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.”

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
A rock with drawings in it.

What’s that reddish color on Wrangell’s petroglyphs?

A beach on the northern tip of Wrangell Island in Southeast Alaska is home to rock carvings estimated to be at least 8,000 years old — petroglyphs made by the ancestors of Wrangell’s Lingít people. Recently, one of the larger petroglyphs seemed to change color. And that ignited some debate in town. Was it vandalism or a naturally-occurring reddening?

Denali Climbing Season Registers Its First Death

A climber has died on Denali. The National Park Service reports that French mountaineer Pascal Frison was at the 12 thousand foot...
a syringe extracts a liquid

Pfizer asks FDA to greenlight new omicron booster shots, which could arrive this fall

Pfizer has submitted data on its bivalent COVID-19 booster shot that specifically targets the latest omicron subvariants. If authorized, the company says the shots could be ready as soon as September.

Tax appeal challenges Alaska’s fish landing tax

A dispute over a fishing company’s tax bill is challenging Alaska’s fisheries resource landing tax on constitutional grounds. The landing tax is crucial for fishing dependent communities that receive half the revenue. Listen now

Two Alaskans die of COVID-19 as case count climbs

It's the 21st Alaskan to die with COVID-19.

High school student honored for Gold Creek rescue

A 14-year-old Juneau high school student was honored by the governor’s office today for rescuing a five-year-old boy he saw fall into a fast-running creek. Listen now
""

Free COVID tests and treatments no longer free for uninsured, as funding runs out

Some clinics have already started to turn away people without insurance who come to get tested and can't afford to pay for it.
A girl flexes her muscle with bandaid

Alaska kids’ COVID vaccination rates remain low. Pediatricians say misinformation is the challenge.

“A lot of people like to consult Dr. Google,” said an Anchorage pediatrician. “That can cause a lot of problems.”
a bear

An empty-nest mama bear just won Fat Bear Week

Like an ursine Sarah Connor, Grazer is one tough mother. She preemptively attacks huge males that might threaten her offspring.

King Fishing Closed For June

Ellen Lockyer, KSKA – Anchorage Sport anglers will not be allowed to fish the Kenai River this month, due to a poor king salmon run. ...
An oil platform in ocean

Hilcorp picks up more acreage in Cook Inlet for oil and gas development

Hilcorp snapped up more than 100,000 acres in Cook Inlet for additional oil and gas development at federal and state lease sales held Wednesday. Listen now

Alaska Becomes The Second State To Officially Recognize Indigenous Languages

Supporters of a bill to make 20 Alaska Native languages official state languages organized a 15 hour sit-in protest at the Capitol on Sunday. Their dedication paid off early this morning, when the measure passed the Alaska Senate on an 18-2 vote. Download Audio
Rows of cots are organized on the floor of an arena.

Anchorage’s largest shelter is at capacity. Mayor Bronson wants to add 160 more beds.

The Sullivan Arena’s beds have been full since late November. On the coldest days, more than 100 people have waited for a bed in a 24-hour warming shelter.

Bethel Murder Trial Proceedings Off to a Rocky Start

One of the highest profile murder cases in Bethel history is headed to trial soon. Last October, 19-year-old Benjamin Kaiser of Hooper Bay was murdered in a Bethel shop in what seasoned officers called the most brutal killing they have investigated.
A small airport next to a river as seen from above

Passengers safe after 18-year-old takes control of plane in Southwest Alaska

An Alaska State Troopers report says that Bethel resident and flight passenger Jaden Lake-Kameroff entered the cockpit of a Cessna Caravan on a flight from Bethel to Aniak. The 18-year-old took control of the yoke, causing the plane to nosedive.
An empty hallway with a long corkboard on the wall that's empty as well

‘We are horrified’: Anchorage teachers, parents blast plan to return younger students to classrooms

Dozens of people on Tuesday decried the school district’s plan to bring thousands of kids back into buildings in November as the number of coronavirus infections surges in the city.
A woman in a mask speaks in an official room

Party of principles or party of Trump: Murkowski says Republicans must choose

“I’m not a Democrat. And so I continue to be a Republican, but I am not a Trump Republican," said Murkowski at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. Murkowski is facing censure from state the state Republican party.

Dry conditions spark Wasilla wildfire

A grass fire near Wasilla was reported by a pilot about 3:00 pm Wednesday. The fire had burned into the trees and had spread to about 15 acres later in the afternoon.
Protestors with a banner that says "the era of fossil fuel finance is over. Climate Justice now."

While natural gas is vilified in Glasgow, Sen. Sullivan casts it as a climate savior

In the climate debate, natural gas is cast as both hero and villain.