Alaska News Nightly – Nov 24, 2025 (Alaska Public Media)

Host: Casey Grove
Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Alaska News Nightly covers a range of pressing statewide news stories, focusing on healthcare premium hikes due to stalled federal subsidies, a high-profile defamation lawsuit, a surge in violent crime in Fairbanks, infrastructure concerns over new internet towers, a record-breaking commercial crab fishery opening, homelessness solutions in Anchorage, and other notable events from across Alaska.

Main Stories & Key Insights

1. Alaskans Face Sticker Shock as Federal Healthcare Subsidies Expire

Reporter: Yvonne Crumry, KTOO
[00:53–04:39]

• Thousands of Alaskans are alarmed as healthcare premiums skyrocket for 2026, due to the expiration of key ACA (Affordable Care Act) subsidies unless Congress acts.
• Personal Impact: David Elrod from Juneau, a longtime bar worker, saw his monthly premium jump from $60 to $1,030—with a $2,500 deductible.

  • “It was pretty scary to see. And that's not even including dental, which I'm obviously going to skip this year.” – David Elrod (01:53)

  • "If I don't take this medication, yeah, blood clots will come back." – David Elrod (02:56)

  • Elrod considers risking his health by cutting medications due to unaffordable insurance.
• Federal estimates: 27,000 Alaskans buy insurance through the ACA; nationwide, average premium increases could be 114% if subsidies lapse.
• Community Support: Heidi Adams and her team at JAMI Health and Wellness are preparing for a potential influx of patients who can’t afford conventional care.

  • “We can assume… we’re going to see a much larger population coming in because they can’t afford it any other way.” – Heidi Adams (04:00)

• Key Dates: Open enrollment lasts until Jan 15 for 2026 coverage. The first deadline is December 15.

2. Defamation Lawsuit: State Human Rights Chair vs. Blogger

Reporter: Eric Stone
[04:39–08:58]

• Doreen Lorenz, Chair of the State Commission on Human Rights, sues Jeff Landfield (Alaska Landmine blog) for defamation—Landfield suggested she “stole state funding” meant for a historic Seward building.
  • Landfield’s blog is known for “brash gossip” and watchdog reporting.
  • Lorenz acknowledges public figures are subject to criticism but claims Landfield’s blog “crosses a line.”

    • "You cannot say that a public figure stole public money when you know for a fact that they didn't." – Doreen Lorenz (06:24)

  • Background: Past investigation found spending on questionable items by Lorenz’s group, but state officials said no one pocketed funds.
  • Landfield doubles down, calling her actions a “scam” and looks forward to a public court fight.

3. Fairbanks Crime Spike: Law Enforcement Brings in Extra Help

Reporter: Eric Stone
[09:03–10:13]

• Alaska’s Department of Public Safety is deploying more personnel to Fairbanks after a sharp increase in violent crimes, mainly shootings with unidentified suspects.
  • Four recent firearm-related crimes are under investigation, two reportedly unrelated.
  • Captain Tony Wegzin, Alaska Bureau of Investigation: The bureau is diverting resources from across the state for an intensive "surge."

    • "Well, I've been the commander of ABI for a couple of years now. We've not had to do this in Fairbanks." – Tony Wegzin (10:13)

• Specific incidents: Shootings at ore trucks, the homicide of Michael Boyd, and ongoing searches for accused murderer Darius Morgan.
• Public tips are actively sought: Call 907-451-5100.

4. Amonic Teen Dies in Snow Machine Accident

[11:19–11:49]

• 16-year-old Kennedy Tagunlakla from Amonic drowned after attempting to "skip" a snow machine over open water in the Yukon River.

5. Damaged Alaska Marine Lines Barge Continues to Seattle

[11:49–12:15]

• A barge, observed taking on water near Bella Bella, BC, is removed of some cargo and continues south. No bulk, grocery, or fuel cargoes were at risk of causing supply disruptions.

6. Tlingit & Haida Tribe Internet Expansion Sparks Debate in Petersburg

Reporter: Taylor Heckard
[12:17–16:22]

• Central Council of Tlingit and Haida is building three Internet/cell towers in Petersburg—part of a $50 million federal grant for Southeast Alaska connectivity.
• Community Concerns: Several residents were surprised by tower construction next to their properties, reporting a lack of notification and input.

