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 hike in a rainjacket, wet from the rain

They logged on to watch the famous fat brown bears. They saved a hiker’s life instead.

A hiker wandered into view of a Katmai National Park bear camera last week, mouthing the words "help me."

Elders and Youth conference kicks off today in Fairbanks

More than a thousand Alaska Natives, young and old, from across the state are meeting today at the 33rd annual Elders and Youth conference. The event, hosted by the First Alaskans Institute, is usually an opportunity for 13- to 18-year-olds to learn about leadership, civic engagement and consensus building alongside their elders. Listen Now
Three newspapers one on top of the other with the title "Skagway News"

A Skagway newspaper owner was turned back at the Canadian border. Agents deemed her return home “non-essential”

When Canadian border agents deemed one Skagway News publisher’s trip back to Skagway non-essential, it left her operating a local paper… remotely. Gretchen Wehmhoff and...

Trump signs Sullivan bill aimed at reducing plastic waste in ocean

The "Save Our Seas" law encourages the executive branch to take up the problem of plastic waste internationally. It was sponsored by Sullivan and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. Listen now
A dog team tied up in a harness

Kuskokwim mushers cope with extreme cold, rain and glare ice: ‘It’s been weird’

Some Kuskokwim mushers competing in this weekend’s K300 race say that they’ve been contending with some of the most challenging training conditions of their careers.
pilings along a body water, two container cranes and a cargo ship

Port project cost estimate doubles to nearly $2B

According to the latest estimate, overdue repairs will be twice as expensive as originally forecasted, leaving city officials are dismayed.
Gov. Dunleavy speaks from behind a lectern with health commissioner Adam Crum standing beside him

Governor announces official split of Alaska health and social services department

Under the change, there will be a Department of Health and a Department of Family and Community Services.
A person smokes a blunt

Pandemic puts pause on on-site use for some Alaska pot shops

In 2020 regulators approved two on-site cannabis lounges in Alaska, but because of pandemic restrictions they haven't been able to open.

Anticipating a busy election season, Alaska constitutional convention opponents launch early campaign

A new bipartisan group, citing unusual interest in Alaska’s once-per-decade constitutional convention ballot question, has launched a new campaign to convince voters to reject a convention that could significantly change the state’s laws and government.
Two muppets stand together.

Sesame Street makes history with the debut of its first Asian American muppet

What's in a name? Well, for Ji-Young, the newest muppet resident of "Sesame Street," her name is a sign she was meant to live there.

Search for two missing Juneau men fruitless so far

There's still no sign of two Juneau men missing since Saturday on a flight from Young Lake on Admiralty Island. But today’s weather has...

Injunction Plugs Water Utility Strike

A utility workers strike in Anchorage has been averted, due to health concerns. Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility workers voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to go on strike.

Pro-Union Delta Western Workers Press On

Last week, a handful of Delta Western fuel supply employees in Unalaska kicked off an effort to unionize by going on strike. They’re pressing ahead — even after a visit from the company president. Download Audio

One People Canoe Society to paddle for Standing Rock Tribe to protest controversial pipeline

Members of the One People Canoe Society will travel this week from Alaska to North Dakota to paddle in protest over a controversial pipeline. Listen now

For Yukon-Kuskokwim elders, pandemic brings back memories of TB

Elders who have live through past pandemics shared stories about the dangers of not listening to health guidelines during pandemics.
People waitiing in line at a counter at the PFD office

PFDs will start going out to Alaskans on Sept. 20, says governor’s office

This year’s $3,200-per-person payout includes a $650 payment meant to offset high energy costs.

AK: Fairbanks Four’s plight inspires musician’s latest composition

The Fairbanks Four’s release from prison last year inspired virtuoso Emerson Eads to compose a piece titled “Mass for the Oppressed.” Eads has lined up some impressive talent to perform the piece next month, and he’s arranged for proceeds from sales of the production to go to an organization that represented the four Alaska Native men in court. Listen Now
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Coronavirus FAQ: I’m a one-way masker. With mask mandates going away, is that helpful?

Even as mask mandates on transportation and public spaces are being lifted, some folks still want to mask up to reduce the risk of a coronavirus infection. Here's a guide to one-way masking.

Murkowski breaks GOP ranks to confirm Jackson as first Black woman to Supreme Court

Ketanji Brown Jackson is highly qualified and will ensure the court better represents America, Murkowski said.

Alaska Legislature prepares to sue governor over school funding

Lawmakers say they hope a lawsuit won’t be needed. But lawyers for the Legislature and the Dunleavy administration differ on whether a law passed last year can provide funding for next school year.