Alaska News Nightly: Monday, December 29, 2025

Summary

Alaska News Nightly: Monday, December 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Alaska News Nightly covers significant statewide news topics including: newly required appointment of an Arctic Ambassador for the US (with Alaskan interests front and center), severe windstorms and their impacts in the Mat-Su Borough, updates on police misconduct settlements in Bethel, a debate over librarian hiring in Wrangell schools, a creative bear-aware trash can art contest in Juneau, and the growth of Sitka’s electronic music scene. The episode features reporting from across Alaska with quotes from policy makers, local officials, artists, and residents.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. US Required to Fill Arctic Ambassador Position

[00:19] – [06:56]

• Context: New federal legislation mandates that the, until-now vacant, Arctic Ambassador position be filled to represent the US in the Arctic region.

• Background: The post, vacated by M. Frega in January, gains urgency due to increased geopolitical activity and military presence in the Arctic, particularly from Russia.

• Senator Lisa Murkowski advocated for the position, emphasizing its necessity at both a March 2024 Senate hearing and again in the present context.

• Importance for Alaska: Interviewees and policymakers argue an Alaskan is best suited for the role given unique local knowledge.

• Senator Dan Sullivan: Stressed the need for "steady, predictable engagement and leadership at the diplomatic level..." ([04:46])

• Troy Buffard, UAF Arctic Center Director: Notes the ambassadorship must bridge foreign and domestic policy, stating, "I would argue that this ambassadorship also has a connection to the domestic policy because of the state of Alaska." ([05:12])

• Challenges: Finding an Alaskan with the needed global experience; interim staff are currently covering duties.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Murkowski: “We are the only Arctic country without one. Everybody else has an Arctic ambassador, even some of the non Arctic countries like Singapore.” ([03:58])
  • Buffard: “If we're not successful in getting an Alaskan into the position, we can have someone who's willing, brings a lot of other important world experience and can adapt to the Arctic challenges a lot easier.” ([06:30])

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2. Mat-Su’s Fourth Major Windstorm of the Month

[06:56] – [08:13]

• Hurricane-force winds (up to 90 mph) devastate Matanuska-Susitna (Mat-Su) Borough.

• Local impacts: Damaged roofs, shattered windows, overturned vehicles, widespread power outages, downed trees.

• Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper and residents describe “scary and destructive” conditions.

• National Weather Service forecaster Trason Knopp explains the meteorological causes: “So it's sinking from the Copper River Basin down the Matanuska River Valley and… getting sped up as it exits the river valley into what we call the Matanuska Valley where Palmer and the WAS communities are.” ([08:06])

• Hopeful forecast for calmer weather in the coming week.

  Notable Moment:

  • Cooper: “My roof last night the back half blew off. This morning the front half blew off and it's hanging down and broken my front windows.” ([07:18])

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3. Bethel Police Misconduct Settlements and Charges

[09:07] – [13:57]

• City of Bethel agrees to pay $10 million in settlements over two excessive force lawsuits:

  • $7 million to Bernard Mail, who suffered permanent brain damage from a 2023 police beating. Bodycam footage showed unjustified force ([10:56]).
  • $3 million to Nicholas Kerr after being illegally arrested and tasered while restrained.

• Officer Jonathan Murphy faces separate criminal and civil actions; court and employment status mentioned.

• The segment details past misconduct settlements, revealing a pattern of excessive force in Bethel.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Officers’ body cam footage:
    • “You're going to get it again. Put your hands behind your back.” ([12:59])
    • “You're going to get it again. Stop. Stop moving.” ([13:07])

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4. Wrangell School Librarian Proposal Sparks Controversy

[13:57] – [18:00]

• Proposal to hire a K-12 librarian divides school community.

• Opposition: Parents and teachers call instead for increasing wages for paraprofessionals and substitute teachers, citing chronic staffing shortages and a recent loss of two teaching positions.

• Multiple community members speak to the need for supporting special education students and the intensive workload of paraprofessionals.

• Superintendent Joshua Garrett and Board Secretary Angela Allen explain arguments for and against the new position and reference ongoing intervention support.

