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.”

legislators in a meeting room

Alaska Legislature fails to override Dunleavy’s education veto

The Legislature was just one vote short of overriding Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a bill that would have significantly increased funding for public schools.
a man

Arctic Winter Games 2024 athletes take home medals and Mat-Su memories

Alaska, with its home-team advantage, took home the most ulu medals. But the games' highest prize rewards team spirit, cooperation and fair play.
Blue and red police lights.

Thrown traffic cone leads to deadly Anchorage shooting, police say

Javon Hill, 23, faces manslaughter charges after police say he shot a pedestrian Sunday night during an encounter off East Tudor Road.
profiles of four people

Where Anchorage’s 4 major mayoral candidates stand on the issues

Alaska Public Media recently interviewed the candidates ahead of the city's April 2 election.
Vladimir Putin

After a quarter century in power, Russian President Putin isn’t going anywhere

Vladimir Putin was reelected with 87% of ballots, in a three-day election derided by Russia's opposition and the West as neither free nor fair.
a legislative hearing

Senator seeks makeover for Alaska parole board

Civil rights advocates say the new board, with more members, representation and clarity, could also send more rehabilitated Alaskans home.
a man at podium

Alaska Legislature plans to vote Monday on overriding governor’s veto of education bill

"This is a twist that I hadn't honestly expected," Senate President Gary Stevens said.

Anchorage mayoral candidates report dozens of damaged, vandalized or missing campaign signs

Several campaigns and campaign supporters have reported vandalized campaign signs, as well as trash thrown on their property.
an office

Woman asks Wrangell to certify people who can euthanize pets

With a vet in the Southeast Alaska town open just 10 days a month, Dorthea Rooney wants officials to let other people ease dying pets' suffering.
a portrait of a man in glasses

Why the U.S. still has no Arctic ambassador, a year after this Alaskan was nominated for the job

Republicans on a Senate panel accuse Michael Sfraga of being too close to Russia and China.
four mushers

For the first time, 4 women mushers have finished in the Iditarod’s top 10

Paige Drobny’s team arrived here in 5th place early Wednesday morning, followed by Mille Porsild in 7th, Amanda Otto in 8th and Jessie Royer in 10th.

CVS to pay Alaska $10M in settlement for role in opioid crisis

Alaska reached a settlement with CVS March 7, for the role the company played in the opioid crisis in the state. CVS settled the complaint and did not admit wrongdoing.
a smiling woman in an apron holds a baby reaching for doughs on a kitchen counter

Home bakers in Alaska find sweet success on Instagram

A growing group of Alaska home bakers can legally sell their goods, thanks to the state's cottage food laws.
a school

As their public school deteriorates, Sleetmute residents worry their community isn’t far behind

"I feel like us upriver people are just being neglected," said Agnes Sanford, vice president of the Sleetmute Tribal Council.
a man with two dogs

Snowmachiner collides with Iditarod dog team

One dog on musher Bailey Vitello's team was struck but not injured, according to Iditarod officials.
a campground

Juneau may relocate its city-run campground after influx of illegal activity

The city’s deputy manager says the public impact is going to be significant wherever the campground is.
two men

Trump and Biden clinch 2024 presidential nominations

Both former President Donald Trump and President Biden have secured the required delegates to be their respective party's nominee.
Legislative chamber

Alaska Legislature rejects 8 of Gov. Dunleavy’s 12 executive orders

Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s 12 orders make up nearly 10% of the total number of executive orders issued since statehood.
a musher gets a kiss from a dog

Dallas Seavey wins record-breaking sixth Iditarod

Musher Dallas Seavey dashed across the finish line in Nome on Tuesday, breaking a tie with five-time champ Rick Swenson.
A woman on a sled in heavy winter clothing with bib number 37 being pulled by dogs down a road as viewed from above.

Iditarod reports third dog death of this year’s race

Henry, a 3-year-old on rookie Calvin Daugherty’s team, collapsed outside of Shaktoolik.