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.”

Senator Stevens berates Transportation Department

Senator Ted Stevens gave top Transportation Department officials an earful today about the Bush Administration’s proposed cuts in aviation programs next year. Stevens was...

Study measures contaminants in National Parks

The findings of a massive 6-year study measuring contaminants in National Parks was released this week. The 500-page report measured pollutants in snow, water,...

ExxonMobil and spill plaintiffs face off in U.S. Supreme Court

Lawyers for ExxonMobil and Exxon Valdez oil spill plaintiffs faced off before the U.S. Supreme Court today. At issue was the $2.5 billion punitive...

Mayor Begich takes first step towards U.S. Senate campaign

After months of speculation, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich has announced he is forming an "exploratory committee" for a possible run for Ted Steven's U.S....

Kivalina sues energy companies for global warming damage

The Northwest coastal village of Kivalina is suing 24 oil, power, and coal companies for their role in global warming. The small village has...

Supreme Court ready for Exxon Valdez arguments

Tomorrow, lawyers for ExxonMobil and Exxon Valdez oil spill claimants go before the U.S. Supreme Court to argue whether the $2.5 billion punitive damages...

U.S. Senate approves Indian Health Care Improvement Act

Legislation to renew the Indian Health Care Improvement Act crossed a big hurdle today when it was overwhelmingly approved by the U.S. Senate. Efforts...

House passes education funding boost

A bill increasing funding for local school districts by $120 million this year -- and some $250 million in phases over the next three...

Governor's AGIA / TransCanada plan exposed to public hearings

Alaskans have until March 6 to submit public comments on the TransCanada proposal to build a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope to...

Sitka asked to cut back even further on electric usage

The Sitka electric department is urging residents to turn off their electric heaters and fire up the diesel or wood stoves. The city has...

Rescuer tells avalanche victim's harrowing tale

The skier who survived a massive avalanche this weekend at Turnagain Pass (south of Anchorage) is lucky to be alive. Ian Wilson, a tourist...

"Running of the Bulls" comes to Anchorage. In February. With Reindeer.

Anchorages's Fur Rondy got off to a flying start over the weekend. One event certain to go down in the annals of the weird...

Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority presents plan

The Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority – established by voters in 2002 – last night presented its plan for getting gas to markets in...

Valdez lawyer disputes Exxon's numbers

Earlier this week, Exxon turned in its final brief to the high court in the Exxon Valdez case. The document focused on three main...

Governor Palin goes to Washington

Governor Palin begins a series of meetings in Washington DC this weekend – set up as part of the National Governor’s Association’s Winter meeting....

House talks about new building for legislature – but doesn't say where

The House today opened hearings on a plan that would set the parameters of providing lawmakers a new building – in a so-far undecided...

Senate and House divided over injured workers' privacy

The State House today refused to agree with a Senate plan that would force Alaska to hide the names of workers injured on the...

New bill restricts legislator fund raising even further

Political parties won’t have legislators to help them raise money during sessions under a bill passed by the House today. Current law already bans...

Y-K virus targets infants

A respiratory virus that affects babies has been spreading around the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta this winter. Angela Denning-Barnes, KYUK - Bethel

Lance Mackey sets record with 4th Yukon Quest win

Lance Mackey has made history by winning a fourth consecutive Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. The Fairbanks musher and his team of 11...