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.”

2009 Legislature opens in Juneau

This was a day of formalities in Alaska’s legislature as Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell opened the new legislative session this afternoon. Dave Donaldson, APRN -...

Anchorage mayor’s second pick for library director, an educator and GOP activist, likely to fuel more controversy

Judy Eledge drew attention for posts from a Facebook account under her name that linked gay and transgender people to pedophilia, advertised Eledge and her husband aboard an airplane during the pandemic without masks and complained about Alaska bush communities "getting everything and having no tax and almost everything paid for them."
people sit at computers

Former top aide to mayor challenged Anchorage election using policy quietly added that day by city IT director

It’s not clear how the former chief of staff to the mayor, Sami Graham, and the two other election observers knew of the internal policy. The city ombudsman is investigating the incident.
mushers

The 2024 Kuskokwim 300 is expected to be cold, but it certainly won’t be the coldest

Deep in the race archives, there’s a story about a race so cold it froze a half gallon of rum.

Town Square gardeners pick up the burden of city homelessness

An unlikely group of city employees are on the front-line of handling worsening woes with homelessness in Anchorage. Download Audio
fishing boats

Rewrite of federal fisheries law navigates rough partisan waters

Even though a rewrite of the Magnuson-Stevens Act cleared the House Natural Resources Committee, its path forward is anything but guaranteed.

Seward Celebrating…A Steller Sea Lion is Expecting

The Alaska  Sea Life Center is celebrating big news. One of the center's female Steller sea lions is pregnant. It’s the first time...

Stevens trial dismissed early today

Last night prosecutors in the case of Senator Ted Stevens turned over evidence that Stevens lawyers say would have changed their entire case. It's...

Many GCI customers will see internet bills go up

Many customers of Alaska telecommunications company GCI will see the cost of their internet service increase next month. Listen now

Gubernatorial Candidates Weigh in on Offshore Drilling Debate

The candidates on the trail during this year’s gubernatorial races are beginning to hear from voters about the BP Oil spill in the Gulf...

State delays renewal of Pebble land use permit

Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources has delayed renewing a two-year land use permit for the Pebble Limited Partnership to give state regulators more time to review an “extensive” number of public comments. Listen Now

House Proposes Issuing PFD Checks for Beneficiaries

Alaskans will fight for their right to a Permanent Fund dividend check, and now a bill passed by the state House on Thursday...

Muskox Killed in Wales While Attacking Dog

Nome has been experiencing a summer of “urban muskox,” where the uniquely shaggy arctic mammals have made their home close to town, threatening dogs—and, occasionally, people. Now the same thing has happened more than 100 miles west of Nome, in the community of Wales. Listen now:
Charlie Pierce

Kenai Peninsula Borough settles Pierce harassment suit for $237K

Former borough mayor Charlie Pierce owes $31,250 in a settlement of then-assistant Pamela Wastell's sexual harassment claims against him.

Anchorage Assembly passes ban on conversion therapy

The Anchorage Assembly voted to ban conversion therapy for minors on Wednesday, after a two-day public hearing. Conversion therapy, as defined in the ordinance, is a practice that seeks to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It has been discredited and condemned by the American Psychological Association and many other medical and civil rights organizations.

Scientists Watching Retreating Sea Ice

As September approaches, scientists are guessing how far the Arctic Sea ice will retreat this year before it begins to freeze up again. ...

Former Don Young aide indicted

A grand jury has indicted Fraser Verrusio, one of  Don Young's former congressional staffers, on corruption charges for taking a free trip to the...

Gov calls for permanent fund overhaul, income tax, cuts to PFD

Gov. Bill Walker released his plan for dealing with the state's mammoth budget deficit. It includes Alaska's first income tax since 1980, and a complete overhaul of the permanent fund -- effectively cutting PFD checks in half next year. Download Audio

Lawmakers move $13M from education to oil & gas tax credits

State lawmakers cut education funding in the proposed budgets by nearly $13 million Tuesday night. They moved the money into the oil and gas tax credit fund. Download Audio
People look at maps hanging on a wall.

Judge rules that redrawn Senate districts for East Anchorage and Eagle River violate the Alaska Constitution

The judge also found that the Alaska Redistricting Board violated the state constitution for how it drew the Southeast Alaska House district that includes Skagway.