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 picture of Anchorage Alaska's skyline.

Haze from Canada wildfires coming to Southcentral Alaska this week

The smoke is from numerous wildfires burning in Canada’s Yukon Territory.
a woman stands at a podium

Fewer classroom days, shorter hours and face masks: Anchorage School District announces plan for next month

The state’s largest school district says students will go into classrooms just two days a week when the school year begins next month. It hopes to later have students in the classroom five days.

Uluao ‘Junior’ Aumavae brings community and personal experience to Anchorage’s top equity job

The former NFL player says strong community ties and diversity and equity programs got him to where he is today. He hopes to provide the same opportunities for Anchorage residents.
a boat called "Aleutian Ballad" iss docked

‘Deadliest Catch’ boat donates $28k to Metlakatla in honor of those lost at sea

The crew was inspired by a recent documentary about Alaska’s only Native reserve.

Alaska Human Rights Commission proposes regulation changes to protect LGBTQ community

Alaska's Human Rights Commission is taking steps to legally protect members of the LGBTQ community from discrimination. Listen Now
Japanese energy officials

Could Alaska be the final destination for Japan’s carbon pollution?

A new federal study reflects growing interest in injecting and storing climate-warming carbon pollution in underground reservoirs in Alaska.

Bill Weimer sentenced to 6 months in prison

Another figure in Alaska's ongoing political corruption scandal is headed to prison. Former Alaska businessman Bill Weimar was sentenced to six months in prison,...
Salmon in bright red spawning colors pool underwater

Fishermen, state, in flux after circuit court overturns state control of Cook Inlet salmon

In Cook Inlet, managing the salmon runs for commercial, sport and subsistence interests is so controversial, it’s often called a fish war.
a landscape photo, sea ice

Missing Noorvik-bound snowmachiner found dead

Searchers found Thomas Brown's body about 10.5 miles from Kotzebue, near Cape Blossom. 

Monday’s Three to Read: catch up on Iditarod 44

39 minutes separate Dallas Seavey from his father, Mitch Seavey, in the final stretch of the 2016 Iditarod. Brent Sass is in pursuit in the third position as the race comes to a sprint finish. Dallas Seavey pulled into White Mountain at 9:48 Monday--the exact same time of his record-setting 2014 win. But between White Mountain and Nome that year, a ground blizzard ended the race for then-leader Jeff King, and Dallas pushed through the Safety checkpoint and past Aliy Zirkle for the win.
a ticket counter

Former Yute Commuter Service manager charged in $200K embezzlement case

Prosecutors say Nathan McCabe, 40, defrauded Yute and Bethel's Riverside Apartments of the funds over a period of several months.

New legislation aims to enshrine PFDs in constitution

Members of the House majority have introduced legislation to enshrine Permanent Fund dividends into the Alaska Constitution. Dividends would be at least $1,250 each year. Listen now
man in suit jacket looks at camera in crowded room

Alaska Gov. Dunleavy’s policy adviser who said ‘divorce is worse than rape’ resigns

Jeremy Cubas made $110,000 a year as Gov. Dunleavy’s pro-family policy adviser. On his podcast, Cubas defended Hitler, used racist slurs and said a man raping his wife is "an impossible act.”

The Economic forecast for recession relief

Alaska has been in recession for more than three years. Our unemployment rate is currently the highest in the nation. Will the recession continue into next year or are there signs that job loss is slowing and stability may return? Are recovery and growth are on the horizon? Listen now

Rep. Young apologizes for his ‘offending words’ on House floor

Judged against his past statements, what Young said about a freshman Democrat was nothing spectacular. But then Young did something unusual: He made nice. Listen now

Senator Begich to Question Petraeus About Afghanistan War

Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC Alaskan Senator Mark Begich will get a chance tomorrow to publicly quiz the President’s pick to run the Afghanistan...
a tidal generator

A Juneau inventor wants to bring ocean energy to your outlets

Tidal power could be an alternative to burning fossil fuels like diesel and natural gas, which is driving human-caused climate change.

Valdez school district gives $1,500 to each teacher and staff member as thank you during difficult pandemic

The money comes from federal COVID-19 relief funds, and the district hopes sharing the money directly with its employees will help retain and recruit staff as the pandemic continues.

ACLU sues Dunleavy over “punitive” cuts to court system

The civil rights group claims that the move by the governor infringes on the separation of powers laid out in Alaska's constitution.
A map showing Southcentral alaska with an orange dot

5.9 earthquake shakes Kenai and Southcentral

A 5.9-magnitude earthquake centered in Lake Clark National Park shook the Kenai Peninsula and Southcentral Alaska Tuesday at aboout 1:40 p.m.