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.”

House leaders aim for compromise, early school budget this year

The second session of the 30th Alaska Legislature began Tuesday, with the caucus leaders expressing hope that this year will be more productive than 2017. Listen now

Petit wins Copper Basin 300 in slow race hampered by weather

A race official pointed to strong winds and heavy snow as contributing to 16 scratches in the challenging mid-distance race out of Glennallen. Listen now

AK Attorney General asks Congress to open banking for pot businesses

Alaska's Attorney General has joined a bipartisan group calling on lawmakers to change federal banking rules over handling legal marijuana sales. Listen now

Unprecedented open water, warm weather cause K300 route change

The Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race has taken an unprecedented turn: For the first time, the race will run two laps to its halfway point and back because of warm weather and open water. Listen now

Murkowski, Sullivan contend with less-Republican Senate

Last year, it was all eyes on Sen. Lisa Murkowski. The fate of health care and tax bills seemed at times to turn on what she would do. But this year is shaping up differently in the Senate, and both Alaska senators will have to contend with new dynamics. Listen now
On a cloudy, twilight winter day, an oil platform an be seen rising in the water.

Alaska’s leaders got more than they bargained for from Interior’s offshore drilling proposal

The Trump administration recently proposed a vast expansion of federal waters available for oil development. Many U.S. states were not pleased — states like California, Oregon and Florida don’t want oil development off their coastlines. Alaska is a different story. Alaska’s leaders got what they wanted in the plan — and then some. Now the question is: will Alaska ask the Trump administration to cut back? Listen now

Murkowski condemns Trump for ‘offensive’ remark

Sen. Lisa Murkowski has condemned President Trump for a vulgar term he reportedly used in a White House meeting, referring to countries in Africa and elsewhere. Listen now
a sign says "Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation"

$63B and counting: How long can Alaska’s Permanent Fund keep growing so fast?

Right after the last big global financial crisis in 2008, Alaska’s sovereign wealth fund had about $25 billion dollars in it.  And today, Alaska’s Permanent Fund has $63 billion in it. It doubled in size in less than a decade. Listen now

Walker plans to meet House nominees before making pick

Gov. Bill Walker will pick one of three finalists to fill the Alaska House seat left vacant by Dean Westlake, who resigned after he was accused of harassing female aides. Listen now

Four decisions in three weeks: How Trump is transforming Alaska

Blink and you might have missed it: In just three weeks, there was a profound shift in the landscape for energy and environmental issues in Alaska. Listen now

Citizens group investigates Cook Inlet’s aging oil infrastructure

A watchdog citizens group is working on a series of reports on Cook Inlet’s oil and gas infrastructure, following several accidents last spring. Listen now
The Alaska Railroad brings a load of tourists into Whittier in July 2008. (Creative Commons photo by Frank Kovalchek)

For Anchorage to Mat-Su commuter rail, a task force takes shape

Gov. Bill Walker wants a task force to look into commuter rail service between Anchorage and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. Listen now

Speaker Ryan honors Young, offers tip: ‘swear in,’ not ‘at’

The U.S. House of Representatives  honored - nearly roasted - Congressman Don Young Wednesday for becoming the new "dean of the House." And back home, Young gains a challenger: Alyce Galvin. Listen now

Wasilla city council votes to ban plastic bags, effective July 1

The Wasilla City Council voted Monday night to ban single-use plastic bags in the city. It's the first such ban for a community in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, where a larger effort to tax plastic bags borough-wide is also underway. Listen now

After budget cuts and crime spikes, Alaska prosecutors struggle to keep up

In a three year period the state lost 22 prosecutors, prompting offices to close and attorneys to shoulder up to 900 cases a year. The situation is especially difficult in two parts of the state that have seen disproportionate increases in violent crime. Listen now

State report details potential health impacts of climate change

How will climate change affect health in Alaska? Dangerous travel conditions could cause more accidents, warmer temperatures could spread new diseases and the topsy-turvy weather could worsen mental health. Those are some conclusions from a new state report released Monday.Listen now

Alaskan skiers dominate top of podiums at US Nationals

The U.S. National Cross Country Championships wrapped up in Anchorage on Monday and Alaskans dominated the top spots on the podium, including Caitlin Patterson, who finished first in all four races. Listen now
A landscape shot of a coastal community.

King Cove and feds reach deal on controversial road

The city of King Cove has reached a deal with the Trump administration to build a road through the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, according to the city. Listen now
A yellow rig leaves a harbor under snow-covered mountains

Trump’s offshore drilling plans rattle coastal communities across Alaska

The Trump administration has proposed opening almost all Alaska waters to oil and gas leasing, including areas that have never seen drilling, and it’s raising concerns in Alaska’s coastal communities. Listen now

Kuskokwim Bay communities seek aid after wind storm

Both Platinum and Quinhagak are applying for aid following a high-speed wind storm that ripped through the communities days before Christmas. Listen now