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.”

Anchorage’s Covenant House receives $1M federal grant to help foster youth before they age out

“We know a lot of them end up with us after a year anyway,” said Heidi Huppert, chief program officer at the youth homeless service provider.
A smiling woman at a podium and a man holding a campaign sign with a snowy backdrop

In Anchorage’s LaFrance-Bronson runoff election, the incumbent mayor is the underdog

Suzanne LaFrance outperformed Mayor Dave Bronson in campaign fundraising, the regular election results and a post-election poll.

Alaska House bill would require adult sites to verify users are 18 or older

Advocates say age verification would ensure minors aren't exposed to adult content. Opponents say it's not so simple.

Crew of fuel plane reported fire just before fatal crash near Fairbanks

Federal officials say the two people aboard the cargo plane reported the fire moments after takeoff and requested to return to the Fairbanks airport.

Divided Alaska House calls for stay of homeschool decision until mid-2025

The two-page “sense of the House” approved by a 20-18 vote Wednesday supports a stay of the judge’s ruling through the end of June 2025.

Alaska an important Special Operations training ground, as Arctic sees interest from Russia and China

U.S. Special Operations forces like Navy SEALs and Army Green Berets were training in Kodiak and Fairbanks this past winter.
Lina Khan

U.S. bans noncompete agreements for nearly all jobs

The FTC has voted to ban agreements that typically prevent workers from leaving their companies to join or start competing businesses.
woman on boat with video camera pointed at her.

Alaska Rep. Peltola stuns home region by defending Donlin gold mine, a project she used to oppose

Democrat Mary Peltola joined Alaska's U.S. senators on a legal brief defending the mine in a lawsuit brought by Kuskokwim tribes.
President Biden

President Biden signs law to ban TikTok nationwide unless it is sold

The measure was included in a foreign aid package providing support to Ukraine and Israel. TikTok has vowed to challenge the law in federal court.
a plane crash site

Fairbanks-area neighborhood shaken by fatal cargo plane crash

Federal Aviation Administration officials say both people aboard the plane died Tuesday when it crashed near Mike Emers' farm.

Alaska House committee nixes amendment raising age of consent from 16 to 18

The sponsor of the amendment, Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, says he'll try again when the bill returns to the House floor.
the Alaska State Capitol

Alaska Senate passes bill that ties hunting and fishing residency requirements to PFD eligibility

Wildlife troopers say the loose definition of residency under the current rules make it difficult to prosecute people who take advantage.
man in office with 'nick begich' signs

Begich makes a pledge: He’ll drop out of Alaska’s U.S. House race if Dahlstrom bests him in primary.

Begich says if other GOP candidates do the same, it would allow conservative voters to unite behind one candidate. Another solution: Ranking.
Danny and Orin Seybert

PenAir founder and Grumman Goose pilot Orin Seybert dies at 87

The founder of Peninsula Airways, Seybert was known for recognizing amphibious planes' ability to operate without runways in the Aleutian Islands.
Cathy Giessel

Alaska Senate considers plan that would allow teens to independently seek mental health care

An amendment from Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, would lower the age for obtaining behavioral health care to 16.
a homeless camp

Supreme Court appears to side with an Oregon city’s crackdown on homelessness

Justices heard an Oregon city's appeal of lower court rulings that it's "cruel and unusual" to fine or jail people on public land if no shelter is available.
A woman in a blue shirt and black cardigan gestures to floor plans on a table.

Anchorage middle schools prepare to include sixth grade starting this fall

Middle schools are rearranging floor plans, hiring teachers and adding portables to accommodate the students.
a burned fire station

Ketchikan borough declares disaster in fire-station fire

Firefighters say the April 9 blaze that swept through the South Tongass station appears to have started near one of the five vehicles it damaged.
students

After a dozen years, statewide Yup’ik language spelling bee going strong

Yup'ik and Inupiaq spelling bees, like those held earlier this month in Anchorage, are a relatively new experience for students.
a museum

‘Not in the business of just giving away our entire collections:’ Denver museum denies Lingít repatriations

Denver Post reporter Sam Tabachnik says the Denver Art Museum has a history of denying repatriation requests for tribal cultural items.