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 brown bear stand in shallow water looking across the water.

Fish runs and berries are down, bear break-ins in Southeast Alaska are way up

Some biologists think the trend is related to the reduced hunting pressure from Outside hunters this year.
A roll of "I voted" stickers with the blue alaska flag nexxt to secrecy folders

Civil rights groups have a request: drop the witness signature on ballots

Even before the pandemic, the No. 1 cause of ballot rejection is the lack of a witness signature.
a sign says "We accept Quest/EBT cards"

After troubled rollout, state extends deadline for new food aid program for Alaska children

Under the pandemic-EBT program, tens of thousands of Alaska school-aged children are eligible for hundreds of dollars to help pay for groceries.
An empty hallway with a long corkboard on the wall that's empty as well

Cluster of COVID-19 cases closes three schools in Mat-Su School District

Students at those schools will be learning online while the schools are sanitized and a contact tracing investigation begins.

Funerals in Anchorage are being delayed more than a year during COVID

Funerals are just another aspect of life that has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In Anchorage, some families are postponing burial services, and others are forgoing them altogether.
A satellite image of Red Dog mine's pits flooded with water.

As Arctic warming accelerates, permafrost thaw hits Red Dog mine with $20 million bill

The problems at Red Dog, one of the world’s largest zinc mines, show how climate change poses a challenge not just to residents of Arctic Alaska, but also to the economy of the region, which is warming at triple the rate of the global average.
A outboard boat is upside down next to a large cargo facility.

Unalaska records 120 mph winds during record-breaking August storm

The winds came during a storm from the remnants of Typhoon Bavi.
Words on a building red building that say "Brother Francis Shelter. 1021 E. 3rd Ave."

City is ‘cautiously optimistic’ it has a handle on COVID-19 outbreak at Anchorage shelter

Municipal Manager Bill Falsey says that, so far, test results don't indicate widespread COVID-19 infection at Anchorage shelters outside of Brother Francis.
A white man with a bald head and glasses in a black suit and red tie speaks into a microphone

Trailing in Republican primary, Coghill asks for recount

Under state law, if the difference between the top candidates is within 20 votes, the state will pay for a recount.
A sign for University of Alaska Fairbanks with the sunset in the background

Alaska university athletes quarantined for virus after party

The University of Alaska Fairbanks hockey team and other student athletes are in quarantine or isolation after athletes tested positive for COVID-19 following an off-campus party, administrators said.

Over 50 warships were involved in Russian Navy exercises that surprised Alaska trawlers

The exercise included multiple practice missile launches.
vehicles shine lights on a runway

The runway lights broke, but Igiugig guided in a child’s medevac plane with headlights

The village’s state-owned airport has had some problems with the runway lights. And when residents went to turn them on to guide the flight in — nothing happened. Usually, this would stop a plane from being able to land. But not this time.
A person takes the temperature of another person in front of a shelter.

Anchorage embarks on widespread testing effort as COVID-19 outbreak at shelter grows

The number of infections linked to the Brother Francis Shelter grew to 68 by Friday afternoon.

U.S. investigates ‘unprofessional interactions’ after Russian military confronts Bering Sea fishermen

Vessels reported being buzzed by Russian aircraft and ordered out of the area on a specific heading. The incident has now drawn the attention of both of Alaska’s U.S. senators and an investigation by three federal agencies into what they’re calling “unprofessional behavior” by the Russian military.
A front counter with signs about COVID-19

After four-week “reset,” Anchorage opens bars, restaurants to indoor dining

After a four week “reset,” in an attempt to curb the surge of COVID-19 cases, the Municipality of Anchorage is once again loosening restrictions on businesses.
Bright red salmon with green heads swim in shallow waters with small mountain in background.

State now has an opportunity to veto Pebble Mine. Pebble foes aren’t getting their hopes up.

The state of Alaska now has the power to veto Pebble's federal permit. But the opportunity won't last long, and mine opponents aren't hopeful.
Two women in mask stand over paperwork

Alaska primary results solidify heading into end of vote counting

The races for Alaska’s legislative elections this fall continue to take shape on Thursday, after most of the remaining absentee ballots were counted. In all but a few races, it would take hundreds of ballots that hadn’t previously been announced to change results.
A researcher looks through a microscope with a monitor showing what she's looking at

Mystery seed packets showing up in Alaskans’ mailboxes

The unsolicited seed packets have been showing up around the country, and officials are worried about people planting them.
Float planes tied up in an artificial pond

2 dead, 2 seriously injured in Fairbanks plane crash

Two people were killed in a collision at a private airport in Fairbanks, and a third has life-threatening injuries.
A boxy red and gray building

‘A large outbreak’ at Anchorage homeless shelter grows to 61 coronavirus cases

City health officials say they've confirmed infections in 60 people who have stayed at the shelter and one staff member. And they expect the outbreak has impacted more.