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.”

L’xeis Diane Benson

L’xeis Diane Benson on acting and her work in ‘True Detective: Night Country’

Benson, known for her presence on both Alaska-based TV shows and the state's political stage, spoke about her role in the recent HBO series.
Rohit Chopra

Why a financial regulator is going after health care debt

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, created after the Great Recession of 2007-09, has increasingly started policing the health care system.
a road

Unalaska pulls plug on Makushin geothermal project

Unalaska City Council members had lost confidence that the project would be completed on a reasonable timeline.
hikers

Alaska Long Trail advocates seek funding for improvements at popular recreation spots

Advocates of the 500-mile trail network say there has been enough progress to draw long-distance hikers this summer, as they seek state support for more.
Jesse Kiehl

New bill would add guardrails to Alaska property assessments

Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, says the bill aims to make the property assessment process in the state more fair and transparent for residents.
a riverbank

Alaska tribes accuse Canada of human rights violations, request international hearing on mining

The Southeast Alaska Indigenous Transboundary Commission says upstream mining in Canada violates tribes' right to a healthy environment.

Anchorage’s historic city hall to become public library

The city’s former downtown library closed in 1986.
an airliner

The FAA gives Boeing 90 days to fix quality control issues. Critics say they run deep.

The FAA says Boeing has 90 days to come up with a plan to fix quality control issues. Critics say they go far beyond 737 Max door plugs.
Homer City Hall

Homer City Council rejects attempt to regulate short-term rentals

The Homer City Council unanimously rejected an ordinance Monday that would require short-term rental operators to register their property.
fiber optic cables

With massive federal funding, Western Alaska fiber optic projects prepare for rollout

Multiple Alaska companies have partnered with tribal entities to secure federal broadband funds under the Biden-Harris administration.
a legislative hearing

Legislators get update on fixes for $5B transportation plan rejected by feds

Transportation Commissioner Ryan Anderson updated lawmakers Wednesday on the revised State Transportation Improvement Plan.
Kevin McCabe

Proposal to define a fetus as a person in Alaska’s criminal code faces pushback

Opponents testified that the bill would threaten Alaskans’ abortion rights.

Alaska House debates constitutional amendment guaranteeing Permanent Fund dividend payment

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, said it would protect the dividend from competing with other budget priorities.
a person speaks in a meeting room

Alaska House passes bill aimed at expanding access to child care

Rep. Julie Coulombe says the bill is an effort to ease the strain on Alaska families who are facing rising child care costs and limited availability.

Iditarod returns to 16-dog teams

The Iditarod had set the limit at 14 dogs per team just five years ago after considering the expense of flying dogs back from the trail and to make it easier for smaller kennels to race in the Iditarod.
the Supreme Court

Supreme Court to hear arguments in Trump immunity case in April

Wednesday's order from the high court keeps former president Donald Trump's prosecution in the Jan. 6 case on hold.
a trooper car

Man with knife in Wasilla fight shot and wounded by responding trooper, agency says

Troopers say the man refused to drop the knife early Wednesday, continuing to approach until the trooper shot and seriously injured him.
Two people walk through a prison.

Alaska prison failed to provide adequate dental care to inmates, state investigator finds

Goose Creek Correctional Center has gone years without a hygienist, forcing patients to wait for treatment.
A man with curly hair and a head lamp

Musher who was disqualified, then reinstated, now withdraws from the Iditarod

Eddie Burke Jr. said he leased dogs to other mushers after he was disqualified and it was too difficult to reassemble his team.
a road camera image

Southcentral, Southwest Alaska to see deep subzero wind chills through the weekend

Subzero Arctic air funneling into the region along with wind gusts could produce wind chills of 50 degrees below zero, meteorologists say.