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.”

Alaska Airlines pilots plan picket over lack of compensation

Alaska Airlines pilots have reached a breaking point in negotiations with the company, and now have plans to picket outside Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Listen now

When US Senators listen to Arctic voices, only some resonate

Eleven Alaskans testified before the U.S. Senate Energy Committee Thursday, for and against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. While senators said they wanted to listen to the people of the Arctic, many seemed to hear selectively. Listen now

As it prepares to exit the state, BP donates nonprofit meeting space in Anchorage to community foundation

The Alaska Community Foundation says it will maintain the energy center as a free meeting space for at least the next 20 years.
Three women stand in front of a microphone, one is holding a photo in her hands

Community remembers Jaclyn Welcome, and raises awareness about homelessness

Several dozen mourners gathered in a park in Anchorage Sunday evening to remember Jaclyn Welcome, a 37-year-old woman who was fatally shot on June 20.
a person standing behind a podium

Gross, a top four candidate for US House, calls it quits

Al Gross is out, possibly allowing Tara Sweeney to advance in the special election.
Dr. Elizabeth Bates runs through protocol with a YKHC employee at the COVID-19 drive-thru test site in Bethel.

Alaska’s PPE shortage has eased, state’s top doc says

Most Alaska hospitals now have enough face masks and other personal protection equipment to last a month.
a man

Olympic officials try to crush U.S. probes of China doping, threaten Salt Lake Games

Olympic officials threatened to block Salt Lake City's bid to host the 2034 Games if U.S. criticism of the World Anti-Doping Agency persists.
An industrial facility

What the ban on Russian oil could mean for Alaska

There is at least one facility in Alaska that has historically included Russian crude among its foreign imports — the Marathon Refinery in Kenai.
a man

‘I just wish I had more time’: Friends, family remember fisherman killed in Bristol Bay accident

Colleagues and relatives say 21-year-old Corwin Wheeler was doing what he loved when he was trapped in fishing gear and went overboard Friday.
a Juneau couple

Weddings are resuming at Alaska courthouses — here’s how to get married in Alaska

Whether you go to a courthouse or not, getting married in Alaska can be an easy process, and anyone can conduct the ceremony.
Donald Trump, wearing a black suit and dred tie, gestures in a rainy lot next to several black SUVs with microphones visible in the foreground

Trump accuses Murkowski of killing ANWR; ‘I will be there to campaign against her!’ he vows

Donald Trump says Sen. Murkowski is responsible for the Biden administration's suspension of drilling leases in the Arctic Refuge.

Anchorage School District proposes using federal funds to fill next year’s budget gap

While federal funding will allow the district to offset next school year’s budget deficit, there are concerns about the year following.

Legislators and observers react to Anderson verdict

On hearing the news of Anderson's conviction, Anchorage Representative Bob Roses said he was personally disappointed with the outcome of the trial. Roses was...
A white man in a military unitform posing in front of some flags

Jury indicts Ft. Wainwright soldier for fatal shooting of BLM protester in Texas

Some Fairbanks residents are questioning why Sgt. Daniel Perry was stationed at an Alaska military base when he was facing charges of murder in Texas.

Update: Dunleavy sworn in as governor in Kotzebue

More people are expected to attend the inauguration event than live in the community of Noorvik.

Energy Secretary Rick Perry visits the Kodiak Archipelago

While on a recent day trip to Kodiak to tour the community’s electrical grid that’s almost entirely powered by renewable energy, Senator Lisa Murkowski and the U.S. Secretary of Energy, Rick Perry, hopped on a plane and took a quick detour to the small community of Old Harbor. Listen now
Seen frm behind, three travelers fill out forms in front of a white fold out table manned by two workers

Alaska eases restrictions on travel into and out of the state during pandemic

The quarantine requirement for people flying into Alaska without a negative test will be five days.
a nurse administers a vaccine to a patient

Cases are rising again, but Alaska’s rate of vaccination is slowing

Anchorage COVID-19 vaccinations are starting to plateau, while case numbers are rising. And that has the city’s epidemiologist worried.

JPD sends Capitol slap case to Office of Special Prosecutions

The Office of Special Prosecutions now has the case in which a state senator is accused of slapping an Alaska Dispatch News reporter in the state Capitol. Listen now