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.”

For third straight year, Gov. Walker proposes budget drawing from Permanent Fund earnings

Walker also proposed process changes. Lawmakers’ per diem payments would stop if they don’t pass a budget in the 90-day session set by state law. Their salaries would also be delayed. Another change would shift the state to a two-year budget. Listen now

Conoco hopes to crack open off-limits North Slope land

Beyond its current developments, the ConocoPhillips sees even more opportunity further west. But in that direction lies the off-limits Teshekpuk Lake Special Area.

Amid sexual harassment claims, Rep. Westlake says he’ll resign

“It shows that more and more so, people who do these kinds of things are going to be held accountable for their actions,” said Olivia Garrett, a former legislative aide and the first person to come forward publicly with allegations. Listen now

Murkowski unsure Congress can investigate Trump on groping charges

Lisa Murkowski was one of the voices calling for Democratic Sen. Al Franken to resign, but she doesn't know what Congress can do about the allegations against the president. Listen now

AK: How do you recruit more young Alaska Native nurses?

More and more programs have sprung up locally to familiarize students with trades and professions in the hopes of getting more Alaska Natives employed. That’s what the University of Alaska Anchorage did 20 years ago for Alaska Native nurses. The program is called RRANN: Recruiting and Retaining Alaska Natives into Nursing. Listen now

Credit rating agency sees a ‘clear path,’ as Alaska tries to balance its budget

In less than a year and a half, Alaska went from one of Moody's highest rated states, to one of its lowest. But now, that's changed. Listen now

King Cove closer to goal of 100 percent renewable energy

Funding for renewable energy projects in Alaska has dried up, but that has not stopped the City of King Cove from pursuing green power. Listen now

Protests fail to slow tax bill, or Arctic drilling

Republicans say they've reached a final agreement on their tax bill, and it appears to include ANWR drilling. Democrats complain they haven't been allowed to even see the final agreement, and Rep. Young explains the purpose of cowboy boots. Listen now

State Division of Elections denies GOP primary block

The Alaska Division of Elections has denied the Alaska Republican Party’s request to block three incumbent House Republicans from running in the party’s 2018 primaries. Listen now

Trump signs defense bill to allow more missile interceptors in Alaska

The law authorizes nearly $700 billion for the military, including $200 million for a new missile field at Fort Greely. Actual spending may vary. Listen now

State prosecutor decides not to charge Sen. Wilson in reporter slapping

Peterson wrote that it is unlikely the state will be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Wilson acted with the specific intent to harass or annoy Herz. Listen now

In Russia, a competitor for Alaska’s gasline project comes online

The $27 billion Russian project is heavily funded by partners in China. When completed, it will be almost as large as the Alaska LNG project. Listen now

Warning from left: Deficit could eat Alaska’s ANWR money

Drilling opponents warn, no matter how much oil companies bid on ANWR, the feds could give Alaska zero. Listen now

With 35th homicide this year, Anchorage hits an all-time high

The number of homicides in Alaska's largest city has again hit an all-time high. Listen now

Does Sitka’s Baranov statue impress or oppress?

The statue of Alexander Baranov was erected to honor the role of commerce in Sitka’s past, but for many, Baranov and the Russian-American Company are synonymous with colonization and the systematic oppression of Alaska Natives.

As Alaska’s gasline corporation pushes for Asia deal, legislators push for more information

Heading into a busy year for the state corporation, questions linger about financing and project structure. Listen now

One of the Fairbanks Four sues the city over alleged civil rights violations

One of the Fairbanks Four is suing the city and four Fairbanks police officers over allegations that his civil rights were violated by police during their investigation of a 1997 murder, which led to a trial and conviction of the plaintiff and three other defendants in 1999. Listen now

House Majority calls on Dean Westlake to resign amid sexual harassment allegations

The Alaska House Majority Coalition is calling for Democratic representative Dean Westlake of Kiana to resign amid sexual harassment allegations. Listen now

AK: In the industrial heart of Anchorage is a warehouse full of wild birds

Bird TLC is a non-profit that's somewhere in between a veterinary clinic, animal shelter, and zoo. Now, it's on the cusp of moving to a dramatically different new home. Listen now

Senate votes ‘aye’ on Balash

The U.S. Senate Thursday confirmed Alaskan Joe Balash as assistant secretary of Interior for land and minerals management. Listen now