Alaska News Nightly — Monday, September 22, 2025

Podcast: Alaska News Nightly – Alaska Public Media
Host: Casey Grove
Date: September 23, 2025

Main Theme

This episode provides comprehensive coverage of significant news stories impacting communities across Alaska. Major topics include the workforce impact and uncertainty surrounding the proposed Alaska LNG pipeline, stalling of crucial federal funding for mineral mapping and workforce training, criminal charges at a wildlife center, community resilience after natural disasters, technological investment in mariculture, rises in influenza, reflections after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and a special segment on Alaska’s centenarians and their secrets to longevity.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Alaska LNG Pipeline: Jobs, Training & Skepticism (00:19 - 06:03)

• Context & Concern:

  • Senator Dan Sullivan and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer visit the Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center to discuss the revival of the Alaska LNG gas line project—an 800-mile pipeline from the North Slope to Nikiski.
  • Persistent skepticism about whether the long-discussed pipeline project will finally be built, and questions about where thousands of required workers will come from.

• Labor & Training Needs:

  • Jacob Houdeschel, laborers’ union manager, compares the upcoming labor needs to the 1970s Trans Alaska Pipeline System project, but notes greater emphasis now on homegrown talent and training facilities:

    “It would look a lot like TAPS. I think you'd have a little bit more homegrown. We didn't have any of these training opportunities or facilities then.” — Jacob Houdeschel (02:31) “‘Have a pair of boots and a heartbeat?’…let’s go put you out and build a pipeline.” — (02:40)

  • Labor Secretary Laurie Chavez-DeRemer targets 10,000 new jobs, reiterating intent to strengthen Alaska’s economic foundation by keeping jobs local.

    “We want mortgage paying jobs for everybody who's here. We want people in Alaska to stay here.” — Laurie Chavez-DeRemer (03:17)

• Ongoing Workforce Shortages:

  • Alaska’s nonresident workforce at a 30-year high; labor shortages are forecast to persist.

• Federal Aid for Workforce Investment:

  • Sullivan pushes to access $20 million in federal grants to the State Workforce Investment Board, as authorized in 2004, to train Alaskans—including Alaska Natives.

2. UAF Critical Minerals Project: Federal Funding on Hold (06:03 - 08:16)

• Funding Freeze:

  • University of Alaska Fairbanks’ project for mapping critical mineral resources, awarded an $8 million Department of Energy grant, is paused due to a funding freeze. This impacts job training and strategic mineral identification in Alaska, Washington, and Oregon.

• Stakeholder Disappointment:

  • Project lead Brent Sheets expresses frustration:

    “It's unfortunate that some of our partners have called and asked for help, and I've just had to basically say, well, we don't have the funding to help you right now, but stay tuned.” — Brent Sheets (07:32)

• Deadline Pressure:

  • UAF’s matching funds are at risk of expiration due to state appropriations timing.

3. Chilkat Valley Wildlife Center: Criminal Charges Filed (08:16 - 09:57)

• Legal Action:

  • Steve Krushel, owner of Krushel Films Wildlife Center near Haines, is charged with animal cruelty after a years-long struggle with state agencies over animal welfare and a lapsed permit.

• Krushel’s Defense:

  “This is insane, absolutely insane. My heart, my spirit, my mind is all about taking care of life on earth.” — Steve Krushel (08:33) “Every animal that I've had that passed away was either examined in a necropsy… It was not because of negligence.” — Steve Krushel (09:19)

4. Natural Disaster: Landslide in Elfin Cove (13:13 - 15:16)

• Community Impact:

  • Heavy wind and rain cause a landslide that damages homes, a cafe, power lines, and knocks a resident into the water (no injuries reported).

• Resident Reactions:

  “I'm in my 53rd year here and had never seen an event like this before.” — Mary Jo Lord Wild (13:24) “Luckily, it was daylight. It would have been a lot worse in the dark because then you can't see what's going on.” — Mary Jo Lord Wild (14:13) “We're pretty resilient and eventually people are going to need help. But in the meantime…people will be warm, dry, and fed.” — Mary Jo Lord Wild (14:40)

5. Workforce and Public Safety Updates (10:09 - 13:13)

• Pedestrian Traffic Fatality in Anchorage:

  • A driver, allegedly intoxicated, struck and killed a woman, then fled the scene; charged with multiple offenses (11:09).
  • 11th pedestrian fatality in Anchorage this year.

