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.”

Legislators reject six Dunleavy appointees to boards and commissions

The Alaska Legislature confirmed 82 other members to state boards and commissions during a joint session.

Personnel Board clears Palin of misconduct in Monegan firing

The investigator for the State Personnel Board has found there is quote "no probable cause" to believe Governor Palin did anything unlawful in firing...

Bering Sea Communities Brace For High-Powered Storm

The Aleutian and Pribilof Islands are no stranger to strong winds and rough seas. And that’s exactly what they can expect Friday night, when a high-powered storm hits the Bering Sea. Communities are gearing up to face the historic front. Download Audio
Red shirts hang in front of the capitol building

Posts about missing and murdered Indigenous people disappeared from Instagram. The company says it was a mistake.

The morning after Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, Iñupiaq advocate Jacquii Lambert noticed that half of her stories she’d shared on Instagram about that day had disappeared. The company says it wasn't targeting advocates.

Warming Arctic Likely Contributing To Erratic Worldwide Weather Patterns

A federal agency says the Arctic continued to warm in 2013 and may have entered a "new normal" of diminished sea ice and wilder swings in weather that affect lower latitudes. Download Audio

Only 828 Ballots Rejected in Write-In Count So Far

Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau The latest results from the Division of Elections this afternoon show Lisa Murkowski is now getting – without any...
A woman wearing a beanie and blue coat shovels her driveway.

Most Alaskans now have until May 15 to remove studded tires

Monday's extension means drivers above 60 degrees north latitude will have until May 15 to remove studded tires under state law.

Cleaning Up to Be with His Kid — Stories from Brother Francis Shelter

The morning at Brother Francis Shelter starts with a sleepy bustle. Guests wake up at 5 am, start gathering their belongings, drink some coffee and help clean the shelter. One morning in late July, in the back dormitory shelter guest William Teal wiped down the plastic sleeping mats with cleaning solution.
the logo and text on wall that reads "Anchorage School District -- Education All Students for Success in Life"

Election update: Anchorage school board race tightens

The Anchorage school board race between Kelly Lessens and Judy Eledge has narrowed to less than 100 votes, with Lessens narrowly holding onto the lead Monday.

Legislative finance director named University of Alaska interim president

Pat Pitney is the director of the Legislative Finance Division and a former vice chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She has also worked as the state budget director under former Gov. Bill Walker.

Exxon 'Valdez' decision prompting big reactions in Alaska

Plaintiffs in the Exxon Valdez punitive damages case are reacting with sadness and disbelief to today's U.S. Supreme Court decision. The Court capped the...

Buying A Landmark

Today we’re buying a landmark, trying to anyway. Kim Sollien is the Mat Su Program Director for Great Land Trust, a conservation group. She said they didn't realize the Butte was privately owned until just this year. Download Audio

Retirement Lawsuit Headed to Trial

The state’s $11 billion lawsuit to help cover the shortfall in the Public Employees’ and Teachers’ retirement system will go to trial next...

64 years later, closure sought for Colony Glacier plane crash

Mountaineers, morticians, and a forensic anthropologist are scouring the surface of a glacier as they hunt for the remains of a military plane that crashed 64 years ago. Download Audio

Nome woman arrested after confronting Dunleavy at airport

During Governor Mike Dunleavy's visit to Nome yesterday, which was one of his scheduled “roadshow” stops around the state, he was greeted at the airport by Brenda Evak, who was ultimately taken away in handcuffs for alleged disorderly conduct.

District 38 Democrats select 3 candidates for Fansler seat

Alaska House District 38 Democrats selected three potential nominees Sunday night to replace state Rep. Zach Fansler, who resigned earlier this month following assault allegations. Listen now

‘That’s the law’: Murkowski confronts BLM nominee about ANWR

Sen. Murkowski presses the nominee to head the BLM to agree that she must hold a second lease sale in the Arctic Refuge.
people hold up a large banner that reads "keep abortion safe & legal"

Abortion remains legal in Alaska, but some lawmakers hope a constitutional convention could change that

The Alaska Supreme Court has ruled repeatedly that abortion rights are guaranteed under that right to privacy.

AK: Fortress of the Bear

In 2003, a Sitka couple proposed creating a bear rescue center from the remains of the town’s decommissioned pulp mill – a plan that raised some local hackles. Ten years later, the Fortress of the Bear is home to five brown bears and two new black bear cubs – and it has converted some skeptics, including a local biologist. Download Audio
a group of people in a meeting room

Alaska House passes trans sports ban after extended filibuster by opponents

The bill now heads to the state Senate, where it is expected to die without becoming law.