Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, December 18, 2025 - Episode Summary

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This episode of Alaska News Nightly covers a range of statewide news, focusing on labor and union issues for federal employees, public safety controversies, strong winter weather warnings, a groundbreaking tribal addiction healing center, regional tribal alliances, and unique Alaskan survival advice. The show delivers voices from across Alaska, highlighting the diversity and complexity of issues facing the state’s communities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alaska Federal Union Rights and Rep. Nick Begich’s Vote

• Background: President Trump’s March executive order removed union protections for many federal employees.
• Recent Developments: The U.S. House passed a bill restoring those rights, with 20 Republicans supporting—but Alaska Rep. Nick Begich voted against.
  • Stephanie Rice (Federal employee, Anchorage):

    "That's 4.6% of the state's total employment. That's a huge chunk of his constituents that are directly impacted by this legislation. And so I was very disappointed to see that he didn't vote to restore our collective bargaining rights." (01:45)

• Context: Begich’s stance marks a shift in Alaska’s congressional delegation, historically more union-friendly.
  • The union contract for Anchorage VA employees was voided by the Trump order, making staff more vulnerable.
  • David Traver (AFGE Local 3028):

    "It was an insult." (04:11)

• Outlook: The restoration bill’s fate in the Senate is uncertain but could be addressed in a government funding package.

2. Paramedic Training Partnership Ends in Fairbanks

• Issue: Fairbanks City Council and local firefighters’ union fail to reconcile over paramedic training partnership with UAF Community and Technical College.
  • Michael Sanders (Chief of Staff):

    "To be honest, I didn't put a lot of time in this because it's a dead issue. There's nothing, literally nothing that we can do right now on this." (05:12)

• Impact: Loss of long-standing tradition and puts field training for eight students at risk.
  • Council member Jerry:

    "I'm kind of saddened by this whole thing because it's a long standing..." (06:19)

• Vote Outcome: Letter of agreement voted down (4-2).

3. Alaska State Troopers Indicted for Civil Rights Violations

• Incident: Two troopers indicted after body cam footage reveals excessive violence against Ben Tika (mistaken for his cousin with a warrant).
  • Charges: Civil rights violations, use of excessive force, including use of police dog.
  • State Response: One trooper fired, one on leave; police dog removed; possible 10-year prison sentences if convicted.
  • Commissioner James Cockrell:

    "While this is an unfortunate day for the Alaska State Troopers, the alleged actions of these two individuals do not reflect the professionalism of the hundreds of state troopers and DPS employees who serve Alaskans with integrity every day, often in the most challenging conditions in the United States." (08:22)

• Community Impact: Incident brings scrutiny over law enforcement accountability and union roles in Alaska.

4. Fairbanks Safeway Shooting

• Incident: Shooting at a Safeway; targeted (not random), suspect at large.
• Police Statement: Ongoing investigation; public asked for leads.
• No names released pending investigation.

5. Ketchikan Indian Community’s First Tribally-Led Addiction Healing Center

• Site: Former Salmon Falls Resort purchased for a holistic healing center open to all.
  • Gloria Burns (KIC President):

    "We're really excited about the opportunity it's going to give our people to reconnect to the ocean and to the land and to vision with our tribal citizens about what healing looks like to us." (12:17)

• Healing Model: Blending western and traditional indigenous practices; inspired by Washington state’s Didgwalic center.
• Community Need: Two treatment facilities on the island; regional detox center closed; significant demand.
• Timeline: Hopes to open by next fall.

6. Juneau Faces Extended, Dangerous Cold Snap

• Forecast: National Weather Service predicts coldest stretch in over 30 years; -15°F wind chill; high winds.
• Safety Tips: Dress in layers, keep water faucets dripping, stock emergency supplies.
  • Jeff Garman (Meteorologist):

    "We could see some periods, especially where we have the higher winds, that frostbite is going to be a real danger and that's where dressing in layers, covering up is important, he says." (15:20)

• Potential Snowstorm: Possible warm-up around Christmas, but forecast uncertain.

