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.”

Support and concern as Ambler Road comment period draws to a close

It's a big road in a state with not that many of them. Proponents say it will enable growth of the mining industry, and create jobs. Detractors worry about impacts to subsistence. Listen now

Supreme Court agrees to hear Alaska Hovercraft case again

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to rehear the case of an Alaska moose hunter whose use of a hovercraft in the Nation River got him in trouble with the National Park Service. Listen now
A river and mountains.

Trump administration responds to criticism about continued work on Arctic drilling during shutdown

The Interior department has responded to questions from a Democratic Congressman about its continued work to advance oil development in Alaska during the partial government shutdown.

Search for lost Denali hikers intensifies

Searchers in Denali National Park are ramping up efforts to find missing backpackers Abby Flantz and Erica Nelson. The searchnow involves 3 helicopters,...
freshly caught salmon in a pile

Environmental activists work to reconnect Yukon villages with salmon amid subsistence restrictions

Amid the collapse of chum and chinook salmon on the river, the Smokehouse Collective is trying to build sustainable, resilient food systems for Native communities.
A man in a ide vest and flannel on a computer screen

Pandemic dominates discussions as AFN convention goes virtual

With no booths to browse hand-crafted art pieces and attendees having to settle for virtual hugs, the 2020 Alaska Federation of Natives Convention was a drier affair than usual.

Marooned: Cordova braces for a winter without ferry service

Alaska’s coastal residents have long warned of dire effects if lawmakers sharply reduce ferry budgets. Now, absent an adjustment to the ferry schedule by Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration, those warnings could become reality.

Federal government may review Alaska Native tribal status

A letter sent to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne in May sought to prompt a review of the legal status of tribes in Alaska. The...

Kensington gold mine to lay off half its workers

Coeur-Alaska is laying off half the workforce at the Kensington Mine north of Juneau. The Idaho-based company is blaming federal regulators for what it...
An opal

Huge opal sells for nearly $144,000 at Alaska auction

The opal, dubbed the “Americus Australis,” weighs more than 11,800 carats.
Many holds up yellow star of david and makes two-fingered gesture of pointing.

‘Appalling’: Scholars say Holocaust symbol has no place in Anchorage mask debate

Mayor Bronson said 'borrowing' Star of David for COVID debate was 'credit' to Jewish culture. He later apologized.

Coastal Erosion Law Goes into Effect This Month

Lori Townsend, APRN – Anchorage A new law affecting funding for coastal erosion and storm damage protection efforts went into effect this month. In 2009,...
A man in a suit walks down a hallway.

In new budget, Alaska Gov. Dunleavy retreats from cuts but still favors big PFDs

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a new state spending plan Wednesday that retreats from some of his aggressive budget-cutting proposal while still pushing for larger Permanent Fund dividends.
The Best Western Golden Lion Hotel

This former Anchorage hotel is weeks away from reopening as permanent, low-income housing 

It’s been the subject of local controversies and shifting plans since the city bought it in 2020.

Senate passes budget that ignores most of Dunleavy’s cuts

On a 19-1 vote, the Alaska Senate approved a budget with a $3,000 dividend — and a $1.2 billion gap between what it spends and what it makes.
a mountain peak, through the clouds

First climber born and raised in Petersburg summits Devils Thumb

Kyle Knight reached the summit after a lifetime of watching the mountain, dreaming of the climb.

ExxonMobil joins business exodus from Russia after decades of close ties

The move comes as the global business community increasingly is moving to isolate Moscow over the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
An illustration of two people and the alphabet

Starting in 2024, U.S. students will take the SAT entirely online

The College Board, the organization behind the test, also announced that the exam will shrink from three hours to two, and students will be able to use a calculator for the math section.
A man with a beard and a jacket

Iditapod bonus: Brent Sass interview in Nome

In this hour-long interview, we hear more from 2022 Iditarod champion Brent Sass about how he’s forged a unique bond with his dog team, how he draws inspiration from his idols like Susan Butcher, and how his life in his remote homestead has made him the musher he is. Alaska Public Media’s Lex Treinen sat down with Sass, along with a group of other reporters, and Sass’s dad Mark at the Nome Nugget newspaper in downtown Nome.
low clouds over an forested island

Man still missing, woman rescued after fishing boat runs aground in Southeast Alaska

The woman survived for 24 hours on a rock island with her dog before a passing boat picked her up.