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.”

Tuckerman Babcock retires from Dunleavy administration

Tuckerman Babcock's resignation letter went out late Friday along with a media release with a statement from Dunleavy thanking Babcock for his service.

Rep. Laddie Shaw selected to fill seat of late Sen. Chris Birch

Less than a year into his freshman term as a Representative, Laddie Shaw has been selected to fill the Senate seat of the late Chris Birch.

‘We feel the struggle.’ Non-profits shrink to keep homeless sheltered

Now that the dust is settling in the budget battle between the governor's administration and legislators, homeless service providers are starting to understand the long-term effects from delayed and reduced public funds.
A mossy spruce forest

Is the USDA now leaning toward a full exemption of the Roadless Rule in Alaska?

A national news story caused a stir this week, suggesting President Donald Trump has taken a special interest in how the Tongass will be managed.

With Swan Lake Fire burning nearby, Cooper Landing school closes into next week

According to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, the closure comes as the community remains remains on a level 2 "set" evacuation notice. That means residents should be ready and prepared to leave at any time.

Internal email casts uncertainty on future of BP Alaska employees

In the email, sent after the deal was made public, BP Alaska President Janet Weiss told employees they have three options, including applying for jobs with BP outside Alaska or leaving the company with a severance package.
Seen from a distance, an oil rig blips above the horizon in an otherwise flat, snowy landscape.

BP and Hilcorp just announced Alaska’s biggest oil industry deal in years. Here’s why it matters.

If you don't work for an oil company, you might be wondering: Why should I care? And why does this matter? We asked and answered some of the big questions.

BP’s Alaska exit no surprise, say experts and industry insiders

BP's exit from Alaska was rumored long before it was officially announced on Tuesday. But that's not the only reason the company's $5.6 billion deal with Hilcorp is far from surprising, experts and industry insiders said.

After SCOTUS ruling, AG urges Dunleavy to limit public employees’ unions

In a legal opinion published Tuesday, Alaska's Attorney General took a strict interpretation of the Supreme Court's Janus decision, signaling potential conflict with unions.

BP moves to exit Alaska, relinquishing role as operator of Prudhoe Bay

One of Alaska's "Big Three" oil companies is stepping away from its major role in the state. BP is leaving its position as the company that oversees Prudhoe Bay.

Dunleavy sends letter encouraging potential Pebble investor

Officially, Gov. Dunleavy is neutral on the Pebble mine. But a letter he wrote to a potential investor in the controversial project calls his neutrality into question.

‘Do they know that it’s that bad?’ Drivers describe ‘hellfire’ on Sterling Highway Sunday

As managers try to balance fire hazards with residents' transit needs, drivers describe an unexpected inferno along the Sterling Highway overnight.

In Alaska, Education Secretary DeVos touts alternative schooling agenda

U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is in Alaska this week, traveling the state to see how certain communities are using alternatives to traditional K-12 public schooling.

Even before vetoes, poll by anti-tax Gov. Dunleavy shows Alaskans, narrowly, favoring more taxes

Alaska GOP Gov. Mike Dunleavy opposes new taxes. But in a poll he quietly commissioned earlier this year, a narrow majority of respondents supported them.

ConocoPhillips’ next big oil project in Alaska takes another step forward

The company hopes to construct a new oil processing facility, up to five drill sites, about 40 miles of permanent roads, a gravel mine and hundreds of miles of pipelines and seasonal ice roads.

51 homes burned from McKinley fire, 3 businesses, 80 outbuildings

Officials dealing with the McKinley fire burning between Willow and Talkeetna released an assessment Friday of damage since the blaze ignited last weekend.

Budget cuts rely on Medicaid savings that will be difficult to achieve

Once a state makes someone eligible for Medicaid, they’re entitled to receive health care — and their provider is entitled to be paid.

Experts: Heat and drought, not spruce beetles or leaf miners, turned Alaska forests into kindling

There are more insects in the forest than other years, but experts say climate is the biggest factor for fires.

The latest on Southcentral wildfires: Aug. 22, 2019

Calm winds are aiding firefighters as they continue to battle blazes throughout Southcentral.