By THE ALASKA STORY
April 7, 2026 – An update for readers: Today is a travel day for Suzanne Downing. What better time to give an update on The Alaska Story? Here are the stats that you made happen:
Twenty-two weeks after launching on Nov. 4, 2025, The Alaska Story has quickly established itself as one of Alaska’s fastest-growing independent news platforms, with tens of thousands of subscribers, millions of social media views, and a national-ranking podcast.
Founded by longtime Alaska journalist and editorialist Suzanne Downing, The Alaska Story began as a Substack newsletter paired with TheAlaskaStory.com and a podcast.
In less than six months, the outlet has grown into a daily news and commentary hub covering Alaska politics, energy, budgets, elections, and national issues affecting the 49th state.
Since launch, the platform has reached several milestones:
- 32,000 Substack subscribers
- #67 worldwide in the Substack news category
- 23% open rate across newsletter editions
- 79 newsletter editions published since Nov. 4
- 1,300 stories and columns published on the website
- Over 7,000 reader comments posted on the website
- Website averaging more than 450,000 views per day
- 19,000 Facebook followers
- 33.869 million views on Facebook
The Alaska Story’s podcast, The Northern Ledger, hosted by John Quick, is also gaining national traction. The show recently ranked No. 5 in the United States in the “Places & Travel” category, according to Podstatus analytics.
The rapid growth reflects strong engagement from readers across Alaska and beyond, with daily spikes in readership tied to breaking news coverage, legislative reporting, and commentary on statewide issues.
Social media engagement has also surged, with tens of millions of views on Facebook posts and consistent discussion in the comment sections — a hallmark of our motto, “Where the conversation happens.” On X (formerly Twitter), more than 940,000 post views have been registered in 22 weeks, along with 30,600 “likes.”
The vibe around The Alaska Story has remained optimistic and community-driven, emphasizing measurable growth and reader participation. The platform’s expansion since early January has continued to accelerate, with daily publishing and increasing audience engagement, newsletters, podcasts, and Facebook broadcasts.
The Alaska Story founder credited readers for the rapid rise.
“Thank you to our readers — especially those who subscribed, supported us through Substack, contributed through PayPal, or even mailed checks,” Suzanne Downing said. “Your support is making it possible to provide a conservative and consistently informed voice for Alaskans who want to know the other side of the stories being pumped out by the mainstream media.”
With 22 weeks behind us and growth continuing, The Alaska Story is poised to expand further as Alaska heads into a busy election season and major policy debates on energy, budgets, and the state’s future.
If you subscribe, thank you. If you’d be willing to pitch in even more to keep the ship afloat, here’s the link for contributions. Thanks!
10 thoughts on “The Alaska Story marks 22 weeks of lightning-fast growth: 32,000 newsletter subscribers, 1,300 articles, and a top-5 national podcast”
Congratulations SD. Thank you.
Great job Suzanne! I am proud to be a supporter of great journalism. You have a way of nailing the important issues judging from some of the comments.
Thank you, Andy!
Congrats, Suzanne. I’ll follow you around cheerfully.
Thank You Suzanne for all your hard work and diligence getting the facts out there, it’s appreciated. 🙂
Obviously, my envy and jealousy are through the roof. I thought my blog, “Snorting From Alaska,” was the premier website for politics in Alaska. I’m suffering from a huge lack of donations. Most of my lefty contributors are a bunch of tightwads. The Democrat Party uses me. And that’s why I depend on spirits to lift me up. Speaking of which, my spirits shelf is running low again and I can’t keep up with Suzanne unless I get replenished …..
and quick. Any donation will work at this point.
Dermutt, maybe you’ll be joining your twin soon? Life might be more enjoyable for you over there.😁
Certainly more restful.🤣🤣
Thanks for all your stellar work. Without you we’d be stuck with mostly fake news!!!
There are increasing more Alaskans wanting more truthful reporting from people (who are mostly honest, i say mostly because sometimes honest people fall short of the higher standards we are known for). I pray for that. For as many Alaskans who stay hell bent that there are just as many Alaskans whose minds and hearts are opening to what is True not to stay in wishful dreaming what they think is true.
Here is a Quote from the American Girls movie Samantha “It takes two people to tell the Truth. One to tell it. And the other to listen” that’s very true because telling the truth doesn’t FEEL kind but it has to be told if people are to ever grow.
Not everyone wants to stay the way they are in their ignorance. So tell the truth for those who are seeking.