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.”

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.
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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.

Alaska communities must adapt as climate change transforms state, federal report says

Declining sea ice, thinning snowpack, thawing permafrost and other climate-driven changes are threatening Alaskans statewide, the report says.

Alaska targeted by drug traffickers seeking higher profits, authorities say

If drug seizures in Alaska are any indication, a pipeline of hard drugs stretches from as far away as Mexico, to California and Oregon and on to the state’s most rural communities.
newspaper ad featuring women's faces.

Murkowski’s view from the vanishing center

Sen. Lisa Murkowski spoke at a Tuesday summit about her style of legislating and the shrinking middle in the Senate.

Anchorage storms make transportation tricky for all, and worse for people with disabilities

Anchorage residents have faced a series of snow storms this week, and being a pedestrian in the city has been challenging, if not impossible.
A woman in a blazer smiles at the camera.

Nancy Dahlstrom, Alaska lieutenant governor, announces run for Congress

Republican Nancy Dahlstrom is running for U.S. House, challenging Rep. Mary Peltola.
A white man and woman on a boat wearing waders. The woman is holding up a rope laden with strings of kelp.

Cordova kelp farmers need to process their harvest. A scientist is piloting a solution.

Alysha Cypher with the Prince William Sound Science Center has a $400,000 EPA grant to use waste heat from the local electric co-op to dry Cordova seaweed. 
A helicopter in the sky

4 Coast Guardsmen hurt in helicopter crash near Petersburg

The Coast Guard says all four crew members were rescued and flown to Petersburg for initial treatment, then to Seattle for additional care.