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.”

red clothes

Garments taken from Ketchikan memorial for missing and murdered Indigenous people

Dozens of red garments, hung in remembrance from trees near Ketchikan's Ward Lake, were taken down and discarded.

Senators Unveil Plans to Help Spill Victims

Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC As President Obama lays out the ongoing federal response to the B-P oil spill blowout in the Gulf of...

Dunleavy urges calm as a volatile economy and tourism warnings add to Alaska coronavirus anxiety

As the coronavirus continued to cause havoc for the global economy Monday in ways that threaten the stability of Alaska's budget, the Permanent Fund and tourism, Governor Mike Dunleavy called a news conference to soothe Alaskans' anxiety.

BP and ConocoPhillips File Pipeline Plan

BP and Conoco-Phillips filed a natural gas pipeline plan with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission  or FERC on Wednesday and plan to take bids...

Freeride athletes excited to take on ‘famous mountains’ of Haines

An international big mountain ski and snowboard competition is back in Haines. The Freeride World Tour tests the skills of alpine athletes from around the world, with stops in five countries. The athletes say the slopes in France, Austria and Andorra don’t compare with the mountains in Haines. Download Audio

State regulators to Alaska lobbyist: Stop helping candidates raise money

Alaska lobbyists have been breaking an anti-corruption law by helping political candidates promote their fundraising events, according to a preliminary opinion from the state’s campaign finance watchdog. Listen now
Two big wooly bison in the grass.

Alaska biologists say wood bison reintroduced to the wild are thriving

State biologists completed an annual survey of the Innoko-Yukon River wood bison population earlier this summer, and they say the results show the animals are doing well six years after a seed group of bison was released in the area.
A white paper sign that says "COVID-19 vaccine" with an arrow pointing into a large white room

Here are the first 2 winners of the state’s $49K COVID vaccine sweepstakes

Carin Kircher of Valdez won $49,000 in cash while Kodiak student Ethan Benton received a $49,000 scholarship.
A television host, two female guests and one zoom guest sit at a desk in a tv studio.

What’s behind the crash in Yukon salmon? Fishery experts discuss factors behind the closures

For thousands of years, Alaska Native people have depended on strong salmon runs to sustain their diets and their culture, but that reliable source of protein is in jeopardy.
A woman in a purple jacket stares into the distance

Change the law to make prosecution for rape more possible in Nome and across Alaska, experts say

Advocates say the way the 1982 Alaska statute on sexual assault is written places an impossibly high burden on women to prove they were assaulted.

Washington Gets Chance to Say Goodbye to Stevens

Photos and Story by Libby Casey, APRN – Washington DC Alaska’s longtime senator Ted Stevens was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on...

Shageluk Man Arraigned On Murder Charges In Bethel

Everett Semone of Shageluk was arraigned on murder charges at the Bethel court this afternoon. He is accused of killing his parents with an ax in the village of Shageluk earlier this week. Download Audio

Obama OKs Offshore Drilling

The Obama administration says the country's new offshore oil drilling policy is a balance between development and conservation. President Obama and Interior Secretary...

Ted Stevens' defense team's pre-trial complaints mostly rejected

The Judge in the federal case against Senator Ted Stevens ruled on most of the motions before him today. Libby Casey, APRN - Washington, DC Download...

Legislators hope to fix uncertainty plaguing school budgets this session

This session, some state legislators hope to put an end to the uncertainty school districts across the state face when it comes to their budgets. House Bill 287 and Senate Bill 131 both address K-12 school funding, but in different ways. Listen now

Obama Supports Opening New Offshore Areas to Exploration

President Obama’s message in last night’s State of the Union address of “more jobs” and incentives for small businesses struck a chord...

Murkowski is one of the only Senate Republicans who didn’t back the anti-impeachment resolution. Here’s why.

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski says the Senate shouldn't tell the House what to do.

Trump administration puts brakes on Indian Country in Alaska

Alaska tribes’ are in legal limbo after the Interior Department said it was suspending accepting lands into federal trust pending a fresh legal review,. Many tribes in Alaska have long sought trust status for land that exempts it from state and local jurisdictions. Listen now
wo testers sit at a table waitig for ptients

Update: Alaska House Republicans name lawmaker who tested positive for COVID-19

Alaska Rep. Mike Cronk tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. He announced the result on Thursday through a press release from the House Republican caucus.
cruise ships on the water

Facing busier tourist seasons, Wrangell is buying high-end port-a-potties off eBay

Wrangell’s only downtown public restroom is a small brown building with just two toilets.