Alaska News Nightly – Friday, February 6, 2026

Podcast: Alaska News Nightly (Alaska Public Media)
Host: Wesley Early
Date: February 7, 2026

Overview

This episode brings critical news stories from across Alaska, focusing on the state's justice system, contentious changes to federal subsistence rules, school governance controversies, military preparedness, infrastructure challenges in education, local public transit initiatives, updates on the famed Yukon Quest sled dog race, community resilience in small-town cinemas, and a special spotlight on a Juneau high school football team receiving national attention.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Resolution in the Anesha "Duffy" Murnane Murder Case

• Reporter: Ashlyn O’Hara (01:12–05:17)
• Context: After more than six years, Kirby Calderwood pleaded guilty to the murder of Anesha Murnane in Homer, Alaska.
• Key Details:
  • Murnane, a beloved preschool teacher, went missing in 2019. The case galvanized the Homer community and attracted national attention.
  • Calderwood, who worked at the supportive living facility where Murnane lived, was arrested after a tip from his wife led to DNA evidence.
  • He accepted a plea deal: 87-year sentence with parole eligibility after serving two-thirds, in exchange for the state dropping eight other charges.
  • Murnane’s remains have never been found.
  • The victim’s family criticized the lengthy delays, with her uncle, Michael Huelsman, stating, “Delayed justice is denied justice and it also wastes taxpayer money” (04:00).
  • Murnane’s mother, who passed in 2024, wrote in her obituary, “Cancer or heart disease will be on my death certificate, but we all know that the real cause was the loss of my dear Duffy” (05:00).

2. Controversial Federal Subsistence Board Reform Proposal

• Reporter: Rhonda McBride (05:17–09:25)
• Context: Heated public hearing on Safari Club International’s proposal to significantly alter federal subsistence board governance.
• Key Points:
  • Over 100 people testified; most were rural citizens reliant on subsistence hunting and fishing.
  • The proposal includes removing public/tribal seats, changing rural advisory council selection, and deferring to state management over federal.
  • John Sturgeon (Safari Club): “Protection of wildlife has to come first. If there's not wildlife, if there's not fish, you're not going to have subsistence” (06:34).
  • Gloria Burns (Ketchikan Indian Community): Stressed that those living on the land should make management decisions: “We strongly believe that the people who use the land need to be making the decisions about the land” (07:22).
  • Tribal leaders voiced concerns the public comment window (ending Feb 13th) is too short for such major changes.
  • Joe Williams (Saxman): Urged federal officials to visit villages and handed jars of smoked salmon: “Remember, this is the way of life…this is what we do” (09:10).

3. Fairbanks Charter School Dispute

• Reporter: Patrick Gilchrist (10:23–13:46)
• Context: The Fairbanks School Board upholds decision to reject a charter school application for Pearl Creek STEAM Charter, but the state education commissioner overrides the denial.
• Key Points:
  • Concerns cited by the board: a $2.8M budget impact, facility, admissions, transportation, nutrition, and overall risk of failure.
  • Bobby Burgess (School Board President): “The board stands by our initial decision and the reasons that are laid out in the letter that we sent when we initially rejected the application” (11:08).
  • The commissioner argued the board held applicants to a higher standard than required by law.
  • Jennifer Redmond (Charter School Committee): “It's really about our kids who deserve an engaging hands-on learning and families who want to stay invested in public education” (13:04).
  • 340 students have shown intent to enroll; thousands of volunteer hours contributed.

4. Military Readiness Exercise Near Fairbanks

• Reporter: Tim Ellis (14:08–16:23)
• Context: The 11th Airborne Division is conducting a massive cold-weather military exercise with allied nations.
• Key Details:
  • 10,000 service members involved, with participants from Canada, Sweden, Norway, and Italy.
  • Focus areas: rapid deployment, large-scale combat in Arctic conditions, cold-weather drone testing, and sub-zero system performance.
  • “The exercise is part of an initiative to adapt drone technology for warfare in Arctic and other extreme climates” (16:03).

5. School Infrastructure Emergency in Aniak

• Reporter: Evan Erickson (16:23–18:13)
• Context: Aniak’s secondary school has been closed due to structural collapse risk; district preps emergency plans for approximately 100 students.
• Key Details:
  • Gymnasium closed after joists snapped; evacuation drills being conducted; students sharing space with elementary school.
  • District considers backup spaces, including an old elementary school offered by the native corporation.
  • Superintendent Madeline Aguilar: "Schools are more than just buildings…this closure has come at the heart of basketball season and left a lot of academic and community events up in the air."