• Outcome: The decision is postponed for further review until January.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Alexis Fisk (parent): “If funding is available to create a new position, I respectfully ask why the needs of our students with disabilities are being overlooked.” ([15:15])
  • Brian Merritt (teacher): “We haven't had one for the last 25 years and in my opinion it should be way down on the priority list.” ([16:12])

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5. Juneau Bear-Aware Art Contest

[18:14] – [19:55]

• Norwegian Cruise Lines and Alaska Department of Fish and Game launch a contest for bear-resistant trash can art to raise wildlife awareness.
• Winner receives $10,000, with artwork featured on new trash cans downtown.
• Abby McAllister, Fish and Game: “How do we get people to use our bear resistant cans downtown? Well, let's draw their attention to these cans with art.” ([18:46])
• The contest seeks to reduce bear attractants and promote public safety.

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6. Sitka’s Growing Electronic Music Scene

[20:51] – [26:25]

• Profile on Ethan Bastola and Dominique Smith, local musicians building Sitka’s rave culture.

• The duo met in middle school and, after returning to Sitka, committed full-time to music after a near-fatal car accident inspired Bastola.

• Positive community response: “That's been the nice thing about Sitka is they're always very supportive of anything and everything pertaining to the arts.” – Dominique Smith ([23:31])

• Overcame logistical challenges (equipment shipping delays) to successfully host events.

• Bastola now offers DJ/production lessons, expanding creative opportunities for youth.

• Looking ahead, both plan more events and continue to grow Sitka’s music scene.

  Notable Moments:

  • Bastola, on surviving a drunk driving accident: “That kind of solidified for me that this is what I want to do. So we'll make it happen by any means.” ([22:56])
  • On teaching youth: “My 7 year old student that I work with, he navigates this equipment like he's been using it his entire life.” ([24:59])

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Memorable Quotes and Moments

• “We are the only Arctic country without one. Everybody else has an Arctic ambassador, even some of the non Arctic countries like Singapore.”
  — Senator Lisa Murkowski, [03:58]
• “My roof last night the back half blew off. This morning the front half blew off and it's hanging down and broken my front windows.”
  — Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper, [07:18]
• “If funding is available to create a new position, I respectfully ask why the needs of our students with disabilities are being overlooked.”
  — Parent Alexis Fisk, [15:15]
• “That's been the nice thing about Sitka is they're always very supportive of anything and everything pertaining to the arts.”
  — Dominique Smith, [23:31]
• “How do we get people to use our bear resistant cans downtown? Well, let's draw their attention to these cans with art.”
  — Abby McAllister, [18:46]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:19 – Start: New law requires US Arctic Ambassador
• 03:58 – Murkowski on US lagging with Arctic Ambassador
• 07:18 – Palmer Mayor describes storm damage
• 10:56 – Bethel police lawsuit settlements and footage description
• 15:15 – Parent argues for prioritizing special ed over librarian
• 18:46 – Fish & Game launches bear can art contest
• 20:51 – Sitka’s electronic music scene feature

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Summary for New Listeners

This episode of Alaska News Nightly provides a sweeping view of Alaska’s dynamic events: it highlights how federal policy decisions ripple down to state-level priorities, how extreme weather continues to impact communities, the ongoing issues of policing and public trust, challenges in education funding, creative solutions to living with wildlife, and the vibrancy of Alaska’s arts and youth culture. With voices from across the state, the show offers a rich, nuanced picture of Alaskan life and its unique challenges and opportunities.

Transcript

[Wesley Early]

Support for Alaska Public Media on Demand comes from Siri, an Alaska Native corporation.

[Ethan Bastola]

With operations and investments spanning five continents.

[Wesley Early]

45 states and two US territories.

[Senator Lisa Murkowski]

Everybody else has an Arctic ambassador, even some of the non Arctic countries like Singapore.

[Wesley Early]

New federal legislation requires an Arctic ambassador for the US what that could mean for Alaska. From Alaska Public Media, this is statewide news on Alaska News nightly for Monday, December 29th. Good evening. I'm Wesley Early. Also tonight, power outages and damaged homes after the Mat Su's fourth severe windstorm this month.

[Troy Buffard]

My roof last night the back half blew off. This morning the front half blew off and it's hanging down and broken my front windows.

[Wesley Early]

Those stories and more tonight on Alaska News Nightly.

