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.”

Alaskans will have a chance to see a total solar eclipse… in 9 years

A total solar eclipse will occur on March 30, 2033. The path of totality will be visible in Nome, Kotzebue and Utqiagvik.

Rep. Peltola’s fundraising haul so far this year: $1.7M

Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola has far outraised her Republican rivals. Nancy Dahlstrom got a boost from GOP leaders in the U.S. House.
A woman wearing a beanie and blue coat shovels her driveway.

Most Alaskans now have until May 15 to remove studded tires

Monday's extension means drivers above 60 degrees north latitude will have until May 15 to remove studded tires under state law.
A doctor with a brown sweater stands in front of an emergency room

Public health officials revamp efforts to protect Alaskans against lead poisoning

Fewer children get tested for lead in Alaska, so officials are launching new programs to encourage testing and provide follow-up care.
a weather station

State resolution would push feds to fix rural Alaska aviation weather stations

A pending Legislature joint resolution would urge Congress to address FAA Automated Weather Observing System outages common across Alaska.
a man

Lawmakers weigh whether to reduce or acknowledge rights of growing Alaska homeless population

As the state’s major cities scramble to house people, advocates say Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s protest bill would further criminalize the homeless.
an anti-missile system

Iran’s leaders insist the attack against Israel was a ‘victory’

A top Iranian lawmaker says Sunday's attack "humiliated the Israeli regime." But Israel says 99% of Iran's missiles and drones were intercepted.
Mary Peltola

Peltola says her priority is Alaskans’ economic prosperity

During a recent visit to Ketchikan, Rep. Mary Peltola discussed her approach to housing, mental health resources and addressing climate change.
a courthouse

Alaska judge strikes down state’s cash payments to families using correspondence school programs

The decision on correspondence programs will become a "hot-button legislative item" in the final weeks of session, lawmakers said.

Alaska House rejects constitutional amendment guaranteeing formula-based PFD

Opponents of the measure said they feared a budget crisis. Supporters said it would spur lawmakers to rewrite the PFD formula.
A basketball hoop full of snow

Anchorage winter ties for second snowiest on record but hitting all-time mark unlikely

A whopping 132.6 inches of snow -- more than 11 feet -- fell on the city this winter, as of the latest measurement Friday.

The Cook Inlet gas crunch | Alaska Insight

On this episode of Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend is joined by John Sims, CEO of ENSTAR Natural Gas, to discuss the future of Cook Inlet gas production.
students

Bishop disputes feds’ claim that Alaska didn’t fund schools equitably during pandemic

Education Commissioner Deena Bishop says the state funded schools as usual and didn't disproportionately reduce districts' funding.
an airliner

Another Boeing whistleblower says he faced retaliation for reporting ‘shortcuts’

An engineer who accused the company of taking production "shortcuts" has joined a growing list of whistleblowers who say they faced retaliation.
a fire station

Ketchikan firefighters lose vehicles in station fire

Wrangell has loaned Ketchikan an ambulance after Tuesday's South Tongass blaze, which left at least three vehicles presumed destroyed.
a woman

How to file your tax returns: 6 things you should know this year

For something that's legally required, taxes can be confusing. This guide covers the latest credits and deductions — and how to plan ahead for next year.
Julie Kitka

Alaska delegation nominates longtime Native leader to be co-chair of the Denali Commission

Julie Kitka, who served for decades as president of the Alaska Federation of Natives, was tapped to be the federal co-chair of the agency.

Alaska House passes operating budget with roughly $2,300 PFD

Rep. DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer, says nobody’s totally satisfied — and that makes it a good compromise.
A sense of place photo in the winter where a semi truck is on the right side of the photo where the road is and utility poles obstructing pedestrian sidewalks on a snow filled street.

Key Anchorage stakeholders skeptical of megaproject solutions to connect Seward and Glenn highways

They're interested in a far less expensive redesign of Gambell and Ingra streets to be neighborhood friendly, with lower speed limits and fewer lanes.

Majority of Alaskans voted across party lines in ’22 primary, study says

Sightline Institute researcher Jeannette Lee says the analysis shows open primaries let Alaskans choose values over party.