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.”

Sitka asked to cut back even further on electric usage

The Sitka electric department is urging residents to turn off their electric heaters and fire up the diesel or wood stoves. The city has...
A large bull caribou trots through tundra

Biologists find first cases of infectious bacteria in Southwest Alaska caribou herd

Brucellosis can be lethal to caribou and can also lead to miscarriages.

BP to plead guilty for North Slope malfeasance

BP today agreed to plead guilty to violations of the federal Clean Water Act and pay $20 million in fines and restitution related to...

Senator Begich to Question Petraeus About Afghanistan War

Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC Alaskan Senator Mark Begich will get a chance tomorrow to publicly quiz the President’s pick to run the Afghanistan...

Judge approves sale of Alaska Dispatch News to Binkley family

A bankruptcy court judge today approved the sale of Alaska Dispatch News, the state's largest newspaper from Alice Rogoff to the Binkley family of Fairbanks. The judge still needs to sign the official paperwork on the deal, which is set to close on Friday. Listen now
People in red stand in a line outside, holding sings that say "UNAC Faculty: an investment in Alaska"

University of Alaska faculty union files unfair labor practice complaint

The complaint alleges the university administration unlawfully declared an impasse, illegally implemented its “best and final offer” and engaged in direct bargaining with the faculty through email updates, bypassing the negotiation team.

Murkowski, Sullivan resign GOP posts after denouncing Trump

Alaska's two U.S. senators resigned leadership posts in the state Republican party in denouncing GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump. Listen Now

Anticipating a busy election season, Alaska constitutional convention opponents launch early campaign

A new bipartisan group, citing unusual interest in Alaska’s once-per-decade constitutional convention ballot question, has launched a new campaign to convince voters to reject a convention that could significantly change the state’s laws and government.
man standing at a microphone

With the Trump charges still sealed, Sullivan denounces prosecution as unjust

Sen. Sullivan's castigation of the decision to charge the former president contrasts with the neutral positions taken by the rest of the Alaska delegation.

Unemployed Must Wait for January for Additional Benefits

Alaskans who have exhausted their unemployment benefits are eligible for 14 additional weeks thanks to legislation signed by President Obama on Friday...
A man gestures while participating in a video call while telecommuting during the coronavirus pandemic. His children are playing in the room as he works.

1 in 3 working families is struggling to find the child care they desperately need

And more than 1 in 3 adults in households with children say they have experienced serious problems meeting both their work and family responsibilities, according to an NPR poll.

Bill would provide $1,600 PFD, with aim of growing fund

Senate Bill 1002 would allow state spending on the dividend to stay within the mandates of a law passed last year that aims to allow the fund to grow by keeping draws from fund earnings at a sustainable level.
Construction workers walk down a city street.

Economic development officials launch campaign against Anchorage’s ‘talent crisis’

The Choose Anchorage action plan calls on leaders to improve education, housing and public infrastructure.

Sen. Murkowski talks aviation, climate change in Bethel visit

Climate change and rural aviation are major issues in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski addressed both during her visit to the region last week.

Training accident ends Anchorage snowboarder Mancari’s Olympics

The Anchorage snowboarder revealed she ruptured both Achilles tendons. Mancari was set to compete in the women's snowboardcross event on Friday. Listen now
A man with a white beard gestures with his hand in front of a large window and a snowy mountain.

Alaska avalanche expert says more should be done to avoid putting homes in slide paths

Anchorage-based avalanche expert Doug Fesler says more should be done to avoid building in avalanche paths.
a sharps container near tents

Anchorage lawyers are working on a policy to clarify when the city will enforce no-camping rules 

Inaction so far this year on clearing encampments stems in part from an Assembly policy call, and in part from legal paralysis around a court decision.
Interior Secretary Zinke posted this photo of Sen. Murkowski and him drinking two Alaska Brewing Company pale ales on Thursday. (Twitter photo from Ryan Zinke)

Zinke tweets beer pic showing he’s A-OK with Murkowski

If harsh words were spoken, Sen. Lisa Murkowski appears to have patched things up with Interior Sec. Ryan Zinke. Zinke tweeted a picture of himself and Murkowski having beers together, two Alaskan Brewing Company pale ales. Listen now
a plane crash

No accredited pilot was aboard plane in deadly Nondalton crash, NTSB says

The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its preliminary report on the crash that killed pilot Dave Hedgers, 58, and Aaron Fryar, 45.