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 gas station

Three Bears buys 6 more retail properties in the Interior and Unalaska

The Wasilla-based grocery and retail chain is hustling to convert new acquisitions while continuing work on other projects.
the U.S. Capitol building at night

Washington prepares for the shutdown that was never supposed to happen

Congress is just days away from a possible government shutdown with few solutions being discussed.
A man moves a plastic tray of cell samples to a microscope in a laboratory.

‘Too hot’ for salmon: How climate change is contributing to the Yukon salmon collapse

Researchers say climate change is playing a big role in the collapse, which has left thousands of people along the river without access to the salmon they depend on. 
a deckhand

As climate change and high costs plague Alaska’s fisheries, fewer young people take up the trade

Alaska's aging fishing industry has high barriers to entry and increasing unpredictability as human-caused climate change alters marine habitats.
a sign

Alaska Permanent Fund improves after money-losing year but withdrawals still exceed earnings

The corporation’s earnings need to average 5% plus the rate of inflation to be sustainable; over the past five years, the corporation hasn’t done that.
two people stand in light-colored gowns, outside

Arctic sea ice patterns put on display during New York’s Fashion Week

Images captured by a University of Alaska Fairbanks scientist were incorporated into clothing, showing how brittle new sea ice contrasts with less-abundant old ice.

Alaska congressional delegation takes concerns about Albertsons-Kroger merger to FTC

U.S. Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan expressed "deep concerns." Congresswoman Peltola asked the FTC to block the merger.
a family

After viral ad offering expense-free living, Alaska community will have school for the first time since 2018

To reopen its school, Karluk's tribal council posted a viral ad offering to pay a year of living expenses for two families to move there. It worked.
the Sterling Highway

Fatal crash rates spike on Sterling Highway this month

Vehicles have crashed from Kasilof to Cooper Landing, closing the highway and drawing dozens of emergency responders to the scenes.
a forest fire

Thousands of federal firefighters face a looming pay cut. How much is up to Congress.

"We're going to finish this season out, but there's going to be a lot of people who don't come back," predicted one firefighter as federal pay remains low.
a marijuana flag

Alaska relaxes rules for marijuana ads, allows free samples

Nine years after Alaska legalized the cultivation and sale of marijuana for recreational reasons in 2014, the rules are beginning to loosen.
A man and a woman sit at a desk in professional clothing, speaking to each other.

The Port of Alaska’s modernization | Alaska Insight

Nearly 60 years ago, Anchorage became the main point of entry for building materials, consumer goods and military support after Seward’s port was destroyed by the tsunami triggered by the 1964 earthquake. There are many advantages to having the main port in the state’s largest city, but there are also challenges. In this episode of Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend speaks with Port Director Steve Ribuffo about the plans to keep the port viable for years to come.
a woman sits near behind a table filled with vegetables

From hidden gem to local favorite: Anchorage’s Hmong market grows in popularity

The market started in 2017 with a handful of people selling produce and food. Today, it’s at full capacity, and the majority of the vendors are Hmong.

Murkowski and Sullivan split over how to evaluate federal judge applicants

Sullivan says he’s formed a new council of advisors. Murkowski is sticking by tradition.

Walking through the Port of Alaska’s modernization plans

https://youtu.be/U7W2I6lrVs8 The Port of Alaska escaped the devastating 1964 earthquake relatively unscathed, which left it poised to take up much of the state’s cargo traffic...
A picture of a beige building

Officials are aiming to move all of Anchorage’s homeless campers into housing or shelter in October

Unlike last winter, the plan does not include a mass shelter like the Sullivan Arena.
two bears

From hangry to chonky: Fat Bear Week is coming

Ever since the Brooks River salmon run began, brown bears in Katmai National Park and Preserve have been feasting — and ballooning in size.
a permanent fund seal in window

Alaska heading toward fiscal ‘brick wall’ that could force end to PFD formula debate

Alaskans are set to receive $1,312 payouts, but the Legislature still can’t agree on how to determine that number in the long term.
the Anchorage PFD office

This year’s Alaska Permanent Fund dividend is $1,312

The Alaska Department of Revenue announced the amount in a statement Thursday afternoon.
a 3D printing robot extrudes concrete

Can this robot print a whole house? Nome is going to find out next year. 

Nome and its partners hope the project will prove the technology can slash the time and cost to build quality housing, even in Alaska’s most remote communities.