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 school

Missteps from Alaska’s education department could cost the state millions in grants, feds say

A federal “high risk” designation could cost the state grant funding because it did not comply with requirements for pandemic relief funds.
Woman in committee room

Lawmakers clash over Permanent Fund dividend amount as House debates budget

The PFD is one of the most hotly-debated issues in the Legislature every year — and it’s not necessarily a party-line issue. 
A woman smiles at the camera in front of a clothing mannequin.

This Alaska artist hopes you’ll draw on your vintage clothes | INDIE ALASKA

https://youtu.be/UkHs-4vvPRs Meg Kelley has been crafting since she was a kid learning to live with an ADHD diagnosis. Now as an adult in Anchorage, Alaska,...
Five Alaska Airlines planes parked at gates

Anchorage airport officials hope incentive program encourages airlines to test new routes

The Alaska Department of Transportation introduced a program this year called the International Passenger and Cargo Service Incentive Program which aims to encourage airlines to try new routes.
an illustration

Chevron owns a city’s news site. Many stories aren’t told.

Chevron operates a major refinery in Richmond, Calif. It also owns the city's dominant news site, putting its own spin on events.
a man speaks from an office desk

Anchorage’s long overdue financial audit may cost the city millions

Annual, audited financial records are a condition to keep various grants flowing to the city from the state and federal governments.
The glass door to the entrance of the PFD office. In black lettering is "PFD State of Alaska, Lobby hours Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m."

Sunday is the deadline to file for 2024’s Alaska Permanent Fund dividend

Alaskans have until 11:59 p.m. Sunday to apply online. State PFD Division offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks and Juneau close at 4 p.m. Friday.
a newspaper

Juneau Empire, Peninsula Clarion owner sold to Mississippi-based newspaper group

Carpenter Media Group and Canadian investors now own the Empire, the Clarion and the Homer News among more than 100 publications in the sale.
A police car marked as Anchorage Police.

Man fatally shot outside Turnagain apartment complex, Anchorage police say

Police said the victim, found outside a West 31st Avenue apartment building just after midnight Thursday, was taken to a hospital but later died.

Peltola’s votes show she’s one of the least loyal Democrats in the U.S. House

Alaska’s congresswoman votes against her party at twice the average rate, mostly on energy and immigration measures.
a mine

Kensington Gold Mine near Juneau reports 105,000-gallon tailings spill

Staff at the mine, about 45 miles north of Juneau, said the spill happened in late January after an underground pipeline leaked.
Nunam Iqua

Nunam Iqua man charged with murdering woman during snowmachine trip

Fredrick Abraham, 25, was arrested after 30-year-old Joan Camille's death during a March 15 trip between Nunam Iqua and Emmonak.
a woman

Alaska SeaLife Center hires new CEO

Wei Ying Wong, who succeeds Tara Riemer, has served with the Seward-based center since 2021 as its chief science and education officer.
prison

Republican lawmakers abruptly cancel hearing on Alaska prison deaths over legal concerns

Republican lawmakers cited concerns about an ongoing wrongful death lawsuit against the state in which the ACLU of Alaska is co-counsel.
a search

Body of woman lost under Eagle River ice in December found

Police say a body found Sunday at the North Fork Trailhead is that of Amanda Richmond, last seen Dec. 23 trying to rescue a dog from the river.
Justin Ruffridge

Alaska House votes to broaden membership of injury, death review panels

Alaska operates medical committees examining maternal and child mortality, overdose deaths, and cases where a child was born with syphilis.
a ship

What we know and don’t know about Baltimore’s Key Bridge collapse

Rescue efforts have turned to recovery after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, as the region braces for a long and costly reconstruction.
a woman with glasses in a meeting room

Legislature relaunches Alaska Children’s Caucus

The revival of a legislative group focused on providing support to children from birth to adulthood comes as the state faces systemic issues in child care and education.
Eielson Air Force Base

Work on Eielson microreactor project may resume this summer

State Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks, urged the Air Force to move ahead with the small nuclear power plant after a presentation last week.

GCI customers can keep email accounts set to be shut down – for a fee

A once-temporary $4.99 monthly fee for email accounts will now be permanent, company officials said in a statement.