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 meeting

Sitkans take to mic to share thoughts on cruise traffic

A tourism town hall was packed with close to 100 people. Just under 30 shared their thoughts on what number of cruise visitors is right for Sitka.
A woman in a dress and face masks paints a black and white piece of art.

With reading and writing close behind, Juneau’s school board approves spoken Lingít teaching standards

These are the first oral narrative standards developed for the Lingít language to be taught to school children.

Palin's gas line plan in legislative minds on eve of special session

The legislature is gaveling into special session this evening to consider the Palin administration's proposal for a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope...

Stevens trial juror admits to lying about absence in strange press meeting

A juror who disappeared from Senator Ted Stevens' federal trial admitted today that she lied to the court about why she left town suddenly...

Stimulus package appears on its way to passage

The US House passed the massive Economic Stimulus package this morning. The Senate is expected to follow tonight. Just how much money will come...
A woman smiles into a camera for a selfie in front of some snowy mountains

Here’s how a Bethel woman survived 2 nights on a mountainside after being charged by bears near Palmer

After getting lost on the trail, she said that she was charged by multiple bears and survived by eating last year’s cranberries.
A woman points to a stripe on a large blanket with many stripes of different colors and widths

Each row of this Kenai woman’s crochet project represents a day of COVID case data

The blanket is over 11 feet long and weighs 10 pounds. It represents more than a year of crocheting in front of the TV, watching cases spike and fall.
a building

Alaska governor’s staff deleted state agency’s analysis of teacher pay

The article would have been on cover of Alaska Economic Trends for October.

Shell Finds Fracture in Hull of Icebreaker

An icebreaker leased to Shell sprang a leak and had to return to Dutch Harbor early Friday morning. The MV Fennica carries the company’s capping stack -- a critical piece of safety equipment for Shell’s plan to drill two wells this summer in the Chukchi Sea. Download Audio:

Anchorage police search for man’s killer nearly 6 years after his disappearance

Jose Guadalupe Gonzalez was 46 in July of 2016, when police say his coworkers reported that he had not shown up for work.
a portrait of a man in glasses

Biden nominates Alaska scientist as nation’s first Arctic ambassador

Mike Sfraga is the chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.
A concrete sign with the words "Anchorage Correctional Complex_

2 more Alaska inmates die as details emerge on early-morning Anchorage jail death

State officials say two inmates suffered medical deaths last week, as Anchorage police investigate the June 26 death of 38-year-old Ross Greenley.
Two people stand next to a large trophy

Thousands attend first-ever Alaska filming of ‘Antiques Roadshow’

The Anchorage episodes filmed Tuesday will air next year on PBS.

With both cheers and tears, Alaskans react to big energy policy changes under Trump

At two recent gatherings in Anchorage, Alaskans expressed very different feelings about the big shift in Washington on development issues. Listen now
three people behind a podium

Alaska House approves $6.4 billion state spending plan, sends it to Senate for further work

The proposal would cover state services for 12 months starting July 1 and includes a $2,700 PFD but is subject to further negotiation.
a permanent fund seal in window

Alaska heading toward fiscal ‘brick wall’ that could force end to PFD formula debate

Alaskans are set to receive $1,312 payouts, but the Legislature still can’t agree on how to determine that number in the long term.
A young boy holds an american flag and a poster

Here’s how to watch Alaska’s Olympians

Fans will be able to watch Seward swimmer Lydia Jacoby and Eagle River rugby player Alev Kelter, in their respective competitions on TV or online next week, but they may have to stay up late -- or get up early to catch the action live.

As new companies enter Alaska oil fields, violations spike

2015 was a record year for fines in Alaska’s oil and gas fields. State regulators proposed some $1.7 million dollars in penalties against five companies -- and the University of Alaska Fairbanks -- for violating safety and environmental regulations at oil and gas wells. Download Audio

Proposed Ambler project underscores promise and peril of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act

Ambivalence about the Ambler road and mine projects extends across the Upper Kobuk River region, where jobs could support subsistence but development could jeopardize it. 

UAA’s Ulmer Chosen for Oil Spill Commission

University of Alaska, Anchorage, Chancellor Fran Ulmer has been tapped by the White House to serve on the just -formed National Commission on the Deepwater...