Alaska News Nightly — Friday, November 21, 2025
Podcast: Alaska News Nightly – Alaska Public Media
Host: Casey Grove
Date: November 21, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode delves into a range of critical issues across Alaska, including troubling findings from the state legislative auditor concerning degraded government services, challenges facing commercial halibut fishermen, innovative drone usage in disaster recovery and avalanche control, worsening air quality in Interior Alaska, major cuts to university funding, increased demand for food assistance, and the heart of community-building through unique local initiatives like Nome’s veterinary pop-up clinic and Prince of Wales Island’s arm wrestling club. The reporting reflects the complex intersection of policy, environment, and rural community resilience in Alaska.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Degrading State Services and Government Audits
- Major Finding: Alaska’s legislative auditor, Chris Curtis, revealed an increasing failure of state agencies to meet state and federal requirements.
- Examples of Issues:
- Overspending at the Department of Corrections
- Delays in processing SNAP and Medicaid applications
- Procurement errors: ~1/3 of sampled purchases failed compliance
- Unbilled $280 million in federal pandemic aid, resulting in $9 million lost interest
- Root Causes:
- Staffing vacancies and turnover
- Insufficient training
- Lack of written procedures
- Notable Quote:
- “What we’re seeing is vacancies. We’re seeing turnover. We’re seeing poor training. We’re seeing a lack of written procedures.”
— Chris Curtis (01:45)
- “What we’re seeing is vacancies. We’re seeing turnover. We’re seeing poor training. We’re seeing a lack of written procedures.”
- Legislative Tension: Some findings are disputed by Governor Dunleavy’s administration as interpretation differences.
- Purpose: The audit aims to spur improvement and legislative support.
2. Commercial Halibut Fishery in Decline
- Reporter Hal Bernton’s Investigation:
- Chronicled shrinking halibut and falling catch quotas, citing a combination of environmental (warmer ocean, less food for young halibut) and historical mismanagement (flawed fishery models).
- Early critics of the fishery models were ignored and dismissed, only later proven correct.
- Orca Depredation:
- Orcas frequently steal fish—innovative technology (a "silver submarine"-like capsule by Sego Solutions) is being tested to protect lines, but remains experimental.
- Notable Quote:
- “So there’s a mix of environmental conditions and then some would say also there have been some fishing pressures as well.”
— Hal Bernton (03:27) - “To me it was pretty remarkable... trying something like this silver capsule that you haul out to sea and put on your line.”
— Hal Bernton (05:12)
- “So there’s a mix of environmental conditions and then some would say also there have been some fishing pressures as well.”
3. Drones Enhance Disaster Response & Avalanche Mitigation
- Federal Role: DOT provided grants enabling drones for disaster assessment, notably speeding up responses after ex-Typhoon Ha Long and expediting a federal disaster declaration.
- Tech Innovations: Drones are also used for avalanche control (e.g., triggering controlled avalanches along the Seward Highway) and could be expanded to rural areas nationally.
- Benefits:
- Faster, safer data gathering than traditional aircraft
- Drones now equipped with thermal cameras and live video streaming
- State Focus: Alaska is at the leading edge in drone applications for public safety and infrastructure.
4. Air Quality Alerts & Public Health
- Seasonal Problem: Winter temperature inversions are worsening air quality in Interior Alaska (e.g., Fairbanks, North Pole, Healy).
- Pollution Sources: Wood stoves, coal-fired plants, vehicle emissions stuck in low, cold air layers.
- Health Warning: NIH cautions long-term consequences; residents should check state’s real-time air quality data before going outside, especially if they’re elderly or with health conditions.
- Notable Quote:
- “We always have our near real time data… we encourage people to go there and watch the Air Quality Index to see when air quality is safe and when are the best times to be outside.”
— TJ Bredo (11:07)
- “We always have our near real time data… we encourage people to go there and watch the Air Quality Index to see when air quality is safe and when are the best times to be outside.”
5. University of Alaska Fairbanks — Funding Threats to Rural Campuses
- Grant Cuts: US Department of Education’s decision to end a major Title III grant could halve Bristol Bay campus’s staff/faculty.
- Reason: Federal officials view funding tied to student race quotas as discriminatory, despite its use for broad student services.
- Community Impact: 7 of 14 staff positions directly threatened; questions about serving Native and rural populations and preserving campus infrastructure.
