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 woman holds a dip net in the water

Little fish, big tradition: Alaskans embrace the culinary and cultural tradition of hooligan

Locals seek out the oily candlefish to preserve cultural heritage and to create new traditions through food.
Two crew men shovel a deck full of fish on board a large boat

Tons of fish caught in Russia sold in America, despite import ban

Fish valued at several hundred million dollars are able to evade the ban by diverting to China first.
A man in a beanie pours hot water into a mug.

Is Anchorage buying into the latest push to improve services and shelter for the homeless? 

Turnout was thin at a recent series of town halls on shelter concepts, and a goal to open a new shelter with higher standards by Nov. 1 is slipping.
A man in dive gear and a snorkle mask examines and octopus underwater.

Alaska researcher dives into the mysterious lives of octopuses in new book, ‘Many Things Under A Rock’

Dr. David Scheel's book is the culmination of many hours spent investigating octopuses underwater and in tide pools, with help from coastal Alaska's Indigenous people.
a line of toy cars and trucks on the ground

Alaska continues to rank among worst states for child well-being, report finds

In recent years, Alaska has consistently ranked in the bottom third among states of the annual Kids Count report for overall child well-being.
the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court leaves Indian Child Welfare Act intact

By a 7-to-2 vote, the court upheld the Indian Child Welfare Act's preferences for Native tribes when Indian children are adopted.

Former legislator Chris Tuck files to run for Anchorage mayor

Tuck joins incumbent Dave Bronson and former Anchorage Assembly chair Suzanne LaFrance in their bids for mayor.
the Northwest Arctic Borough building in Kotzebue

Internet outage closes government offices, businesses and university campus in Kotzebue

The City of Kotzebue saw a “complete outage” to all departments, with Northwest Arctic Borough officials' telephone and internet down.
two kids color at a table

As Alaska’s child care crisis looms, some businesses opt to launch centers for their employees’ kids

Companies with on-site child care report happier staff and better retention rates — especially as affordable child care becomes harder and harder to find. 
a group of fishermen

NOAA says revised analysis could allow Southeast king salmon troll fishing, despite ruling

A fisheries official says a summer troll season for king salmon in Southeast Alaska is possible, despite a federal judge’s recent ruling to the contrary.
two baby opossums wrapped in a pink blanket

Fifth child of Grubby captured in Homer’s opossum odyssey

A wildlife biologist says the search isn’t over. Opossum litters are usually eight or nine joeys — and can be as many as 13.
A man holds prescription drugs.

Alaska cancer treatment centers struggle with shortage of common chemo drugs

Two common chemotherapy drugs are in short supply in Alaska – cisplatin and carboplatin. Oncology centers across the country are struggling to keep the drugs in stock.
view of teller alaska

North America’s first known case of a rabid moose confirmed in Western Alaska

The moose had a wound from a fox bite, the likely means of transmission.
a man poses for a portrait outside in a kuspuk with glasses

Remembering Joe Senungetuk, a practitioner in the art of resistance

The Inupiaq artist, who died on May 31, leaves behind many contemporary art fans who loved his carvings, sculptures, and paintings.
a person stands in front of a truck

A shortage of heat pump installers is slowing climate action in Southeast Alaska

Swapping out oil-based heating systems for heat pumps is one of the best ways for homeowners to shrink their carbon footprints. But in communities like Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka, heat pump installers are struggling to keep up.
shipping containers on a ship

Port of Seattle closure could cause cargo delays for Alaska

About 90% of Alaska’s goods arrive by ship or barge, and most of that comes via Seattle.
A ship in the water

Cut cable causes internet and cellphone outages in Arctic Alaska

Quintillion President Mike McHale said a full restoration of internet and some cellphone service could take up to two months.

Counterfeit pills with fentanyl flood Alaska’s black market

Overdose deaths have been rising in Alaska for the past several years. Most of that is due to illegal fentanyl. And, it’s been showing up more and more in pills that look like prescription drugs, but are counterfeit.
Crooked Creek flooding

Crooked Creek struggles to rebuild after historic breakup flooding

Last month's 15-mile-long ice jam inundated homes, led to a significant loss of stored food and washed away critical fishing gear.
a student

Alaska state school board advances proposal to ban trans girls from girls high school sports teams

An almost-unanimous decision will open a 30-day public comment period on the idea.