Alaska News Nightly: Friday, October 10, 2025

Host: Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media
Date: October 11, 2025

Overview

This episode centers on the series of powerful storms threatening western Alaska, the response and resilience of affected communities, and other significant statewide news such as immigration rulings, education funding debates, and cutting-edge climate science. Reporting reaches communities from Nome to Kotzebue, delving into both the immediate impacts of extreme weather and deeper policy questions affecting Alaskans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Western Alaska Braces for a Second Storm

• [00:51–06:08]
  Topic: Approaching ex-typhoon Ha Long and community readiness

  • Forecasters warn of ex-typhoon Ha Long, expected to bring winds up to 80 mph, flooding, and coastal erosion across the Aleutians and the Bering Sea.
  • The first impacts will be felt in the Pribilofs, then the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, especially north of Nunavac Island (Hooper Bay, etc.).
  • The storm will then move north, crossing St. Lawrence Island, hitting the southern Seward Peninsula and pushing high water into Norton Sound, especially from Nome eastward.

  “Places that have a southern exposure, places like Hooper Bay are really in the sights for the first large scale impacts.”
  — Rick Thoman, climatologist ([01:45])

  • The intensity and track of the storm could cause stronger-than-usual sustained winds on land (40-50 mph; coastal gusts up to 60-70 mph).
  • Small shifts in the storm’s path will have significant local impacts.

  “It certainly looks like for the Norton Sound communities that water levels will be higher in this storm than they were earlier this week…slight shifts in the storm track will make potentially a big difference.”
  — Rick Thoman ([04:13])

  • Another storm is forecast for early next week, likely affecting Bristol Bay with wind and rain.

  “The hits just keep coming. It is that time of year and it’s that kind of fall.”
  — Rick Thoman ([06:03])

2. Community Response & Preparedness

• [06:30–08:33]
  Reporter: Ben Townsend, Nome

  • After the previous storm caused widespread flooding, communities like Kotzebue and Shishmaref saw significant damage.
  • Residents in Nome, such as Mike Owens, prepare by refueling vehicles and securing property.
  • New business owner Andy Kang places sandbags and plywood to protect against flooding.
  • Local officials meet to debrief and plan; public safety messaging stresses level-headedness and preparation.

  “Look, the first thing I want to say is first just breathe. I’ve had 170 mile an hour winds. And I know what it’s like. It is scary. But stay calm, make reasonable decisions. Knee jerk don’t work.”
  — Lee Smith, Nome City Manager ([08:03])

  • Residents are encouraged to gather emergency supplies and secure loose property.

3. Immigration News: Anchorage Worker Freed

• [08:33–10:27]
  Reporter: Wesley Early, Anchorage

  • Santiago Martinez, a Mexican national and Anchorage restaurant worker, was arrested by ICE and detained in Tacoma, Washington.
  • Martinez was released after a Seattle federal judge issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) for his release, part of a larger class action lawsuit led by Northwest Immigrants Rights Project.

  “People cannot be detained, that their detention is unlawful.”
  — Attorney Margaret Stock ([09:23])

  • Stock notes the high rate of non-criminal immigration detentions and ongoing advocacy for those without legal representation.
  • Martinez will now apply for asylum and return to work.

  “Although DHS claims they’re only arresting criminals, that’s not the case. They’re going after mostly people that are not criminals…doing things that are perfectly legal, working legally.”
  — Margaret Stock ([10:14])

4. Education Funding Controversy

• [11:11–14:42]
  Reporter: Jamie Deep, Juneau

  • Alaska’s Education Department backtracks on a controversial regulation that would limit local government contributions to schools, after significant public outcry.
  • Concerns included impacts on non-instructional spending (e.g., transportation, childcare, extracurriculars) and in-kind services.
  • The department had cited attempts to conform with a federal “disparity test,” but districts noted the proposed rule would have far-reaching consequences.
  • District leaders lamented the lack of initial stakeholder input.

