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.”

Canadian minister promoting Arctic gas development to cut gas costs

Canada's Northwest Territories' energy minister was in Anchorage today giving an Arctic gas presentation. Brendan Bell has been visiting U.S. cities talking up a...

U.N. favors Native people's rights to self-determination, subsistence

The United Nations recently passed a declaration supporting the rights of indigenous people all over the world. Some Native and human rights leaders in...

Kott trial finishes first week with VECO's Rick Smith on the stand

The government's case against former legislator Pete Kott is headed in to its second week on Monday. Today's courtroom events began with more cross-examination...

Year-old newspaper comment knocks Kodiak resident off Kott jury

A juror in the Kott trial had to be dismissed this morning after the Defense team found a "letter to the editor" she had...

Chabott amendment may cut off timber sale road construction in Tongass

Proposed legislation against U.S. Forest Service road-building has proved to be a major stumbling block for members of the Tongass Futures Roundtable. The Roundtable...

Alaska broadcasting pioneer Augie Hiebert passes away at 90

Alaska broadcasting pioneer Augie Hiebert died this morning in Anchorage. He was 90 years old. Hiebert started his Alaska broadcasting career in Fairbanks long...

Bill Allen takes the stand, admits to bribing legislators

Former VECO chairman Bill Allen faced cross examination today on his testimony that he bribed former state legislator Pete Kott. Steve Heimel, APRN - Anchorage

Defense cross turns combative; Allen admits evidence overwhelming

Bill Allen will face more cross examination from Pete Kott's defense team tomorrow morning. While he started the afternoon with a relatively innocuous line...

Kivalina evacuates as Arctic storm threatens

The Northwest Arctic coast community of Kivalina is being buffeted by a fall storm. Enoch Adams, Jr. is the Kivalina project coordinator for the...

Ninth Circuit definitively shuts down fall drilling plans for Shell

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today denied Shell Offshore's request to reconsider a ban on oil exploration in Alaska's Beaufort sea. The suit...

New record high oil price based on shortage speculation

Crude oil closed above $80/barrel for the first time today – with West Texas Crude ending up at $80.09 on New York markets. Oil...

Allen testimony may spell trouble for Ben Stevens

Former VECO Chairman Bill Allen returned to the stand this morning in the Pete Kott corruption trial in Anchorage. And he provided some damaging...

VECO chairman Allen takes the stand in Kott trial

The corruption and bribery trial of former legislator Pete Kott continued today in Anchorage. Former VECO chairman Bill Allen testified today in the Pete...

Shell ramping down Beaufort Sea drilling ops

Shell Oil has begun a staged ramp-down for its exploratory drilling operations in the Beaufort Sea while an injunction ordered by the Ninth Circuit...

Alaska National Guard seeking a few good Chaplains

The National Guard in Alaska is looking for people to serve as chaplains. Unique job qualifications have made it hard to fill open slots...

Kott caught on tape: "I had to cheat, steal, beg, borrow and lie."

An FBI agent spent all day on the witness stand today at the bribery and conspiracy trial of former state Representative Pete Kott. Special...

Wade to stay in jail, considered flight risk

Joshua Wade will stay in jail, at least during the foreseeable future. After declaring that the case against Wade could move forward, U.S. Magistrate...

BP fire sparks deeper investigation

The Department of Natural Resources says a fire yesterday at BP's Lisburne Production Center on the North Slope has led to an elevation in...

Kott legislative corruption trial begins in Anchorage

The federal corruption trial of former House Speaker Pete Kott began today in Anchorage. Opening statements were read this morning, and the prosecution began...

Wade appears in court on bank fraud charges; Schloss remains missing

The preliminary hearing and bail appearance began for Joshua Wade this morning in Anchorage. Wade is accused of two counts of bank fraud for...