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.”

Izembek land swap vote delayed to 2009

Senate Majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada said today that an anticipated lands package will not be taken up in this week's lame duck...

Legislators reject six Dunleavy appointees to boards and commissions

The Alaska Legislature confirmed 82 other members to state boards and commissions during a joint session.
pipeline

Rise in oil prices could add $1.2B in state revenue for Alaska, preliminary forecast says

While the state forecast in March that oil would average $61 per barrel this year, the update forecasts it at $81.31.

Money management at Mental Health Trust raises concerns

Congress set up the Alaska Mental Health Trust in 1956 to make sure the state could provide mental health care programs to its residents far into the future. But the Trust has had a tumultuous history, and now, some state leaders fear it could be in danger once more. Legislators are considering a special audit of the Trust and how the trustees are investing its money.Listen Now

With Pruitt, Murkowski chides without charring

Sen. Murkowski did not ask confrontational questions of the embattled EPA administrator, but she did not leap to Pruitt's defense, either. Listen now

Donation illuminates Alaska Native civil rights history

A recently donated collection of letters, essays, photographs and newspapers is shedding new light on the history of Alaska Native civil rights. One particularly controversial figure in the documents spent half a century advancing Alaska Native causes. Download Audio

Survey: Southeast business leaders pan Dunleavy budget priorities

A questionnaire sent to business leaders across Southeast Alaska found deep misgivings over the governor’s approach to balancing the budget.

Susitna River fire grows, but moves away from area homes

Weather is beginning to cooperate with firefighters in the Mat-Su Borough. One home has been destroyed so far, but 40 more homes that had...
Woman in studio

For Alaska Native earring makers, the pandemic brought a boom

Beaded earrings have always been a staple in Native fashion, but the big uptick in business shows how they’ve become in-demand more broadly. Some say it helps that they are an easy way to be stylish in Zoom meetings.

Stevens Verdict: GUILTY

Ted Stevens is the first sitting U.S. Senator convicted of a crime in 27 years. A Washington, DC jury found him guilty of all seven...

Rep. Young votes against contempt charge and lifting debt limit

"The government must pay its debts," said Young, but he doesn't like Democratic spending plan.
A man in a jacket and tie standing as he speaks on the Alaska Senate floor

Senate committee goes further than House in repealing controversial crime law

The Senate Finance Committee passed House Bill 49 on Sunday after adding elements of a criminal justice package proposed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
lawmakers

A look at some of the bills that failed to pass the Alaska Legislature this year

Parts of a long-term plan to bring state revenue and expenses into line again failed to advance through the Capitol.

Governor Palin back on the job Thursday

Sarah Palin returns to Alaska tonight, no longer a Republican Vice Presidential contender. Palin's spokesman Bill McCallister says the Governor will ride the McCain/Palin...
A woman wearing a bathing suit pushes a walker down a tie hallway.

The day after her 100th birthday, an Anchorage centenarian is back in the pool

"I come every Monday, Wednesday and Friday," said Maurine Loopstra. She has been a member of the Y since the day it opened over 50 years ago.
a man and a woman at a podium

Judge: Alaska elections officials must enforce disloyalty clause

An Anchorage Superior Court judge ruled that the Alaska Division of Elections has a duty to determine whether a candidate for public office is ineligible for disloyalty.

Cruise West Reorganizing; Some Destinations Could Be Cut

Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska –Sitka A small cruise line known for its intimate Alaska sailings is in trouble. Seattle-based Cruise West is reorganizing and has...

Dillingham and schools around Alaska roll out new PEAKS test

The Dillingham City School District started its annual statewide assessment in English language arts, math and science today. The testing window for schools around the state opened Monday and runs through April 28. This year schools are using PEAKS (Performance Evaluation for Alaska’s Schools). Listen now
A computer model of a bort

Environmental regulators to give Alaska LNG pipeline another look

Last year the Alaska LNG pipeline project got the go-ahead from environmental regulators, under then-President Donald Trump, to build the massive project, but the Biden administration wants to take another look.