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.”

From cupcakes to lactation cookies | INDIE ALASKA

From cupcakes to lactation cookies | INDIE ALASKA: Where are they now?

It has been 8 years since Indie Alaska met with Kastle Sorensen, winner of Food Network's Cupcake Wars Season 9. We met with her again in 2022 withe new goodies to share.

Alaska volunteers want to know: What happened to the ‘Lost Alaskans’ sent to this Portland mental hospital?

At least 3,500 Alaskans believed to be mentally ill were sent to Oregon's Morningside Hospital, many of them Alaska Natives. Many of their families never saw them again.
Cathy Giessel, Roselynn Cacy and Roger Holland

Partisan hardliners likely won’t fare well under Alaska’s new election system. Here’s why.

Former Senate President Cathy Giessel’s comeback campaign against Roger Holland shows the moderating effect of Alaska’s new election system.
Two women and two men stand at podiums

U.S. House candidates talk fish, energy and bipartisanship in televised debate

Candidates for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat sparred over fish, energy and partisan politics at Wednesday’s Debate for the State.
APOC screenshot

Alaska campaign regulator delays decision on complaint against pro-Dunleavy group

The Alaska Public Offices Commission will not rule before the Nov. 8 general election on a complaint against a group backing Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
an Otter floatplane

NTSB wants FAA to mandate inspections of popular Alaska bush plane after Washington crash kills 10

The National Transportation Safety Board says a key component on a de Havilland Canada Otter appears to have failed before it crashed in Washington, killing 10 people.
Four politicians stand behind podiums in front of a white backdrop with news station logos.

Watch: Debate for the State with Alaska’s governor candidates

Debate for the State 2022 is a collaboration between Alaska Public Media, Alaska’s News Source and KTOO.

Dunleavy, Peltola request disaster funds for Bering Sea crab fisheries

Gov. Mike Dunleavy sought expedited disaster designations to compensate fishermen in the closed 2022 Bering Sea snow crab and Bristol Bay red king crab fisheries.
plants grow in an indoor warehouse

Amid sluggish recovery, economist predicts more Alaska jobs in weed and mining

Alaska's economy has had a tougher time than nearly every other state bouncing back from the pandemic. But the 10-year outlook shows signs for optimism.
Debate For The State: Governor, U.S. House, U.S. Senate (Alaska) Logos: Alaska Public Media, KTOO, Alaska's News Source

Watch: Debate for the State with Alaska’s U.S. Senate candidates

In attendance: incumbent U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Kelly Tshibaka, both Republicans, and Democrat Pat Chesbro.
Closest to the camera is a woman in a red blazer, in the middle is a woman in a green suit and furthest from the camera a woman in a black suit. All three stand behind podiums while listening to a question during a political debate.

Alaska U.S. Senate candidates show clear contrast on abortion rights, Supreme Court nominations and gun rights

Incumbent Republican Lisa Murkowski, Republican Kelly Tshibaka and Democrat Pat Chesbro appeared together for Debate for the State.
a green and black microscopic image

Alaska health officials say they’re tracking a modest rise in RSV, but it’s nothing like the Lower 48

The virus causes cold-like symptoms in most people but can have more severe effects on children and the elderly.

In this Alaska House race in East Anchorage, education funding issues hit close to home

The race between Democrat Donna Mears and Republican Forrest Wolfe is one of several close races that could impact the future of education funding in the state.

Backers of Pebble Mine ‘tried to trick regulators,’ says new report

The report makes several recommendations, including environmental review process changes to “ensure holistic review of cumulative impacts of projects.”
a family photo

‘You know who you are’: One Alaska adoptee on why ICWA matters

Juneau resident Jennifer Quinto's life has been shaped by the Indian Child Welfare Act, set to be challenged before the U.S. Supreme Court next week.
a woman at a table

First decade of Alaska’s dental therapy program shows successes in Yukon-Kuskokwim region

A new study shows positive results from 10 years of an Alaska program allowing professionals other than dentists to provide general care in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.
Photographs of a white woman and a multiracial woman side by side.

Walker and Gara band together in Alaska governor’s race with a joint ad against Dunleavy

The ad, featuring Walker’s running mate Heidi Drygas and Gara’s running mate Jessica Cook, says both campaigns would rather the other side win, than Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

The Alaska commission that investigates discrimination has been sued for alleged discrimination

Marilyn Stewart’s lawsuit alleges that – because she is Black, a woman and a military veteran – two former commissioners convinced others to vote to terminate her employment in 2019.
two men, one standing

In Republican Mat-Su, voters are choosing between different conservatives

The tight race between Sen. Mike Shower and challenger Doug Massie is focusing on effectiveness and implications for the state’s only booming region.
Petersburg landslide

Petersburg landslide takes down power, phone, internet lines

A landslide about five miles south of Petersburg caused a power outage Monday, with phone lines and internet also down in parts of town.