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.”

State Attempts to Overturn Federal Actions Holding Up Oil Exploration

Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau Governor Sean Parnell filed another suit against the federal government on Thursday – this time to overturn the federal...
A car parked near trees.

1 missing, 4 safe after boat capsizes near Noorvik

Dozens of searchers are looking for 30-year-old Brandon Sheldon on the Kobuk River north of Noorvik after Monday's capsize, troopers said.
Two men stand in front of a map of Alaska

How the battle over Alaska’s legislative districts landed in court

The state’s high court agreed with an earlier Superior Court decision and wrote that the Redistricting Board “engaged in unconstitutional political gerrymandering."

Murkowski, Sullivan contend with less-Republican Senate

Last year, it was all eyes on Sen. Lisa Murkowski. The fate of health care and tax bills seemed at times to turn on what she would do. But this year is shaping up differently in the Senate, and both Alaska senators will have to contend with new dynamics. Listen now

Alaska clarifies new rules for ferry travel, no test required for short trips

The Alaska Marine Highway System announced the new coronavirus-related protocols on Sunday. Three days later, it sent out a statement tweaking some of them.
A hand places a paper ballot in a ballot box.

What do you want to ask Anchorage mayoral candidates?

Send us your questions to help inform our candidate questionnaires for the April 2 election.
People walk through the Alaska State Fair grounds in Palmer - some masked, some not. Ferris wheel in the background

After a missed year, Alaska State Fair vendors say things feel almost normal, despite pandemic risk

The 2020 Alaska State Fair was canceled due to COVID-19 risk. This year, you’d hardly know there’s a pandemic, said some vendors.
the corner of the City Hall building

State says Anchorage faces more than $600K in fines for safety violations. City officials say they’ve been addressed.

Safety concerns went back to the administrations of Mayors Ethan Berkowitz and Dan Sullivan and ranged from a lack of guardrails in some facilities and workers being exposed to electrical hazards to workplace injuries not being reported on time. 

Outgoing Lt. Gov. Davidson considers political future in Alaska

Lt. Gov. Valerie Narr’araaluk Davidson took her first trip back to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta earlier this week, visiting Yup’ik immersion school Ayaprun Elitnaurviat, Gladys Jung Elementary and technical training school Yuut Elitnaurviat.

Court continues to sort out irregularities in Stevens trial

The Justice Department got back on track in court today in the case of former Senator Ted Stevens. At their last court...

Despite conflict with Iran, Alaska oil prices are mostly unchanged. Here’s why.

Alaska North Slope crude has settled at a lower price than it was before tensions boiled over.

Troopers arrest Anchor Point man in connection with officer shooting after overnight search

Alaska State Troopers say an officer was shot in downtown Anchor Point around 1 p.m. Monday, and they're now asking for the public's help locating a man who they say is wanted "in connection" to the incident.
the Alaska Supreme Court

After state judge keeps ranked choice repeal ballot measure, Alaska Supreme Court will weigh in

The Alaska Supreme Court is likely the last chance for opponents of the ranked choice voting repeal to prevent it from coming to a vote.

Our 16 favorite photos of frosty Iditarod mushers and fuzzy muzzles

With temperatures plunging deep into the negatives on Tuesday, mushers and dogs sported a coating of frost when they pulled into Nikolai, a small village about a quarter of the way into the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

How much could electric vehicles put the brakes on Alaska’s oil economy?

As more people move away from gasoline powered cars, the big players in the oil industry have started to pay attention -- and that includes Alaska. Listen now

A Week Later, Shelter Still Home for Mountain View Fire Victims

It's been about a week since fire ripped through Glynwood Manor, a 38-unit apartment complex in the Mountain View neighborhood of Anchorage. Investigators are still trying to figure out the cause. Meantime, 32 people are still living at a Red Cross Shelter at the Fairview Recreation Center. Download Audio

Ethics enforcers let former Juneau lawmaker’s unpaid ethics fines slide

A former Juneau lawmaker didn’t pay $18,000 in fines for probable ethics violations. And the committee that sought the fines is OK with that.
The cruise ship Noordam brought close to 2,000 passengers to Haines on Sept. 20, 2017. It and other ships carried more than 1 million passengers this summer, helping increase the region’s tourism economy. (Ed Schoenfeld/CoastAlaska News)

Alaska delegation tries multi-pronged effort to save part of cruise season

The congressional delegation sees two impediments keeping cruise ships from coming to Alaska this summer: The CDC and the Canada problem.
Young caucasian woman smiles for a portrait outside

Seward’s Lydia Jacoby heads home with two Olympic medals

Seward's Lydia Jacoby left Tokyo this weekend with two Olympic medals. Now, it's back to her hometown, where she's excited to sleep in her own bed and eat a home-cooked meal.

Judge Decides Ordinance Violates Homeless's Right to Due Process

Len Anderson, KSKA – Anchorage A Superior Court judge has found Anchorage’s municipal ordinance against homeless campsites violates the campers’ rights to due process...