Alaska News Nightly: Monday, March 24, 2025

Podcast: Alaska News Nightly - Alaska Public Media
Host: Casey Grove
Date: March 24, 2025

Overview

This episode of Alaska News Nightly dives into the political and social shifts impacting Alaskans statewide: Alaska’s delicate relationship with Canada amid escalating tensions, sweeping federal education changes under President Trump, the rollback of diversity initiatives at Alaska’s universities, ongoing challenges to public infrastructure, harrowing travel experiences, and live scientific research on auroras. Listeners are offered a mix of legislative responses, community impacts, and deeply personal stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alaska-Canada Relations and Legislative Response

Theme: Cross-border relations and economic concerns

• The Alaska House overwhelmingly passed a resolution affirming the state’s close ties with Canada and opposing federal efforts to limit cross-border trade.

• The resolution follows President Trump's threatened tariffs, calls for annexation, and strained diplomatic language toward Canada.

• Local leaders highlight economic risks and the need for cooperation, especially in border towns like Haines and Skagway.

• British Columbia is considering truck tolls in response to U.S. policies.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “No relationship or friendship is perfect... you don’t divorce. You work it out based on your mutual commitment and mutual benefit.” – Rep. Dan Sattler (02:31)
  • "We want President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to find common ground..." – Rep. Chuck Kopp (01:34)

2. Rollback of DEI Initiatives at University of Alaska

Theme: Navigating new federal mandates on diversity programs

• Following an executive order from President Trump, the University of Alaska is removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) wording from its materials to safeguard essential federal research funding.

• Faculty, students, and community members express deep anxiety over lost opportunities, uncertain futures, and the impact on vulnerable students.

• Some faculty feel forced into compliance to protect their programs and jobs, while others urge legal resistance.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “We need to wait, and once we are punished for continuing to uphold our DEI laws, then we can take action in court.” – Hazel Probst, UAF Student (04:33)
  • “What we can control is continuing to recruit students, continuing to seek the funding that’s important for research.” – Chancellor Dan White (05:45)
  • “It’s really upsetting a lot of people... but first and foremost, I have to figure out how to secure funding for them and for myself.” – Carl Tape, Professor (06:17)
  • “These kids who have earned the right to go to various institutions... it's going to go away because they're removing the funding associated with any kind of DEI initiative.” – Sarah McConnell, UAF Music Professor (07:06)

3. Infrastructure Updates: Knik River Bridge Closure

Theme: Traffic disruptions and public adaptation

• The northbound span of the Knik River Bridge (Glenn Highway) will close for at least 30 days for major repairs, affecting 31,400 daily commuters.
• Traffic will be diverted; drivers are advised to carpool or telework to avoid major backups.
• The project is federally funded and scheduled for completion before the Alaska State Fair.

4. Emergency Rescue: Plane Through Tustamena Lake Ice

Theme: Survival and community response

• Three people, including two children, were rescued after their plane broke through the ice near Tustamena Lake.

• The survivors were located thanks to local pilots and rescued by the Alaska Army National Guard.

• All passengers were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

  Notable Quote:

  • “Wasn’t expecting to find him and... wasn’t expecting to find him alive. It’s pretty great.” – Dale Eicker, pilot and rescuer (11:04)

5. Avalanche Fatality in Turnagain Pass

Theme: Outdoor risks and safety warnings

• A 16-year-old snowmachiner died after being buried under 10 feet of snow; recent conditions have increased avalanche danger state-wide.

• Avalanche experts emphasize that hazardous conditions remain, urging backcountry caution.

  Notable Quote:

  • “It’s just as likely that someone could trigger a... similar avalanche today or tomorrow or for the next few days and weeks.” – Andrew Schauer, Avalanche Specialist (12:24)

6. Trump Abolishes U.S. Department of Education: Alaska’s Uncertain Future

Theme: Federal upheaval and school funding anxieties

• President Trump’s executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education threatens vital funding for Alaskan public schools—particularly special education and Title I schools.