7. Southeast Tribal Governments Form New Alliance

• New Accord: The Alliance of Sovereign Tribes of Southeast Alaska formed to coordinate on specific regional issues such as mining and invasive species.
  • Gloria Burns (KIC President):

    "When as we communicate, then we're going to partner with each other. And when we partner with each other, then we're creating real movement and change with each other." (17:36)

  • Albert Smith (Metlakahtla Mayor):

    "The importance is tribes helping tribes working together for a common goal, the betterment of our region and Indigenous peoples of our of our region." (18:11)

• Goal: Annual tribal gatherings, unified advocacy, focus on Southeast-specific Indigenous concerns.

8. Juneau Animal Rescue Secures New Shelter Site

• Milestone: City assembly approves 35-year, $10/year lease on Mendenhall Valley land.
• Next Steps: Begin capital campaign and design process for modern, larger shelter, with an eye toward collaborative animal welfare campus.
  • Rick Driscoll (Executive Director):

    "This was kind of the big step, so we couldn't really launch a capital campaign without having land that we can say we're going to build it on." (19:05)

9. Winter Skin Care: Myths & Dermatologist Advice

• Segment: ‘Alaska Survival Kit’ investigates dry skin solutions.
• Notable Myth-busting: Dermatologist Dr. Janine Miller recommends against lotions—opt for heavier, alcohol-free creams or oils like jojoba, use humidifiers, avoid hot showers, and lock in moisture with ointment.
  • Dr. Janine Miller:

    "I'm not saying that every single lotion is bad, but on average, most lotions have some type of alcohol derivative in them. And that is what tends to dry out the skin or irritate the skin in the winter." (22:51)

  • Mackenzie Rose (listener):

    "Wait, so I’ve been drying out my skin this whole time?" (24:31)

• Humorous Takeaways: Relatable banter between roommates and personal confessions about lukewarm showers and “shiny facing it” with ointment.

10. Correction: Winter Tourism Season Update

• Clarification: Contrary to earlier reporting, winter tourism in Alaska is expected to be softer this season due to economic uncertainty, not stronger.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Union Rights:
  "That's 4.6% of the state's total employment. That's a huge chunk of his constituents that are directly impacted by this legislation." — Stephanie Rice (01:45)

• On Paramedic Training Fallout:
  "To be honest, I didn't put a lot of time in this because it's a dead issue." — Michael Sanders (05:12)

• On Addiction and Healing:
  "Our family members and our loved ones who are in this state of addiction, it's not who they are, it's who they. This, this system, this drug has taken who they are from us." — Gloria Burns (13:15)

• On Winter Weather:
  "It's looking like the numbers are shaping up for this, you know, to be the coldest we've seen in over 30 years in Southeast Alaska." — Jeff Garman (15:44)

• On Lotions & Dry Skin:
  "Dr. Miller does not recommend using lotions." — Hannah Flor (24:25)
  "Wait, so I've been drying out my skin this whole time?" — Mackenzie Rose (24:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Union Rights & Begich Vote: 00:24 – 04:29
• Paramedic Training Partnership Ends: 04:29 – 06:25
• Trooper Civil Rights Indictment: 06:25 – 09:32
• Fairbanks Safeway Shooting: 09:37 – 11:01
• Tribal Addiction Healing Center: 11:01 – 14:20
• Juneau Cold Snap & Safety: 14:40 – 16:38
• Southeast Tribal Alliance: 17:01 – 18:22
• Juneau Animal Rescue New Shelter: 18:22 – 20:19
• Winter Skin Survival Kit: 20:48 – 25:05
• Correction: 25:09

This episode blends detailed investigative reporting with practical survival tips and touches on urgent winter safety and evolving community collaborations—all delivered with the direct, thoughtful tone characteristic of Alaska Public Media.