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.”

People in a line outside.

The first U.S. case of the omicron variant has now been reported

A case in California marks omicron's arrival in the U.S. Cases have been found in more than 20 countries around the world, less than a week after the worrying new variant was first identified.
Juneau's Mill campground

Juneau’s city-run homeless camp closed for winter, but the warming shelter isn’t open yet

Juneau's Glory Hall homeless shelter is bracing for an influx of people from the Mill Campground for the homeless, which closed for the season Saturday.

Trump’s wall could drain money from Alaska military projects

President Trump's plan to divert $3.6 billion from military construction accounts could drain money from Alaska projects.

Polar Bear Commission Meets in Moscow

Photo by Eric V. Regehr, Marine Mammals Management, Polar Bears. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Russian and Americans are meeting in Moscow this week to...

Moderates unite in U.S. Senate, beating path to Murkowski’s door

To succeed, any new COVID-19 relief measures face a gauntlet: threading the needle between a Democrat-led House and a Republican Senate. Eight Senate moderates, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski, have joined together to start tugging some strings. So far, the center is holding.

What’s to blame for Alaska’s poor king salmon runs? Submarines, suggests Rep. Young.

Congressman Young adds nuclear submarines to the list of suspects that could be harming chinook returns.

Kuskokwim Villages Battling High Water; Schools Canceled

Photo Provided by Office of Lt. Governor Sean Parnell Lower Kuskokwim villages are being inundated with high water since an ice jam released below the...

State Rep. Coghill to Fill Vacant Senate Seat

North Pole Representative John Coghill (R) has been chosen to replace Republican Gene Therriault in the state Senate. Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau Download Audio...
A sign says Anchorage School District.

Anchorage Schools Superintendent: ‘COVID is killing our children in more ways than one’

Anchorage School District Superintendent Deena Bishop provided a bleak assessment of online learning at Tuesday night’s school board meeting.

Waterman Not-Guilty On Six Of Seven Counts

Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage Rachelle Waterman’s long wait for a verdict on murder and conspiracy charges is over. Today, an Anchorage...

BP reports Prudhoe Bay spill of unknown size

British PetroleumBP has reported a spill of an undetermined amount of gas, oil and water from a flow line at Prudhoe Bay. The spill...
A woman in a polka-dot shirt hides a rock under a bush.

How an Anchorage woman is spreading awareness of FASD by painting rocks

Karen Lomack hopes her outreach helps inform people of how alcohol can affect pregnancy, and reduce the negative stigma of those with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Facebook CEO dodges Sullivan’s softball

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was contrite in a U.S. Senate hearing. But he wouldn't play along when Sen. Dan Sullivan wanted to make a point about regulation. Listen now
A beige office building

To increase access to testing, ANTHC mails free kits to detect sexually transmitted infections

Following an uptick in sexually transmitted infections nationwide, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium is encouraging sexually active Alaskans to get tested for STIs. Anyone with an Alaska mailing address, including a P.O. box, can order a completely free STI self-testing kit.

LISTEN: Alaska eating disorder experts see greater need for treatment, few options

That's according to recent reporting by Anchorage Daily News health reporter Annie Berman, who spoke to both providers and former patients who've battled with eating disorders in the past.
Class desks in front of clear windows with alternated yellow and blue tints

Mat-Su School District sued over restraint and seclusion practices

Alaska's second-largest school district has been hit with a third lawsuit in as many weeks, this time for restraint and seclusion practices.
A group of people packing medical supplies into red boxes

State to put opioid emergency kits in seafood plants and harbors across Southeast Alaska

“We absolutely do feel safer,” one plant manager said about having overdose prevention resources on hand.
A man takes photos close to brown bears

3 men sentenced for wading in river with feeding bears at Katmai

One of the men was caught on a livestream camera wading into Brooks Falls and taking a selfie in front of the bears.
a man in a tie

Anchorage HR director ‘walled off’ from investigating library staff complaints

HR director Niki Tshibaka has faced criticism over his support for Deputy Library Director Judy Eledge as complaints regarding her conduct were being investigated by the city’s Office of Equal Opportunity Director.

Behind the scenes, Pebble leaned on Dunleavy, pleading for its survival

Publicly, Pebble CEO Tom Collier radiates confidence about his company. His emails to the governor's office tell a different story.