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.”

Murkowski holds hearings to discuss public lands handling

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski is in Alaska holding field hearings as the chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Monday, she invited leaders from the state’s energy, mining and labor sectors to offer their perspectives on how the federal government is doing its job managing public lands. Most of the testimony expressed frustration with federal regulations and how they are implemented. Download Audio
a man

Dunleavy says correspondence school decision will have broad impacts. But will it?

A judge recently threw out two laws underpinning key aspects of Alaska's homeschool system. The impact of the decision is up for debate.

Karleen Jackson, Alaska Commissioner of Health and Social Services resigns

Jackson has been with the department since 2003, when she became deputy HSS commissioner in the Murkowski administration.  She took over as commissioner in...

Peltola’s votes show she’s one of the least loyal Democrats in the U.S. House

Alaska’s congresswoman votes against her party at twice the average rate, mostly on energy and immigration measures.

Arctic Sea Ice Volume Up 50%

In October 2013, the European Space Agency satellite CryoSat measured 9,000 cubic kilometres of sea ice on the Arctic Ocean, said an ESA news release Monday. At the same time of year in 2012, it measured just 6,000 cubic kilometres — a record low.
the University of Alaska Fairbanks

Tuckerman Babcock resigns from UA Board of Regents after 2 months

Gov. Mike Dunleavy appointed Babcock, his former chief of staff, to the board after legislators rejected Bethany Marcum for the position.

As the Bering Sea warms, this skipper is chasing pollock to new places

“Across the board, everybody has a story about something that they haven’t seen before,” said Dan Martin, a 53-year-old captain of a Bering Sea pollock trawler. We took a fishing trip with Martin to find out what he’s experiencing as the Bering Sea heats up.
An oil rig at Prudhoe Bay.

Murkowski sends letter questioning oil companies about drop in Alaska hire

Murkowski cited a recently released Alaska Department of Labor report, stating the share of out-of-state workers in Alaska's oil industry rose to 37.1 percent in 2016. Listen now
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Alaskan Independence Party focuses on Legislature seats after Fairbanks convention

The party, now chaired by John Wayne Howe, is seeking state House and Senate candidates after Howe's earlier runs for governor and Congress.
a woman and a baby

The child care crisis is hitting rural Alaska hard

Kotzebue has not had a state-licensed child care center since the last facility closed in 2011. It's considered a "child care desert," like much of the state.

Consumer Alert: Contaminated peas from Mat-Valley Peas

Anchorage and Alaska officials are warning consumers not to eat raw peas grown by Mat-Valley Peas in Palmer. John Ryan, KTOO - Juneau Download Audio (MP3)

Update: Knopp votes against Republican Talerico for speaker as House stalemate continues

After holding out for a bipartisan majority for nearly a month, Kenai Republican Rep. Gary Knopp says he’s “not at all optimistic, but we’ve got to move forward at this point.”
A car parked near trees.

Fairbanks hotel worker used key to enter woman’s room and rape her, troopers say

Troopers say La Quinta Inn employee Tristen Tinker, 21, was on parole in a 2022 stabbing when he was arrested in the Saturday assault.

Here’s what experts in Alaska want you to know about the new coronavirus

Speaking on Talk of Alaska this week, officials with the CDC and state weighed in on how Alaskans can be prepared for the novel coronavirus.

Prosecution and defense fighting over Stevens trial evidence and processes

The judge presiding over the case against Senator Ted Stevens will hold a hearing tomorrow to go over motions filed over the last few...

EPA settles with Pebble, clears permitting path for mine

The EPA has announced a new process that could let the Pebble Partnership develop a controversial mine at the headwaters of Bristol Bay, if its permits are granted. Listen now
An industrial facility

What the ban on Russian oil could mean for Alaska

There is at least one facility in Alaska that has historically included Russian crude among its foreign imports — the Marathon Refinery in Kenai.
A woman with glasses and colored hair stands outside in front of green trees.

Psychologist sues state over license application she says is unconstitutional and discriminatory

Dr. Jennifer Poon says the state board should not require a full release of medical and mental health records to apply for a psychology license.

Coast Guard Helicopter Crashes

Ed Ronco, KCAW – Sitka Three people from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka died today after their helicopter crashed in waters off Washington. A...

Irwin blocks Exxon on Point Thompson

Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin has turned down Exxon’s latest attempt to keep open the Point Thomson Unit on the North Slope. With reserves...