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.”

Interior announces “Readiness Project” for ANWR

The U.S. Interior Department on Thursday announced its first construction projects to prepare for oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The department says it will spend $4 million on six projects, most of them in Kaktovik. Listen now

Legislative ethics bill will keep issue off fall ballot

It looks like voters will not have a chance this fall to weigh in on a legislative ethics ballot measure. Listen now

Sweeney nomination wins committee approval

Alaskan Tara Sweeney's nomination to be assistant Interior secretary for Indian Affairs cleared a U.S. Senate Committee today with no opposition - though there may still be one hang-up. Listen now

Special audit finds Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority violated multiple state laws

A special audit finds that the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority violated multiple state statues by investing in commercial real estate and by "intentionally trying to avoid discussing board business in a public manner."

Controversial former Anchorage LIO building to become new APD headquarters

The controversial former Legislative Information Office in downtown Anchorage will have a new tenant: the Anchorage Police Department. Listen now

Remembering our friend, Native media pioneer John Active

Our friend, Yup’ik storyteller, culture bearer, translator and longtime KYUK radio and TV host John "Aqumgaciq” Active died this Monday morning at age 69. Listen now

Former House District 38 Rep. Zach Fansler to plead guilty to harassment

Almost six months after he was accused of slapping a woman in his hotel room, former House District 38 Representative Zach Fansler is pleading guilty, though not to assault.

Update: Begich and Treadwell throw their hats into Alaska Governor’s race

After days of rumors and speculation, Mark Begich has announced that he is running for governor in the Democratic primary. Mead Treadwell, former Lt. Gov. under Sean Parnell, announced his candidacy in the Republican primary. Listen now

In AOGA gubernatorial debate, Dunleavy and Hawkins grill Walker on China, gasline prospects

Gov. Bill Walker, former State Senator Mike Dunleavy and businessman Scott Hawkins faced off in a debate yesterday at the Alaska Oil and Gas Association’s annual conference in Anchorage. Listen now

Almandinger found guilty on all charges in Grunwald murder trial

A Palmer jury today found Erick Almandinger guilty on all counts in the 2016 slaying of 16-year-old David Grunwald. Listen now

Murkowski irked at tariffs, and Trump team

President Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs aren't good for Alaska, Sen. Murkowski said. She's frustrated with the on-again/off-again policy announcements, and with EPA Administrator Pruitt. Listen now

Interior asking public not ‘if’, but ‘how’ to allow drilling in ANWR

At the meeting, officials said the Trump administration must move forward with oil lease sales in ANWR. About 100 protesters gathered outside. Listen now

Native Corporations ask to start looking for oil in ANWR

Arctic Slope Regional Corporation and Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation have submitted a 3-D seismic exploration plan for the Coastal Plain, or the 1002 area. Listen now

ANWR coastal plain oil, gas lease plan draws heated opposition in Fairbanks

About 250 people turned out Tuesday at a meeting in Fairbanks to offer comments on a federal plan to launch an oil and gas leasing program in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Listen now

Alaska’s China trade mission wraps up with no big gasline news

Gov. Walker and the delegation met with Sinopec, the state-owned oil and gas company that could be a partner for the gasline. But the company's president said there was a lot more work to be done on the project than originally imagined. Listen now

Lt. Gov. Mallott views growth in energy sector as Alaska’s future

Lt. Gov. Byron Mallott sees a future for renewable energy in Alaska. Listen now

Trident works to bring wild Alaska seafood direct to Chinese consumers

Welbourn and a few others from Trident joined Alaska Gov. Bill Walker’s 10-day trade mission to China. The whole idea was to deepen trade ties between the two countries and Trident is on board with that mission. Listen now

Veterans from Kotzebue have war stories archived online

From World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars and both Gulf Wars, more than 70,000 veterans have served in the armed forces. Now, more of their stories can be heard online. Listen now

Bill would increase health care price transparency for Alaskans

The measure, modeled on similar rules enacted in Anchorage last year, could make it easier for Alaskans to know how much they’re going to pay out of pocket for healthcare. Listen now

Pebble Mine loses funding from First Quantum Minerals

A major business deal has fallen through for the proposed Pebble Mine. A Canadian mining company, First Quantum Minerals, will no longer back the controversial project. Listen now