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.”

Yup’ik Voters Give Ballot Translation Mixed Reviews

Alaska Native voters in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region of Western Alaska give the Yup’ik language primary ballot translations mixed reviews. All eight of the Yup’ik voters that KYUK talked with said they needed help understanding what they were voting on. Listen now:
A white man with a suit and red tie

15 years after VECO scandal, Stevens’ new oil job renews old ethics questions

A decade after the VECO corruption scandal pushed lawmakers to pass sweeping ethics reforms, Ben Stevens — one of the scandal's central figures — has prompted new ethical questions by moving from a powerful government job to an executive post at oil company ConocoPhillips.

More cops, fewer consultants in Anchorage’s opening budget volley

The administration introduced its 2016 budget, which is $1.8 million less than last year's, but saddled with $11 million less in revenues.
kids sit on floor in daycare room

Dunleavy veto cuts Head Start increase as centers struggle to pay teachers, serve children in need

Seven of 17 programs are on notice that federal funding is in jeopardy without changes.

Walker hopeful plan to pay off oil tax credit debt with bonds will pass this session

What the state owes in tax credit payouts varies wildly from year to year. By paying off the tax credit debt with bonds, the repayment rate would theoretically become predictable. Listen now

As Alaska’s gasline corporation pushes for Asia deal, legislators push for more information

Heading into a busy year for the state corporation, questions linger about financing and project structure. Listen now
Donald Trump

5 things to know about the latest charges against Donald Trump

If Trump, the current GOP presidential front-runner, pleads not guilty his trial could take place as he makes his case for the White House.

New proposal from Gov. Dunleavy would put PFD in Constitution, along with rural electricity fund

The proposal aims to defuse long-running, time-consuming fights over the size of the Permanent Fund dividend and government spending. This year's PFD would be $2,350 if the plan is approved.

Walrus hauling out on Barrow beaches, apparently waiting for sea ice

Many residents in Barrow are getting an up-close look at an unusual sight in the area -- walrus coming ashore to haul out and...
a grassy hill below a home

After nearly a month, running water restored to homes on St. George Island

When the crew dug into the ground, they were shocked at what they found.
boats offload to processing plants

Alaska’s seafood industry is in trouble. Processors and policymakers blame Russia.

Seafood companies and fishermen often target multiple species to reduce their risk, but the current price collapse is happening almost across the board.
An Alaska State Trooper cruiser parked on Nome’s Front Street in January 2015.

Alaska Democratic Party director faces DUI charge after traffic stop

The charges include driving under the influence and refusing a chemical test after a weekend traffic stop near Soldotna.

Permit Refusal Puts All Alaska Gasline in Question

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has refused to extend a principle permit needed for construction of an All-Alaska Gas Pipeline ...
A man in a suite gestures with his hands behind a podium.

Biden administration issues a new eviction moratorium after a federal ban lapsed

After intense pressure from progressives, the CDC has announced a more limited eviction moratorium days after an earlier freeze on evictions expired.
Blue and red police lights.

Spenard man shot and killed by his neighbor, police say

Tierza Hayes, 28, is charged with murder in the Saturday shooting, which allegedly happened during a fight involving her husband and the victim.
A man in a suit talks to other men in suits

Alaska Senate authorizes work on pilot project for schools led by tribes

The bill also establishes a firm deadline for tribes to sign up to be a part of the pilot program: Dec. 31, 2022.

Murkowski raises big cash, expects a fight

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski is raising serious money for her re-election bid next year, despite having no serious challenger yet. Download Audio
an airplane crash site, with the plane circled in red at the bottom of a steep ravine

Pilot was shuttling passenger to remote Alaska sheep hunting area at time of fatal crash, NTSB says

The report doesn’t include information about why the plane crashed, because park rangers say it’s too dangerous to descend to the crash site.

LISTEN: Petersburg mom lost her sense of smell. Days later, she tested positive for COVID-19

For Megan Litster, the only symptom was a loss of her sense of smell.

Ferries Sent Out to Sea as Precaution

Ed Schoenfeld, CoastAlaska – Juneau The Alaska Marine Highway System sent two ferries out to sea this morning to avoid high waves expected from...