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.”

cars

Bethel’s first car show is a blast from Alaska’s past

It takes a lot of work to maintain a vehicle in Bethel, and that’s a big part of why Zack Huckstep organized the city’s first car show.
The shadow of a person looks at green aurora.

For once, clearing skies in Juneau pull back curtain on brilliant aurora

The lights appeared amid a skein of clouds that, for once, had opened just enough. Many who passed up sleep to see the aurora posted images to social media showing intense green waves, purple spikes and ribbons of deep red dancing over the mountains and Gastineau Channel.
the Willow project

ConocoPhillips says court case is likely do-or-die for Alaska’s Willow oil project

Willow would be the first large project constructed in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

When US Senators listen to Arctic voices, only some resonate

Eleven Alaskans testified before the U.S. Senate Energy Committee Thursday, for and against drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. While senators said they wanted to listen to the people of the Arctic, many seemed to hear selectively. Listen now

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
Seattle-based American Seafoods

After 100 cases in June, Seattle seafood company reports 6 more crew have COVID-19 in Dutch Harbor

A Bering Sea trawler currently docked in Dutch Harbor has reported six cases of COVID-19 among its 119 crew members, officials said Friday.

Kuskokwim River Flooding Upriver Villages; Red Devil Nearly Evacuated

Breakup on the Kuskokwim River is also flooding some upriver villages. Red Devil was nearly evacuated this weekend before water levels there began to...
a Girdwood mud rescue

Hooligan fisherman rescued from Turnagain Arm mud

It’s Girdwood firefighters’ first save of the year from the quicksand-like flats, which can trap people in rising tides.

Dunleavy taps Sean Parnell for gas line advice

Dunleavy’s transition chairman Tuckerman Babcock also announced that former Libertarian Party state legislator Dick Randolph will be an adviser on constitutional amendments. Listen now

AK: Hair

Hair is important, especially in high school, but that didn’t stop a few dozen students at Bethel’s Kuskokwim Learning Academy boarding school from shaving off their hair in support of a teacher undergoing chemotherapy. It was also a chance for some students to remember family who died from the disease. Download Audio

Coast Guard to Sink Japanese Ghost Ship

The U.S. Coast Guard has a cutter at the scene and intends to sink the Japanese ghost ship floating off the Southeast Alaska coast this morning. The shrimper Ryou-Un Maru was cut loose a year ago in the tsunami and drifted un-manned across the Pacific . The cutter Anacapa arrived on scene last night, equipped with weapory. Read More
branches piled up on the beach to prevent further damage from flooding.

‘Our lives are at stake’: Shaktoolik residents seek aid to rebuild berm lost in storm

People in Shaktoolik are back in their homes after many evacuated to the school when the remnants of Typhoon Merbok hit Western Alaska over...

Thousands of Alaskans Remain Out of Work

Casey Kelly, KTOO – Juneau Despite an improving job market, thousands of Alaskans remain out of work and some have fallen through the cracks...

Akeela House celebrates 40 years of successful sobriety treatments

The Akeela House in Anchorage turned 40 this year. It's one of Anchorage's oldest substance use treatment facilities. Now it has programs in communities and prisons across the state. Former clients say it still delivers a message of hope. Download Audio

New law gives judges more discretion when setting bail

For the second time in six months, there’s a change coming in how defendants awaiting trial must post bail. As of January, most Alaskans charged with misdemeanor offenses didn’t have to post cash bail in order to be released from jail. But due to a new change in state law, this measure is being reversed.
a portrait of a man in a dark button up shoirt

Alaska turned to a private guardianship agency to care for some of its most vulnerable residents. The result: dysfunction and debt.

The Office of Public Advocacy, facing a staffing crisis, relied on a fledgling nonprofit to lighten its caseload. Some transferred clients lost critical benefits.

Alaska’s new ‘green bank’ hopes to improve the financial case for renewable energy

Alaskans looking to invest in solar panels or other renewable energy infrastructure will likely have some new options in the next few years.

ExxonMobil argues against paying interest on punitive damages

The Anchorage Daily News is reporting ExxonMobil corporation says it should not have to pay $488 million in interest on the punitive damages awarded...

New house bill sets permanent fund dividend at $1600

The House Finance Committee raised its proposal for the permanent fund dividend to sixteen hundred dollars. A new version of a House Bill 2001 setting the dividend amount would also restore funding for most items vetoed by Governor Mike Dunleavy.

State investment agency approves $500K for summer work on Ambler Road project

The Ambler Road project has been a lightning rod for controversy for years, pitting the desire to expand business and mining interests in the state against the concerns over impacts to the environment and subsistence