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 in a blue blazer holds a microphone and talks in front of a U.S. and Alaska flag.

First lady Jill Biden will visit Bethel on Wednesday

This will be the first visit to Bethel by any spouse of a sitting president, according to her office.
Crystal Worl

A formline salmon Alaska Airlines plane makes its inaugural flight

The Boeing 737, bearing a design by artist Crystal Worl depicting the salmon's life cycle, is named Xáat Kwáani, or Salmon People.
three people talk in the legislative meeting room

Alaska senators approve permanent increase to public school funding, with House support in question

If approved by the Alaska House and governor, it would be the largest-ever funding increase for Alaska public schools.
a woman and a baby

The child care crisis is hitting rural Alaska hard

Kotzebue has not had a state-licensed child care center since the last facility closed in 2011. It's considered a "child care desert," like much of the state.
Bert Stedman

Alaska Senate prepares ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ budget in attempt to finish session on time

If the situation is not resolved by Wednesday, the Legislature or Gov. Mike Dunleavy will be forced to call a special session to continue talks.
A man in a gray suit speaks into a microphone

Alaska House passes bill to increase jail time for fentanyl and other drug crimes

The bill faced pushback from critics about the efficacy of stricter sentences.
a fire blazes

Alaska sends firefighters, air tanker to help with Alberta’s ‘unprecedented’ early wildfire season

“This is the first time that we’ve sent a crew to Canada in May,” said Lily Coyle with the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Joe Biden and Alannah Hurley

In Rose Garden address, Biden celebrates with Alaskans opposed to Pebble mine

“Bristol Bay is an extraordinary place, unlike anywhere in the world,” the president said.
A snowy mountain peak

2 missing Denali National Park climbers are presumed dead, officials say

Eli Michel, 34, and Nafiun Awal, 32, were last heard from on May 5, when they checked in with a friend.
Seward

Seward welcomes first cruise ship, kicking off summer tourism season

The cruise ship Norwegian Jewel, which docked in Seward Monday, is the first of 102 scheduled to make port calls there this summer.
the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska Gov. Dunleavy reappoints Bethany Marcum to state redistricting board

A day after lawmakers declined to confirm Bethany Marcum to the University of Alaska Board of Regents, she was reappointed to her former job.
Anchorage City Hall

Former Anchorage employee who recorded Judy Eledge’s racist comments sues city for discrimination 

The former executive assistant also alleges discrimination against women among fire department leaders.
people rally outside

Anchorage police officers and city cleared in fatal shooting as judge tosses family’s lawsuit

Judge Sharon Gleason threw out all 11 of Bishar Hassan's family’s claims, citing video footage of the shooting.
a nurse administers a vaccine to a patient

The federal COVID-19 emergency is ending. Here’s what it means in Alaska.

You won't see drastic changes. Some changes won't take effect for months.
a podium that says AFN on it

2 major tribal groups’ departure from AFN raises questions about its future

Two regional tribal organizations have each cited different reasons for parting company with the Alaska Federation of Natives.
A woman speaks on the floor of th house

Legislature narrowly votes down Dunleavy’s University of Alaska Board of Regents nominee

Sen. Löki Tobin was among those opposed to Bethany Marcum's nomination. “Ms. Marcum has shown that she cannot uphold the public trust,” Tobin said.

Anchorage wildfire risk ‘keeps me awake at night,’ says fire chief

Anchorage Fire Chief Doug Schrage says, from his perspective, a fast-moving wildfire is the single biggest threat the city faces.
A man speaks at a podium

Anchorage School Board votes to change school start times beginning in fall 2024

Starting in fall of 2024, elementary school students will begin class at 8 a.m., followed by high school at 8:45 a.m. and middle school at 9:30 a.m.
a woman talks to people outside in a crowded space

Peltola braces for Supreme Court to undermine Indian Child Welfare Act

House Democrats defend ICWA and the "terrifying" historical context that brought Congress to pass it.