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.”

man exiting legislative chamber

Alaska Senate moves toward rejecting some of Gov. Dunleavy’s 12 executive orders

Senators expressed concerns about several of Gov. Mike Dunleavy's 12 executive orders. The Legislature has until mid-March to reject them.
Cook Inlet

Alaska Gov. Dunleavy’s plan to lease land for carbon storage comes with questions

Analysts say estimates that the state could earn hundreds millions from leases are overpromising.
A narrow lake among snow-capped mountains

Eklutna hydro owners say they won’t extend wildlife restoration process

Stakeholders who have fundamental objections have little time for further negotiation, and little recourse but federal court.

Attorneys argue scope of Metlakatla’s off-reservation fishing rights in federal court

Attorneys presented oral arguments in a long-running dispute over fishing rights on Alaska’s only Native reservation on Thursday.
A sign says Anchorage School District.

Anchorage school employee arrested after police say he assaulted a student

Police say the paraprofessional “put his hands” on a Baxter Elementary student following a disagreement on the playground.

Hometown hero? Valdez may soon get a life-sized statue of a ‘Star Trek’ icon

A group of fans want to honor William Riker’s Last Frontier roots with a bronze statue in the character’s hometown: Valdez.

In speech to Alaska Legislature, Murkowski shows she’s outside Trump’s grip on GOP

Murkowski lauded Rep. Peltola, a Democrat, and urged legislators to put Alaska before party. She later endorsed Nikki Haley for president.
a square building with a large black chimney with a sign that reads "Trident Seafoods"

3 seafood processors announce closures, selloffs following historic price collapse for Alaska fishing industry

Three major seafood processors in Alaska have announced plans to sell off their plants or temporarily close for the upcoming fishing seasons. Trident, Peter Pan Seafood Company and most recently OBI Seafoods – just last month – have all cited turbulent market conditions for their decisions.
A Chilkat robe laid on a table

Weavers will study ‘secrets in the weavings’ of historic Chilkat robe returned to Southeast Alaska

The robe is now in Sealaska Heritage Institute’s archives and collections department. Next month, weavers will start learning from it.
a cartoon image of a hand holding an iphone with a timer on it

How do you use Buy Now, Pay Later? It likely depends on your credit score

New research finds that people who use it the most tend to use it like a credit card, instead of a credit card. And that's regardless of income.
a van on a road

Federal highway officials reject Alaska transportation plan, citing 24 pages of flaws

Alaska’s summer construction season would be disrupted unless the state can fix the flaws before the end of the month.
Emergency first responders stand in a snowy pullout next to emergency vehicles at dusk. Snow covered mountains in the background.

Avalanche near Cooper Landing kills 28-year-old skier

Recent high winds and rapidly changing weather in Southcentral increase the potential for avalanches in the backcountry.
a woman points her finger at a moose

A moose on the loose: Combat shopping in an Anchorage Costco parking lot

Shopper Amber Rotar said the moose started showing too much interest in the bell peppers in her cart.
a sled dog team on a snowy road

Polaris and snowmachine rider who hit sled dog team charged with reckless driving

Three dogs were killed in the crash on the Denali Highway east of Cantwell.
photos of lesions

What is Alaskapox? Recent death brings attention to virus seen in small animals

What are the symptoms of Alaskapox? How does the virus spread? The Associated Press answers those questions and more.
the Alaska State Capitol

Funding remains a key sticking point in education bill debate

Leaders of the state House and Senate say they've found some common ground, but education funding remains a key sticking point.
two people shovel a path out of deep snow on a rooftop

Your questions answered on snow loads and roof collapses | Talk of Alaska

It’s been an especially snowy winter in many Alaska communities, and with heavy snowfall comes the yearly question, should I shovel my roof?
a courtroom proceeding

In Anchorage catfish killing, Denali Brehmer gets 99 years behind bars

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in February 2023 for the killing of 19-year-old Cynthia Hoffman north of Anchorage in 2019.
A man in sunglasses blows snow off the roof.

Anchorage building officials are trying to identify roofs prone to fail under heavy snow

Anchorage roofing companies have been slammed with snow removal jobs amid record snowfall and a series of collapses.
Lora Reinbold stands in a courtroom

Federal judge dismisses lawsuit brought by former Alaska Sen. Reinbold against Alaska Airlines

Reinbold, a Republican from Eagle River, had challenged Alaska Airlines’ decision to ban her from its flights.