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.”

Sen. Wilson says unreleased video shows he didn’t harass Capitol worker

Two news reporters have said Wilson held his cell phone between the legs of the staffer. Listen now

Oil lease sale for National Petroleum Reserve sees little interest

Nine hundred tracts, totaling more than 10 million acres, were up for bid. But at the annual lease sale held today, oil companies bid on only seven tracts. The sale lasted less than 10 minutes. Listen Now

Murkowski strikes sweet note on immigration

Sen. Murkowski is helping President Trump achieve his tax overhaul, but she's sounding a different message on immigration.

Don Young raises concerns over AEL&P purchase

Congressman Don Young has written a letter with concerns about the proposed takeover of AEL&P by Ontario’s Hydro One. Following a fresh filing, the new public comment period runs through Dec. 21. Listen now

With Conyers out, Young becomes ‘dean of the House’

Alaska Congressman Don Young is now the longest serving member of Congress. Or he will be shortly, since Rep. Conyers announced he'll leave office within hours. Listen now

Can the Iditarod standardize kennel care?

The Iditarod Trail Committee's Board of Directors wants to set up a kennel management program, a move aiming to set up new guidelines and counteract negative press directed at mushing's most high-profile event. Listen now

Sullivan kills cruise tax, Murkowski adds tax help for ANCs

Alaska's two U.S. senators not only helped Republicans pass their tax cuts early Saturday, they made a pair of 11th-hour additions. Listen now

Tax bill still up for debate, but no sign of dropping ANWR drilling in sight

In Washington, U.S. senators are still debating a bill to cut taxes and repeal the mandate that everyone have health insurance. The bill would also open part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. Listen now

AK: Talking Trash: Composting startup tackles Juneau’s green waste

A small Juneau start-up is proving that household composting works. Lisa Daugherty of Juneau Composts! is already receiving accolades for her subscription-based service that's keeping tons of green waste out of the landfill. Listen now

U.S., Russia and others agree to ban fishing in the Arctic Ocean

Ten nations, including the U.S. and Russia, have agreed to ban commercial fishing in the central Arctic Ocean for at least sixteen years. Listen now

Sullivan defends tax cuts, disputes cost

Sen. Dan Sullivan ardently defended the GOP tax cuts to reporters. Citing his faith in the growth potential of the U.S. economy, Sullivan said the bill won't add as much to the national debt as analysts say. But a new congressional report puts the net cost at $1 trillion. Listen now

Officials look to reform cannabis testing after disputes over potency

How strong is the legal pot Alaskans buy over the counter? That's a question that's been raised in a dispute about potency levels among various cannabis businesses. Listen now

Senate votes to take up tax bill, bringing rigs closer to ANWR

Both Alaska senators voted to officially begin debate on a tax-cut bill that would also open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. Sen. Murkowski says the tax changes will help many Alaska families. Listen now

Prudhoe Bay job numbers fell to lowest since 2007 this year

In May of this year, job numbers in the Prudhoe Bay region dropped to the lowest levels in a decade, according to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Listen now

A village on the edge looks to Congress for help

Newtok’s 400 people have been trying to relocate for years. And for years, the main obstacle has been the same: money. Now, they're almost out of time. And residents and officials say, at this point, moving Newtok may take an act of Congress. Listen now

Feds approve first oil exploration in Arctic federal waters since Shell

It's the first oil exploration in Arctic federal waters since Shell abandoned its campaign in 2015. The company, Eni, aims to begin drilling in December. Listen now

In Newtok, residents worry the encroaching river will destroy a way of life

When the river takes the first houses, the village could start to scatter. And Newtok’s blend of the modern and traditional could erode away with the land. Listen now

Alaska-bound fuel barge runs into trouble in Canadian waters

A fuel-laden barge bound for Alaska ran broke free from its tug in stormy seas. Canadian officials say the U.S. vessel is back under control but the incident reignites a debate over petroleum shipments in the Inside Passage. Listen now

AK: Various looks at the controversial Alaska Day

The holidays are a time of tradition, but also reflection for why we celebrate the way we do. And in Sitka, no holiday is as much of a lightning rod for cultural debate as Alaska Day. Listen now

Double Thanksgiving Shootout wins give UAA women a championship, keep men alive in tournament

Thanksgiving saw the final Great Alaska Shootout at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and local college basketball fans had plenty to be thankful for. Listen now