[Avery Elfelt]

Hi, I'm Avery Elfelt, a reporter with the Alaska Desk. That's a joint reporting effort from Alaska Public Media, KH&S, where I work in Hanes and other public radio stations in Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Aleutians. It allows us to connect you with the issues happening in communities all across the state. You can hear our stories during the morning news on Alaska News Nightly or [e-mail] the Alaska Desk is only possible with the support of grants and listeners like you. Thank you.

[Wesley Early]

President Trump signed a bill into law on Friday that will give Alaska Native veterans more time to file for their Native allotments. The deadline to apply was today, but legislation passed earlier this month gives veterans a five year extension. The Native allotment program was created more than 100 years ago to put more federal land into private ownership. It allowed individual Alaska Natives to each claim 160 acres. But when the federal program ended in 1971, Vietnam vets missed out because many were overseas fighting the war. As of mid December, only about 25% of eligible veterans had applied for their allotments. Many said the process was too difficult to navigate. Senator Dan Sullivan, one of the main sponsors of the bill, said he will make staff available at his Alaska office to assist veterans with their applications. Meanwhile, the United States may soon have an Arctic ambassador again to represent the nation's interests in the far north. The post had been vacant for nearly a year. That's because M. Frega, who's currently the interim chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, resigned from the post in January, just before Donald Trump took office. But the Trump administration will soon have to nominate someone for that position now that Congress has approved a measure that requires it to be filled. As KUAC's Tim Ellis reports, the requirement was included in the National Defense Authorization act, signed earlier this month by President Trump.

[Tim Ellis]

The 3,000 page policy document outlines the Defense Department's plans to acquire weapons like ships, aircraft and missile systems. Tucked deep within the document is also a provision that codifies the position of Ambassador at large for Arctic Affairs, a diplomatic post also known as the Arctic Ambassador. Senator Lisa Murkowski says she worked with members of the Senate Arctic Caucus and House Arctic Working Group to include the position in the ndaa, and she hopes the administration will move quickly to fill the post.

[Senator Lisa Murkowski]

We've been waiting on this for too long and given all that's going on, the geopolitical activities in the Arctic, waiting another year wasn't something that I was interested in.

[Tim Ellis]

She was a leading advocate for creating the Arctic ambassador post, which the State department established in 2022. But it took a while for the Biden administration to choose someone. Here's Murkowski making the case in a March 2024 hearing before members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to move ahead on the nomination of Mike Srega, who was then chair of the U.S. arctic Research Commission.

[Senator Lisa Murkowski]

We are the only Arctic country without one. Everybody else has an Arctic ambassador, even some of the non Arctic countries like Singapore.

[Tim Ellis]

The Senate confirms Frege's nomination in September 2024, and he became the first and so far only U.S. arctic ambassador. Murkowski said in an interview earlier this month that the need for someone to fill the post has grown even more urgent.

[Senator Lisa Murkowski]

We've certainly seen Russia projecting its presence when they're flying their warplanes in the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone. We've seen that multiple times over this past year. We need to have someone who's going to work with our allies and engage our adversaries in the region.

[Tim Ellis]

Senator Dan Sullivan cited the same concern in a written statement. It read in part of our country needs steady, predictable engagement and leadership at the diplomatic level to better represent America's interests here. And that is exactly what an Arctic ambassador can deliver. Svrega says he wouldn't be interested in the job right now, but adds that he knows firsthand how essential it is.

[Troy Buffard]

That person helps to formulate and communicate our Arctic policy. It helps to infuse that policy into our overall flow foreign policy. I would argue that this ambassadorship also has a connection to the domestic policy because of the state of Alaska.

[Tim Ellis]

He said in a recent interview that the ambassador must engage with other Arctic nations, both allies and adversaries, and countries elsewhere around the world with interests in the region.

[Troy Buffard]

This is now a global Arctic, whether it's trade or economics or great power, competition, oil, gas, critical minerals our new world. The Arctic plays such an important role.

[Tim Ellis]

Srega and Murkowski both believe the ideal Arctic ambassador nominee would come from Alaska, and so does Troy Buffard. He's director of the UAF center for Arctic Security and Resilience.

[Troy Buffard]

I would hope that an Alaskan is appointed in order to be fully, more or less qualified to represent the US Arctic, which is defined by Alaska, buffard said.

