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 power plant

Demolition of Fort Greely’s old nuclear plant to begin this year

More than 50 years after the plant was decommissioned, the building that housed the reactor is scheduled for demolition.

Fire destroys Selawik church

The Friend's Church in the village of Selawik was destroyed by a fire this morning. David Shurtleff, APRN - Anchorage

Bill Allen takes the stand in Ted Stevens trial

The government’s star witness took the stand today in the trial of Senator Ted Stevens.  Bill Allen was once a respected businessman in Alaska,...
A person gets tested for coronavirus.

State reports small number of ‘breakthrough’ COVID-19 cases in fully-vaccinated Alaskans

State health officials reported that one-tenth of 1% of vaccinated Alaskans tested positive for COVID-19 in February and March, and most did not have symptoms.
a woman in a face mask

State Sen. Gray-Jackson becomes first Democrat in US Senate race

The Anchorage legislator says she would work to support access to abortion rights, voting and health care.

Polar Bear Status Up For Debate

Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC Whether the polar bear is endangered, threatened, or doing just fine was debated in federal court Wednesday...

Interior Department Releases Drilling Plans

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced today plans for oil and gas leasing on public lands next year – including in the National Petroleum...

Group seeking Dunleavy recall isn’t stopping at minimum as it continues to gather signatures

A Recall Dunleavy organizer says the campaign isn’t slowing down after the veto reversals.

Assembly reorganizes, elects Austin Quinn-Davidson to become interim mayor

The Anchorage Assembly voted to reorganize on Friday, electing Austin Quinn-Davidson to the role of Assembly chair. Following Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s resignation on October 23, Quinn-Davidson will become the interim mayor of Anchorage until the public elects a new mayor.

Kenai and Sitka newspapers misreported voter eligibility before primary

Fewer than 100 votes could have made the difference in two races in the Kenai area. Listen now 

McCaskill Taking Aim at 8(a) Contracts

Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill is taking aim at the special breaks given to Alaska Native Corporations seeking federal...
A wooden dilapidated building

Alaska spent millions. So why is this historic building still a wreck?

The Jesse Lee Home is a nearly century-old former children's home and the birthplace of the Alaska state flag. The nonprofit Friends of the Jesse Lee Home had millions in grants and more than a decade to fix it up, but they now say time is running out. The problem, according to state officials, is that the group mismanaged state funds. Now the Jesse Lee Home is closer than ever to being demolished. Listen now
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.

All Alaska Carrs stores targeted for sale in Kroger-Albertsons merger plan

The stores set to be sold include all 11 Carrs locations in Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer and Wasilla.

Delta school district turns to feds to demolish old school

The Delta Greely School District wants to get rid of an old, unused schoolhouse on Fort Greely. But it can’t afford to demolish the structure, and the Army and state government have turned down requests by the district to pay those costs.
a shipping facility

2 Alaska seafood shipping companies settle suit over miniature railway for $9.5M

A 100-foot railway used by the companies to transport seafood from Maine into Canada and back violated the federal Jones Act.
A white person in a suit speaks from a podium

Dunleavy adds proposed $2,350 PFDs to special session agenda

Without the move, it was possible Alaskans wouldn’t receive PFDs this fall for the first time in 40 years. 

With tweaks, Alaska Supreme Court rules Yes for Salmon can go on ballot

The Alaska Supreme Court today ruled that only certain provisions of the controversial ballot initiative are unconstitutional. Whether the rest becomes state law will be up to Alaska voters. Listen now
An empty cafeteria gym

Kenai Borough mayor attacks school district’s mask policy

With five weeks remaining before summer break, the Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor is publicly challenging the school district on its COVID-19 mitigation protocols.
A long line of people on bikes. At the front, two people on bikes have toddlers riding right behind their handlebars.

Cyclists flood Anchorage streets for the second annual ‘Critical Mass’ ride

The large group bike ride aimed to raise awareness of the need for more cycling infrastructure.