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.”

Seldovia residents warned of leaching lead

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation has released a report listing 15 water systems in Alaska that contain lead levels above the federal limit, and the City of Seldovia is among them.

Should Alaskans fear diseases frozen in the permafrost?

Russian officials say warming permafrost could be linked to a deadly anthrax outbreak in Siberia this month. Permafrost can be found almost everywhere in Alaska — from the Arctic coast to Anchorage. But at least one expert isn’t alarmed about the potential for thawing ground to bring old diseases back to life. Listen now

Flood warning issued for Seward area

National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for Seward until 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Pioneer homes won’t take new residents, at least for now

Alaska’s Pioneer Homes have stopped accepting new residents, at least for a while. It’s one more impact of state budget cuts. Listen now
The Crystal Serenity is the largest passenger ship to traverse the Northwest Passage, traveling from Seward to New York City. Photo: Rachel Waldholz, Alaska's Energy Desk

Is the Arctic ready for the Crystal Serenity?

It's the largest cruise ship to navigate the route, which hugs the coasts of Alaska, Canada and Greenland. And it's attracted international attention, with many wondering if it’s a sign of what’s to come as the Arctic sees increasingly ice-free summers. Listen now

AK: Knowing the unknown

What’s less visible today than Orthodox crosses and golden cupolas are the Alaska Native belief systems that existed before European contact. KDLG’s Hannah Colton has this story about one Dena’ina man who came to embrace his traditional spirituality, and why he's choosing now to speak up about it. Listen now

Fire Island Wind sees expansion on the horizon

After years of talks and setbacks, there’s momentum to expand the Fire Island Wind project. The first turbines started spinning on the island near Anchorage four years ago, but a planned expansion has been stalled ever since. Listen now

Shishmaref community votes to relocate

As determined by Tuesday’s submitted ballots, the community of Shishmaref will relocate to one of two potential sites. According to the Associated Press, unofficial results were 89 in favor of relocating and 78 in favor of staying in place and protecting. Listen now

Cleaner electricity for Peninsula village to arrive by way of Anchorage

The Native Village of Perryville on the Alaska Peninsula has a new power generator. It will help the village use more renewable power and save on costs. Contractors have almost finished putting it together –- but at the moment, it’s almost 500 miles away from its destination. Listen now
John Hendrix started work as Gov. Bill Walker's chief oil and gas adviser in July 2016. Photo: Rachel Waldholz, Alaska's Energy Desk

Walker’s new oil and gas advisor wants to put some “grit” in the system

When Gov. Bill Walker announced the creation of a new cabinet position — a chief oil and gas adviser — he framed it as a way to improve his administration’s often rocky relationship with the oil and gas industry. Listen now

State drops appeal of tribal land into trust regulation

The state of Alaska is dropping its lawsuit over federal regulations that banned Alaska tribes from putting land into trust, calling it "dead-end litigation." But that doesn't mean the state sees smooth roads ahead. Listen now

AK: The simple (subsistence) life

Locals around Bristol Bay know the importance of subsistence fishing and the broader subsistence lifestyle. KDLG's Shaylon Cochran, having spent several years in Kenai, was somewhat familiar with what subsistence means. But has found this summer that the actual experience means a lot more once you’ve lived it. Listen now

State fund for renewable power falls prey to budget woes

Since 2008, the state has set aside a pot of money for renewable energy projects like small dams and wind turbines. Called the Renewable Energy Fund, the projects it's backed have replaced tens of millions of gallons of expensive diesel in communities from Skagway to Nome. Listen now

What killed St. Paul’s woolly mammoths?

What killed the woolly mammoths on St. Paul Island? Thirst. For the first time, scientists have pinpointed the date — 5,600 years ago — and a likely cause of extinction. They believe the environmental changes that killed the animals mirror today’s climate changes. Listen now

The shadow of giants: Schaeffer legacy honored in Kotzebue

Nation's first Iñupiaq two-star general played a critical role in fighting for the people of the Northwest Arctic at a pivotal time in Alaska's history.

Big spending among candidates looking to replace outgoing state legislators

State legislators who aren’t running for re-election have created openings drawing big spending ahead of the primary election next Tuesday. A quarter of all spending by legislative candidates has been in just three races for open seats. But it’s not clear whether those who’ve spent the most will be able to convert that into votes. Listen now

Logistical-support soldiers enabled Army to hold biggest Alaska training exercise in years

Some 5,000 soldiers from around the country and Canada are headed back home after a grueling three-week field-training exercise on ranges around Fort Greely. Arctic Anvil was the biggest exercise U.S. Army-Alaska has held since 2001. Listen now

State Department to hear transboundary mine concerns

U.S. State Department officials are in Southeast Alaska this week to talk about transboundary mines. The Environmental Protection Agency also has sent representatives. Listen now

Whale sculpture arrives in Juneau, fins to come Tuesday

Juneau’s 6-ton, 25-foot-tall whale statue has arrived. At least, the body has. Listen now

Surgeon General visits Palmer to discuss opioid epidemic

Drug addiction, long viewed as a moral failing, is now recognized as a chronic brain disease. US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy brought this message to the Alaska Wellness Summit in Palmer on Thursday. Substance abuse caregivers, recovering addicts and health officials rubbed shoulders at the day-long meeting, with the common aim of combating the opioid abuse epidemic in Alaska. Listen now