[Tim Ellis]

It may be hard to find an Alaskan with all the experience and skill sets like those that sfrega possessed. And if so, he hopes the Trump administration will select a person who's dedicated to understanding the state and its strategic importance.

[Troy Buffard]

If we're not successful in getting an Alaskan into the position, we can have someone who's willing, brings a lot of other important world experience and can adapt to the Arctic challenges a lot easier.

[Tim Ellis]

Buffard says the State Department has capable staff running the Office of the Ambassador at Large for Arctic affairs while the Trump administration looks for a nominee.

[Wesley Early]

In Fairbanks, I'm Tim Ellis MATANUSKA Susitna Borough residents were blasted by hurricane force winds over the weekend. It was the fourth major windstorm to hit the region this month. The National Weather Service recorded wind gusts of 90 mph at Palmers Airport Sunday evening. Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper says the back to back windstorms have been scary and destructive.

[Troy Buffard]

My roof last night the back half blew off. This morning the front half blew off and it's hanging down and broken my front windows.

[Wesley Early]

Sections of Cooper's fence were also blown down during the storms across the borough. Damage has ranged from overturned planes and semi trucks to downed trees and widespread power outages. A high wind warning for the region remains in Place until 9pm tonight. Cooper says anyone traveling should do so cautiously.

[Troy Buffard]

Trees are falling down across power lines and they're falling down across the road and like to tell people to hunker down. You know, you don't know if something's going to happen.

[Wesley Early]

National Weather Service forecaster Trason Knopp says the repeated windstorms have been driven by cold air being pushed from the Copper river basin.

[Troy Buffard]

So it's sinking from the Copper River Basin down the Matanuska River Valley and.

[Colette Czarnicki]

Then getting sped up as it exits.

[Troy Buffard]

The river valley into what we call the Matanuska Valley where Palmer and the WAS communities are.

[Wesley Early]

Knopp says the weather pattern should shift in the next week, so hopefully this is Mat Su's last windstorm for a while. Still to come on Alaska News Nightly, two local artists are trying to pump up the electronic music scene in southeast Alaska.

[Dominique Smith]

That's been the nice thing about Sitka is they're always very supportive of anything and everything pertaining to the arts.

[Wesley Early]

That's ahead. Stay with us.

[Avery Elfelt]

Hi, I'm Avery Elfeldt, a reporter with the Alaska Desk. That's a joint reporting effort from Alaska Public Media, khns, where I work in Haines, and other public radio stations in Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Aleutians. It allows us to connect you with the issues happening in communities all across the state. You can hear our stories during the morning news on Alaska News Nightly or [e-mail] the Alaska Desk is only possible with the support of grants and listeners like you. Thank you.

[Wesley Early]

A 33 year old Fairbanks man has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of a man last month at a solid waste transfer site off Farmers Loop Road. Jacob Marcy is charged with two counts of first degree murder and one count of second degree for the November 21st shooting of 37 year old Michael Boyd. According to charging documents, Marcy told investigators that he and Boyd got into a fight that night while they were at the transfer site on the Old Steez highway near the eastern end of Farmer's Loop Road. He said Boyd threw him to the ground and assaulted him, then walked over to his vehicle. Marcy told investigators that he believed Boyd was getting a gun from his car and intended to kill him. So, he said he pulled a a handgun and fired five shots into Boyd's vehicle, then drove away. About an hour later, troopers got a report that Boyd's body had been found at the Sourdough Fuel gas station on the other side of Farmer's Loop Road across from the transfer site. A dispatch from the Alaska Bureau of Investigation says Marcy was arrested a week ago on December 22 after he admitted to investigators that he shot Boyd. During a search of Marcy's van, investigations found the.45 caliber handgun used in the shooting, along with ammunition that matched the caliber and brand of four bullet casings found at the transfer site. Marcy was taken to Fairbanks Correctional center and at his arraignment last Tuesday, a judge set a million dollars performance bond as bail, along with a $500,000 appearance bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday. The city of Bethel has agreed to pay a combined settlement of $10 million to two people accusing Bethel police officers of using excessive force. KYUK's Evan Erickson has more and a warning to listeners. This story contains audio and descriptions of violence that some people may find disturbing.

