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.”

Teenage Gambell whaler under social media fire from noted environmentalist

This spring, a controversy erupted when an extreme environmentalist launched an online attack on a teenage whaler from St. Lawrence Island. Listen now

Murkowski in Sitka hours after critical health care vote

Less than 24 hours after casting a critical vote on healthcare, Senator Lisa Murkowski was back in her home state of Alaska. She had choice words about voting her conscience, despite pressure from the GOP and President Donald Trump himself. Listen now

New capital budget is much lower than previous budgets

State lawmakers who voted to pass the capital budget Thursday said it will help the economy. But it will provide less help than it did just a few years ago. Listen now

Murkowski’s healthcare vote causes a stir in Washington and Alaska

The Alaska Dispatch News is reporting that the Trump Administration threatened to target Alaska as retribution for Senator Lisa Murkowski’s stand against Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act this week. Listen now

State OSHA investigation targets Silver Bay Seafoods in Naknek

A state OSHA investigator is looking into claims of workplace health and safety issues at the Silver Bay Seafoods processing plant in Naknek. While many of Bristol Bay’s salmon processing companies had issues with their workforce during this record-setting season, only Silver Bay has drawn the state’s attention so far. Listen now

AK: Russian adventurers look to retrace Alaska route of past countrymen

This summer, an expedition of Russian adventurers arrived in Dillingham to retrace an historic route taken by Russian explorers in 1830, when Alaska was under the control of the Russian Empire. Listen now

Legislature passes capital budget in one-day special session

The Alaska Legislature passed the state’s capital budget on Thursday, allowing road projects and other construction to move forward. Listen now

Aircraft downed on north side of Lake Clark, recovery efforts underway

Recovery efforts are underway Thursday evening for what is believed to be a fatal aircraft accident in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Listen now
The side of a big cruise ship as it sits docked in Juneau.

Feds charge Utah man with wife’s murder aboard cruise ship in Alaska

Federal authorities are charging a Utah man in the murder of his wife aboard a cruise ship in Southeast Alaska. Listen now

When the lights went out – Alaska’s great recession

Less than ten years after oil started flowing, Alaska’s economy cratered. The recession was quick and deep. Ten banks failed, real estate values plummeted and tens of thousands of people fled the state. It was Alaska’s great recession, 20 years before the rest of the country went through almost the same thing.

Lawmakers agree on capital budget funding for oil and gas tax credits, Kivalina school

State lawmakers are scheduled to vote Thursday on a capital budget that will include $20 million in oil and gas tax credits. It would also add $8 million to assist municipalities and $7 million to complete a school in Kivalina. Listen now
A rainbow flag wavees in a blue sky

Transgender Air Force Staff Sergeant reacts to Trump’s declaration against transgender service-members

This morning the president declared that transgender individuals will no longer be allowed to serve in the U.S. military, but thousands already do. That includes service members based in Alaska. Alaska Public Media's Lori Townsend spoke with Air Force Staff Sergeant Emma Horner, who came out as transgender to her fellow military members in October. Listen now

Ask a Climatologist: For summer in Alaska, 70 is the magic number

Juneau has had very few days above 70 this summer. In contrast, Anchorage logged its warmest temperature of the year Sunday, 76 degrees. Listen now

Following health care vote, Trump singles out Murkowski with critical tweet

Following yesterday's narrow Senate vote to allow debate on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, President Donald Trump tweeted his disapproval toward Senator Lisa Murkowski. Listen now

Murkowski bucks party with health care vote

It was a dramatic day in the U.S. Senate with the return of Sen. McCain. Alaska's two senators split their votes on whether to begin debate on a Republican bill to replace the Affordable Care Act. Both said the final outcome for the bill is uncertain. Listen now

Walker signs opioid addiction prevention bill

Today, Governor Bill Walker signed into law House Bill 159, which aims to help prevent opioid addiction before it starts. Listen now

Reassigned climate official worries “nobody home” on village relocation

Before he was reassigned, Joel Clement was part of a working group focused on village relocation and coastal resilience in Alaska. Listen now

Capital budget compromise unlikely to restore PFDs, address oil and gas tax credits

The Legislature will return to Juneau on Thursday to vote on a capital budget that senators and House members have agreed to.

‘Mayor’ Stubbs the Cat passes away at 20

Stubbs the cat passed away in the overnight hours between Thursday and Friday, according to his owners. Listen now

AK: Juneau cops and homeless strike common ground at the bowling alley

Earlier this month, homeless Juneau residents and local police competed on equal terms at a downtown bowling alley to draw donations for the cities Glory Hole homeless shelter. Listen now