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.”

Kasilof River dipnetters

With strong sockeye showing, Kasilof River opens to dipnetters

Tents lined the shore at the Kasilof River's mouth Tuesday, while families stood by four-wheelers and coolers full of fresh-caught sockeye.

Valdez presses its case to unseal Hilcorp’s finances before Alaska Supreme Court

More than three years after Hilcorp bought BP’s Alaska assets, Valdez wants assurances that Hilcorp has the money to safely maintain its operations — and clean up a potential oil spill.
Kids in white chef hats and a woman with black hair in a kitchen. There are large bowls on the counter.

From camper to junior chef, UAA’s Culinary Boot Camp teaches kids basic kitchen skills

The University of Alaska Anchorage program teaches kids cooking techniques like knife skills and sanitation practices. The camp has been running for over 20 years, and this year it’s more popular than ever.
an oil facility in a remote, snowy area

ConocoPhillips faces potential fine of $914,000 for Arctic gas leak

State regulators propose a civil punishment for last year's gas blowout at Alpine
the Supreme Court

Supreme Court guts affirmative action, effectively ending race-conscious admissions

The Court found that Harvard and the University of North Carolina's admissions policy violated the 14th Amendment's equal protection clause.
Spring Creek Correctional Center

Smuggling cases point to need for better drug treatment in Alaska prisons, advocates say

At least two state employees have recently been charged with bringing medication into Kenai Peninsula correctional facilities.
Sitka cruise ship passengers

Sitka’s 13,000-visitor day was ‘far too many,’ mayor says

Three cruise ships brought more than 13,000 passengers and crew to Sitka on June 21, choking streets and prompting concerns about overcrowding.
the Alaska State Capitol

New state child care task force faces bleak reality of Alaska’s system

It has one year to deliver a final report on solutions to the governor.
a man runs an excavator across the street from a junked car

Anchorage’s Third Avenue residents brace for a third wave of campers

The city doesn’t have enough shelter space for the soon-to-be-displaced campers, which leaves a large vacant lot at the edge of downtown as a likely space people will resettle.
a woman holds boxes of kits

Opioid reversal drugs save lives in Alaska. But people are often skipping a crucial step

Use of the opioid reversal drug Naloxone is increasing in Alaska. Naloxone is safe and easy to administer, but public health professionals say it’s essential to get people to the emergency room after using it. In practice, though, people often aren’t calling 9-1-1. And that’s concerning to public health experts.
a woman kneels at the entrance of a trail

State of Art: Fairy houses turn a normal Anchorage walking trail into something magical

A short walk up the narrow, winding path through the lush forest reveals miniature structures made from natural materials.
Kotzebue

Would-be child care providers in remote Alaska say it’s all but impossible to get a state license

Access to child care is an issue statewide, but remote areas face added hurdles.
Aniak

‘It’s not right’: Aniak residents share pain of spiking power bills with regulators

More than 30 Aniak residents spoke about the hardship caused by the quadrupling of their May power bills from Aniak Light & Power Company.
a girl standing at the edge of a lake with ducks swimming nearby

Anchorage’s less-than-sunny summer is likely to continue through July

National Weather Service meteorologist Brian Brettschneider says this summer is the city's coolest since the "terrible summer of 2008."
A city street as seen from above

Anchorage’s main electric utility is proposing to raise base rates for the first time in 3 years

Chugach Electric wants to raise rates by 6%. It says it’s seen a decrease in sales and an increase in expenses due to inflation and supply chain disruptions.
A helicopter in the sky

2 dead, 3 survive after plane crashes near Kodiak

A small plane crashed near the village of Old Harbor – on the southeast side of Kodiak Island – on Sunday afternoon, leaving two people dead.
kids sit on floor in daycare room

Dunleavy veto cuts Head Start increase as centers struggle to pay teachers, serve children in need

Seven of 17 programs are on notice that federal funding is in jeopardy without changes.
Birchwood officer shooting

Police fatally shoot armed man on Glenn Highway off-ramp

Police say one of two officers shot a man with a rifle who "advanced on the officers while holding the rifle" near South Birchwood early Sunday.
Women rejoice at the finish line

Rain and mud make Mount Marathon trail ‘an absolute nightmare’

More than 800 racers tackled treacherous conditions during Seward's grueling Fourth of July tradition.
a sign says "We accept Quest/EBT cards"

New data shows measurable progress on Alaska’s food stamp backlog

Thousands of people are still waiting for food aid, but the trend is positive.