[Evan Erickson]

The settlement resolves two separate police brutality lawsuits brought against the city. The largest award goes to Bernard mail. He'll get $7 million for a December 2023 beating that he says left him with permanent brain damage. Body cam footage of the incident shows former officer Jonathan Murphy tase pepper spray and beat Mail repeatedly in the head as he struggles to shield himself in a vehicle. The beating came after a traffic stop that led to Murphy chasing Mail through town after he radioed fellow officers to say that Mail had hit him with a vehicle. There's no footage showing Murphy being hit by a car, but it does show Murphy grab and punch Mail in the head. According to Mail's civil complaint, Murphy continued to say that Mail had struck him with a vehicle. Mail was charged with felony assault, but that charge was later dismissed. Officer Murphy is facing criminal charges, which are set to go to trial next month in Bethel. Murphy has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of assault, providing false information and tampering with public records. All three carry maximum sentences of one year in jail. It is not clear whether Murphy will be allowed to stand trial remotely. According to his LinkedIn account, he currently serves as the chief of police in Diamond City, Arkansas. The Diamond City Police Department did not immediately respond to a call seeking more information about Murphy's employment. The smaller $3 million settlement the city has agreed to pay stems from a suit that also names Murphy along with other former Bethel police officers. The suit claimed that officers used excessive force and illegally arrested Bethel resident Nicholas Kerr in October 2023. In body cam footage, officers roll up on Kerr, who is seen apparently sleeping in the rear seat of a car. They knock on the window to wake him up. Kerr puts on his socks and shoes and then is pulled out of the vehicle and thrown onto the ground by Murphy and Officer Lloyd Willis. The footage from a camera worn by a third officer, Shawn Neal, does not make clear what provoked the the sudden escalation. The video shows Neil tase Kerr while he's already pinned and on the ground.

[Wesley Early]

You're going to get it again. Put your hands behind your back.

[Evan Erickson]

Kerr panics and screams out multiple times that he can't breathe, at which point Neil pepper sprays him in the face.

[Wesley Early]

You're going to get it again. Stop. Stop moving.

[Evan Erickson]

In this case, no criminal charges have been brought against Bethel police. The city of Bethel has had problems with police misconduct in the past. In 2023, the city settled a case for $275,000 after a man who was arrest police was forced to stand outside barefoot in sub zero temperatures and in 2015. The city paid out a $175,000 settlement after former officer Andrew Reed repeatedly threw a man to the ground in the Alaska Commercial Company store parking lot. Reid later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of fourth degree assault and official misconduct and was sentenced to serve 120 days in jail. But according to court records, Reed never returned to Bethel to serve his sentence. There's still an active warrant out for his arrest in Bethel. I'm Evan Erickson.

[Wesley Early]

A proposal to hire a school librarian for the Wrangell Public School District sparked frustration and concerns at this month's school board meeting. Parents and teachers opposed to the change say they would rather have the district increase wages for paraeducators and substitute teachers. KSTK's Colette Czarnicki reports parents and teachers.

[Colette Czarnicki]

Expressed frustration with Rangel School District's proposal to hire a K12 librarian at last week's board meeting. Those opposing say two teachers were cut last year and they would rather increase pay for paraprofessionals and substitute teachers. Superintendent Joshua Garrett says the role would support both teachers and students in research, collaboration and media literacy.

[Wesley Early]

When I'm thinking of this position, it.

[Troy Buffard]

Is it is a position that is.

[Wesley Early]

Helping to further instill our culture of.

[Troy Buffard]

Reading all the way from the kindergarten class through the 18 year old class.

[Colette Czarnicki]

But teachers and parents opposed the position. Instead, they told the school board to prioritize paraprofessional pay and intervention services. They say chronic staffing shortages are disrupting classrooms and special education services. Alexis Fisk has a fifth grader who is a special education student.

[Senator Lisa Murkowski]

If funding is available to create a new position, I respectfully ask why the needs of our students with disabilities are being overlooked, she says.

[Colette Czarnicki]

The paraeducators and substitute staff have the most demanding positions at the school, like managing complex behavioral and medical needs.

[Senator Lisa Murkowski]

The intensity and importance of their work. They don't get enough compensation. They lack consistent support and recognition. I mean, without them, the special needs services wouldn't run as smoothly.

[Colette Czarnicki]

The teachers union Ringgold Teachers association submitted a resolution last month urging the school board to increase pay and benefits for paras and substitutes. Brian Merritt has been teaching at the district for 36 years. He says he strongly disagrees with hiring a librarian when paraprofessionals need a wage increase.

