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.”

Legislature’s chambers part ways as special session fizzles out

The impasse is a result of the two chambers having different views on the two bills on the special session agenda. Listen now
Entrance to Anchorage's Providence Hospital emergency room. (Photo by Josh Edge, APRN - Anchorage)

Anchorage doctors say patients are waiting to seek care over virus fears. Some have died.

Patient visits dropped by as much as 50% in emergency rooms during the height of the coronavirus fears, which doctors fear has caused unnecessary deaths in patients who aren't seeking the care they need in emergencies.
A large arm with a glacier in grantie mountains

Tsunami threat to Whittier less severe than early estimates, scientists say

Geologists have warned Alaskans for over a year that a 30-foot tsunami could hit Whittier following a potential landslide at a nearby arm. They’re still ringing the alarm bells, but new research suggests the wave will be a lot smaller than they originally expected.

Stevens continues push for federal crack down on illegal fishing

At a U.S. Senate hearing today, Ted Stevens prodded the head of NOAA to put more effort into curbing illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU)...

Alaska is getting a new tallest building — an upgraded air traffic control tower

The new control tower at the Anchorage airport will stand at 306 feet, 10 feet higher than the ConocoPhillips building.

How much can a city like Anchorage cut down on carbon?

The municipality is moving forward on a new climate action plan at a time when cities and states across the country are clashing with federal environmental policies. Will it make a difference? Listen now
(Screenshot of the U.S. Supreme Court decision. Click to read.)

Supreme Court sides with Sturgeon in case challenging NPS authority

In a decision released Tuesday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court sided unanimously with moose hunter John Sturgeon in his case against the National Park Service, overturning a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision. Download Audio

Anchorage Vet is Champion for Homeless

Communities across the nation are commemorating Veterans' Day today with ceremonies honoring our military men and women. But one man in Anchorage...

Cruise Ship Season Comes to Port

The first big cruise ship of the 2015 tourist season arrived in Ketchikan on Friday. In its inaugural visit to Alaska’s First City, the Ruby Princess brought more than 3,000 passengers and about 1,200 crew members. Download Audio:
A teacher sits at her desk in a classroom full of tables and chairs but no students

It’s official: Anchorage School District postpones start of in-person classes

Anchorage Schools Superintendent Deena Bishop had mentioned earlier this week that a rapid increase in COVID infections would likely delay bringing kids back to classrooms.

Walker, Mallott form Unity Ticket to oppose Parnell

The Bill Walker and Byron Mallott campaigns have joined forces to defeat Governor Sean Parnell in November. They're calling their combined campaign the Alaska First Unity ticket. The pair announced their decision at a packed press conference Monday afternoon. Download Audio

President’s budget would whack Denali Commission, but that’s just a suggestion

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Several large cuts to Alaska programs are included in the 2021 budget the Trump administration sent to Capitol Hill Monday. As in...
a man opens a refrigerator door in the dairy aisle at a grocery store

Bird flu in Washington cracks Alaska’s egg supply chain

Alaskans are posting photos on social media of empty shelves and trying to crowdsource where they can buy eggs. Meanwhile, prices are spiking.
three women pose for a photo

Y-K Delta women describe the realities of living with climate change for foreign dignitaries

“Every year it seems to get worse,” said Newtok resident Carolyn George.
small bodies of water dot the tundra

EPA stops Alaska’s Pebble mine with rarely used power

The decision caps a decades-long battle over a region that is home to both the world’s largest wild salmon run and one of the world’s largest deposits of copper and gold.

After New Year’s storm, Savoonga asks state for disaster relief

In the final days of 2016, a Bering sea storm battered St. Lawrence Island, causing wind and water damage to many buildings in Savoonga. The community declared a local disaster and asked for assistance from the State in order to restore their livelihoods. Listen now
a marijuana flag

Alaska relaxes rules for marijuana ads, allows free samples

Nine years after Alaska legalized the cultivation and sale of marijuana for recreational reasons in 2014, the rules are beginning to loosen.

What’s up with the state operating budget on day 99 of the legislative session?

The Permanent Fund Corp. is urging the Legislature to pass a plan – so that they’re able to manage fund investments more effectively. Listen now
A white woman with curly redish hair speaks in front of a wooden desk

A political consultant’s work was scrutinized amid Anchorage voter fraud allegations. Now he’s dead.

Charlie Chang worked with Anchorage Republican Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, whose district includes parts of the Muldoon neighborhood and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Listen now

Tune to APRN stations at 9pm; follow us on Twitter

APRN stations around Alaska will begin offering Alaska-focused election results starting at 9:00pm tonight. For those with a computer available, you can also follow...