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.”

As Anchorage’s mass shelter winds down, workers push to smooth transition for homeless residents

Even though the reality of the coming closure is sinking in, a lot of people in the shelter only had vague plans.
Cots and totes are organized on the floor of an arena.

Anchorage’s Sullivan Arena shelter will close to hundreds Monday

Up to 90 people with mobility or other impairments will be able to stay in the shelter until May 31.
Alaska state senators

To avoid spending from savings, Alaska Senate ponders smaller dividend, shrunken school increase

The full Senate is expected to vote on a draft state budget next week as the legislative session nears its end.
A white woman in yellow sitting at a seat

Alaska governor and Anchorage mayor remain close with city library leader, despite her history of offensive remarks

The inflammatory remarks from Anchorage's deputy library director, Judy Eledge, were most recently documented in a story by the Anchorage Daily News and ProPublica that included audio secretly recorded by one of Eledge's subordinates.

After 5 years of mail-in ballots, Anchorage election officials say voter turnout has gone up

About 28% of registered Anchorage voters cast a ballot in the spring election. It’s the lowest voter turnout since the city moved to by-mail voting. But election officials say it’s still higher than in years before the change.
Three women holding Alaska Native regalia,

Federal commission hears from Alaskans on high rate of missing and murdered Indigenous people

The Not Invisible Act Commission met in Anchorage this week to hear testimony from victims and from advocates working to prevent violence.
Alaska House representatives

Revised bill would require Alaska parents to approve students’ classes, textbooks and lessons

Parents would also have to OK students’ nicknames and pronouns at the start of the school year.
Bert Stedman

Senate proposes one-time $680 increase to per-student funding paired with $1,300 PFD

Senate finance leaders hope to put the proposal to a vote of the full Senate next week, but it will have to be reconciled with the House version.
family of Mark Cook

Family says untreated pain, solitary confinement led to man’s suicide at Juneau prison

Cook is the third person to die in Alaska Department of Corrections custody this year. And his death fits a pattern.
a hat

Former state trooper found dead on hunting trip near Cordova

Troopers say a pilot scheduled to pick up 44-year-old Alex Arduser on Egg Island found his partially submerged body Tuesday.

City of Anchorage sets aside more than $800K to pay legal settlements

Mayor Dave Bronson has been accused of wrongful termination by two former employees, and the city faces a lawsuit over work done on a canceled homeless shelter project.
women hold an era yes sign

Murkowski votes with Democrats to advance Equal Rights Amendment but measure stalls in Senate

Sen. Murkowski co-sponsored the ERA resolution. Sen. Sullivan voted no citing "serious constitutional infirmities."
A white man in a dark blue uniform looks directly into the camera for an official portrait with the U.S. flag and U.S. Navy flag on each side.

Alaska critics oppose Northern Edge, but this Navy commander says the military exercise is much needed

Northern Edge is a massive training exercise that brings together different branches of the military for war games in the Gulf of Alaska.
an Apache attack helicopter

3 soldiers killed, 1 injured in midair Army helicopter collision near Healy

It's the second accident involving military helicopters in Alaska this year.
am an speaks into a microphone

With 20 days left in the session, Alaska governor and legislative leaders say they’re optimistic about budget and fiscal plans

Despite deep divides over the size of the PFD, the governor said there could be some “good news” before the end of the session about a fiscal plan.
the Newtok Village Council building

‘We need to get them moved’: Federal agencies visit Newtok and Mertarvik

A Bureau of Indian Affairs team made a rare visit to Newtok by snowmachine Wednesday, after meeting with tribal council members in Mertarvik.
school bus in front of building

Teacher retention bonus bill moves forward in Alaska House

The bill would give bonuses of up to $15,000 to full-time teachers at the end of each school year.

Alaska Supreme Court reaffirms decision leaving 5th-place finisher off U.S. House ballot

Justices say the state made the right call when it decided not to advance Tara Sweeney to special election ballot.
A two babies look seriously in opposite directions. Behind them, a woman speaks to someone out of frame.

Alaska has a child care crisis. We want to hear from you.

Help inform our coverage of Alaska’s child care shortage by sharing your story about finding care in the state.
A nasal injector for Naloxone

Anchorage student fentanyl use prompts school district response, including more kits to reverse overdoses

The Anchorage School District is ramping up efforts to educate students, staff and parents about the dangers of fentanyl amid an increase in use of the synthetic opioid by students.