• Public Safety Officer-Involved Shooting in Kiana:

  • VPSO Henry Martinez fired on an armed man (uninjured), potentially marking the first VPSO shooting incident on record. Martinez placed on leave during investigation.

6. Kodiak Mariculture Investment (15:16 - 18:14)

• New Funding for Kelp Processing:

  • The Shunak Tribe’s WildSource facility gets a $2.3 million federal/state grant to expand mariculture processing, diversifying both output and workforce.

    “It's geared to up our output significantly and we'll be able to diversify the products that we make.” — Chris Sanito, facility manager (16:46)

  • Products envisioned include biopolymers, cosmetics, and agricultural inputs.

• New Community Amenities:

  • Plans for new office, retail space, and a seafood cafe—offering “seafood themed bagels and lox... maybe some hot fish sandwiches” (17:54).

7. Influenza Cases on the Rise (18:14 - 19:36)

• Surge in Flu:
  • 2024–25 sees 11,900 cases—more severe and numerous than recent years. 25 deaths, including one child.
  • Low vaccination rates: only 23% of Alaska adults vaccinated vs. 47% nationally.

8. Homer Community Remembers Charlie Kirk (19:36 - 22:02)

• Vigil Held:

  • After the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Homer’s community organizes an impromptu remembrance with prayers, speeches, and distribution of U.S. Constitution booklets.

• Themes of Healing & Dialogue:

  “We need to do like Charlie and engage…in open dialogue that's respectful, that leads them to the truth. Jesus will never capture their heart if our response…is full of hate.” — Cassie Laver, organizer (20:43)

• Community Connection:

  • Event underscores the importance of coming together beyond political affiliations to mourn and reflect.

9. Stories from Alaska’s Centenarians (22:02 - 26:26)

• Longevity in Alaska:

  • Only ~60 centenarians in the state. The Alaska Commission on Aging collects their stories, revealing a variety of life experiences.

• Personal Histories:

  • John Strong (WWII vet, fiddler, mentor):

    “I have taught I don't know how many young fellows how to fly. And like I told them, if you want to have a decent life all your life, I said, do not smoke, drink or anything like that.” — John Strong (24:16)

  • Esti Moe (103 years old):

    “We lived on a farm and...we always had to milk cows every morning and every night. And that made me grow up fast.” — Esti Moe (25:29)

  • Norma Aldefer (almost 102):

    “Played hard, still like a good martini in the evening with cheese and crackers or hors d'oeuvres.” — Norma Aldefer (25:59) “It's what you make of it.” — Esti Moe (25:48)

• Expert Insights:

  • Cardiologist Dr. Jean Quinn emphasizes importance of social connections:

    “Another one of the things that leads to longevity is social interaction.” — Dr. Jean Quinn (24:44)

  • Yasmin Radbod, Commission on Aging program director, observes:

    "The beautiful common thread...is people who love other people, people who have hope and faith in one another and in the goodness of the world, and people who do not give up.” — Yasmin Radbod (23:29)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “That's the million dollar question.” — Jacob Houdeschel on labor for the LNG pipeline (02:03)
• “It's unfortunate that some of our partners have called and asked for help, and I've just had to basically say, well, we don't have the funding to help you right now, but stay tuned.” — Brent Sheets (07:32)
• “This is insane, absolutely insane. My heart, my spirit, my mind is all about taking care of life on earth.” — Steve Krushel (08:33)
• “Luckily, it was daylight. It would have been a lot worse in the dark because then you can't see what's going on.” — Mary Jo Lord Wild (14:13)
• “It's what you make of it.” — Esti Moe (25:48)
• “Another one of the things that leads to longevity is social interaction.” — Dr. Jean Quinn (24:44)

Episode Flow

• Labor and economic opportunity dominate the episode—from the potential windfall if the LNG pipeline materializes, to the hurdles faced as the workforce ages and shrinks.
• Support for Alaska Natives and local Alaskans is a recurring thread, including federal grant access issues and adverse effects from rescinded federal education funds.
• Resilience surfaces in various forms—personal, communal, and economic—from centenarians recounting their lives, to villagers surviving landslides, to communities united in mourning.
• Public health and safety—from influenza to traffic and weapons-related incidents—remain a constant concern.
• The future, both in technology and societal well-being, is represented in emerging mariculture ventures and the wisdom of Alaska’s oldest residents.

For listeners who missed the episode: This summary brings you to the heart of Alaska’s current events and enduring spirit, offering an informative and sometimes moving snapshot of a vast and vibrant state.