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.”

rioters

Jan. 6 defendants celebrate Trump’s win and anticipate pardons

People convicted for their role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol hope Donald Trump fulfills his promise to pardon them.
the Alaska State Capitol

Coalition lawmakers say they’re confident bipartisan Alaska House majority will hold

Though Alaskans voted for Donald Trump this year by a wide margin, the trend at the state level runs counter to the rightward shift seen across the country this cycle.
a river through tundra

Biden administration plans new limits on oil leasing in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

A new environmental study recommends additional protections for wildlife, waterways and permafrost, with new rules for a legally mandated lease sale.
a tree

Wrangell unites to send Capitol Christmas Tree to Washington, D.C.

This year's tree, harvested from the Tongass National Forest, is being carried across the nation on a special trailer.
a six-unit apartment complex

An Anchorage housing expert says it’s time for builders to get creative to solve the housing crunch

Alaska’s largest city is facing a significant housing crunch. At least one expert wants to get creative to solve the problem.
a woman

Juneau’s temporary flood fighting plan is underway. Some homeowners don’t want it.

Some property owners along the Mendenhall River say the plan to hold off glacial outburst floods is too expensive and invasive.
The back of a police vehicle

Fairbanks mother charged with murdering her 5-year-old son

Police say Cedar Mae Sarten, 42, faces a first-degree murder count in the Oct. 14 death of Robert Sarten.
a whale

Alaska fisher could get 6 months in prison after attempting to kill sperm whale

Dugan Paul Daniels pleaded guilty to a federal misdemeanor earlier this year, and prosecutors released their sentencing recommendation.

Bipartisan coalitions claim control of both Alaska House and Senate

That means the state House will flip from Republican-led majority control and have a new speaker, according to a news release.
voters at the polls

Here’s what we know about the Alaska ballots that still need to be counted

Tens of thousands of early and absentee ballots from all over the state and around the world will be counted in the coming days.
a man with a microphone

Alaska Republican leaders celebrate Trump’s victory

They say they’re hopeful the Trump administration and a Republican-controlled U.S. Senate will create more opportunity for oil drilling and other development on Alaska’s federal lands.
a woman with her hands over her mouth

What’s the world saying about Trump’s win? Here are the leaders who’ve commented

Leaders from around the world congratulated Donald Trump on his presidential election victory, as governments prepare for his return to the White House.
A police car marked as Anchorage Police.

Anchorage police are still searching for the mother of an infant found dead last week

“We're concerned about her well-being at this point in time,” Anchorage Police Department Capt. Amanda Fisher said.
a man at a lectern

Here’s what Trump 2.0 means for the economy, from tariffs to mass deportations

Trump has promised to cut taxes and government regulations, slap tariffs on imports and order large deportations of immigrants.
a man hugs a person in a smiling crowd

Race for Alaska’s congressional seat tilts Begich with almost all precincts counted

Republican challenger Nick Begich III has a solid lead in the race for Alaska’s U.S. House seat.
A woman in a dark blue coat waves a sign.

Effort to repeal Alaska’s ranked choice voting still holds narrow lead

Ballot Measure 2 is ahead by 4,289 votes. That's a margin of less than 2 percentage points.

How Alaska legislative races are shaping up

So far, many coalition-minded Senate candidates are leading, and control of the state House is up in the air.
a woman at a podium

Harris concedes the election but vows to not stop fighting for a better future

In a speech at Howard University, Harris urged people to join her in mobilizing and organizing for a better future. She also said she called Trump to offer help with the peaceful transition of power.
Alaska Supreme Court justices

Alaska Supreme Court makes its first school visit to Nome

During Monday's Supreme Court LIVE event at Nome-Beltz High School, justices heard a case before a student audience.
Blue police lights.

2 charged with attempting to murder trooper during high-speed Parks Highway chase

Troopers say two people fired at a pursuing officer Tuesday during a 100-mph chase on the Parks Highway, narrowly missing his head.