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 photo of a man and a woman speaking into microphones

Defying Trump’s opposition, Murkowski votes yes on foreign aid-border bill; Sullivan says it falls short

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski was among four Republicans to vote to advance the bill, which did not come close to the 60 needed.
a woman speaks into a microphone on stage

Nikki Haley campaign announces its Alaska team

The team is led by Republican campaign consultant Art Hackney, the statewide co-chair.
a wall of notes

Juneau teachers, students and parents react to proposed school cutbacks

Juneau School District leaders are considering closing or reorganizing schools and cutting staff, as they face a nearly $8 million budget deficit.
a fire

Fire destroys Peter Pan Seafoods facility in Sand Point

The company said a small warehouse used to store fishing gear and a stock room nearby both burned Wednesday. No injuries were reported.
Mike Dunleavy

Alaska governor says he’d like to send troops south to aid Texas, but cost is a hurdle

Gov. Mike Dunleavy said that sending 100 additional Alaska National Guard soldiers to Texas would cost about $1 million a month.
the Supreme Court

Supreme Court considers whether Trump can be removed from a primary ballot

Justices are reviewing Colorado's disqualification of Donald Trump from its state primary ballot because he allegedly engaged in an insurrection.
Man speaking in legislative chamber

New Alaska Supreme Court chief justice highlights improvements in first annual address

Chief Justice Peter Maassen listed initiatives from the past year that he said improved the court system’s accessibility and efficiency, like remote hearings.
several red lights at a snowy intersection

Anchorage Assembly proposal would ban right-on-red turns in much of downtown

Supporters say the ban would bolster pedestrian safety and encourage more foot traffic. It’s part of a growing national trend.
pilings along a body water, two container cranes and a cargo ship

Big Lake lawmaker proposes state port authority take over Anchorage and Mat-Su ports

Rep. Kevin McCabe said he wasn’t able to answer questions about compensation for local governments, impacts to local property taxes or how port user groups feel about it.

Anchorage fire that left 2 dead may have been arson, police say

The deaths of two people after a fire early Thursday at a Young Street multi-family residence are now being investigated as homicides.
Brian Steven Smith

Anchorage murder trial opens with differing accounts of video that allegedly captured a killing

An Anchorage jury heard opening statements Tuesday in the trial of Brian Steven Smith, charged with murdering two Alaska Native women.
a map

Hoonah is attempting to form a borough again. Juneau is opposing some of it.

A portion of the proposed borough overlaps with land that Juneau once made an effort to annex.
an EBT sign

Alaska must face food stamp litigation after a year of stays, court says

U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason's court order said further delays would be “inefficient” after the state had a year to resolve its backlog.
a veterinary clinic

2 Kasilof residents charged with animal cruelty after dog found frozen to death

Staff at a Soldotna veterinary clinic said one of several dogs left outside in the case had likely died of malnourishment and hypothermia.
woven booties next to two bags

Mythical animal costs Denali-area clothing shop $53,000 in fines

A clothing shop near Denali National Park told an undercover investigator it was selling items made from Yakutat alpacas, which do not exist.

More women in Alaska will be covered by Medicaid during pregnancy and for the year after giving birth

The expansion will cover mothers during their first year, when they’re vulnerable to physical and mental illness.
A police car marked as Anchorage Police.

Woman, unborn child die after Mountain View shooting

Police say they detained a suspect at the scene of Sunday's shooting on North Park Street. Both deaths are now being investigated as homicides.
an airliner

NTSB says key bolts were missing from the door plug that blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9

According to preliminary NTSB findings, four key bolts were "missing" when a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 in midair last month.
homes

Alaska’s recent cold snap tested critical infrastructure, including in Mertarvik

The entire community was without electricity for more than three days, as subzero temperatures sapped the local generator's batteries.
a walrus's head poking out of the water

Microplastics found in body tissues of walruses harvested by Alaska hunters

“It’s a reflection of the plastic age we live in," said student researcher Tony Blade. "It’s ubiquitous."