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.”

‘Skyrocketing’ cases among Alaskans in their 20s and 30s driving new spike

Alaska recorded three straight days of more than 200 coronavirus cases beginning on Friday as a COVID-19 surge continues in the state.
A man about 60 with glasses, a white lab coat and a plastitc model spin in the background

After allegations against manager, Gross campaign says it has ‘gold standard’ harassment policy

We asked each Alaska Congressional campaign how they're handling issues of sexual harassment, and how they’re protecting workers in jobs that are notorious for their long hours, stressful working conditions and loose boundaries between the personal and professional.
Man sits next to sign that reads "Let me see her!!"

Kodiak man’s protest ends with no change to hospital visit policy

A Kodiak fisherman camped out for weeks in front of Providence hospital after he was denied entrance to see his daughter who was being treated there. But
Blue fabric bozes on rollers

Why some people appear to vote twice in Alaska’s election data

A "data hobbyist" says he found scores of examples of people voting more than once. But the Division of Elections says none of those votes were counted.
A plain looking building with a flag pole in front

33 inmates infected with coronavirus in Fairbanks prison

The facility is undergoing a 14-day quarantine.

Assembly reorganizes, elects Austin Quinn-Davidson to become interim mayor

The Anchorage Assembly voted to reorganize on Friday, electing Austin Quinn-Davidson to the role of Assembly chair. Following Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s resignation on October 23, Quinn-Davidson will become the interim mayor of Anchorage until the public elects a new mayor.
Lori Townsend talks with guests about village relocation during Alaska Insight.

Climate change is forcing some villages to move. What is the government doing to help? | Alaska Insight

Increasingly violent and frequent storms driven by climate change are becoming the new normal. The reliable freeze-up that would stabilize shorelines before heavy winter weather helped to protect Alaska’s coastal areas from extreme erosion.
Governor Dunleavy, wearing a greenish zip up jacket, gestures as he talks

Dunleavy’s court system vetoes because of abortion funding were illegal, judge says

Anchorage Superior Court Judge Jennifer Henderson ruled that Dunleavy’s vetoes of $334,700 both last year and this year violated the separation of powers doctrine. She also voided the veto for the current budget.
A person gets tested for coronavirus.

‘People have gotten a little bit lax’: Coronavirus cases projected to double in Anchorage every 25 days

Coronavirus cases are again on the rise in Alaska, and many of the infections are centered in Anchorage, which recently set a new record-high daily case count.
Senator Dan Sullivan speaking to the media

New poll finds Sullivan ahead in race to keep U.S. Senate seat

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan is leading challenger Al Gross in a new poll of likely Alaska voters.

LISTEN: How a TV interview led to Anchorage mayor’s resignation

Many questions remain unanswered, but reporting by the Anchorage Daily News has pinpointed an interview Friday as the trigger point for what exploded into a full-blown scandal.
An empty hallway in an elementary school

Anchorage School District plans to reopen classrooms for younger students next month

Anchorage School District Superintendent Deena Bishop acknowledged the high number of coronavirus cases, but said keeping kids out of classrooms is having too grave an impact on mental health.
A man in a ide vest and flannel on a computer screen

Pandemic dominates discussions as AFN convention goes virtual

With no booths to browse hand-crafted art pieces and attendees having to settle for virtual hugs, the 2020 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention was a drier affair than usual.
A woman in a green jacket and a blue and white shoulder bag knocks at a door

Alaska Census counting comes to an early end, with a stark divide in rural and urban response rates

The state has a 99.9% enumeration rate, according to the Census Bureau.
Seen frm behind, three travelers fill out forms in front of a white fold out table manned by two workers

Alaska eases restrictions on travel into and out of the state during pandemic

The quarantine requirement for people flying into Alaska without a negative test will be five days.
A woman with a respirator mask seen on an airplane

‘It was beyond belief’: Alaska Airlines removes passenger over mask dispute

The 75-year-old woman says she switched from an N95 to a respirator helmet once she was on board the plane. Alaska Airlines officials say they are investigating the incident.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy

After 3 aides test positive, Alaska Gov. Dunleavy says he’s negative and will test again

"I'm going in probably tomorrow for another test — I anticipate it's a negative," the governor said in a brief phone interview Thursday morning.
A hand with a blue glove drops a test tube in a ziploc bag held by two green hands.

Yukon-Kuskokwim COVID-19 spike shows pandemic could be ‘out of control’

Health officials are urging residents of the Y-K Delta to avoid all gatherings after 126 new cases were reported in the past two weeks.

Alaska GOP Gov. Dunleavy says he’ll vote no on oil-tax increase, election overhaul initiatives

Dunleavy said he thinks issues of taxation are better handled by state lawmakers than through the initiative process. And he says the proposed election overhaul is too complicated.
two assembly members at the Anchorage assembly meeting

With Anchorage’s mayor set to step down, a successor will be chosen Friday

The chair of the assembly assumes the mayorship in the case of a vacancy, but Felix Rivera could lose his chairmanship at a special assembly meeting Friday.