• State officials and local administrators express concern over the absence of a “roadmap” for transition.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “I haven’t gotten any kind of roadmap and I think that’s always scary too because... education is a big shift.” – Will Muldoon, Juneau School Board (14:34)
  • “Federal funding allows schools to deepen knowledge for their teachers... provide additional experiences that we all value.” – Amanda Duvall, Juneau School District (15:47)
  • “People don’t go to school and graduate and get a degree to be an advocate for their child. It shouldn’t be a job.” – Will Muldoon (15:01)

7. Alaska Marine Highway System: Long-Range Planning

Theme: Maintaining coastal connections

• Public comment is open on a 20-year plan for the Alaska Marine Highway System, focused on restoring reliable service to 30+ ports, replacing old ferries with hybrids, hiring staff, and updating infrastructure, all at an estimated $3 billion.

• The plan relies on state, federal, and ridership funding; the state expects $120 million/year in operational costs.

• Ongoing concern remains as Governor Dunleavy has vetoed millions in ferry funding.

  Notable Quote:

  • “We’re really looking at trying to increase the port calls...make sure that we have some reliable service...from a cost perspective for the state.” – Craig Tornga, AMHS Director (17:32)

8. Plane Window Emergency: Passenger Accounts

Theme: Harrowing travel and emotional aftermath

• Passengers on a Trig Air commuter flight from Scammon Bay experienced a front window rupture mid-air, forcing an emergency landing in Sleepmute.

• No serious physical injuries, but several passengers described lasting emotional trauma from the incident and frustration with the airline’s lack of follow-up.

  Notable Quotes/Moments:

  • “Big gush of cold wind came to me. I quickly put my hat on, my scarf, my mittens, my hood.” – Darlene Ulach, passenger (20:12)
  • “We should all pray...we had joined hands, we all said a prayer.” – Darlene Ulach (22:00)
  • "It’s still lingering those feelings. The noise, the sounds, even to talk about it...makes me shake." – Darlene Ulach (23:31)

9. NASA ‘AWESOME’ Aurora Rocket Project

Theme: Cutting-edge local science

• Over the next two weeks, NASA and University of Alaska Fairbanks will launch research rockets to study auroras and their effect on the upper atmosphere.

• The public is invited to witness these launches, which will include glowing vapor trails.

• The current “solar max” period is ideal for aurora activity.

  Notable Quotes:

  • “When you do that, the atmosphere actually heats up and you get...the ripples that come out from a pebble you drop in the lake." – Don Hampton, UAF Scientist (24:49)
  • “We’re at what's called a solar max, so we get a lot of aurora.” – Don Hampton (25:19)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Alaska-Canada Tensions & House Resolution | 00:26–02:46| | University of Alaska DEI Rollback | 03:51–08:14| | Knik River Bridge Closure | 08:26–10:09| | Tustamena Lake Plane Rescue | 10:17–11:47| | Turnagain Pass Avalanche Fatality | 11:47–13:02| | Abolishing the U.S. Department of Education | 13:47–16:45| | Alaska Marine Highway System 20-Year Plan | 16:57–18:42| | Trig Air Plane Window Emergency | 20:04–23:59| | NASA Aurora Research Rocket Launches | 23:59–25:31|

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Resilience in Crisis: “You don’t divorce. You work it out based on your mutual commitment and mutual benefit.” (Rep. Dan Sattler, 02:31)
• Student Advocacy: “We need to wait...then we can take action in court.” (Hazel Probst, 04:33)
• Emotional Fallout: “Even to talk about it...makes me shake.” (Darlene Ulach, 23:31)
• Community and Science: “When you do that, the atmosphere actually heats up and you get...ripples.” (Don Hampton, 24:49)

For more stories, full reports are available at alaskapublic.org. Public comments and feedback are welcomed by the Alaska News Nightly team.