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.”

Sitka’s New Bear Cub Settles In

The orphaned black bear cub who recently became famous in the virtual world is settling into her new home in the real world. Over 300,000 people viewed Smokey’s story on Facebook when she was captured two weeks ago in Seward. Now, Sitka’s bear habitat, the Fortress of the Bear, is writing her next chapter. Download Audio

Can Logging Switch To Second-Growth Sooner?

Can Southeast’s timber industry survive while only logging second-growth forests? An Oregon research group says it can. And it could happen sooner than many expect.

The Battle of Dude Creek

Gustavus' wetlands have become an unlikely battleground in a fight that could decide how millions of acres of sensitive land in the state are managed. Download Audio
(Photo by Lisa Phu, KTOO - Juneau)

Interest In Health Care Enrollment Expected To Pick Up In Juneau

Enrolling in the new federal marketplace is off to slow start in the capital city. Ongoing technical issues with the insurance website have made it difficult, but those charged with helping Juneau residents enroll expect interest will pick up.

Tanana Kids Take On Tough Issues

The Elders and Youth Conference, a precursor to the Alaska Federation of Natives convention wrapped up Wednesday at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks. Download Audio

UAS and Yukon College Partnership Advances Native Language Efforts

University of Alaska Southeast and Yukon College signed an agreement this weekend that renews a more than 25-year relationship. The two institutions will continue to work together in various academic fields, including resource development and Native languages.

Phase One Of Capitol Renovations Nears Completion

State legislators, staffers and others doing business at the State Capitol building will soon be able to walk through the main entrance again. Juneau-based Alaska Commercial Contractors are wrapping up the first phase of renovations, which started at the end of April.

Army Claims Responsibility For Stuart Creek 2 Wildfire

The U.S. Army Alaska today claimed released the results of two investigations into the cause of the Stuart Creek 2 Wildfire that burned more than 87,000 acres and threatened a small mushing community just outside Fairbanks this summer. Download Audio

AK: Spear Fishing

For one month each fall, Interior residents wade into the crystal clear waters of the Chatanika River to catch whitefish. They spawn in the fall, unlike other fish in Alaska. The state limits both the number of permits and the harvest. This isn’t your typical fishery. Instead of rods and reels, or nets, fishermen use spears. Download Audio

Magone-Resolve Tows F/V Lone Star to Unalaska

Almost four months after it sank near Dillingham, the fishing tender Lone Star has been lifted off the bottom and is on its way to Unalaska.

Juneau School Board Allowing Review Of Middle School Sports Travel Ban

The Juneau School Board says a community committee can review its ban on middle school travel for athletes, but it’s not likely anyone from the board will participate.

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Archive Project Complete, Now Online

The State of Alaska has completed a two-year project archiving documents from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill and its legal aftermath.

Former DNR Commish Dan Sullivan Announces Senate Run

Former Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan announced he's running for U.S. Senate this morning in Anchorage. Download Audio

USCG Cutter Maple Commander Removed For ‘Poor Command Climate’

The commander of the Sitka-based Coast Guard cutter Maple has been temporarily removed from command after officials received reports of problems on board.

AK: Float

At 1.6 million acres, the Wood Tikchik State Park is the largest of its kind in the United States. With no road or trails, the park remains a quiet preserve for the fish and wildlife it was created to protect. Download Audio

Impacts Of The Shutdown On The Tongass

The U.S. Forest Service employs about 400 people in Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. And most of them are on furlough, awaiting a call from the federal government that they’ll soon be back to work. With the partial U.S. government shutdown in its second week, KTOO’S Rosemarie Alexander takes a look at the impact on the Tongass. Download Audio

Alaska’s Supreme Court Justice Talks About Diversity On The Court

The Alaska Supreme Court was in Barrow last week to hear a climate change lawsuit on the Barrow high school stage. Chief Justice Dana Fabe says it’s important for students to learn how their legal system works. The Chief Justice feels strongly that diversity on the bench helps communities have faith in the decisions judges make. In her chambers at the Boney courthouse in downtown Anchorage she spoke highly of her predecessor Jay Rabinowitz who believed all Alaskans should have equal access to the judicial system. Download Audio

Anchorage Assembly: Indoor Tennis Courts On Hold, Labor Law Hearing Wednesday

A plan to build indoor tennis courts was put on hold at the regular Anchorage Assembly meeting Tuesday night.

Nikiski Top Pick For Gasline Terminal

Since natural gas was discovered on the North Slope, there's been talk of building a pipeline to get it to market. But where should that pipeline end? Exxon, BP, ConocoPhillips, and TransCanada announced on Monday that Nikiski is their top choice for a stopping point. Download Audio

The Wolf

Biologist Gordon Haber may have spent more hours observing Alaska’s wolves than anyone else. He died in a 2009 plane crash tracking wolves in Denali National Park. His work will be the subject of a book coming out later this month. APRN: Tuesday, 10/8 at 10:00am Download Audio