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.”

An American flag and LGBTQ+ flag

Health providers for transgender Alaskans worry next Trump administration will jeopardize patient care

On the day after the election, therapist Margie Thomson had four new requests from patients asking for referrals for gender-affirming care — in case they lose access to it.
A girl with glasses and a pink sweater.

Anchorage 8th grader wins first ever National Civics Bee

Emily Brubaker has been civically involved since kindergarten due to a rare medical condition she advocates for.

As hundreds flock to see dead Anchorage whale, scientists try to learn more about how it lived

Scientists are studying samples of the whale, from its blubber to its baleen.
a man

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdraws as Trump’s attorney general nominee

Allegations of sex trafficking and drug use had stirred controversy over Matt Gaetz's nomination as attorney general.
a newscast

Fairbanks region loses last local TV newscast

NewsCenter Fairbanks went dark Saturday, as owner Gray TV consolidates broadcasts from Alaska's News Source in Anchorage.
the Mat-Su Borough Assembly

Record turnout in Mat-Su Borough election as voters approve major bonds

Borough early voting also shattered a previous record set in 2022.
a man holding signs

Nick Begich III wins Alaska’s U.S. House race

Begich’s win flips a seat from Democrat to Republican, adding to the GOP’s slim majority in the U.S. House.
people wave signs

Alaska’s ranked choice repeal measure fails by 664 votes

Phil Izon, who led the campaign in support of the ballot measure, said he planned to submit a recount request once the election is certified.
two men

Alaska House Democrats Cliff Groh and CJ McCormick ousted after final ballot count

Groh’s loss leaves just 21 members in a Democrat-heavy bipartisan caucus that is seeking to take control of the Alaska House, a bare majority.
a voter

Watch Alaska’s 2024 ranked choice tabulation

Ranked choice tabulation determined the winner in eight legislative races, plus the U.S. House race.
a man with a blue tie

Ex-Alaska prosecutor who blew whistle on Kindred settles over retaliation

The woman had reported Joshua Kindred’s sexual misconduct, leading to an investigation and the judge’s resignation.
the outside of a multi-story building at night.

Anchorage water utility asks thousands of residents to check pipes for possible lead

About 20,000 customers are being asked to check water intake pipes, in a survey required under federal regulations.
a road

Homer Spit damage from high seas declared local emergency

A full moon pushed tides to over 22 feet starting Friday, which continued to build with each tide.
a road

‘Enough is enough’: King Cove officials hail Biden Administration backing for Izembek road

While residents call the road a matter of life and death, environmental advocates say it could threaten vital wildlife habitat.
researchers

Scientists hope to learn about alien intelligence from Frederick Sound humpback whales

SETI researchers camped at a remote Southeast Alaska lighthouse last summer to investigate humpback whale communication.

Alaska’s dark-money law survives legal challenge

The law was part of the ranked choice voting initiative voters passed in 2020. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a legal challenge.
an oil field

Arctic Bitcoin? Hilcorp, tech firm aim to test North Slope data center

A Hilcorp oil field in Alaska’s Arctic is set to host a tech firm that wants to use natural gas-fired power to mine digital currency.

Anchorage Assembly passes operating budget, without funding to study civilian oversight of police

Two amendments that dominated budget conversations involved contracting with an outside group to look into civilian oversight of the Anchorage Police Department.

Ranked choice repeal ballot measure now failing by just 45 votes after Tuesday results update

Roughly 5,800 ballots remain to be counted, largely from Anchorage and rural Alaska.
Two men sit at a table.

Anchorage School District pauses controversial schedule change for high schools

The pause adds uncertainty to the rollout of the district’s Academies of Anchorage program meant to boost graduation rates.