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.”

Video shows teen tasered repeatedly in Sitka jail

Sitka police are defending their actions in the arrest of an 18-year-old man last year, who was tasered multiple times in his jail cell. A Sitka teacher over the weekend posted a video showing the arrest of a Native high school student. Download Audio

Museum of the Aleutians reopens; Director reprimanded

After a two-and-a-half week closure, Unalaska’s Museum of the Aleutians is now open. On Wednesday, the museum’s board of directors voted to reinstate executive director Zoya Johnson from paid administrative leave. Johnson also sits on the Unalaska City Council. Download Audio

In Juneau, Filipino culture stays connected through radio

Juneau DJ Genny Del Rosario connects her listeners to Filipino culture over the radio. She reads public service announcements, Filipino recipes, newsletters, even birthdays. In the summer, she fills the gaps with stories from cruise visitors. Usually, other Filipinos who work on the ships. Download Audio

Wild Eyes: Florian Schulz points his lens at the Arctic

An exhibit at the Anchorage Museum is showcasing wild works made with exceptionally radical methods.

Arctic coast guards team up, Russia included

The head of the U.S. Coast Guard met with counterparts from seven northern nations to create the Arctic Coast Guard Forum. The forum is intended to help pool resources when life, limb or the environment are in danger. But perhaps the most significant feature of today’s event was Russia’s presence. Download Audio

Spice takes toll on Anchorage’s emergency responders

With calls for help and emergency transports staying frustratingly high, the drug is exacting a toll not just on users, but paramedics and firefighters, as well.

Mother-daughter duo speak candidly, courageously on abuse

A mother and daughter both experienced sexual abuse and turned to substances for support, but now they're turning to each other and speaking up to stop the cycle. Download Audio

‘I Sing, You Dance’ – Toksook Bay teen releases Yup’ik album

Seventeen-year-old Toksook Bay teen Byron Nicholai released an album recently. His Yup’ik songs have been popular in the YK Delta ever since he started uploading his performances to his Facebook page. Now they’re available on a variety of common online music sites. Download Audio

U.S. House passes budget deal; Young votes no

The U.S. House today approved a two-year budget deal. Alaska Congressman Don Young, like a majority of House Republicans, voted no. His primary objection is that it cashes out part of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Download Audio

St. Paul Island revives Aleut language, culture

City and tribal-government employees on Alaska's St. Paul Island get Oct. 28 off each year for a holiday you might not have heard of: St. Paul Aleut Independence Day. It marks the day in 1983 when Saint Paul islanders gained their freedom from the federal government. Download Audio

2 Chevak men use Facebook to promote culture, healing

Two men Chevak men, Cody and Cody, are using social media to celebrate Cup’ik and Yup’ik culture in the form of comedic videos. Their Facebook page, “Can I Borrow,” is home to videos celebrating traditions, customs and cultural quirks with the goal of “healing through laughter.”

Defense Secretary says he’ll visit Alaska this week, little else

Defense Sec. Ashton Carter revealed that he’ll visit the 49th state this week. Details are scarce, but he let slip his travel plans at a Senate hearing, after agreeing with Sen. Dan Sullivan that the military should have a serious operation plan for the Arctic. Download Audio

Vacant Sitka Hotel gets new owner, remodel

You’ve probably noticed the construction happening downtown on Lincoln Street. The Sitka Hotel has a new owner with big plans for the iconic building.

Park Service bans controversial methods to hunt wolf, bear

The National Park Service has published its final rule on hunting in Alaska’s national preserves, turning a corner in a long-running tussle with the state. Park Service is now enacting a permanent ban on several controversial hunting practices allowed under state law, like using artificial lights to shoot black bears in the den, and using bait to hunt bears. Download Audio

Former Dutch Harbor fisheries observer missing at sea off Peru

With crab season under way in the Bering Sea, some 70 crab boats are bobbing around Alaska's Bristol Bay and the Aleutian Islands. About a dozen of those boats have a fisheries observer on board. The observers keep tabs on what the boats haul up from the deep. Keith Davis was supposed to be one of those observers, but he went missing in September while working on a boat off the coast of South America. Download Audio

Writer Nick Jans captivates audience with tales of Romeo the wolf

Writer Nick Jans calls the years between 2003 and 2009 “a magical and transformative time” in Juneau’s history. It was during those years that a wild black wolf, who came to be known as Romeo, lived in the community, played with dogs and interacted with residents. Download Audio

Lawmakers relieved as Gov. Walker removes contentious gas reserves tax from agenda

Lawmakers are in Juneau this week for a special session on the state’s massive gas line project. The session may be a little less contentious - and a little shorter - than expected, after the Governor pulled one item on the agenda, at the last minute.

Victory for Sealaska Heritage underscores weakness in the law

Federal investigators have found that the country’s oldest theological college broke the law regarding its Native art. Andover Newton Theological School planned to sell off 80 pieces in its collection, including a sacred Tlingit halibut hook. Now some tribal leaders are wondering if repatriation laws should be tougher. Download Audio

Writer Nick Jans captivates audience with tales of Romeo the wolf

Writer Nick Jans calls the years between 2003 and 2009 “a magical and transformative time” in Juneau’s history. It was during those years that a wild black wolf, who came to be known as Romeo, lived in the community, played with dogs and interacted with residents.