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.”

With Stevens conviction in the news, candidates offer their thoughts

The other three candidates vying to be part of Alaska's Congressional delegation in Washington, DC all responded publicly to the news of Senator Steven's...

Anchorage lifts mask requirements for public transportation

The move comes a day after a federal judge in Florida struck down a directive from the Biden administration requiring masks on public transportation like buses and airplanes. 
Celebration

Federal judge says Alaska tribes may put land into trust, a step toward ‘Indian country’ here

The decision could change the system created by the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act more than 50 years ago.

Early Morning Tsunami Warning Routs Unalaskans

A major earthquake near the Aleutian Islands meant a rude awakening Friday morning but no damage for some Alaska residents.

Anchorage’s former Golden Lion Hotel to open as low-income housing next month

Anchorage Homelessness Coordinator Alexis Johnson says the city plans to begin transitioning people into the Golden Lion as the Sullivan Arena mass shelter starts shutting down.

State Sen. Gary Stevens files to run for lieutenant governor

Longtime Kodiak resident Republican state Sen. Gary Stevens will run for lieutenant governor in 2018. Listen now

Alaska Supreme Court sides with state, allows correspondence school laws to stand

The court said plaintiffs had failed to show that a 2014 law reforming Alaska's correspondence school system violated the state Constitution.
red clothes

Garments taken from Ketchikan memorial for missing and murdered Indigenous people

Dozens of red garments, hung in remembrance from trees near Ketchikan's Ward Lake, were taken down and discarded.
A woman in a jacket leaving a flyer on a door.

Dozens of first-time Alaska legislative candidates are trying to make their mark before Election Day

First-time candidates are often trying to build name recognition and scrape together donors to fuel their barebones campaigns. We spoke to three candidates for House who are making their final push before Election Day.
Abbott Loop Elementary School

Confronting rising bills and flat state funding, Alaska schools say they are at a fiscal cliff

The problem has been developing for years, but the end of COVID financial aid has triggered a crisis.

Presidential Oil Spill Commission Begins Work

Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage The Presidential Commission on the BP oil spill began work this week in New Orleans. The commission took testimony...

Kobuk Cleaning Up After Weekend Flooding

People in Kobuk are cleaning up after high water flooded village streets with ice over the weekend. The water started rising on Friday. By Saturday morning, residents of one home, including children and an elder of 94 years, were evacuated by boat to the village clinic. They reported their house was shaking as large chunks of ice crashed into it.

Florida Judge Puts Stay on Own Health Care Order

Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage The Florida judge who ruled the federal health care legislation to be unconstitutional in January, released a second...

Southcentral fires burn, traffic at a crawl on highways, evacuees tell of heavy smoke and flames

"That was an experience coming down that highway," she said. " Trees just ablaze. Smoke so heavy you could only follow the tail lights of the truck or car ahead of you."

Alaska Human Rights Commission proposes regulation changes to protect LGBTQ community

Alaska's Human Rights Commission is taking steps to legally protect members of the LGBTQ community from discrimination. Listen Now

Credit rating agency sees a ‘clear path,’ as Alaska tries to balance its budget

In less than a year and a half, Alaska went from one of Moody's highest rated states, to one of its lowest. But now, that's changed. Listen now

California pilot dies in crash

Shaun Lunt in Alaska, 2007. More photos at shaunlunt.typepad.com Friday night at approximately 7:30 p.m. (ADT), Alaska State Troopers in Bethel were notified a Piper...

Alaska lawmakers struggle with dividend debate

Alaska lawmakers are running out of time this session to pass legislation aimed at resolving the annual debate over what size dividend should be paid to residents from the state’s oil wealth fund.

Permanent Fund Closes Books on First Annual Loss

The Permanent Fund is closing the books on its first annual loss since it was established in 1976.  The $30 billion balance at the...
a memorial of flowers, pictures and array of personal items

Military man charged in fiery Anchorage crash that killed 2

A member of the military charged with manslaughter in a fiery crash in Anchorage that killed two people told authorities he was so drunk, he didn’t remember driving, according to charging documents.