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.”

New Technology Proves Vital To Alaska’s National Weather Service Forecasters

Today we’re doing the weather. Dave Snider is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He does a daily statewide forecast for public television stations. The final product you see is full of graphics, but inside the massive TV studio it’s just Snider and a single green screen. Download Audio
king crab clusters

Crab crisis in Bering Sea a sign of ‘borealization’ and big changes in the future, scientists warn

In coming decades, the ocean conditions that triggered the snow crab crash and harvest closure are expected to be common.
a man in a tie stands in a meeting room

Alaska legislator, member of Oath Keepers, faces lawsuit challenging his eligibility for office

Members of the Oath Keepers, including the group’s founder, have been accused of crimes linked to the Jan. 6 riots.

Fire Island Wind sees expansion on the horizon

After years of talks and setbacks, there’s momentum to expand the Fire Island Wind project. The first turbines started spinning on the island near Anchorage four years ago, but a planned expansion has been stalled ever since. Listen now
a dirty revolver dug up from the ground

Palmer man convicted of murder in drug robberies won’t face death penalty after all

Prosecutors say John Pearl Smith II, 36, shot and killed Ben Gross and Crystal Denardi in a garage during another attempted robbery in 2016 in Wasilla, after which he burned the bodies and garage.

Former legislator Vic Kohring hit with revised corruption indictment

The federal government has released new details in their case against former state legislator Vic Kohring. Prosecutors have filed a new indictment against Kohring...
A woman facing the camera and smiling, while standing in front of the White House.

Norway ambassador visits Alaska to talk climate, Russia and, yes, Norwegian dog mushing success

Anniken Krutnes, Norway's first female ambassador to the U.S., was recently in Anchorage meeting with state leaders to discuss shared interests.

Senate Strengthens Opposition to Oil Tax Reduction

Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau Monday, the Senate leadership hardened its opposition to Governor Sean Parnell’s tax reduction for the oil industry.   In...
Four caribou swim across a calm river with yellow grasses, trees and mountains in the background.

With a decision on Ambler looming, the Kobuk River makes a list of endangered rivers

Advocates say the Ambler Road and mining projects risk contaminating the Kobuk River watershed and hurting the region’s subsistence species.

COVID testing requirements will return to Alaska Capitol amid recent surge

The updated policy requires those who work in the Capitol to be tested every four days and to isolate if they test positive.

Chilkat robe saved from eBay sale back in Southeast

A Chilkat robe that was for sale on eBay has returned to Southeast Alaska. The robe traveled all the way from Texas, where it was almost sold to the highest bidder. Download Audio
A microscope image of gray oval shapes

Alaska’s first monkeypox case recorded in Anchorage

Anchorage Health Department officials say the person who tested positive is an Anchorage resident and is isolating at home. Officials say the person did not require hospitalization, and was a close contact of a person who recently traveled out of state. 
vehicles shine lights on a runway

The runway lights broke, but Igiugig guided in a child’s medevac plane with headlights

The village’s state-owned airport has had some problems with the runway lights. And when residents went to turn them on to guide the flight in — nothing happened. Usually, this would stop a plane from being able to land. But not this time.

Drug Trafficking, Money Laundering Ring Bust Leads to 19 Arrests

Ben Stanton, KDLL – Kenai An inter-state drug trafficking and money laundering investigation by a law enforcement task force has led to the arrest...

ANWR coastal plain oil, gas lease plan draws heated opposition in Fairbanks

About 250 people turned out Tuesday at a meeting in Fairbanks to offer comments on a federal plan to launch an oil and gas leasing program in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Listen now

State green-lights employees to testify in Palin/Monegan investigation

The Department of Law has agreed to let the legislative investigator looking into the Monegan firing interview state employees for which subpoenas were approved...
A sign reads "Nesbett Courthouse," behind the sign, pedestrians walk on the sidewalk.

Homeschool ruling is on hold — but only through the end of June, judge rules

The judge’s order denying the state’s motion for a longer stay of the ruling also clarifies key aspects of the case.

Student Greenhouses Prompt Thorne Bay Restaurant Purchase

There are no restaurants in the 500-person town of Thorne Bay on Prince of Wales Island. But that looks like it’s going to change. The Southeast Island School District, which serves Thorne Bay and several other rural schools, is buying a vacant restaurant from the city. They’re going to use food from school greenhouses and a bakery to provide fresh meals for residents and business experience for students. Download Audio
A grean lump with yellow dots

Alaska is exempting some businesses from health mandates. But it’s keeping their plans secret for now.

More than 700 companies want exemptions to a public health mandate from Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy that quarantined employees coming from out of state work from home for two weeks. But the state has so far refused to release companies' plans publicly, even as municipal leaders press for access.