Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, December 4, 2025

Host: Casey Grove
Podcast: Alaska Public Media
Air Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode covers a wide range of statewide news, from federal military strike controversies involving Alaska’s congressional delegation to local stories with big impacts, like school mental health crises, business closures, and community hotspots reopening. The show highlights the complexity of life in Alaska—from federal policy to community-level resilience—with voices from across the state.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Controversy Over U.S. Military Strikes in Venezuela

[00:23 - 02:46]

• Summary: U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski expresses deep concerns following a Washington Post report on a second U.S. military strike that targeted survivors of a drug boat in Venezuela, labeling such actions potentially as "war crimes."
• White House and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirm the strike but dispute parts of the report, maintaining its legality.
• Congressional Response: Republicans largely support the action after a classified briefing, but some Democrats are deeply unsettled.
  • Murkowski remains critical and questions legality and oversight.
  • She has previously voted with Democrats to restrict such military actions without congressional approval.
• Quote:
  • “That effectively… makes you a war criminal. I mean, there are rules of war. We don't do that.” — [Unidentified Speaker], [01:11-01:22]
  • “I have heard from two different individuals who viewed that same video that they viewed it differently.” — Sen. Murkowski, [02:01]
  • “What’s the end goal here?” — Sen. Murkowski, [02:44]

2. Alaska National Guard Supporting ICE in Anchorage

[02:54 - 03:51]

• Summary: Alaska National Guard personnel have been deployed to support U.S. ICE operations in Anchorage, providing administrative and logistical aid (not direct enforcement).
  • Approved by Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
  • Mission includes vehicle management, compliance, and office duties.
• No confirmation on further involvement beyond administrative support.

3. Federal Heating Assistance Program Continues Uninterrupted

[03:51 - 05:24]

• Summary: Despite concerns during a protracted government shutdown, the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) continues without delays in Alaska.
• Senator Murkowski’s Office announces over $19 million for Alaska and 13 tribal entities post-shutdown, calling affordable energy a “lifeline” during harsh winters.
• Quote:
  • “Affordable energy is a lifeline in Alaska as harsh winters can be unforgiving across the state.” — Sen. Murkowski (via statement), [04:59]

4. Mount Edgecumbe Boarding School Mental Health Crisis and Staffing Cuts

[05:24 - 09:48]

• Summary: Alumni and staff at Mt. Edgecumbe High, a state-run boarding school in Sitka serving Alaska Native students, warn of an unfolding mental health crisis exacerbated by budget and staffing cuts.
  • Over 40 students have left the school this year.
  • Loss of mental health staff has left a critical gap, especially after a position was converted just before the school year began.
  • Eight students hospitalized for suicidal ideation in a two-week span.
  • Calls for transparency and an ad-hoc committee to investigate.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Parents are worried … so far, the only recourse seems to be to pull their kids out of school.” — Tanya Kitka, Board Member, [06:40]
  • “From November 12th to the 26th, eight students were hospitalized for suicidal ideation. That information was a bright red flag...” — Kristin Homer, nurse practitioner, [07:51]
  • “I’m asking you as the only governing body at Mount Edgecumbe to step up before another crisis occurs.” — Andrew Frisky, former staff, [09:00]
• Board Response: Commissioner of Education to investigate further.

5. Alaska's Seasonal Employment Swings

[10:25 - 12:44]

• Summary: Alaska leads the nation in seasonal employment variation—a 14% swing or about 44,000 jobs between lowest and highest months. Industries like tourism, seafood processing, and construction drive this.
• Economist Dan Robinson explains rural areas like Bristol Bay see huge summer surges, while Anchorage is less volatile.
  • High migration rate: 20% of workers don’t stay long enough to claim residency.
• Quotes:
  • “There's some big economic activity that occurs seasonally that just really blows things up in the summer.” — Dan Robinson, [10:54]
  • “There are things that excite people to come here… but we also have strong push factors.” — Dan Robinson, [12:30]

6. Anchorage's Rage City Vintage Closes Amid Economic Challenges

[12:58 - 15:58]

• Summary: Iconic vintage store and community hub, Rage City Vintage, closes after a 40% drop in sales, despite thriving event attendance and social presence.
  • The space provided safety and belonging, especially for queer and sober communities.
  • Owners and attendees reflect on the broader loss to the community.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “The goal of any interaction… is to make them feel better than they did when they were outside our doors.” — Mac Tubbs, co-owner, [13:52]
  • “It’s so much more than just a space for queerness. It’s a space for vulnerability where that’s not just accepted, it’s celebrated.” — Emma Hill, co-owner, [15:58]
• Broader Economic Trends:
  • “When people pull back, that often really affects small local businesses.” — Kevin Berry, economist, [15:32]
  • “I think that dynamism is really important for an economy like Anchorage…” — Kevin Berry, [15:46]

7. Nome Emergency Shelter Expands for Longest Season

[17:39 - 20:27]

• Summary: The Nome Emergency Shelter Team (NEST) opens for the longest run yet, responding to community demand for safe, reliable winter shelter.
  • Staff and volunteers provide meals, help with social services, and support sobriety treatment when needed.
  • Some neighborhood concern about impacts, but organizers stress the mission is to help.
• Quotes:
  • “It was started because of several people who froze in the wintertime.” — Kimberly Bishop, Executive Director, [18:14]
  • “There tend to be some negativity towards what we’re doing… but the intention behind the shelter is to help the community by providing a safe space in the wintertime.” — Bishop, [19:44-20:06]

8. Bethel’s Hot Tub Reopens, Restoring a Community Hub

[20:38 - 25:08]

• Summary: The popular hot tub at the Bethel Yukon-Kuskokwim Fitness Center finally reopens after months of being out of order, highlighting its central role for exercise, socializing, and even water polo leagues.
  • Restoration was delayed due to difficult rural shipping and a typhoon.
  • The space is now used enthusiastically, including by evacuees after Typhoon Halong.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “It was kind of surprising how people would be like getting upset. I’m like, chill, it’s just a hot tub.” — David Jikuchin, facilities manager, [22:21]
  • “This time, the moments before jumping in the pool to play are particularly important. It gives us time to socialize before we get really competitive with each other.” — Sunday Scott, water polo regular, [24:01]
  • “I wanted to spend my last night with the community, and the way you do that on a Friday night in Bethel, at least for me, is by playing water polo and sitting in the hot tub.” — Sage Smiley, outgoing KYUK news director, [24:46]

Memorable Moments by Timestamp

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:23 | Murkowski and military strikes in Venezuela: “That effectively… makes you a war criminal.” | | 06:40 | Tanya Kitka voices parent concerns about Mt. Edgecumbe | | 07:51 | Kristin Homer on alarming spike in student hospitalizations | | 09:00 | Andrew Frisky’s heartfelt plea to the school board | | 10:54 | Dan Robinson on seasonal employment: “big economic activity that…blows things up” | | 13:52 | Mac Tubbs on Rage City Vintage’s welcoming atmosphere | | 18:14 | Kimberly Bishop recalls shelter origins: tragic losses to the winter | | 22:21 | David Jikuchin, with dry humor on tub’s revered status | | 24:46 | Sage Smiley’s emotional last night in Bethel at the hot tub |

Conclusion

This episode is a snapshot of Alaska's distinct blend of local action and larger policy debates. From hard questions about military ethics and school safety to spirited reflections on community solidarity and local resilience, it's a reminder of Alaska’s challenges, character, and sense of community.

For support:

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
• Alaska Care Line: 1-877-266-4357

For more news: alaskapublic.org