“I think everybody agrees, certainly including these two candidates, that bycatch is undesirable, particularly of halibut and salmon.” - Gunnar Knapp, a retired University of Alaska Anchorage economist, on the “fish fight” between Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola.
(Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
By Yereth Rosen
Fish are central to Alaska’s economy, Indigenous cultures and identity.
With critical salmon runs in Alaska rivers struggling, commercial operators squeezed by higher costs and stiffer market competition, fish are now at the center of the hard-fought campaign for Alaska’s U.S. Senate seat.
(Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
By James Brooks
As Americans grow frustrated with artificial intelligence software and concerned about the side effects of data centers, they have become a major issue in this year’s midterm elections. Alaska’s gubernatorial race is no exception, particularly since the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority announced plans for a development that could include data centers in Southcentral Alaska.
(James Brooks photo/Alaska Beacon)
By James Brooks
Influenza-related illnesses killed 36 Alaskans during the 2025-2026 flu season, the Alaska Section of Epidemiology said Friday in a regular annual report summarizing the prior flu season.
(James Brooks photo/Alaska Beacon)
By James Brooks
The Coast Guard icebreaker Healy will not sail to the Arctic Ocean this year.
The Healy is one of only two active Arctic icebreakers in the Coast Guard’s fleet and had been scheduled to return to service this year and sail to the Arctic after an overhaul, but during a post-shipyard voyage in July, it suffered a severe mechanical breakdown off the coast of Washington state.
(Screenshot of U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee livestream)
By Corinne Smith
An Alaska nominee for federal judge joined other nominees in a joint confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and declined to answer some questions about the 2020 election and Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Do you have questions for candidates?
We'll ask.
Upcoming political debates
Sept. 19, 2 p.m.: Mat-Su Chamber forum
Sept. 21, 11:30 p.m.: Resource Development Council governor candidate forum, Dena’ina Center — all four candidates confirmed, closed to the public
Sept. 21, 6 p.m.: Alaska gubernatorial energy forum @ Anchorage Public Library — Alaska Public Media’s Lori Townshend hosting; all four governor candidates confirmed
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Congress is finally talking about menopause | 19th News
Alaska gubernatorial forum puts healthcare at center stage | Yereth Rosen
Thanks for reading The Morning Light. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.