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.”

a man in a tie walks out of a courtroom

Former Veco boss who served prison time in corruption scandal has died

Bill Allen, who was at the pinnacle of wealth and power in Alaska until he was exposed as a central figure in a political corruption scandal, died last week at age 85.
An oil platform at dusk

Biden offshore drilling proposal would allow up to 11 sales, including 1 in Alaska

The proposal from President Joe Biden’s administration goes against the Democrat’s climate promises but scales back a Trump-era plan that called for dozens of offshore drilling opportunities including in undeveloped areas.
An Alaska State Trooper cruiser parked on Nome’s Front Street in January 2015.

Alaska Democratic Party director faces DUI charge after traffic stop

The charges include driving under the influence and refusing a chemical test after a weekend traffic stop near Soldotna.
a blue sign on the side of a building says "State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services"

Seeking efficiency, Alaska breaks its health agency into two new departments

The Department of Health and Social Services has been split into separate organizations.
people run down a steep gravel mountainside

Records fall at Mount Marathon race in Seward

Allie McLaughlin of Colorado smashed the women's record by 40 seconds.
A runner bounds down a wet dirt trail wearing black shorts, a red backpack and an orange windbreaker. Mountains rise into mist in the background and there are wet leaves and other vegetation in the foreground.

Gov. Dunleavy vetoes $10.5M in funds for Alaska Long Trail project

That's about 75% of the funding that was in the budget approved by legislators for the 300-mile project.
a house with smoke billowing behind it

Wildfire activity escalates in Alaska with 20 new fires Monday

Thousands of lightning strikes were again detected across a wide area, from Southcentral to the Interior and Northern Alaska. 

Advocates of abortion rights inject themselves into Anchorage Independence Day parade

“I was born into a country where I was guaranteed certain rights and now they’re gone," one protester said.

Alaska won’t see change after Supreme Court decision on state powers to prosecute crimes on tribal land

Alaska, like some 20 other states, already has federal approval from Congress granting such authority, so the decision itself won't have much affect in Alaska, says Lloyd Miller, an Anchorage-based lawyer and Indian law specialist with Sonosky Chambers.
people carry a large gold dome

A small community of Spruce Island monks is getting a new chapel

The chapel is nearing completion and should be finished sometime in the fall of this year.

Emotions high as Anchorage’s largest homeless shelter shuts down after more than 2 years 

Dozens of people have moved from shelter to camping in the past weeks as the city closes its pandemic-era shelter.
people laying on beach and swimming in water with mountains in background

When the temperature hits 70, Alaskans feel the heat — and start suffering health ills

Acclimatization, the angle of the sun at high latitudes and other factors make summer heat more intense in Alaska.
two pilots in the cockpit of a plane

A pilot shortage that’s been brewing for years adds to the summer travel chaos

The pipeline of new pilots has been shrinking for years. As summer travel demand increases, the shortage is adding to the strain in airlines and chaos at the airports.

‘There’s no treatment’: Anchorage bird rescue faces avian influenza

Bird TLC is one of a few bird rehabilitation centers in Alaska still accepting birds. Now, along with eagles with broken wings and orphaned baby ducks, they’re also getting birds with bird flu.
pipeline

What do high oil prices mean for Alaska’s economy? We asked an economist.

After a long period of uncertainty in the industry, oil prices have topped $100 for months.
a symbol on a buliding

Blood quantum requirement dropped for Sealaska Corporation enrollment

The change means descendants of original shareholders no longer need to prove they have one–quarter Native blood to become a shareholder, which was a requirement set by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in 1971.
A woman with a red and blue jacket on drinking coffee

Peltola’s superpower: US House nominee disarms with unexpected niceness

Alaska congressional candidate Mary Peltola says there's power in making friends.
Sarah Palin sits at a table between a man and a woman, holding up a t-shirt that says "Nowhere Alaska 99901"

Ketchikan Republicans censure Sarah Palin over ‘bridge to nowhere’ controversy

Despite the censure, the party chapter is still recommending that voters rank Palin ahead of the Democratic candidate, Mary Peltola.
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Supreme Court restricts the EPA’s authority to mandate carbon emissions reductions

The decision by the conservative court majority sets the stage for further limitations on the regulatory power of other agencies as well.
W white man with a t shirt and mask and baseball cap hugs a girl wearing a red face mask with blond hair

State health officials stress importance of vaccinating youngest Alaskans against COVID

Health officials also emphasized how thorough the research was on pediatric vaccines before they were authorized.