  “I think just the stress about school funding, a lot of trust isn’t there. The department wants to earn that trust back and continue with the work.”
  — DEED Commissioner Dina Bishop ([11:37–11:43])

  “I am terrified of version 3.0 of this regulation. Each subsequent attempt at this regulation change has had exponentially more negative impacts...”
  — Frank Hauser, Juneau School Superintendent ([13:18])

  “When the agency responsible for leading and supporting Alaska schools uses public mockery and personal targeting, that is not communication. It is the breakdown of an essential partnership.”
  — Megan Gunderson, Valdez Schools ([14:06])

  • The regulation will be sent back for further discussion with school districts.

5. Storm Damage Assessment & Recovery

• [14:51–18:52]
  Reporter: Desiree Hagan, Kotzebue

  • Record rainfall in Nome and Kotzebue with sensor failures due to flooding.
  • Kotzebue Mayor Derek Kaavik Lee reports extensive debris and infrastructure damage, such as bridge abutments being undercut by up to six feet.
  • Critical roadways, including Ted Stevens Way leading to the city’s water source, have restricted access pending inspection.
  • Disaster declarations have been filed for Kotzebue, Kivalina, Noatak, and Deering; damages include erosion and threats to water supply, airport runways, and village structures.
  • Kivalina Tribal Administrator Millie Hawley describes worsening water intrusion and rising evacuation rates.

  “It’s worst. It gets worse every year. The water levels are worse and the water came in more than usual.”
  — Millie Hawley, Kivalina ([17:30])

  • A developing channel threatens to further shrink Kivalina’s island and increase flooding risk.
  • Residents make urgent repairs and preemptive evacuations before the next storm.

  “Right now it’s eight miles long…if there’s a channel, then there’ll be another free flow of water going in the area, and the village will fill up faster.”
  — Millie Hawley ([17:56])

6. Science Spotlight: Awakening Ancient Microbes in Melting Permafrost

• [18:52–25:09]
  Guest: Tristan Caro, Postdoctoral Scientist, Caltech

  • Scientists awakened microbes dormant for up to 40,000 years, collected from an Alaskan permafrost tunnel near Fairbanks.
  • Climate warming is already causing ancient microbes to “wake up” and contribute CO₂ and methane to the atmosphere, fueling further warming.
  • The research studied how quickly microbes revive after thaw—results showed a slow reawakening over 1 to 6 months.

  “It’s probably more like the second one…It did indeed take months for these organisms to wake up, to really convince themselves that, yes, it’s time to start processing carbon and exhaling CO₂ and methane…”
  — Tristan Caro ([21:58])

  • Findings suggest permafrost ecosystems, though dormant, are ready to support microbial life and thus present a feedback loop for climate change.
  • Caro and colleagues say lab precautions mean their research doesn’t pose real risk—much more permafrost is thawing naturally, and standard lab safety is followed.

  “There are just common sense safety procedures…imagine a mason jar’s worth of permafrost that we’ve thawed is not even a drop in the bucket compared to what is currently happening.”
  — Tristan Caro ([23:37])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On storm prep and resilience:
  “Just breathe…But stay calm, make reasonable decisions. Knee jerk don’t work.” — Lee Smith, Nome City Manager ([08:03])

• On education trust:
  “A lot of trust isn’t there. The department wants to earn that trust back…” — DEED Commissioner Dina Bishop ([11:43])

• On climate feedbacks:
  “The Arctic warms, the permafrost thaws. Permafrost contains CO₂ and methane and will produce more CO₂ and methane…which will cause the Arctic to continue to warm. And that’s really a concern, this kind of self-amplifying cycle.” — Tristan Caro ([22:30])

• On immigration detentions:
  “Although DHS claims they’re only arresting criminals, that’s not the case. They’re going after mostly people that are not criminals…” — Margaret Stock ([10:14])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:51 – Storm forecast & ex-typhoon Ha Long details
• 06:30 – Nome residents prepare for the next storm
• 08:33 – Immigration detainee Santiago Martinez released
• 11:11 – School funding regulation controversy
• 14:51 – Storm damage and response in Kotzebue and Kivalina
• 18:52 – Awakening ancient microbes in melting permafrost

Conclusion

The episode delivers an urgent and well-rounded view of how Alaskans face recurring climate-driven disasters, advocate for policy changes in education and immigration, and lead in environmental research. An underlying theme of resilience, preparation, and ongoing adaptation is evident in every story, from bracing for storms to thawing the secrets of ancient ice.