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.”

Legislature rejects Dunleavy appointees to state school board and commercial fishing agency

Members of the House and Senate objected to alleged ethics violations by Bob Griffin, who has sat on the state board for five years. 
a whale

Close encounters with curious Juneau killer whale a reminder of city’s wild nature

There were at least three reports of close encounters with a teenage female orca in the ocean around Juneau in a single day at the end of April.
lawmakers

Alaska House committee kills state-owned corporation’s plan to borrow up to $300M

The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority did not identify specific projects or a timeline for spending.
A gray concrete building labeled Eklutna Power Plant along a snowy road

The governor has a big decision to make about the Eklutna River and hydro project. Here’s what to know. 

The governor has an Oct. 2 deadline to review the plan, comments, any alternatives, and try to smooth out any disagreements.

Competing Alaska House and Senate bills propose fixes to homeschool laws ruled unconstitutional

After a judge ruled Alaska's correspondence school program violates the state Constitution, lawmakers are looking for a way forward.
an oil and gas platform in the water

This oil platform stopped pumping 30 years ago. Alaska still won’t make the owner tear it down.

Owners can put off the costly process of tearing down the platforms using a strategy one critic calls “delay, deny and diddle around.” And in Alaska, the state has let them do it — for decades.
A campaign sign supporting Mayor Dave Bronson's reelection vandalized with "Free Palestine"

Anchorage woman charged with vandalizing Bronson campaign signs

Police charged a 27-year-old East Anchorage woman with two felonies and a misdemeanor in connection with 14 vandalized campaign signs.
Blue and red police lights.

Wasilla woman struck and killed by Alaska Railroad train

Wasilla police say Diana Wilson, 48, was lying in the freight train's path Friday night, but investigators haven't determined why.
A woman in a black graduation gown walks up to a podium.

UAA graduation is extra sweet for students who missed high school ceremonies 4 years ago

Sunday’s ceremony stands in contrast to four years ago, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought in-person gatherings to a halt across the globe.
a utility room

A utility room under Mertarvik’s public school is full of raw sewage

Excrement has been backing up into the building for months, but the tribal council that owns it had no idea how bad things were until recently.
a wireless tower

GCI mobile customers in Bethel demand answers after weeks of call issues

The telecom firm says the problem is now fixed. But business owners say they've been hurt by spotty service for incoming calls in April.
The back of a police vehicle

Fort Wainwright soldier fatally shot outside Fairbanks bar

Police say Shamar Snipes, 21, and Sharif Makkar, 27, were initially charged with assault after the shooting early Saturday of Brandon Moultrie.
a car

State halts work on expanded arrest authority for Chickaloon tribal officers

Citing local concerns, Alaska's Public Safety commissioner said the state was not pursuing new commissions for Chickaloon tribal police around Sutton.
A woman in a red outfit sits at a desk with a screen behind her talking to another woman.

Judy Woodruff discusses political division in America | Alaska Insight

Judy Woodruff joins Lori Townsend to discuss political division on this Alaska Insight.
A man in a black hoodie and black rubber gloves cuts through marbled bowhead whale meat with a knife.

For one Utqiaġvik family, spring bowhead whaling marks an important milestone

The Aaluk Crew landed Utqiaġvik's first bowhead whale of the spring season last week. It was also 17-year-old striker Donald "Button" Adams' first catch.
A man and a woman ask each-other questions at a podium.

Bronson, LaFrance offer different views and priorities in Alaska Public Media-ADN mayoral runoff debate

Bronson centered homelessness in his debate remarks, while LaFrance focused on providing basic city services.
A sign reads "Nesbett Courthouse," behind the sign, pedestrians walk on the sidewalk.

Homeschool ruling is on hold — but only through the end of June, judge rules

The judge’s order denying the state’s motion for a longer stay of the ruling also clarifies key aspects of the case.
2024 Anchorage Mayoral Runoff Debate broadcast or stream. Love on Facebook and YouTube. Logos: Anchorage Daily News and Alaska Public Media. Image of moderators Tom Hewitt and Lori Townsend.

Watch our 2024 Anchorage Mayoral Runoff Debate

Incumbent Dave Bronson and challenger Suzanne LaFrance shared their plans for Anchorage during our live mayoral debate.

Dunleavy says lawmakers shouldn’t pass bills to address homeschool decision. Lawmakers say that’s risky.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy is calling on lawmakers to pause their efforts to address a court ruling that threatens the state’s homeschool system, saying they...
a crash site

Burning engine fell from plane just before fatal crash near Fairbanks, NTSB says

The NTSB's Clint Johnson says video and witness reports of the fire are "a key piece of evidence" in the April 23 crash, which killed both crew members.