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.”

Iditarod returns to 16-dog teams

The Iditarod had set the limit at 14 dogs per team just five years ago after considering the expense of flying dogs back from the trail and to make it easier for smaller kennels to race in the Iditarod.

Anchorage declares a civil emergency over looming cuts

The city is anticipating hundreds more homeless in the days and weeks ahead, taxing local emergency response resources and organizations.

Skagway’s busiest cruise ship dock at risk of catastrophic rockslide, study says

A new report compiled by geotechnical engineers shows that Skagway’s busiest cruise ship dock is at significant risk for rockslides impacting the dock, moored ships, cruise ship passengers and workers.

Oil Tax Bill Still Not Finished by Senate, Session May Be Extended

There is talk of extending the Legislative session past April 15th in Juneau because the central issue of taxing the oil and gas industry...

AK: High school students enter the world of nano-agriculture

High school students in Kodiak are doing college-level science. Maybe even Ph.D.-level science. World Bridge is a NASA-sponsored group that assigns Alaskan students to scientific research projects. At a recent competition in Italy, the group showed that their earthquake research could have a global impact, but that’s only one project they’re working on. They’ve also entered the world of nano-agriculture. Download Audio

Top Army nominee says he’s not keen to cut Alaska troops

When Pentagon nominees comes before the Senate Armed Services Committee for a confirmation hearing, it’s a sure bet that Sen. Dan Sullivan will press them to rethink the announced cuts to JBER's 4-25th. Eric Fanning, nominated for Army secretary, offered little resistance. Download Audio

Murkowski Says No To Legacy Wells Plan

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski says a proposal to have the state help pay for clean-up of abandoned federal well sites in the Alaska arctic is "dead on arrival." During a subcommittee hearing in Washington, D.C. today (Tuesday), Murkowski said the responsibility falls to the federal government. Listen Now

Memo Cites Concerns with Proposed Abortion Regulations

A legislative attorney says a proposed new regulation that would further define what constitutes a "medically necessary" abortion for purposes of receiving Medicaid funding would likely be found unconstitutional. Listen Now
small bodies of water dot the tundra

Federal decisions on Pebble Mine and the Willow drilling project aren’t the final word

Alaska Public Media's Liz Ruskin discusses what's next for the proposed Pebble Mine and the Willow drilling project.
Hand holding at-home COVID test

Why rapid COVID tests aren’t more accurate and how scientists hope to improve them

Recent research and anecdotes suggest some people are testing negative on rapid tests even after they have symptoms, then later testing positive. Here's what researchers think is going on.

Death of Coast Guard member sparks investigation in Unalaska

In Unalaska, the U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the death of a crew member of the Cutter Douglas Munro.
A mossy spruce forest

Why was fire prevention funding used on the Roadless Rule process in Alaska? Congress members want to know.

A United States senator from Michigan and a representative from Arizona want an investigation into why federal dollars typically used to prevent wildfires were given to the State of Alaska to work on the Roadless Rule.
two people pose on stage, one holding a jersey

Anchorage’s Alissa Pili selected 8th in WNBA draft

Pili is the sixth Alaskan to make the WNBA. She now shares the record as the highest overall WNBA draft pick by an Alaskan.
Cars in a line with a person in a blue gown talking to someone through the window

‘We’re not interested in documenting this pandemic’: Changes coming to Alaska’s COVID-19 dashboard

The state is considering ending daily case reporting and switching to weekly reports. Chief Medical Officer Anne Zink says weekly reports can still provide important information about COVID trends, while not overburdening local health departments.
Olympic ice skaters

‘A deep depression after the Olympics’: The challenges facing athletes at home

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee formed a mental health task force ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy

Vaccines and safety measures hang in the balance as Alaska lawmakers allow COVID-19 response power to expire

Lawmakers are allowing Alaska's emergency authority to respond to COVID-19 to expire. But the pandemic isn't over — so what's the plan now?
a person in a blue jacket and a dog in the background

Alaska musher Dallas Seavey on brink of becoming Iditarod’s best ever

Win or lose, this year’s Iditarod across Alaska will be his last — at least for a while.

Iconic Fairbanks satellite dish helps map floods thousands of miles away, under trees, clouds and at night

Franz Meyer, chief scientist at the Alaska Satellite facility, and his colleagues use satellites to map what's happening on the ground, even if it's covered by trees or clouds.

$20M state grant released to Alaska schools, but future funding remains unclear

School districts across Alaska are looking forward to a bump in their bank accounts from a $20M grant appropriated last year. But the overall outlook for state education spending is far from clear.

Mayor Begich makes the rounds in Washington

National Democrats are courting Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich to run this year against Senator Ted Stevens, who’s perceived to be vulnerable because of corruption...