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.”

64 years later, closure sought for Colony Glacier plane crash

Mountaineers, morticians, and a forensic anthropologist are scouring the surface of a glacier as they hunt for the remains of a military plane that crashed 64 years ago. Download Audio

Third major ratings agency downgrades Alaska credit

Fitch Ratings announced Tuesday that it is lowering the state's long term credit rating from AAA -- its highest rating -- to AA+, citing the state's massive budget gap. Download Audio
Gov. Bill Walker, pictured at a press availability on January 28, 2016. (File photo by Skip Gray, 360 North)

Walker orders Alaska flags lowered in remembrance of Orlando shooting

In the wake of the mass shooting early Sunday morning at an Orlando gay nightclub, Governor Walker ordered that all Alaska flags be lowered in honor of the victims of the shooting. In the attack, a lone gunman opened fire on the Pulse nightclub and killed at least 50 people and injured at least 53 more. The attack is reported to be the worst attack in the United States since the September 11 attacks.

Alaska regulators approve first license for a legal marijuana business

Alaska regulators have approved the state's first license for a legal marijuana business. Download Audio

Canoe landings kick off Celebration 2016

The arrival of the One People Canoe Society on Wednesday marked an unofficial kick-off to Celebration. While the flotilla steadied itself for the last leg of the journey, a crowd of over 300 people clustered at the shores of Douglas Harbor. Download Audio

Following ousting of Mayor Brower, North Slope elections yield no successor

The is no winner as yet in the North Slope Borough's mayoral election, and officials indicate there may be a run-off election. With absentee and questioned ballots still to be counted, not one of the seven candidates has received the required 40 percent of the ballot. Download Audio

Federal law enforcement search cabs and homes in Bethel alcohol investigation

FBI agents along with State Troopers and Bethel Police conducted searches in at least three subdivisions in Bethel on Tuesday in connection with possible illegal alcohol sales. Download Audio

Alaska troopers and FBI agents raid illegal alcohol sellers in Bethel

An interagency raid surprised a number of people in Bethel Tuesday morning. According to witnesses, Alaska State Troopers and FBI agents raided several trailers at the city's trailer court. Trooper spokesperson Megan Peters says multiple search warrants were being served on those involved in illegal alcohol sales and distribution by local companies in Bethel. Download Audio

Senate passes bill cutting Permanent Fund dividends in half

Permanent Fund dividends would be cut in half under a bill the Senate passed Monday. It’s part of a plan to change the basis for funding state government from a dependence on oil revenues toward Permanent Fund earnings. But the plan is controversial. Download Audio

New national project focusing on race in schools begins in Anchorage

A new series from Slate and the Teacher Project at the Columbia Journalism School started this week. It focuses on race in schools in the United States. Their first feature looks at Anchorage's Newcomers' Center, which helps immigrants and refugees adjust to the local school system. The project editor, Sarah Carr, says it's the perfect place to begin because the program is working. Download Audio

DOC investigation shows inmate died from drug overdose

A Department of Corrections investigation into last April's inmate death at the Anchorage jail indicates a drug overdose. Download Audio

Legislature passes House oil and gas tax bill, one lawmaker urges Walker to veto

Oil and gas companies would continue to receive tax credits under a bill that a legislative committee passed Monday. But they may not be able to count on receiving much this year. That's because the next round of credits depends on funding that one key lawmaker is already calling on Governor Bill Walker to veto. Download Audio

Senate votes to lower health insurance premium increases for individuals and families

The Senate voted 15 to 2 Friday to pass a bill to lower health insurance premium increases for individuals and families. Download Audio

AK: “Walk to Fisterra”: A Fairbanks musician’s pilgrimage through Spain

"Walk to Fisterra" is a new documentary film showing tonight in Fairbanks featuring Alaskan born cellist Dane Johansen walking over 500 miles carrying his cello on his back, playing the Bach Cello Suites along the Spanish pilgrimage to Carmino de Santiago. Johansen is the son of Fairbanks School of Talent Education founder and current Fairbanks Suzuki Institute Music Director Gail Johansen so learning a string instrument was almost a given in the Johansen household. Johansen picked up the cello when he was just 4 and as he grew in talent and stature, so did the weight and size of the cello which posed a few challenges as he trekked with tens of thousands of other pilgrims on the walk to Fisterra. Download Audio

U.S. Senate bill could give five Southeast “landless” Native groups land.

A U.S. Senate bill introduced last week could allow Alaska Natives in five Southeast communities to form urban corporations. Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell each stand to gain about 23,000 acres of land if the bill passes. But, the legislation does not come without controversy. Download Audio

Gov. Walker declares June 3 as Dutch Harbor Remembrance Day

Governor Bill Walker has declared June 3rd to be recognized as Dutch Harbor Remembrance Day. Statewide all flags will fly at half-mast to recognize Japan’s World War II attack on Dutch Harbor. Download Audio

One dead and three injured in Kodiak fire

One person is dead and three others are injured after a fire at a remote fishing lodge on Kodiak Island. Download Audio

Four senators — including Ellis and Huggins — won’t seek re-election

Anchorage Democratic Sen. Johnny Ellis and Wasilla Republican Sen. Charlie Huggins announced they won’t seek re-election. Download Audio

Sullivan says surprise candidacy followed call to Joe Miller

Ex-Anchorage mayor Dan Sullivan says he didn’t want to file for Sen. Lisa Murkowski's seat until he knew who else was running. Late in the afternoon, he spoke to Murkowski’s 2010 rival, Joe Miller. Download Audio

Legislature passes two bills aiding children in foster care

The Legislature took three actions this week that will help foster care children -- passing two bills aiming at finding kids adoptive homes and adding money to the budget to help keep struggling families together. Download Audio