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.”

Trans-Alaska Pipeline up and running after tank fire the previous day

The Trans-Alaska Pipeline is back in operation following a tank fire that shut it down for 9 hours yesterday. Alyeska Pipeline Service Company spokeswoman Michelle Egan said workers at Pump Station 5 saw flames coming from a large crude oil storage tank at Pump Station 5 at the base of Atigun Pass in the Brooks Range around 2:20 Wednesday afternoon. Download Audio

Lawmakers invite Walker to discuss budget, primarily Permanent Fund drawings

Lawmakers are considering some of the most wide-ranging changes in the history of Alaska finances this year. That’s why the leaders of the House Finance Committee invited Governor Bill Walker and top state officials to talk about their budget plan – especially, the latest proposal to draw from Permanent Fund earnings. Download Audio

How Murkowski crafted an energy bill that 80 senators have a stake in

The U.S. Senate is the final resting place for a lot of legislation, but today it passed a broad energy bill. It's passage is a political coup for its sponsor, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who says she had lots of co-authors. Download Audio

Legislature looks to draw funds from Power Cost Equalization fund

The state House and Senate are trying to work out their differences over a bill that would draw money from the Power Cost Equalization Endowment Fund. Download Audio

Man mauled by a grizzly bear near Denali Highway

A man was attacked by a bear near the Denali Highway over the weekend. Alaska State Trooper spokesman Tim DeSpain says 77-year-old Glenn Bohn of Wasilla was bear hunting Friday afternoon near mile 68, when he was mauled by a grizzly. Download Audio
Rep. Mike Chenault. (Photo by Skip Gray/360 North)

Legislators go past the 90 day session to bring budget together

Lawmakers blew through their 90 day session end last night and are back at work today, trying to bring a budget together that all sides can agree to. APRN's Juneau correspondent Andrew Kitchenman joins me now to talk about about the big stumbling blocks are. Download Audio

With session past scheduled end, focus is on oil and gas tax credits

The Legislature didn’t finish its work in time for the scheduled end of the session Sunday, but it became clear that the largest stumbling block is how much and how quickly to scale back tax credits for the oil and gas industry.

Renewable Energy Fund, casualty of budget crunch, may get new lifeline

Since 2008, Alaska's Renewable Energy Fund has supported scores of projects around the state. But so far, it has not been included in this year's budget. Download Audio

Former Fairbanks Borough Mayor to serve on pipeline board

The Legislature Friday narrowly approved former Fairbanks North Star Borough Mayor Luke Hopkins to serve on the board responsible for developing the Alaska gas pipeline. Download Audio

Walker says he’d veto Anchorage legislative office purchase

Gov. Bill Walker says he would veto the purchase of a legislative office building in Anchorage if that item remains in the state infrastructure budget. Download Audio

Poorest Alaskans hit hardest by new proposed budget solutions

The Legislature is trying to close the four billion dollar budget deficit this week. But a new report says the burden of closing the gap will fall too heavily on the poorest Alaskans. Download Audio

Small capital budget keeps $32.5M for LIO purchase, no mega-projects or port

Though money is set aside for controversial building purchase, the Senate's version of the capital budget is more notable for what's left out. Download Audio

Senate Finance Permanent Fund bills could lower dividends, stabilize budget

The outlines of changes to the Permanent Fund became clearer today. Senate Finance Committee introduced a bill that would pay for much of the state government’s budget using the Fund’s earnings. It also would reduce residents’ Permanent Fund dividends, but make them more stable for the future. Download Audio

2 hikers rescued from Kenai Peninsula Glacier

Two hikers who were stranded on a glacier on the southern Kenai Peninsula since Friday night, were rescued by crews with the Alaska Air National Guard just after noon on Tuesday. Download Audio

Wrangell mourns victims of Friday’s plane crash

Wrangell residents are mourning the loss of three members of their community in Friday’s plane crash on Admiralty Island. Download Audio

Senate passes bill allowing firearms on UA campuses

The Senate passed a bill Thursday to allow people to carry concealed firearms on University of Alaska campuses. Download Audio

Offshore drilling plan draws protests

The tentative proposal would allow lease sales in the Arctic Ocean and Cook Inlet.

Liberals get edge in Anchorage elections, massive school bond fails

Upsets over financing for school capital projects and a tax-cap calculation will leave Administration with budget challenges, though more liberal-leaning Assembly. Download Audio

LIVEBLOG: 2016 Anchorage Municipal Election

Live coverage for the 2016 Anchorage Municipal Election from Alaska Public Media.