  • “I was shocked. I had no idea this was coming. And yeah, maybe I live under a rock...but I got no notification.” – Tom Kowalski (13:52)

  • “People feel like they're getting these cell towers with no input whether they want them or not, and that there's...no information that it's even happening.” – Micah Klein (14:42)

• The borough’s process requires only permits, not public hearings, for such towers. A December 16th community meeting was scheduled for feedback.

7. Commercial Red King Crab Fishery Returns with Record Value

Reporter: Olivia Rose, KFSK
[16:22–20:37]

• After 8 years, Southeast Alaska’s commercial red king crab fishery reopens to extremely high dock prices: $26–$30/lb, up from $1.2 million catch value in 2017 to an expected $5 million in 2025.

  • “To have it come out… you know, $26, $27 was, I think, above everybody’s wildest dreams.” – Adam Messmer, Regional Shellfish Biologist (17:51)

• Low supply and high holiday demand contribute to high prices; even for small harvests, fishers are seeing strong rewards.

  • “A little crab does go a long way, especially for crew shares and for individual fishermen.” – Jeremy Woodrow, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (19:22)

• New management tactic: Fishery split into multiple smaller zones to protect crab populations.

8. Anchorage Launches Good Neighbor Fund for Immediate Homeless Needs

Reporter: Hannah Flor
[20:37–25:44]

• Thousands in Anchorage remain homeless; urgent, small needs (IDs, bus fare) often go unfunded.
• The “Good Neighbor Fund,” started by Kenny Peterson and now run by the Alaska Community Foundation, provides direct, rapid support for needs not covered by programs.

  • “They can fulfill promises and there’s not a dashed hope or another application… For me, I really wanted to have no dead end referrals.” – Kenny Peterson (22:41)

  • “A driver’s license replacement is $15, and he had a job waiting for him, but he didn’t have the driver’s license, and it was a $15 issue.” – Kathleen McLaughlin (24:10)

• The program has already made concrete positive impacts, such as keeping friends together in housing and enabling stranded people to return home.

  • “It’s a luxury, you know, to be able to have somebody. You can invite somebody into your place and show them that, hey, I do care.” – Rabi Anagiak (25:17)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Healthcare Premiums:
  • “It was pretty scary to see. And that's not even including dental, which I'm obviously going to skip this year.”
    – David Elrod (01:53)
• Defamation Dispute:
  • “You cannot say that a public figure stole public money when you know for a fact that they didn't.”
    – Doreen Lorenz (06:24)
• Internet Tension:
  • “I was shocked. I had no idea this was coming...I got no notification.”
    – Tom Kowalski (13:52)
• Crab Fishery:
  • “To have it come out…you know, $26, $27 was, I think, above everybody’s wildest dreams.”
    – Adam Messmer (17:51)
  • “A little crab does goes a long way, especially for crew shares and for individual fishermen.”
    – Jeremy Woodrow (19:22)
• Good Neighbor Fund:
  • “They can fulfill promises and there’s not a dashed hope or another application...”
    – Kenny Peterson (22:41)
  • “It’s a luxury, you know, to be able to have somebody. You can invite somebody into your place...”
    – Rabi Anagiak (25:17)

Episode Structure & Key Timestamps

• Healthcare Premiums Crisis – 00:53–04:39
• Defamation Lawsuit (Lorenz v. Landfield) – 04:39–08:58
• Fairbanks Crime Surge & State Response – 09:03–10:13
• Yukon River Snow Machine Fatality – 11:19–11:49
• Alaska Marine Lines Barge Update – 11:49–12:15
• Tlingit & Haida Towers Debate – 12:17–16:22
• Red King Crab Fishery Breaks Records – 16:22–20:37
• Good Neighbor Fund for the Homeless – 20:37–25:44

Summary

This episode delivers Alaska’s most urgent news and personal stories, capturing the state’s resilience and the challenges faced from healthcare affordability to rural connectivity, community empowerment, and the response to surging violence. With rich participant voices and detailed reporting, it’s a dynamic snapshot of life in Alaska as 2025 comes to a close.