- Advocacy: Alaska’s congressional delegation appeals for reversal; university seeking other funding.
- Notable Quote:
- “I'm concerned about how many other employees are we anticipating that will leave the campus? How many students will we stop serving...”
— Tav Amu (14:21)
- “I'm concerned about how many other employees are we anticipating that will leave the campus? How many students will we stop serving...”
6. Rural Veterinary Care in Nome
- Clinic Reach: The pop-up clinic, run by PAWS of Nome and Alaska Rural Veterinary Outreach, provided free or low-cost care (spay/neuter, vaccination, treatment) to over 50 dogs and 4 cats from surrounding remote communities.
- Barriers Addressed: Airlift for remote pets, staff sourced nationally, facility improvisation due to extreme cold.
- Community Need: Clinics help avoid the necessity of pet surrenders and support village resilience.
- Future Plans: Aim for another clinic in March, pending fundraising.
7. Food Insecurity and Community Response in Juneau
- Rising Demand: St. Vincent de Paul is distributing Thanksgiving baskets to nearly 500 people (20% increase over last year) as food insecurity rises, worsened by SNAP payment disruptions.
- Community Meals: Local churches and Salvation Army organizing free holiday dinners emphasizing warmth and connectedness.
- Notable Quotes:
- “We really... won’t say no, right? Our mission is we’re here to help everyone, right? So we will serve everyone the best we can.”
— Jennifer Skinner (19:26) - “Knowing that they can come and have a meal and be with friends, meet new friends and just be able to be a part of a community.”
— Karen Lawford (19:56)
- “We really... won’t say no, right? Our mission is we’re here to help everyone, right? So we will serve everyone the best we can.”
8. Arm Wrestling: Building Community on Prince of Wales Island
- Unique Organization: A new local arm wrestling club is providing both physical activity and vital social connection during the dark winters on the isolated island.
- Positive Environment: The group emphasizes a sober, welcoming context contrasting stereotypical “bar culture” of arm wrestling.
- Notable Quotes:
- “The best way to understand arm wrestling is that it’s a combat sport. You’re just limiting the combat to your hand. ... It’s probably 80% hand strength and 20% arm strength.”
— John Arntz (22:02) - “Kind of one of the cruxes of humanity is relationships ... and I suppose arm wrestling is just another one of those things.”
— John Arntz (22:50) - “That’s a big thing to me... I want it to be something just good for one another and sobriety is a big part of that.”
— John Arntz (23:56)
- “The best way to understand arm wrestling is that it’s a combat sport. You’re just limiting the combat to your hand. ... It’s probably 80% hand strength and 20% arm strength.”
- Long-term Vision: Aspiring to establish an Alaska-wide arm wrestling league and attract international participation.
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- Degrading State Services:
“What we’re seeing is vacancies... poor training... a lack of written procedures.” — Chris Curtis (01:45) - Halibut Challenges:
“There’s a mix of environmental conditions and... fishing pressures...” — Hal Bernton (03:27) - Drone Innovation:
“These recovery efforts are now happening in days, not months, because they're able to make these assessments.” — Casey Grove referencing Stan Caldwell (07:40 approx.) - Air Quality Warnings:
“We always have our near real time data... we encourage people to go there and watch the Air Quality Index...” — TJ Bredo (11:07) - Food Assistance Response:
“We really... won’t say no... So we will serve everyone the best we can.” — Jennifer Skinner (19:26) - Community in Arm Wrestling:
“Kind of one of the cruxes of humanity is relationships... and I suppose arm wrestling is just another one of those things.” — John Arntz (22:50)
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------|---------------| | Legislative auditor state services findings | 00:26–02:58 | | Halibut fishery decline & orca deterrents | 03:00–06:23 | | Drone technology in disaster and avalanche | 07:13–08:52 | | Air quality/allergy alerts | 09:52–11:26 | | UAF Bristol Bay campus funding cuts | 11:56–15:48 | | Nome pop-up veterinary clinic | 15:59–17:55 | | Food baskets and community Thanksgiving meals | 18:14–20:10 | | Arm wrestling club on Prince of Wales Island | 21:02–24:39 |
Conclusion
This episode effectively highlights the interconnectedness of policy decisions, environmental challenges, rural innovation, and the ways Alaskans come together to support their communities—from government accountability and natural resource management to grassroots solutions in both animal care and social connection. The reporting reflects both ongoing challenges and resilient responses in Alaska’s diverse regions.