[Wesley Early]

I've heard we are looking at hiring a K12 librarian. We haven't had one for the last 25 years and in my opinion it should be way down on the priority list.

[Colette Czarnicki]

The position would cost the district more than $73,000 a school year with 41,000 going towards salary. Paraeducators and substitute staff make about 16 to $25 an hour, depending on the position and experience, according to the district's website. Michelle Clark teaches first grade. She says she appreciates the library position, but the timing and prioritization of it is concerning. It is difficult to see paraprofessionals, teachers and even administration stretched so thin while.

[Avery Elfelt]

Intervention and behaviors remain limited.

[Colette Czarnicki]

The proposal also comes after the district cut two teaching positions at the end of last year to balance its budget that included a Title 1 interventionist. They work in Title 1 schools to help students that need more academic support. But Superintendent Garrett says but the number of students needing additional support didn't make that specific position necessary.

[Wesley Early]

It seems to me we have less.

[Troy Buffard]

Than 19 students receiving Tier 3 interventions.

[Wesley Early]

And that doesn't seem to be a full time position, he says.

[Colette Czarnicki]

The district already has five reading specialists on staff as well that can support students. The school board cited unresolved concerns about staffing priorities of the position. School Board Secretary Angela Allen says she thinks it would be important for all board members to have an understanding of how intervention would work out if a.

[Senator Lisa Murkowski]

Librarian was hired, how you may think that will work out and what the teachers could do to accommodate those needs.

[Colette Czarnicki]

Board members unanimously voted to delay a decision until January. A posting for the position is listed on the district's website as of Monday afternoon and in Wrangle I'm Colette Czarnicki.

[Wesley Early]

Artists have an opportunity to have their bear themed artwork depicted on trash cans in Juneau built to keep the animals out and win a $10,000 reward. Norwegian Cruise Lines is partnering with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to host an art contest. Selected artists will have their art turned into miniature murals that will be printed on bear resistant trash infrastructure in downtown Juneau. Fish and Games Abby McAllister says this is a way to raise awareness about the risks unsecure trash creates for bears and encourage people to throw away their trash properly.

[Senator Lisa Murkowski]

How do we get people to use our bear resistant cans downtown? Well, let's draw their attention to these cans with art.

[Wesley Early]

When bears get in the trash, they learn to turn to garbage and people for food which can make them dangerous. The state has to euthanize bears that have become aggressive while looking for food in city streets and neighborhoods. A press release from Norwegian Cruise Line says a panel will narrow down the entries to three finalists and then the public will vote on the best via social media. Norwegian will award $10,000 to the person whose entry is chosen, a portion of which will go towards a local charity the artist chooses. That design will go on an enclosure of bear resistant cans near the cruise ship docks. Additional designs will be on new trash cans around downtown in bare hotspots. The city and borough of Juneau is funding and installing the new canisters using cruise passenger fees allocated last year. McAllister says the current bear resistant cans in Juneau aren't user friendly.

[Senator Lisa Murkowski]

Not everybody knows how to work it and I get it and so I see people struggle with it for like just a half second and even that is long enough sometimes to deter folks.

[Wesley Early]

The new cans have more of a mailbox design, she said, where people pull open the canister, drop their trash in and close it. She hopes that the new infrastructure will prevent more bears from getting in the trash and save bear lives. Submissions are open through February 13th. There's a link to the submission form in this story on ktoo.org. While Alaska is typically known for its idyllic nature in fishing, an electronic music scene is steadily growing across the state. With With Sitka now added to the mix, KCAW's Ryan Cotter recently visited the studio of two childhood friends turned music production partners to find out how they're helping steward a new era of rave culture and future producers in Sitka.

[Ethan Bastola]

On a sleepy and snowy Thursday afternoon, powerful synth chords and upbeat drums emanate out of the pantry of Ethan Bastola's family home, which has been repurposed into a makeshift studio. He's seated behind a desk, squeezed between two professional speakers. He has a session pulled up on his laptop with a synthesizer and keyboard surrounding him.

Let's say, like what, 80. 80% of the production process is just sifting through sound, usually snares.

