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.”

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Anchorage's acting health director Joe Gerace poses for a photo outside of the Sullivan Arena shelter

Anchorage Health Department director resigns amid investigation into fabricated resume

Joe Gerace resigned citing "severe health issues" as Alaska Public Media prepared to publish a story detailing misleading statements he made about his military service, glaring omissions about his work history and outright lies about his education.

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.

Alaska Federation of Natives convention will be held in person for the first time since 2019

This year’s convention will be held Oct. 20 through Oct. 22 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage.
a person prepares lunch

Anchorage school meal program faces worker shortage, loss of pandemic funding

District leaders say they’re competing with restaurants and grocery stores for a small pool of food service workers.
blue gloves hold a bat in the dark

Researchers hope Kodiak’s ‘Bat Week’ will help answer some questions about the animals’ lives in Alaska

“Our biggest question and what we wanted to know is: Where (do) these bats go during winter and what do they do when we’re not seeing them?" said Natalie Velez-Suarez.

Wyoming couple finds a time capsule floating in the water near a Juneau glacier

Inside were 11 notes written by Juneau kids back in 2006.
a gas pump

Gas prices are finally dropping. Here are 4 things to know.

The average price of gasoline nationwide is expected to drop below $4 a gallon in the coming days as prices continue to fall from the record highs hit in June.
Exterior: a herd of wood bison.

Young wood bison released to the wild in the western Interior

The 28 yearlings increase the Western Alaska Wood Bison herd to about 160 animals.
the dock of a cruise ship, with mountains across the water

Kicked off their cruises, COVID-positive tourists are going home on Alaska flights and ferries

COVID-positive travelers say Holland America helped them book travel on a state ferry and then an Alaska Airlines flight out of Juneau one day after their positive tests.
A person arrives for a monkeypox vaccination at a New York health care center.

Monkeypox: The myths, misconceptions — and facts — about how you catch it

Is it a sexually transmitted disease? Can you get it on a crowded bus? Trying on clothes? NPR talks to specialists about how this virus is transmitted and what kinds of precautions are warranted.
A microscope image of gray oval shapes

Alaska confirms second case of monkeypox

The case count is expected to rise “steadily." However, for the general public, the risk of getting monkeypox remains relatively low.
a sign says "Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation"

Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. posts negative returns for first time since 2012

There are no immediate impacts to state finances, but continued losses would reduce available cash for services and dividends.