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.”

Nearly half of structures on dock affected by fire, says processing plant fire witness

Details are emerging slowly on the fire at the Peter Pan Seafoods processing plant in Port Moller. The 100-year-old plant caught fire late Tuesday night, and the blaze continued to burn Wednesday. The full scope of the damage is still unclear, but witnesses say it is extensive. Listen now

Why Amazon collects local sales taxes in other states — but not Alaska

If you live anywhere in the country with a sales tax, the online retailer Amazon collects it – except in Alaska. Alaska is unique because it’s the only state with local sales taxes but no statewide tax. Listen now
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Haines Assembly members survive divisive recall election

After a contentious recall vote Tuesday, three embattled Haines Assembly members will continue to serve out their terms. Nearly 60 percent of Haines voters rejected the allegations of official misconduct. Listen now

Imprisoned former militia leader Schaeffer Cox has appeal hearing

Imprisoned former Fairbanks militia leader Schaeffer Cox had an appeal hearing Wednesday morning in federal court in Anchorage. Convicted in 2013 of conspiracy and solicitation to murder government officials, Cox is serving 26 years in a federal prison. His appeal centers on whether anyone was specifically targeted. Listen now

Peter Pan Seafoods Port Moller plant devastated in overnight fire

The Peter Pan Seafoods processing plant in Port Moller has been devastated by a massive fire that burned through Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning. Listen now

Anchorage partners with DHS on human trafficking

Officials in Anchorage are trying to get a better handle on human trafficking. And to do that, they're partnering with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Listen now
A ramp leads to a blue door. A sign abovev reads 'Nora Guinn Justice Complex)

Can Alaska Native villagers in the YK Delta get a fair trial?

A new court case argues that the way in which state juries are selected in Alaska discriminates against rural, Native communities. The case could significantly impact the Delta’s court system if it’s successful. Listen now

With F-35 squads set for Eielson, thousands of people may come up with them

More than 5,000 people may come to the Fairbanks area over the next four years as part of the move to base two squadrons of F-35 fighters at Eielson Air Force Base. The latest estimate announced Monday is well above the previous estimate of 3,500. The bigger population increase is expected to place a greater burden on local services. Listen now

100+ Sitkans attend candlelight vigil for Charlottesville

The events in Charlottesville continued to ripple across the country, with protests to condemn racism and to mourn the counter-protester who was killed on Saturday. About 50 people gathered over the weekend in Homer, and some 300 came out Sunday in downtown Anchorage. On Monday, dozens of people joined a candlelight vigil in Sitka. Listen now

ADN declares bankruptcy and new owners emerge

The state’s largest newspaper is filing for bankruptcy protection -- and may soon have new owners. Listen now

Sen. Sullivan calls out neo-Nazis; Critics abound

Sen. Dan Sullivan issued a strongly worded statement that singled out the alt-right and their allies. On Facebook, some thanked Sullivan. But quite a few defended the White supremacists, or complained he should have allotted equal blame to the left. Listen now

Recall election spotlights political division in Haines

On Tuesday, Haines voters will decide whether to recall half of their borough assembly. Three assembly members are accused of misconduct in office. But the discontent driving the recall is about much more than the official charges. And the recall leaders have repeatedly refused to defend their views on the record. Listen now

BlueCrest is latest company to stop work, citing state’s defunct cash-for-credits scheme

BlueCrest is the latest to fall victim to the now-defunct cashable credit program. It announced on August 1 that it couldn’t afford to keep drilling on the Kenai Peninsula and that it would be laying off about 150 people. Listen now

Walker signs SB 88, Mental Health Trust land exchange

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker was joined in Ketchikan on Thursday by U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, state Sen. Bert Stedman and state Rep. Dan Ortiz to sign a bill accepting a land trade between the U.S. Forest Service and Alaska Mental Health Trust. Listen now

Permanent Fund Corp. headquarters to undergo $4 million renovation

The renovation will open up space. Some internal walls will be torn down. And the new space will let the corporation hire more workers, so more of fund is managed by corporation employees. Listen now

AK: Metlakatla residents celebrate their community’s 130th birthday

Every year on August 7, the Metlakatla Indian Community celebrates its founding with a day of art, food and prayer. Listen now

Wild Alaska salmon not on menus in China…yet

About a third of the salmon caught in Alaska gets shipped to China for processing. But a recent consumer study suggests that at least some of that wild salmon should stay in the Chinese markets. Listen now

Sullivan wants 28 more interceptors at Ft. Greely

The missile defense system based at Fort Greely has a spotty test record, but Sen. Dan Sullivan says he has confidence it can shield the nation. He is one of the Senate's biggest boosters of missile defense and says Congress should add more interceptors to the Alaska site. Listen now

Global warming makes expedition to ice-locked North Pole possible

Two specially-equipped sailboats are attempting a voyage that’s never been done before - a trip to the North Pole. Led by a British explorer, the international crew has moved the boats from their home in Sitka up to Nome, where they’re hoping to launch for their journey to the Pole this weekend. Melting sea ice in the Arctic could make their voyage possible for the first time in history. Listen now

Juneau Empire, Peninsula Clarion, Homer News sold to GateHouse Media

The Juneau Empire, Peninsula Clarion in Kenai and weekly Homer News are among 11 papers being sold by Morris Communications to GateHouse Media for a reported $120 million. Listen now