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.”

Aleutians East Scrambles For Cheaper Link To Akutan Airport

Yesterday, we reported that Akutan residents are pleased with their new airport taxi — a helicopter that came online in February. The Aleutians East Borough is already running out of money to pay for it. Today, in the second part of our series on the struggle to connect Akutan to its airport, the borough settles on a permanent solution. It’s one they rejected a decade ago. Download Audio
A school bus turning into the street

Anchorage School Board reconsiders change to start times

Anchorage school start times could be rearranged under a proposal the school board is considering, and possibly voting on, at its meeting Tuesday night.

Senate passes its version of state budget after charged debate

The vote came after the Senate defeated 24 proposed amendments, including one that would have raised permanent fund dividends to the full amount. Listen now

Can ‘Indian country’ powers combat violence in rural Alaska? Sullivan says he’ll discuss it with AG Barr.

U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr is coming to Alaska this week. Sen. Dan Sullivan said he will focus on rural law enforcement, particularly for the more than 70 Alaska villages that have no police officers.
Salmon in bright red spawning colors pool underwater

Fishermen, state, in flux after circuit court overturns state control of Cook Inlet salmon

In Cook Inlet, managing the salmon runs for commercial, sport and subsistence interests is so controversial, it’s often called a fish war.
a Hilcorp platform in Cook Inlet

Bill to provide free access to Cook Inlet seismic surveys moves forward

House Resources Committee chair Rep. Tom McKay, R-Anchorage, said he believes the proposal could spur more drilling.

First Two VPSOs Graduate From Firearm Training

Two Village Public Safety Officers graduated from firearm training today (Friday, 4-3-15), becoming the first officers in the 40-year history of the program to be armed. Download Audio

Rhetoric Heats Up in Advance of “SOS” Vote

The ‘Save Our Salmon’ Initiative goes before voters in the Lake and Peninsula Borough tomorrow, and the information war around the proposed Pebble mine that the initiative is aimed at stopping, is heating up.

49 Voices: Quinn Bennett of Anchorage

This week we're hearing from Quinn Bennett in Anchorage. Bennett is a lifelong Alaskan who's done everything from outdoor guiding to teaching. He moved to Anchorage from Soldotna at the age of ten. Listen now
Tongass National Forest

Alaska, source of carbon-emitting fossil fuels, aims to raise money by storing carbon

Gov. Mike Dunleavy sees hundreds of millions of dollars in carbon sequestration.

AK: The haunting of Alaskan Hotel’s Room 315

Juneau's historic Alaskan Hotel has a reputation of being haunted. Listen now

More cops, fewer consultants in Anchorage’s opening budget volley

The administration introduced its 2016 budget, which is $1.8 million less than last year's, but saddled with $11 million less in revenues.

A second ‘blob’ marine heat wave disappeared but warming trend will continue, scientists say

The first blob decimated fisheries, caused a mass seabird die-off, and spurred toxic algal blooms up and down the coast. As Alaska braced for the second heat wave, it disappeared — at least for now.

ANWR may get new environmental protections in newly-Democratic DC

A renewed effort to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) from development is being met with excitement from environmental groups who hope they...

Sullivan, after voting to acquit Trump, calls the president’s actions less than ‘perfect’

"I believe the President should have requested such an investigation through more official and robust channels," Sen. Dan Sullivan says

Breakthrough COVID cases are rising in Alaska. Here’s why, and why vaccines are still ‘amazing.’

One in five of Alaska's COVID hospitalizations in July was vaccinated. So were four of the 17 COVID deaths.
A white man in a red and black fleece jacket speaks at a podium in front of an American flag.

How do Alaska leaders know it’s safe to reopen the economy? It’s all about data – but it’s complicated.

Officials and experts say that decision-making around the reopening can be complicated and hard for the public to follow. There’s no single measurement that reflects the state’s overall progress in fighting the coronavirus, nor is there specific, centralized guidance from the federal government.
Screenshot of Louis DeJoy with the insignia of the Postal Service behind him.

Postmaster general considers bringing budget axe down on Alaska’s Bypass Mail

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy says he’s considering cutting Alaska’s bypass mail program to save money.

Former legislator Chris Tuck files to run for Anchorage mayor

Tuck joins incumbent Dave Bronson and former Anchorage Assembly chair Suzanne LaFrance in their bids for mayor.