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.”

In Palmer teen’s murder, one of four convicted killers gets 99 years behind bars

Erick Almandinger, now 22, was just 16 when David Grunwald went missing in November 2016. It wasn’t until more than two weeks after the killing that one of Almandinger’s accomplices led Alaska State Troopers to Grunwald’s body.
Anchorage's acting health director Joe Gerace speaks with journalists inside the Sullivan Arena shelter

6 takeaways from our investigation of Anchorage health director Joe Gerace

Gerace, who resigned suddenly as Anchorage health director on Monday citing his own health, used a fabricated resume to get the job, an investigation by American Public Media and Alaska Public Media found.
Joe Gerace walks by a sign in front of building that reads "Sullivan Arena"

How we reported our story on the fabricated resume of now former Anchorage health director Joe Gerace

A joint investigation between Alaska Public Media's Lex Treinen and American Public Media's Curtis Gilbert found that Joe Gerace misrepresented his military, medical and educational background to get a job leading Anchorage's health department.
Joe Gerace talks with people in front of dumpsters in front of the Sullivan Arena shelter

Anchorage mayor says he’s investigating the hiring of former health director Joe Gerace

Mayor Dave Bronson’s statement follows an investigation by American Public Media and Alaska Public Media that found Gerace used a resume that misrepresented his educational credentials and military background to get a job running the city’s health department.
a close up photo of a person's hand filling up a gas tank

Inflation is cooling thanks to gas prices, but many things still cost a lot more

Falling gasoline prices put a dent in the July inflation rate, which fell to 8.5% from 9.1% in June. But other costs such as housing continue to climb, putting a strain on many family budgets.
a woman in a blue shirt stands in an empty smokehouse

How Alaskans on the lower Yukon River are faring 2 years into the chum salmon crash

Without salmon, people say they’re eating less protein and spending far more on groceries.

Alaska election guide: Q&As with candidates for U.S. House, U.S. Senate and governor

Meet the candidates running for statewide office in the Aug. 16 primary and special U.S. House elections.
A man in a tie stands in front of two men ins uits

Anchorage students will go weeks without bus service amid driver shortage

The Anchorage School District only has enough drivers to serve 7,000 students out of the 20,000 that use the bus.
three people standing, with two women shaking hands.

Why Republicans in Alaska’s first ranked choice election reserve their venom for each other

Sarah Palin and Nick Begich are going after each other in the special U.S. House race.
The wreckage of a small white and blue plane leans against a stand of spruce trees.

NTSB says 2 pilots in fatal Soldotna crash had ‘unobscured’ view of each other’s plane

The National Transportation Safety Board is not yet pointing to one probable cause for the crash. But the new, 11-page report zooms out on the many factors that could’ve contributed, like visibility.
Three white men in three different photos side by side.

3 well-funded conservatives are running for Alaska governor. 1 will likely not survive the primary.

Next week’s primary election is going to pare the list of 10 gubernatorial candidates to four, and it’s unlikely that Wasilla Rep. Christopher Kurka and Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce can both survive.
small bodies of water dot the tundra

Despite setbacks, Pebble Mine gets new investment of $9.4 million

The new investor signed an agreement for even greater potential investment over a two-year period — up to $47 million in total.

Anchorage Assembly looks into vetting future mayoral appointments following health director’s fabricated resume

"I think it’s really important that all of the appointments that came forth under this administration be reviewed again, and that we know the facts,” said Assembly member Kameron Perez-Verdia.
A view from a plane of steep slopes, with poor visibility

Families of tourists killed in 2021 floatplane crash near Ketchikan sue Holland America and Southeast Aviation

The lawsuit comes just over a year after a DeHavilland Beaver floatplane crashed into treetops on a steep slope in Misty Fjords National Monument Wilderness, about 12 miles northeast of Ketchikan.
a person cheers through a cafe

Groups get creative to help Alaska voters understand ranked voting ahead of Aug. 16 election

The first ranked voting election will be the Aug. 16 special U.S. House election.
A man drives a small boat

The important role of water taxis in Alaska | INDIE ALASKA

When a massive, unexpected landslide blocked the only road to Lowell Point, Tom Miller knew his water taxi service was the only way to move residents, school children, and tourists back and forth to the nearby town of Seward.

Sweeney files as official write-in candidate in special US House race

Republican Tara Sweeney finished fifth in the June special primary, just below the cut-off to appear on the special general election ballot.

Anchorage’s Mobile Crisis Team hopes funding to operate 24/7 will expand ability to address mental health crises

For the last year, the MCT has been on the streets, responding to mental health crises. A few months ago, it got funding from the city to operate 24/7.

Ironman Alaska athletes likely spent millions while they were in Juneau

Ironman Alaska finishers Richard Secretaria and Joseph Paray figure that, between themselves and their significant others, they spent around $8,000 on their trip.