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 pumpkin drop

Kenai air show’s Pumpkin Drop shows kids a gourd time

The annual event sees small-plane pilots compete to land their pumpkin closest to a target.
a speech

Alaska Bush Caucus assesses its impact ahead of upcoming session

All six members of the caucus took to the stage during this year’s Alaska Federation of Natives convention in Anchorage.
a refuge

State-owned Alaska corporation approves up to $20M for potential Arctic refuge oil bid

The federal government is required under a 2017 law to hold an oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic refuge before the end of the year.
flooding

Kotzebue flooding declared state disaster as residents recover

At least one home collapsed into Kotzebue Sound during Tuesday's flooding, which forced more than 80 people to evacuate.
Donald Trump

Jailed reporters, silenced networks: What Trump says he’d do to the media if elected

Trump says he'll jail reporters who won't give up the sources of leaks and strip networks of broadcast licenses for fact-checking him.

Alaska healthcare facilities conserve IV fluids during national shortage

After Hurricane Helene hit a major production facility, hospitals aim to prevent a severe crisis.
snails

Fish, snails among survivors of Cooper Landing house fire

No one was injured in the fire, which happened Sunday after a wood stove chimney failed.
flooding

Juneau approves $2M for flood barriers, despite opposition to flooding plan

At a meeting Monday night, members of the Juneau Assembly and the public expressed hesitation about the city’s flood fighting plan.
a debate

On development, Peltola follows the lead of Alaska’s regional Native corporations

Rep. Mary Peltola is in a close race against Republican Nick Begich, who has criticized her on the state’s mining and drilling projects.
flooding

Coastal storm flooding hits Kotzebue-area communities

Kotzebue water levels Tuesday were 3 to 4 feet above the normal high tide line, with “significant beach erosion” likely.
a woman

Cruise line apologizes to Juneau leaders for surprise port announcement

A cruise line executive said the proposed project with Goldbelt, Inc. will help address summer congestion in downtown Juneau.

For more than a century, a fish plant fueled King Cove’s economy. Without it, can the community survive?

The seafood industry around the world has faced market turmoil. Few Alaska communities have been hit harder than King Cove.
candidates

As early voting opens, Peltola and Begich meet for last face-to-face forum before Election Day

The two leading candidates in Alaska’s U.S. House election appeared at a forum hosted by the Anchorage Chamber.
Rosita Worl

Alaskan Rosita Worl honored at White House with National Humanities Medal

Kaaháni Rosita Worl was one of 10 Americans to receive the 2023 National Humanities Medal from President Joe Biden Monday.
Nome

Army Corps cancels Nome port expansion contracting over costs

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the $662.5 million proposed cost exceeded limits set by federal law and available funding.
the Kremlin

U.S. intel officials say Russia is behind attempts to smear Tim Walz

Intelligence officials say Russia was behind a video making lurid and false claims about the Democratic vice-presidential candidate.
A police car marked as Anchorage Police.

Driver charged with DUI, assault after hitting pedestrian in downtown Anchorage

Police say Ariel Maskrey, 28, is also charged with leaving the scene of the Saturday crash, which left the victim with a cracked skull.
a woman

Juneau’s Vera Starbard named next Alaska State Writer Laureate

Starbard, a playwright, magazine editor and Emmy-nominated television writer, plans to uplift Alaska Native storytelling.
election materials

Alaska’s first votes appear to show disproportionately high Democratic interest

Through Friday, the 6,736 early Alaska votes in the November election disproportionately came from registered Democrats.
"I vote because I love salmon" is the message on a white board

Advocates seize AFN convention as opportunity to rally the Native vote

The campaign to boost Alaska Native turnout was in high gear at the annual gathering of the Alaska Federation of Natives.