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 screenshot

All the news that’s fit to reprint: AI and plagiarism drive revamped Tundra Drums website

The motives for resurrecting a storied Bethel newspaper's website to hoover up a wide range of Alaska content remain unclear.
salmon

Bristol Bay sees smallest sockeye sizes on record, despite large run

Sockeye salmon returning to Bristol Bay this year were, on average, the smallest the Alaska Department of Fish and Game has ever seen.
a fire

Human remains found after reported gunshots and fire at Aniak home, troopers say

Residents who reported hearing gunfire Thursday put out the blaze. Troopers have not yet identified remains found in the home.
a hospital

Juneau’s hospital closes its crisis care unit less than a year after opening it

Bartlett Regional Hospital spokesperson Erin Hardin said the closure is due to a lack of funding and staff to keep the program afloat.
soldiers

Alaska highlighted in new Department of Defense Arctic strategy

The newly released strategy cites Alaska’s role in protecting the homeland from increased Russian and Chinese threats.
a building

Ketchikan Borough recovers $625K stolen by email hacker

The borough announced Thursday that all but $23.84 of the lost funds had been deposited back into a borough account.
a man

Maduro and opposition both claim victory in Venezuela’s presidential election

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed "serious concerns" that the result did not reflect the vote of the Venezuelan people.
a man wearing glasses in a suit and tie smiling for a portrait

In third act of Anchorage’s accounting ‘cautionary tale,’ a CFO races to close $147M deal

The city nearly missed a critical window to secure huge amounts of capital needed to pay for voter-approved infrastructure projects.
Man stands with dip-net

It’s dipnetting season, and Alaskans say the annual tradition is about more than just filling their freezers

Alaskans fishing in Kenai said they enjoyed spending time with family and the sense of community built on the busy beach.
dogs

CDC amends new rules for dogs entering U.S.

The new rules will still introduce some novel requirements starting Aug. 1.
a jeep getting delivered to a dealership

U.S. automakers had a punishing week — with a silver lining for shoppers

The four major U.S. automakers — GM, Ford, Stellantis and Tesla — all reported earnings this week and saw their stocks decline.
a floatplane tied in the water

Bill mandating end to use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams becomes law in Alaska

The new law requires a switch to PFAS-free foams by Jan. 1 and sets up a system to help rural villages get rid of them.
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Ranked choice voting repeal effort survived legal challenges, qualifies for the ballot in November

Officials with the state’s Division of Elections confirmed the repeal effort gathered enough signatures in the requisite number of districts.
woman in striped jacket

Peltola votes with GOP to criticize Kamala Harris for border security

Alaska's congresswoman was among 6 Democrats voting for the non-binding measure. Harris isn't in charge of border security.
a parking lot

No charges against 3 Anchorage officers in fatal shooting of man who drew gun on them

State prosecutors say the officers' body cameras confirmed that Tyler May aimed a pistol at them before they shot him on June 3.
a smiling girl

For Anchorage teens in search of summer work, odd jobs are a profitable niche

A Facebook group called Alaska Teens for Hire is a hub for 13 to 19 year olds looking for work and adults who have an odd job to offer.
a rocket

Rocket suffers ‘irrecoverable damage’ in fire at Kodiak spaceport

Friday's fire is the second Kodiak mishap for ABL Space Systems, after a rocket crash-landed when it was launched last year.
a statue

New Juneau statue remembers ‘Titanic of the Pacific’s’ mythical sole survivor

A statue of Tommy the dog now stands in Juneau's Tee Harbor, near where he reportedly swam to shore after the 1918 sinking of the SS Princess Sophia.
A car parked near trees.

Man missing on Yukon River for 5 days found safe

Troopers say Robert Peter was found Wednesday along the river near Beaver, after he was reported overdue to Fort Yukon Saturday.
Gabrielle LeDoux

Former Alaska legislator’s voter misconduct trial postponed, again

The trial has been rescheduled at least four times since Gabrielle LeDoux and two associates were accused of voter misconduct in 2020.