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.”

A picture of a downtown skyline while it's snowing.

Anchorage used to have an active climate action plan. What happened to it? 

Under Mayor Dave Bronson, the city missed its 2023 annual report, and a link to the plan has been removed from the city website.

Health care bill has ‘caribou kickback’ for Alaska

A new health care bill in the U.S. Senate has a special Alaska carve-out, worth more than $100 million a year, to attract Alaska's senators. But one critic says it's less than it appears. Listen now

Permanent fund dividend amount to be a focus in session’s closing days

The size of permanent fund dividends will be at the center of talks between the House, the Senate and Governor Mike Dunleavy as the Legislature aims to end its session on Wednesday. The House Speaker said the politically diverse House majority caucus remains united behind being responsible with the budget.
a portrait of a building with mountains in the background

Alaska state payroll department ‘one crisis away’ from workers going unpaid

Almost half of payroll processing jobs are unfilled, causing errors and delays.
A abeach with people playing in the sand and the water

It’ll take sustained rain to pull Anchorage out of its severe drought, says climatologist

The forecast is calling for a rainy week ahead in the city after a prolonged dry stretch.

BP and oil industry react to Governor's oil tax proposal

The Palin administration’s proposal to rewrite part of the state’s tax regime for the oil and gas industries has drawn immediate opposition from the...
several red lights at a snowy intersection

Anchorage Assembly rejects a right-on-red ban in downtown

The measure would’ve banned vehicles from turning right at red lights in the area between 3rd and 9th avenues and Gambell and L streets.

Young: FAA privatization bill harms Alaska air travel

A U.S. House bill would turn air traffic controllers into employees of a non-profit corporation. Surprisingly, the air traffic controllers’ union supports it. Alaska Congressman Don Young says the bill would also undermine Essential Air Service. Download Audio
A woman in an apron smiles at a young man in an apron.

Alaskan dog treat bakery gives a head start for youth with learning disabilities | INDIE ALASKA

Daisy Nicolas first discovered her knack for baking dog treats while caring for her beloved aging dog, Dallas. Now pet treats are her full-time job as owner of Drool Central: A Mum and Pup Barkery in Anchorage, Alaska. When Daisy realized the demands of the business were too much for her, she developed a working partnership with the Anchorage School District to employ young adults with learning and developmental disabilities.
The US Capitol building during sunset

Alaska’s Murkowski among senators pushing stripped-down relief package

Murkowski and other moderate Republicans are presenting a smaller pandemic relief proposal to President Biden.

Review finds evidence of sexual misconduct by 14 people in the Anchorage Archdiocese since 1966

The Archdiocese of Anchorage announced the review findings on Thursday.

Sweeping government climate report warns of rapid warming in Alaska, Arctic

A new government report warns that regions across the U.S. are feeling the effects of rapid climate change, with some of the greatest impacts in Alaska and the Arctic. And it states the evidence that human activity is driving climate change is stronger than ever. Listen now

ConocoPhillips’ next big oil project in Alaska takes another step forward

The company hopes to construct a new oil processing facility, up to five drill sites, about 40 miles of permanent roads, a gravel mine and hundreds of miles of pipelines and seasonal ice roads.

Environmentalists ready for ANWR fight, with vets in their camp

Alaska’s congressional delegation sees a chance to finally open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. The environmental lobby is ready for the fight. And they’ve got some new, patriotic allies on their side: military veterans.

Bill would exempt utility companies from pesticide pollution

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists discovered “concerning levels” of the pesticide Penta in soils around power poles running through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. Listen now

Regulators want 6 more months to decide beluga whale endangered status

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) says it will take up to 6 months longer to decide whether Cook Inlet beluga whales should be...
A woman speaks on the floor of th house

Legislature narrowly votes down Dunleavy’s University of Alaska Board of Regents nominee

Sen. Löki Tobin was among those opposed to Bethany Marcum's nomination. “Ms. Marcum has shown that she cannot uphold the public trust,” Tobin said.
a person holds an eagle while another person looks at it

Alaska Raptor Center in Sitka temporarily suspends bird rescues as concerns mount about bird flu

Staff has also moved the eagles that live in the outdoor habitat into their cages to reduce their risk of exposure to the virus. 
A silvery sports arena

UAA proposes cutting hockey, gymnastics and skiing

The teams would be eliminated next school year, and the move would save the university about $2.5 million annually.