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.”

two people sit at a desk

Alaska Senate OKs increased access to birth control

Alaskans may access up to 12 months worth of contraceptives at a time and without a co-pay from the state’s pharmacies if the bill becomes law.
the Alaska Capitol

Brinksmanship and compromise emerge in Alaska’s Capitol as legislative session nears an end

Legislators are combining varied pieces of legislation to get them across the finish line in the state Capitol.
a person speaks behind a podium

Sudden ANTHC leadership change: Valerie Davidson no longer at the helm

The news traveled fast to her old boss, former Gov. Bill Walker, who said he’s both surprised and dismayed.
money

California says restaurants must bake all of their add-on fees into menu prices

Starting July 1, California restaurant menus must list comprehensive prices for each item, with all mandatory charges baked into one figure.
a truck drives through water

Kuskokwim River breakup floods roads, impacts drinking water for some communities

As of Thursday, river observers said there had not been any reported flooding impacts to structures like homes or businesses.

Alaskans suing state over food assistance delays ask judge to order faster application processing

The director of the state’s Division of Public Assistance says that over the past few months, the situation has improved considerably.
a trooper car

Wasilla bingo-hall worker followed woman home to steal her winnings, troopers say

Troopers say Big Valley Bingo employee Jeremy McMillan, 36, stole a purse containing the woman's winnings Wednesday night.
a metal fence runs down a concrete median on a busy road

Backlash to ‘cheese grater’ fence in Anchorage triggers changes to DOT outreach 

The state transportation department says the fence isn’t going away, but the minor drama will lead to more outreach on similar projects going forward.
a crash site

State decides against cleanup at site of fatal fuel plane crash near Fairbanks

State officials say they plan to monitor the site, where nearly all of the 4,700 gallons of liquid fuel aboard the Douglas C-54 burned in the crash.
a sign outside a building says NANA

Alaska Native corporation ending involvement in controversial Ambler road project

NANA Regional Corp. says it supports mining development in the region, but it objects to the way the road project is being managed by the state entity sponsoring it.
A man in a green shirt speaking.

As Anchorage wildfire season creeps in, Hillside residents prepare for the worst

Experts say it's not a matter of if but when a large blaze impacts the South Anchorage neighborhood.
snow

Anchorage sets new record for getting an inch of snow this late in the season

Yes, the city's official measuring station has recorded later snowfalls — but none that come in at an inch or more.
Japanese energy officials

Could Alaska be the final destination for Japan’s carbon pollution?

A new federal study reflects growing interest in injecting and storing climate-warming carbon pollution in underground reservoirs in Alaska.
oil and gas platforms in the water

Alaska Legislature heads into session’s homestretch with energy-related bills still on the table

That’s as gas producers warn that Cook Inlet natural gas supplies are dwindling, threatening higher prices.
an ice jam

10-mile Lower Kuskokwim ice jam causes flooding, high water

RiverWatch officials say the jam has led to flooding and high water in Tuluksak and Akiak, and could impact downstream communities as well.
a dog

Rabies prompts new CDC rules for bringing dogs to the U.S.

Owners must confirm dogs either have a valid rabies vaccine or haven't been in a country where rabies is endemic in the last six months.
a family

Alaska Wildlife Troopers dedicate patrol vessel to former Unalaska trooper

The P/V Arduser is named after retired Trooper Alex Arduser, who died one year ago while on a hunting trip in Prince William Sound.
Cathy Tilton

Lawsuit seeks to change Alaska legislative policy on vetoes, but the plaintiff is offering a deal

Jeff Landfield, owner of the Alaska Landmine, filed a lawsuit against Speaker of the House Cathy Tilton.
a cruise ship

Man arrested in Juneau stabbed multiple people on cruise ship, FBI says

Ntando Sogoni was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, after he allegedly attacked five people aboard the Norwegian Encore.
ship in icy waters

The U.S. was supposed to get keys to a new heavy icebreaker this year. Instead, construction is years late as costs soar.

The cost to build three Coast Guard icebreakers is 250% higher than initially projected. The first cutter is delayed until at least 2029.