Alaska News Nightly: Monday, January 5, 2026

Podcast: Alaska News Nightly – Alaska Public Media
Host: Casey Grove and Alaska Public Media Reporters
Date: January 5, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode covers dramatic weather extremes across Alaska, including record-breaking cold and snowfall, the response from Alaskan politicians to a U.S. military operation in Venezuela, an in-depth look at opioid addiction and recovery through a personal story, a beaver-driven climate change investigation, an avalanche risk update in Juneau, and a historic birding event involving great egrets in the Aleutians.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alaskan Reactions to U.S. Military Action in Venezuela

[01:29 – 03:31]

• Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed skepticism about the Trump administration's lack of Congressional authorization for the operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
• Sen. Dan Sullivan praised the military's execution but alluded to "painful and difficult lessons" from Iraq, omitting direct comment on Trump’s declaration that the U.S. would temporarily run Venezuela.
• Congressman Nick Begich supported the operation, calling it "a flawless execution of American power and capability."

Notable Quote:

• "She hopes Maduro's removal makes the world a safer place. But that authorization is important for military actions."
  – Casey Grove (01:29)

2. Alaska's Record Cold and Snow: Ask a Climatologist

[03:31 – 08:06]

• Southeast (notably Juneau):
  • December brought historic cold and snow: 82 inches at Juneau airport set a new record; some Haines areas saw 77 inches in just five days.
  • Juneau logged 10 days below zero—the most in any December in 70 years.
• Interior (Fairbanks):
  • Fairbanks experienced its coldest 30-day stretch in 50 years. Possible records for most consecutive days with high temperatures below zero.
  • Even long-time residents (“old timers”) had to "go way back" to recall such bitter cold.
• Anchorage:
  • The city faced its coldest December since 2010, with notable temperature variations depending on wind and geography.
  • Palmer experienced its windiest recorded month.
  • Most of Alaska’s mainland south of the Alaska Range had its coldest December in over a decade.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “Even for old timers, this would be a noteworthy cold snap.”
  – Brian Brettschneider (05:59)
• "At the airport in the month of December they had 82 inches which shattered the December record by almost 30 inches."
  – Brian Brettschneider (04:25)
• "Each of the big cities in Alaska have had its own different set of challenges... It's been a highly impactful early start to the winter."
  – Brian Brettschneider (07:40)

3. Officer-Involved Shooting in Fairbanks

[09:02 – 11:59]

• Two trooper recruits, John Fall and Wyatt Miller, shot and killed William Rexford, a 24-year-old Alaska Native, after he charged at officers with a knife during a mental health crisis.
• Another family member was wounded by gunfire but survived.
• The incident is under review by Alaska Bureau of Investigation and the Office of Special Prosecutions, as per standard protocol.

Notable Quotes:

• "We made the determination he was experiencing some mental health issues. He was also making some suicidal statements to troopers..."
  – Austin McDaniel, Trooper Spokesperson (10:12)
• "Multiple State Troopers that were in the residence fire their handguns at Rexford..."
  – Austin McDaniel (10:50)

4. Avalanche Alerts and Ongoing Snow Challenges

[11:59 – 14:56]

• Juneau issued its second avalanche alert, urging residents in high-risk areas to be ready but not to evacuate yet.
• New snow and wind are increasing risk; four-foot snowpacks are leading to hazardous conditions.
• Anchorage is under a winter weather advisory; up to a foot of “fluffy” snow expected, creating low visibility and challenging travel.
• City plow crews work around the clock; school closures will be decided with a 5:30 am notice.

Notable Quotes:

• “It’s not an evacuation advisory, it’s reminding folks to be prepared to evacuate and that conditions can change rapidly.”
  – Ryan O'Shaughnessy, Juneau Emergency Manager (12:11)

5. Opioid Addiction and Recovery: Personal Story

[14:56 – 19:57]

• More than 300 Alaskans died of overdose in 2024, most involving opioids.
• “De,” a fisherman and artist on the Kenai Peninsula, shared how an injury and OxyContin prescription led to addiction, then heroin use when prescriptions ended.
• Long-term recovery was sustained only after monthly buprenorphine injections, which reduced cravings.
• Relapse was acknowledged as part of recovery, with medication improving quality of life and significantly lowering overdose risk.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments:

• “Before 2012, I didn’t know what dope sick was... when I got hurt, I started taking those pills.”
  – De (16:12)
• “I’ve never had the flu that lasted over 24 hours. But Dopesick just keeps going on and on and on and on.”
  – De (16:38)
• "Yeah, this saved my relationship, definitely. It saved my life, period."
  – De (18:44)
• “I'm so sick of people dying, it's not even funny... all from fentanyl.”
  – De (19:18)

6. Are Beavers Accelerating Climate Change?

[19:57 – 23:42]

• Beavers have expanded into western and Arctic Alaska as the climate warms and shrubbery proliferates.
• Their pond-building appears to disturb permafrost, possibly releasing methane—a significant greenhouse gas.
• Scientists, aided by drones and local teachers/students, are mapping methane bubbles trapped in lake ice to track these emissions.
• The segment highlighted the beaver’s ecological and cultural importance, including their role as a traditional food source for Alaska Natives.

Notable Quotes:

• "As the Earth is warming... beavers are expanding because they have more things to eat. So they are relatively new to the Nome area and have exploded in their populations."
  – Keene Richards (20:52)
• “They actually taste pretty good.”
  – Amelia Richards (21:20)

7. Historic Birding Event: Great Egrets Arrive in the Aleutians

[23:42 – 26:35]

• Birders reported an unprecedented number of great egrets—never previously seen in Unalaska—arriving in early December.
• Biologists suspect Typhoon Ha Long displaced the birds from Asia.
• The harsh climate and local eagles threaten their survival.
• Multiple sightings also reported in other Alaskan regions (Pribilofs, Kodiak, Cordova, Yakutat, Petersburg).

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• “I never would have guessed that we'd have three great egrets in the lake over there on the Mackinac.”
  – Susie Ghaulodoff (24:14)
• “...all that subspecies of Asian great egret, which is fabulous to see something like this, but also a little tragic because they're going to have a tough time.”
  – Susie Ghaulodoff (25:04)
• “These birds are going to need some serious luck to survive in Alaska.”
  – Susie Ghaulodoff (26:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Venezuela Military Action Reactions | 01:29–03:31 | | Weather/Climate Roundup ("Ask a Climatologist") | 03:31–08:06 | | Fairbanks Officer-Involved Shooting | 09:02–11:59 | | Avalanche/Weather Alerts | 11:59–14:56 | | Opioid Addiction & Recovery Story | 14:56–19:57 | | Beavers & Climate Change | 19:57–23:42 | | Great Egret Birding Event | 23:42–26:35 |

Memorable Quotes (Condensed Reference)

• "Even old timers have to go way back to remember a time it was this cold in Fairbanks." — Brian Brettschneider (00:19, 05:59)
• “Dopesick just keeps going on and on and on.” — De (16:38)
• “I never would have guessed that we'd have three great egrets in the lake...” — Susie Ghaulodoff (24:14)

This episode encapsulates the breadth and depth of Alaska’s ongoing stories: climate extremes, public safety, resilience amid crisis, the intersection of wildlife and environmental change, and community response to emerging challenges.