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.”

a group of people stand in front of flags

Mary Peltola makes history as first Alaska Native sworn into Congress

Peltola is also the first woman to serve in Alaska’s sole U.S. House seat.
two people hug in a crowd

‘I’m here to represent all Alaskans’: A close-up look at Mary Peltola’s swearing-in

Alaska again has a voice in the U.S. House of Representatives, as of Tuesday afternoon, when Congresswoman Mary Peltola was sworn in on the House floor.
man at computer staring off

Anchorage Assembly rejects Bronson’s pick for municipal attorney

Mario Bird’s confirmation failed on a 4-8 vote, with members Jamie Allard, Randy Sulte, Kevin Cross and Pete Petersen voting in support of him.
an alaska state ferry

Alaska ferry system goes back to flat rates this winter

The Alaska Marine Highway System will put a winter pause on dynamic pricing, which increased ferry fares up to 50 percent based on capacity.
Alaska Senate candidate Buzz Kelley

Fourth-place finisher Buzz Kelley suspends campaign for U.S. Senate, backs Tshibaka

Kelley's name will still appear on the Nov. 8 ballot with incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Republican Kelly Tshibaka and Democrat Patricia Chesbro.
rainbow fentanyl pills

Kodiak police find rainbow fentanyl pills amid increase in overdoses

Kodiak public health and law enforcement officials are sounding the alarm over a recently arrived wave of fentanyl — including a new form called rainbow fentanyl.
Joe Gerace looks over the shelter floor

Ex-Anchorage health director calls his lies about military, education and medical credentials ‘a ticking time bomb’

American Public Media investigative reporter Curtis Gilbert offers a follow-up look at former Anchorage health department director Joe Gerace's phony credentials.

Peltola lands a spot on House Resources. Next up: Magnuson-Stevens fisheries bill

New Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola won't always get what she wants, says House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz.
a presentation slide

Engineering firm pitches plan to solve Skagway’s rockslide problem

National geotechnical engineering firm Shannon and Wilson made its initial pitch to address recent rockslides in Skagway at the Skagway Borough Assembly’s Sept. 1 meeting.
A woman in a black suit jacket speaking into a microphone.

Peltola’s campaign gets big financial boost after special election win

Her campaign raked in almost $1.4 million in the 19 days following Election Day, according to her latest campaign finance disclosure report.
Anchorage's acting health director Joe Gerace speaks with journalists inside the Sullivan Arena shelter

Anchorage Assembly seeks to audit disgraced former health director Joe Gerace’s tenure

Assembly chair Suzanne LaFrance wants the audit to review Gerace's work as health director such as, “documents that were signed, disciplinary actions that were conducted, grants that were administered, contracts executed and policies enacted."
sign wrote in foreign language

Escaping conflict abroad, arrivals in Alaska seek stability and opportunity

https://youtu.be/bItA0ChP5yw War and political upheaval are driving a major increase in the number of refugees and other immigrants arriving in Alaska from overseas. Whatever the...
a sea otter in a blanket

Alaska SeaLife Center admits rescued harbor seal and sea otter pups

Staff at the center have rescued an emaciated harbor seal and a 4-month-old sea otter pup in late August and early September, respectively.
beluga whales

NOAA asks Alaskans for help Saturday in annual Cook Inlet beluga count

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be staging a citizen-science event on Saturday called Belugas Count!
an aerial image of a storm

Western Alaska residents urged to brace for what could be one of the worst storms in recent history

“In 10 years, people will be referring to the September 2022 storm as a benchmark storm," said a climate specialist.
A person with a laptop on their lap

As storm approaches, the search for a group of missing Bethel hunters becomes a race against time

The storm system is forecast to bring high storm surges and wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour.
Alaska Insight host with guests

A historic number of people resettled in Alaska this year. What happens once immigrants, refugees, and migrants arrive? | Alaska Insight

Every year, people resettle in Alaska after escaping conflict in other parts of the world. The reasons they left their homes and the circumstances under which they arrived may be different, but they’re all looking for the same thing – safety and security for their families.
a person holds a sign that reads "abortion is basic healthcare"

What to know about Alaska’s privacy clause and its link to abortion rights

As Alaskans prepare to vote in November on whether to hold a constitutional convention, the privacy clause is a major focus.
floodwaters in Golovin

Historically powerful storm slams Western Alaska. Here’s what people experienced across hundreds of miles of coastline.

Forecasters have predicted it could be one of the worst storms to hit Western Alaska in recent history.
a house surrounded by the beginning of an approaching wave.

Dunleavy says state taking stock of damage as historic storm moves north along Alaska’s coastline

Gov. Mike Dunleavy said Saturday night that this weekend’s historic storm has impacted almost 1,000 miles of Alaska’s coastline.