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 children's playground covered in frost and surrounded by snow with sunlight shining on it.

Anchorage breaks November snow record but warmer El Niño winter still expected

“In Anchorage, every single day that had snow during that nine or 10-day period where it just seemed like it didn't stop, every one of those days was warmer than normal,” climate researcher Brian Brettschneider said.

Abortions in Alaska can only be performed by doctors. Is that about to change?

Only doctors can perform abortions in Alaska, according to a 50-year-old law. Planned Parenthood’s Alaska chapter argues that this limits access to abortion. So, the chapter filed a lawsuit against the state.
a speaker

Covenant House Alaska battling fentanyl crisis: 100 drug overdoses since July

Director Alison Kear says that in her 27 years at Covenant House, she’s never seen anything like the current wave of fentanyl overdoses.
toys

Alaska does not have enough housing to keep survivors of domestic violence safe

Advocates say they have the money to house survivors, but no place to put them.
a medevac

Between flights to Tuluksak, Operation Santa Claus turned into a rescue mission

An Alaska Army National Guard helicopter's flight bringing Christmas presents to Tuluksak was diverted to a Napaskiak medevac Wednesday.
A woman in red short throws a basketball.

Anchorage hoop hero Alissa Pili returns home for Great Alaska Shootout

Alissa Pili is in her final year of eligibility, so this might be the last time Anchorage hoop fans can catch her playing in her hometown.
A man drives a four-wheeler with a plow

Anchorage superintendent says ‘strategic failure’ at play in snow-related school closures

Anchorage School District officials and city leaders addressed criticism over the recent cancellations of in-person school, which they say were forced by historic snowfall and unsafe streets.

Cleaning up Unalaska’s former military sites

The military has left a large footprint on Alaska. Much of it dating to World War II. But what happens after the military leaves a region?
a stethoscope and a calculator

Monthly premiums for health insurance on the federal marketplace will rise 16% in Alaska next year

The spike comes after an 18% increase the previous year, which means prices have risen more than one-third in two years.
a grader

Anchorage mayor sent equipment to clear rutted state roads, leaving many neighborhoods unplowed

Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson stood by the decision to strike an informal deal, calling it “a matter of public safety.”
a helicopter

First responders to Coast Guard helicopter’s crash were the Southeast Alaska fishing crew it came to rescue

The crew of the Lydia Marie say they heard the rescue helicopter's rotors, as their vessel was taking on water late Monday night — then silence.
a screenshot

Alaska ranked choice voting opponents blame ‘incompetence,’ not subterfuge, for errors in campaign disclosure

The founders of Alaskans for Honest Elections say a $90,000 political donation wasn't routed through a church group, despite what they wrote on a form.
A picture of traffic along Anchorage Alaska's Seward Highway

Anchorage heat wave leaves roads slushy before overnight freeze

Temperatures reached the low 40s in Anchorage Thursday morning, but are set to plunge below freezing Friday and hit zero by the weekend.
A cannabis plant grows indoors.

Alaska hemp producers sue state, saying new ban on products is illegal

Alaska recently banned hemp products with intoxicating THC. The hemp industry says its products are protected under federal law.

Kotzebue women’s deaths at former mayor’s property did not get thorough investigations, report says

“If those deaths aren't receiving careful consideration and a thorough investigation, then what hope does anyone else have of their loved ones’ death being thoroughly investigated?” said ProPublica and ADN’s Kyle Hopkins.
A picture of a downtown skyline while it's snowing.

Anchorage Assembly member calls for warming facility ahead of sub-zero weekend temps

Separately, the administration is working on lining up a contract for Assembly approval next week to establish a winter warming area for up to 50 people.
a map

Environmental groups ask federal appeals court to halt Willow oil project

The plaintiffs argue that Judge Sharon Gleason made a mistake when she allowed work to proceed on ConocoPhillips' Willow project.
A man in a suit answers question in front of a camera.

Anchorage mayor responds to frustration over snow plowing and canceled in-person school

Anchorage schools are "on track" to reopen Thursday, after district officials said it was unsafe to bus students Wednesday, the fourth consecutive school day of remote learning.
Nikiski, AK.

Alaska gets $200M from feds for Railbelt energy project, Cook Inlet undersea cable

Alaska Beacon reporter James Brooks discussed the project, and the flexibility it could create for energy security on the Kenai Peninsula and beyond.
a panel

American Bar Association features panel of prominent Native women lawyers

As part of Native American Heritage Month, the American Bar Association asked Native women to discuss how they became lawyers and trailblazers.