falls under the tax cap.

US House committee wants answers on Alaska gas leak

The lawmakers, among other things, want to know why it took the company a month to identify the source of the leak and how close the leak was to “becoming something more severe.”
people in military uniforms board a plane

Alaska military bases fall short on climate readiness, federal report says

A report released this month said that most base leaders were unaware even of the requirements expected of them to prepare for climate change.
A white cruise ship at port

Cruise destinations in Alaska see surge in COVID cases

Communities with some of the state's highest case counts — and sharpest increases — include those frequently visited by cruise ships, like Skagway, Petersburg and Sitka.
A food stand outside on a rainy day in Juneau

Slow start to cruise season is even slower for Juneau Filipino businesses

Last year, COVID-19 restrictions meant that cruise ship workers more often than not couldn’t get off the ships in port at all, so businesses in Juneau that cater to crew members, did practically zero business.
A cruise ship with a mountain in the background.

Scrubbers are supposed to clean cruise ship emissions. Critics say they pollute the water instead.

For the past several years there’s been a debate between regulators over what to do about “scrubbers," which allowing the shipping industry to burn cheaper, dirtier fuels.
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Alaska heli-ski guide dies in Thompson Pass avalanche

Michael Hamilton, 46, was leading a group of skiers and scouting a run when he triggered an avalanche that swept him about 1,500 feet down the mountain and over a cliff, troopers said.

Rep. Young’s Washington office, key to his brand, still stands. For now.

The bear, the guns, the heads — they aided his reputation for fierceness. Or, as some saw it, bullying.

Gov. Dunleavy calls for higher PFD, more savings during final weeks of legislative session

“In my discussions with legislators this year, they see the urgency and the need to make sure we get a PDF that’s pretty substantial,” he said.

Advocates for mental health say talking is the first step to healing | Alaska Insight

Understanding and discussing the complexities of mental health and wellbeing isn’t easy. Finding ways to open up about who we are and what we struggle with is critical to getting help.
A preschool classroom with a few children sitting at tables

The pandemic erased a decade of public preschool gains

An annual review of state-based preschool programs found big drops in enrollment and state funding in the 2020-2021 school year.
a person sitting at a table

Alaska House Republicans remove Eastman from caucus

Minority Leader Cathy Tilton said informal polling of her caucus’ members showed more than two-thirds agreed to Eastman’s removal.

An Anchorage mosaic highlights the importance of mental wellbeing

Talking about mental health is hard, but it’s important for anyone who is struggling to know that they’re not alone. Alaska Public Media’s Adam Nicely brings us this story of an Anchorage community project with that goal, called Mental Health Mosaics.

Commencement ceremonies honor University of Alaska Anchorage class of 2022

More than 1,000 students are graduating from the Anchorage campus this year.
An aerial photo of a river delta

Alaska’s isolated wetlands could soon lose their protected status

Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency could determine how much of Alaska’s wetlands are subject to federal regulation under the Clean Water Act.

Mayor of Pilot Station dies after falling through Yukon River ice on a snowmachine

Nicky Myers was a mayor, a deacon, a father, a grandfather, a husband, a firefighter and a search-and-rescue member.

‘It’s destroying our cultural mission’: Alaska Native charter school struggles after losing its building

The Alaska Native Cultural Charter School moved into the upstairs wing of Bettye Davis East High School after ventilation inspections in 2021.