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.”

Dallas Seavey coming into the checkpoint at Galena. (Photo by Zachariah Hughes/KSKA)

IDITAROD LIVEBLOG: Dallas Seavey claims fourth title in record time

Dallas Seavey, Mitch Seavey, and Brent Sass are racing to the finish of the 2016 Iditarod from White Mountain to Nome. Alaska Public Media reporters will bring you the latest from the final miles of the last great race.
A courtroom with a lawyer testifying

Alaska Supreme Court explains ruling on governor’s appointees

If the Alaska Legislature wants to reject a governor’s appointees, it will have to take a vote on them, the state Supreme Court said in an opinion issued on Friday. 

North Slope Bids Dominated by Great Bear Petroleum

Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage The state received approximately $9.5 million in bonus bids for its competitive oil and gas lease sales in the...

Kohring lawyer claims FBI misconduct will lead to case dismissal

A lawyer for Vic Kohring says he intends to ask a federal judge to dismiss the case against him, and cites new evidence of...
a map near Pedro Bay

Pedro Bay deal blocked Pebble before EPA’s veto, but still protects salmon habitat

Late last year, the Pedro Bay Corporation closed a $20 million deal that blocked the Pebble Limited Partnership’s proposed transport route.

Trump’s take on public land bucks Western trend

Alaska issues don’t come up much in presidential debates, but Donald Trump did face a public lands question, and his answer struck a nerve among Western conservatives. Download Audio

AK: Anchorage’s thriving skateboard scene retreats underground

Skateboarders in Anchorage are taking over parking garages with impromptu sessions and home-made ramps. Listen now

Anchorage Assembly: Indoor Tennis Courts On Hold, Labor Law Hearing Wednesday

A plan to build indoor tennis courts was put on hold at the regular Anchorage Assembly meeting Tuesday night.

Feds worry oil pipeline near leaking Cook Inlet gas line also at risk

Federal regulators are raising concerns about a second pipeline in Cook Inlet. Listen now
An aerial shot of a dog team in orange jackets

Meet musher Hanna Lyrek, the Iditarod rookie who’s racing closest to the front of the pack

While she’s a newbie to the Iditarod, Lyrek has already proven her mettle in long-distance dog mushing. At age 19, she won the 2019 600-kilometer Finnmarksløpet, one of the biggest races in Europe.

U.S. Treasury Inspector General warns property purchases might not be acceptable use of CARES Act funds

Federal officials cautioned the Anchorage municipality that the plan to purchase properties for a substance treatment center and housing for people experiencing homelessness may not fall within the allowable use for CARES Act funds.

Parnell Pushing for OCS Initiative

Governor Parnell is beginning what he calls a full-court press to support a five-year oil and gas leasing program on Alaska’s Outer Continental Shelf....

Alaska GOP accuses Joe Miller of campaign finance violations

The GOP alleges Miller is misusing campaign dollars to inflate his real level of support. Listen Now

Mushing world questions whether new Iditarod muzzle rule benefits sponsors or the sport

As Iditarod mushers drive their teams to Nome, a controversial rule-change is casting a shadow over the event. Some are accusing race organizers of siding with corporate sponsors by placing a so-called gag-order on mushers competing in the event. But even critics say that without those sponsor dollars, there might be no race at all.
a grocery store

With thousands waiting, state says food stamp backlog won’t improve any time soon

As Alaskans choose between paying bills and buying food, Alaska's health commissioner says a months-long food stamp backlog won't improve any time soon.
Platters of food on a table.

Alaska Native hospital patients thankful for traditional foods program that serves up seal soup, agutuk and more

Alaska Native Medical Center's Traditional Native Foods Initiative was the subject of a recent story in The New York Times by Alaska writer Victoria Petersen.

Democrats would like to see Walker step aside in campaign

This would effectively turn the campaign into a two-way race between Republican Mike Dunleavy and Democrat Mark Begich.
A woman stands holding a baby, while another child lays on the floor.

Community land trust helps Sitka mom build a home of her own

Sitka’s average total rent is higher than any other area in the state, which can make saving to buy a house feel like an impossible dream for many young Sitkans. The Sitka Community Land Trust wants to change that.