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.”

Kensington Mine to bring in millions amidst concerns about environmental impacts

The nearly-completed Kensington Gold Mine outside Juneau has pumped more than $150 million into the Alaska economy, and could pump a lot more when...

Senator Stevens raises $1 million for re-election; may yet be vulnerable

Senator Ted Stevens' re-election campaign brought in less during the second quarter of this year than it did in the first. But the campaign...

Dental associations drop fight against Alaska bush dental therapist program

The American Dental Association is giving up its fight against Alaska's unique dental therapist program. The president of the ADA was in Anchorage today...

Deformed humpback whale washes up in southeast

A bizarrely deformed humpback whale washed up dead on the west side of Admiralty Island, about 30 miles north of Angoon, Alaska. Researchers with...

Affordable housing stubbornly unavailable in Sitka

A number of Southeast Alaska communities face housing costs that are so high some residents can't afford a place to live. Sitka officials have...

Retreating Arctic sea ice shifting polar bear denning behaviors

A new study shows polar bears in northern Alaska are denning on land a lot more than they used to. Male polar bears don't...

Fish farming policy for federal waters proposed, debated

Congress held its first hearing today on the latest version of a Bush Administration proposal to allow aquaculture in federal ocean waters. Conrad Lautenbacher,...

Murkowski and Stevens sign on to global warming bill

For the first time, Alaska senators Lisa Murkowski and Ted Stevens today put their names on a bill that would make mandatory cuts in...

Climate change affecting National Parks in Alaska

Evidence of climate change is not limited to sea ice and coastal zones in Alaska. A report just out examines the effects of warming...

Disappearing polar sea ice leading toward increasing polar traffic

A three-day symposium on the naval and maritime effects of diminishing Arctic sea ice kicked off today in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Navy, the...

Denali Kid Care health coverage expanded

More low-income children and pregnant women have access to medical care through a bill Governor Palin signed into law last night. The bill renews...

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...

Jury convicts Tom Anderson for bribery, conspiracy and money laundering

Former Anchorage lawmaker Tom Anderson was convicted of seven felonies today including bribery, conspiracy and money laundering. His sentencing is set for October. This...

Legislators and observers react to Anderson verdict

On hearing the news of Anderson's conviction, Anchorage Representative Bob Roses said he was personally disappointed with the outcome of the trial. Roses was...

Ethics reform bill signed into law

The Ethics Reform bill passed by the legislature in May is now law. Governor Palin signed the 38-page measure this afternoon. The bill contains...

Breaking News: Anderson guilty on all seven counts

A federal jury has found former Anchorage state Representative Tom Anderson guilty of seven counts of bribery, extortion and money laundering. Walking out of the...

Jury handed Tom Anderson corruption case for deliberations

The jury is now deliberating in the corruption case of former lawmaker Tom Anderson. Attorneys delivered closing arguments this morning. The jury started work...

Tier Two subsistence harvest regulations upheld by Supreme Court

The Alaska Supreme Court today upheld the 2003 changes to the state's Tier Two subsistence harvest regulations. Tier Two restrictions go into effect when...

Defense rested today, closing arguments tomorrow in Anderson corruption trial

The corruption trial of former lawmaker Tom Anderson is close to wrapping up. Closing arguments will be heard tomorrow morning after a quick ending...

Ted Stevens receives moral support amidst VECO investigation

Alaska Senator Ted Stevens says he has received "overwhelming support" in the face of an FBI investigation into his relationship with recently indicted VECO...