After experimenting with more sounds, Festola then pulls up a different audio session of a song that he hopes will be part of his first production venture alongside his producing partner and childhood friend Dominique Smith, who is seated behind the keyboard. After reaching a good stopping point, the two trade seats so that Smith can take over from there.

So what I'm gonna do is since I've been sitting in this chair, I'm gonna pull up a synth for him and then I'm gonna let him have at it.

He takes a seat and observes the beats per minute. That Vestola set 129 what the hell's wrong with you?

I just wanted to be different than everybody else.

[Wesley Early]

Oh, look at me.

[Dominique Smith]

I'm Ethan.

[Wesley Early]

I'm different.

[Dominique Smith]

I went one PBM higher.

[Ethan Bastola]

Smith and Bastola originally met in BLATCHLEY Middle School's music program nearly two decades ago, lingering in the practice rooms alongside a mutual friend to jam out together. As they got older, the two ended up going in different directions, with Smith moving to Anchorage for work in 2019 and Vastola attending college in Bellingham, Washington, where he befriended people in the local electronic music scene. The two then returned to Sitka in 2021 and 2022 respectively, both taking jobs at Search. While their passion for music has persisted throughout their lives, it wasn't until Vastola had a near death experience that he was inspired to pursue music full time.

I was hit by a drunk driver here in town. I just think that that was kind of the main thing that pushed me to kind of realize I was not doing all the things I needed to do to feel fulfilled in life. That kind of solidified for me that this is what I want to do. So we'll make it happen by any means.

With Smith's encouragement, the two quit their jobs to pursue music production full time, culminating in Sitka's first large scale rave this past August and another event on Halloween. Smith says they've been overwhelmed with the love and support they've gotten across Sitka in bringing the rave to life.

[Dominique Smith]

I know a lot of people that like on the day to day, like oh man, you know, I went to your last show or I didn't make it to the show before that or you know, when's your next one? That's also been a big question. It's just been a lot of good support from the community at large. And that's been the nice thing about Sitka is they're always very supportive of anything and everything pertaining to the arts.

[Ethan Bastola]

That's not to say that there haven't been challenges in bringing a rave scene to Sitka. Fastola says the delayed arrival of a haze machine, essentially a more subtle version of a fog machine, has made him unable to put his large containers of haze fluid to good use, so they're currently being shoved between his desk and the wall. And the challenges of bringing DJ and rave decorations like laser lights to a rural Alaskan town is something that Smith seconded.

[Dominique Smith]

This has been the biggest obstacle, especially this time of year, given the constant weather changes and delaying with so much stuff. I mean, even during the summertime when we were getting set for our flagship show, we had to deal with the challenges of getting some of our supplies and our other equipment here on time.

[Ethan Bastola]

Despite these challenges, both Smith and Vastola agree that the joy of bringing an electronic music performance space to Sitka is deeply rewarding to them. To further provide more creative opportunities for youth in Sitka, Vastola has begun offering DJing and music production classes at his home to students of all ages.

My 7 year old student that I work with, he navigates this equipment like he's been using it his entire life. Just kind of like seeing the eyes light up, you know, and having him just have ideas and like playing things on the keyboard, recording it down every moment like that for me is definitely very, very cool. To witness. Random vocals in there background stuff.

[Evan Erickson]

In.

[Ethan Bastola]

Response to their most highly asked question question what's next? Smith and Vastola will be DJing Search's holiday party, a full circle moment for them to return to their former workplace while pursuing their passion. Bastola also plans to continue offering his lessons and the two are currently working on planning next year's events and launching their music production venture. As they head into the new year with high ambitions, Smith and Vostola plan to keep the deck spinning in Sitka for a long time. In sitka, I'm ryan cotter.

[Wesley Early]

And that's all for this edition of Alaska News Nightly. If you missed any of tonight's stories, we're [e-mail] and wherever you get your podcasts. We had reports Tonight from Rhonda McBride and Ava White in Anchorage, Tim Ellis in Delta Junction, Evan Erickson in Bethel, Colette Zarnicki in Wrangel, Yvonne Crumry in Juneau and Ryan Cotter in Sitka. If you want to send us a news tip, question or comment, email [e-mail] Our audio engineer is Crystal Hyde. Madeline Rose is our producer and I'm gonna see early. Good night.

[Tim Ellis]

This is statewide news on Alaska Public Media.