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.”

Brent Sass

Sass makes it 6 as Yukon Quest victory aims him at Iditarod

Brent Sass credits his lead dogs and a lighter sled for his sixth Quest win Monday, as his team sets its sights on the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Donald Trump

Federal appeals court rules Trump doesn’t have broad immunity from prosecution

Tuesday's decision comes at a crucial time for both Donald Trump and the federal case against him. He has said he will appeal the ruling.

Willow opponents try again, this time in a U.S. appeals court, to block ConocoPhillips oil development in Alaska

At the 9th Circuit, opponents of the Arctic drilling endeavor said the government didn't fully consider climate impacts before approving it.
hearing room

Alaska school administrators urge action on ‘crisis’ in teacher hiring and turnover

"We are struggling in the worst crisis Alaska has ever seen in terms of turnover. We can't recruit teachers," said Lisa Parady, who leads the Alaska Council of School Administrators.
bears

Kodiak bear cubs caught on video after escaping from Florida trainer

Body camera footage shows an unusually playful interaction between the cubs and two people who found them on a Florida road in December.
a woman looks at treasures

In this Anchorage Facebook group, they find ‘Olive the Things,’ plus a nicer view of humanity

At 19,000-people strong, the group can help you find everything from a hedgehog to a plumber. Sometimes “Olives” go above and beyond.
Sarah Vance

Alaska House votes to advance bill that would trim state voter rolls more quickly

Statistics show that Alaska has 108% of its 20-and-older population registered to vote on state rolls.
A small brown tundra vole sits in a pair of human hands.

Alaska’s Arctic and boreal ecosystems see climate change-driven ‘microbial awakening’

Permafrost thaw is creating opportunities for fungi and bacteria to thrive, transforming northern food webs, according to a new study.
a man

A woman stole a memory card from a truck. The gruesome footage is now key to an Alaska murder trial.

The trial of Brian Steven Smith, accused of killing two Alaska Native women, is set to begin more than four years after the memory card was turned in.
two men at a meeting table

An appraiser told Anchorage its property was worth $3M. The city sold it to the former mayor for $2M.

The municipal board that approved the sale — and a below-market lease — includes two members with ties to former mayor and former U.S. Sen. Mark Begich.
A hand places a paper ballot in a ballot box.

What do you want to ask Anchorage mayoral candidates?

Send us your questions to help inform our candidate questionnaires for the April 2 election.
food pallets

Alaska’s federal food stamp funding at risk, USDA letter warns 

The state may lose funding if it continues to break federal rules, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
a news conference

In downtown Portland’s fentanyl crisis, Oregon leaders declare emergency

The emergency plan establishes a “command center,” where city, county and state staff will triage individual fentanyl users' resource needs.
A woman in a blazer smiles at the camera.

Dahlstrom’s campaign account gets a boost from allies of U.S. House speaker

Dahlstrom raised $200,000 in a little more than six weeks. She announced in November that she’s challenging Democratic Congresswoman Mary Peltola.
lawmakers

Alaska senator proposes more armed staff or volunteers in schools

Senate Bill 173, from Republican Shelley Hughes, received its first hearing last week and has received a tide of opposition.
school bus in front of building

A closer look at the Harvard charter school study making waves in Juneau

A new study ranks Alaska's charter schools No. 1 in the nation. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has cited the study in calls to expand charter schools.
a hat

2 found dead after residential fires in Mat-Su

Troopers say a Sutton man escaped one of Tuesday's blazes but died outside afterward, with a Wasilla trailer fire victim still unidentified.
Class desks in front of clear windows with alternated yellow and blue tints

ACLU sues Mat-Su school district over bathroom policy for transgender students

The lawsuit alleges that the district violated the student’s constitutional rights to privacy and equal protection.
a woman speaks to a crowd in a meeting room

Alaska Senate passes new pension program for state employees, but final approval is in question

The legislation could bring new benefits to as many as 37,000 Alaskans.
a person walking by a sign

Kensington Mine cuts 20% of pay for some hourly employees, citing financial woes

In a memo sent in early January, the mine’s general manager said the mine will struggle to remain viable if it does not find ways to reduce costs.