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.”

Mead Treadwell, ‘Big-Picture Guy,’ Runs for U.S. Senate

Some people go into politics for prestige, some for power. Talk to Mead Treadwell for a while and it’s clear, he just loves policy. This is the first in a series about the three Republicans vying for the chance to challenge Sen. Mark Begich in November. Download Audio
a person waves while holding a sign on a snowy day

Incumbent South Anchorage Assemblyman John Weddleton concedes to challenger Randy Sulte

“The seat I have served from for six years belongs to South Anchorage," Weddleton said. "I respect the decision of the voters to give that opportunity to Randy.”

For Caelus CEO, North Slope ‘big find’ wouldn’t be the first

In a shallow bay off Alaska’s North Slope, Caelus Energy may have made the biggest oil discovery the world has seen since 2010. If developed, the field could have a major impact on Alaska’s economy and the global oil market. But that’s a big “if” — there are plenty of obstacles to overcome. Listen Now

‘Disturbed’: Murkowski didn’t mean quite what you thought she meant

To partisans, Murkowski's ways don't satisfy. They say she zig-zags. But Murkowski sees herself on a straight line called "process."

Interior Department to keep “Polar Bear Rule”

The Interior Department will keep in place the "polar bear rule" - a Bush Administration decision that says the Endangered Species Act can't regulate pollution...

International conflicts drive increase in refugees, others arriving in Alaska

Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services typically works with about 150 new arrivals per year. This year, it enrolled more than 275 people so far.  
A band plays music outside of the Visitor Information Center.

‘Just happy to be back’: Haines welcomes its first Canadian visitor since March 2020

Bruce Funk of Whitehorse was Haines' first Canadian visitor since March 2020. He had tears in his eyes as he shook hands with the mayor. “It’s been a long time,” he said with a laugh. “Ah, just happy to be back.”
A family embraces a dog

Sitka family reunites with blind dog LuLu 3 weeks after she went missing

A construction crew found Lulu in salmonberry bushes after initially confusing her for a bear.
a police car

Juneau police seek assault suspect as missing person

Corey B. Coleman of Juneau is listed as missing. He is a suspect at large for an assault earlier this year.

Lawson guilty of second degree murder

A jury this afternoon found Michael Lawson guilty of second degree murder in the shooting death of Bethany Correira back in 2003. They also...
In a meeting room, a man at a lectern talks

Sullivan strikes partisan tone while talking up bipartisanship to Alaska Legislature

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan told legislators he was trying to take a different approach than he did in his speech last year, when he bashed President Biden for what he considers an anti-Alaska agenda.
A white man in a gray suit

Rep. Eastman: Some women ‘glad’ to be pregnant for Medicaid-funded travel for abortions

State Rep. David Eastman said some Alaskans are glad to become pregnant, so that they can have a Medicaid-funded trip to Anchorage or Seattle to have an abortion. Eastman didn’t provide evidence for this, but said he had been told this by friends and acquaintances. Listen now
A strip of river next to green land and neatly-arranged houses.

Mertarvik residents didn’t get primary ballots. The state says it didn’t know people lived there.

Materials for voting never arrived in Newtok, a sister village, from where absentee ballots were supposed to be taken to Mertarvik.

Stolen Dance Paddle Recovered in Juneau

Juneau Police are reporting the recovery of an eight-foot dance paddle that was stolen Saturday after the end of Celebration, the big biennial cultural event in the Capital City. Listen now:
a large gray warehouse

Amazon’s first Alaska sorting facility to open by 2024

An Amazon spokeswoman described the Anchorage facility as a “last stop before packages arrive at customers' doorsteps.”
a jeep getting delivered to a dealership

U.S. automakers had a punishing week — with a silver lining for shoppers

The four major U.S. automakers — GM, Ford, Stellantis and Tesla — all reported earnings this week and saw their stocks decline.
voting stickers

Two years after contentious 2020 vote, Alaska finds only three voter fraud cases

Despite claims by some Alaskans that fraudulent voting changed the state’s election results two years ago, no evidence of fraud on that scale has been uncovered by investigators.
AlaskaCare mailers

Retired public employees and state settle long-running legal dispute over medical, dental benefits

The Alaska Constitution says that public employee retirement benefits “shall not be diminished or impaired.” But the state and retirees have differed on how to interpret this guarantee.
The side of a big cruise ship as it sits docked in Juneau.

Utah man charged with killing wife on cruise ship in Alaska had brain injury, says defense

Adefense expert says Kenneth Manzanares’ brain abnormalities are onsistent with injuries caused by playing contact sports.
Joe Gerace looks over the shelter floor

Despite complaints, Anchorage mayor’s administration says new Sullivan shelter is on track

City officials say they are pleased with the private company that took over the Sullivan Arena shelter a month and a half ago.