6. Free Bus Rides Expansion for Anchorage Seniors

• Host: Wesley Early / Assemblymember Erin Baldwin Day (18:13–19:11)
• Context: Anchorage extends free People Mover bus rides for seniors (60+) to two days a week starting March 6.
• Key Quote:
  • Erin Baldwin Day: “If we can reduce the number of rides that are taken via anchor rides because folks are riding the people mover bus, then that is a net win, in my opinion” (18:53).
• Background: Aims to reduce costs on more expensive anchor ride service; ordinance passed 10-2.

7. Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race Preview

• Host: Wesley Early / Mushers (19:11–20:54)
• Context: The iconic Yukon Quest Alaska 750 sled dog race launches, with only six teams this year.
• Notable Quotes:
  • Keaton Loebrick (Musher): “Everybody else is afraid to run this race. All the other mushers are scared” (20:26).
  • Jeff Dieter (Reigning Champion): “No one runs the Yukon Quest for a nice trail. Like that's never been a thing" (20:48).
• Background: $35,000 purse; 800+ mile route.

8. Porcupine Theater: Community Cinema Success in Homer

• Reporter: Simon Lopez / Co-Owners (21:44–24:49)
• Context: Against a backdrop of theater closures, Homer's Porcupine Theater celebrates a thriving first year on a member-based model.
• Key Insights:
  • Susannah Webster (Co-Owner): “Really without those members we couldn't do all the other things that we do…that stable monthly income makes everything possible” (22:22).
  • Focuses on classics, second-run films, live events, live plays, and even sports broadcasts.
  • 800+ members; diverse programming allowed by stable support.
  • Nate Spence Corman (Co-Owner): Studios have been “really flexible” on new releases, sometimes getting them on release day (23:39).

9. Juneau High School Football’s National Spotlight

• Host: Wesley Early (24:49–End)
• Context: Juneau’s Crimson Bears will be featured nationally during Super Bowl coverage on NBC.
• Key Moments:
  • Film crew documented a game against Anchorage’s Dimond High; the story highlights the dedication of players like Noah Ault.
  • Peter King (NFL Reporter): “The dedication of some players goes further. Noah Ault plays receiver and safety. He punts. He returns punts and kickoffs, and the aspiring athletic trainer even tapes ankles before the game.”
  • Coverage underscores the reach and spirit of Alaskan high school football.

Notable Quotes

• Michael Huelsman (Uncle of Anesha Murnane, 04:00):
  “Delayed justice is denied justice and it also wastes taxpayer money.”
• John Sturgeon (Safari Club, 06:34):
  “Protection of wildlife has to come first. If there’s not wildlife, if there’s not fish, you’re not going to have subsistence.”
• Joe Williams (Saxman Tribal President, 09:10):
  “Remember, this is the way of life…this is what we do.”
• Bobby Burgess (Fairbanks School Board, 11:08):
  “The board stands by our initial decision and the reasons that are laid out in the letter that we sent when we initially rejected the application.”
• Jennifer Redmond (Charter School Advocate, 13:04):
  “…it’s really about our kids who deserve an engaging hands-on learning and families who want to stay invested in public education.”
• Erin Baldwin Day (Anchorage Assembly, 18:53):
  “…if we can reduce the number of rides that are taken via anchor rides because folks are riding the people mover bus, then that is a net win, in my opinion.”
• Keaton Loebrick (Yukon Quest Musher, 20:26):
  “Everybody else is afraid to run this race. All the other mushers are scared.”
• Susannah Webster (Porcupine Theater, 22:22):
  “Really without those members we couldn't do all the other things that we do…that stable monthly income makes everything possible.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment Topic | Start Time | |-----------------------------------------------------|------------| | Anesha Murnane murder plea/justice system critique | 01:12 | | Federal subsistence rule reform hearing | 05:17 | | Fairbanks charter school dispute | 10:23 | | 11th Airborne military exercise | 14:08 | | Aniak school structural crisis | 16:23 | | Anchorage seniors’ free bus rides | 18:13 | | Yukon Quest Alaska preview | 19:11 | | Porcupine Theater’s success story | 21:44 | | Juneau high school football featured nationally | 24:49 |

This edition of Alaska News Nightly highlights the connective threads of resilience, community agency, and the tension between tradition and change found across Alaska's diverse regions. It emphasizes the importance of local voices in state and federal policies, celebrates the tenacity of Alaskan communities, and provides a window into the daily stories—from the courtroom to the wilderness trail and the neighborhood theater—that define the state.