Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, February 26, 2026

Host: Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media
Air Date: February 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode provides a comprehensive look at some of the most significant current affairs in Alaska, including crucial fisheries regulations, local economic impacts of recent Supreme Court decisions on tariffs, nascent state-level consideration of psychedelic therapy, deep winter weather in Fairbanks, public sector negotiations, and environmental concerns in Skagway. The reporting is in-depth and features insightful interviews with community leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, and policymakers across Alaska.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Board of Fisheries Approves Area M Salmon Fishing Reductions

[01:13 – 03:56]

• The Alaska Board of Fisheries enacted strict new limits on salmon fishing in the South Alaska Peninsula (“Area M”) to help struggling Yukon and Kuskokwim river salmon populations.
  • Key change: Reduction of ~136 hours for drift fleet and 94 hours for seine fleet during the lucrative June fishing period, a cut of about one-third.
  • The decision addresses concerns from Western Alaskan Native communities whose food security and culture depend on salmon returns.
• Stakeholder Reactions:
  • Brian Ridley (Tanana Chiefs Conference Chair): Stressed the importance of strong conservation measures and shifting responsibility toward the commercial sector.
    • Quote: "We expect you to take strong action. I think how we do that is by having those shutdown periods during the peak of the run." [02:16]
  • Kylie Thompson (Area M Seiners Association President): Warned the changes will devastate local fisheries, likening the new opportunity to "about eight or nine days to fish in the month of June." [02:37]

2. State Explores Psychedelic Therapy Legislation

[03:56 – 05:30]

• A state task force released non-binding recommendations for regulating psychedelic therapy in anticipation of possible federal approval.
  • Focus: Accessibility, safe and culturally competent care, and the need for specialized therapist training.
• Jenny Armstrong (Task Force Member & Former Rep.):
  • Emphasized proactive planning.
    • Quote: "The whole point ... was to bring up these types of questions so we're not scratching our head when this becomes medicalized ... but we're actually being proactive about how we are approaching this." [03:56]
  • Noted the particular promise for Alaskans given high rates of PTSD, substance use, and other mental illnesses.
    • Quote: "There are so many folks who through these trials went from being suicidal and having treatment resistant depression, unable to work, unable to function, to being in remission within months." [05:10]
  • All providers would need new, specific training to offer these therapies. [04:34]

3. Supreme Court Tariff Ruling: Relief but Lingering Uncertainty for Alaska Businesses

[05:30 – 09:35]

• The Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs of April 2025, which had impacted nearly all imports.
  • Business Owners' Reactions:
    • Liz Eldridge (The Spice and Tea Exchange):
      • Felt relief but sees little hope for meaningful refunds due to the scale and complexity of possible claims.
    • Avery Elfelt (Ermine Skate):
      • Not optimistic about seeing refunds; tariffs forced a 15% price hike for customers.
      • Quote: "Is Erman Skate, a little tiny Nordic skate making company in Alaska, going to be first in line to receive refunds on their unconstitutional tariff charges?" [07:21]
    • Eric Parsons (Revelate Designs):
      • Tariffs cost ~$35,000 in a year; substantial impact and "an assault on small business and innovation." [08:52]
      • Uncertainty persists as the administration considers new tariffs.
        • Quote: "Maybe we'll get refunds, but the president still wants to use tariffs as a controlling way for his foreign policy. ... There's still going to be chaos and unpredictability." [09:19-09:26]

4. Tragic Search in Sand Point After Canoeing Accident

[10:39 – 12:01]

• Incident: A Sand Point high schooler, Kaipo Kamanunga, went missing after a canoe capsized at Red Cove Lake. Search efforts are now in "recovery" mode.
  • Community and family mobilized volunteer search teams.
  • As of the episode date, over $60,000 had been raised for the family through GoFundMe.

5. Juneau Police Union Contract Approved; Bargaining Impasses Remain

[12:01 – 14:00]

• New three-year contract features 3–5% annual raises, retention bonuses, and improved health insurance. Juneteenth is now an official city holiday for police staff.
• Ongoing negotiation stalemates exist with the firefighters’ and teachers' unions.

6. Skagway’s Legacy Mining Contamination and Future Ore Shipments

[14:00 – 18:10]

• Long-standing pollution from ore transshipment remains a concern as Selkirk Copper proposes to resume shipping from the Minto mine via Skagway.
  • Deb Potter (Vice Mayor): Described residents' belated awareness of legacy heavy metal contamination.
  • Orion Hanson (Mayor):
    • Pushed for carefully managed, safer future operations, while recognizing the economic benefits.
    • Infrastructure upgrades and environmental safeguards are central to the discussions.
      • Quote: "There's certainly been a lot of legacy and residual contamination ... We have to be very, very pragmatic and cautious going forward." [15:40]
  • Debate continues between advocates for traditional conveyor systems and those calling for sealed containerization to prevent further pollution.
    • Andrew Cromada (Former Mayor): Asserts containerization is essential due to past contamination and leftover liabilities. [18:03]

7. Military Training Exercise "Arctic Edge 20" in Alaska and Greenland

[18:27 – 19:23]

• Large-scale military exercises involving NORAD and U.S. Northern Command commenced, affecting Fairbanks, Anchorage, Kodiak, Kotzebue, and Greenland.

8. Anchorage’s Expanded "Healthy Spaces" Cleanup Teams

[19:23 – 20:56]

• City doubling Parks & Recreation cleanup staff via a new surcharge, allowing year-round operations and targeted litter and illegal camping cleanups.
  • In 2025, crews removed over 2.4 million pounds of trash—"the equivalent weight of 30 humpback whales." [19:48]
  • Mayor Suzanne LaFrance and Parks Director Shanna Gamble detail the approach and public reporting mechanisms (muni.org).

9. Fairbanks Endures Coldest, Snowiest Winter in 50+ Years

[20:56 – 26:16]

• Brian Brettschneider (NWS Climate Researcher): Featured in Ask A Climatologist.
  • Key Points:
    • December–February: coldest period in over 50 years in Fairbanks ("the old timers ... talk about what it used to be like. Well, that's what this winter is." [21:41])
    • 22+ days at -40°F (headed for a 50-year record).
    • Second snowiest February ever, with a season total of nearly 90 inches—well above average.
      • Quote: "This is really noteworthy for how many of the really deep cold days there’s been compared to the last half century." [22:22]
  • No broad statewide trend in heavy snowfall; most of the rest of interior Alaska saw less snow, but the winter overall is among the coldest in decades.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On salmon conservation:
  • Brian Ridley: "I think how we do that is by having those shutdown periods during the peak of the run." [02:16]
• On devastated fishing communities:
  • Area M Seiners Association: "Basically we were given a rope to hang ourselves." [02:37]
• On psychedelic therapy:
  • Jenny Armstrong: "Just being a doctor doesn't make you qualify to facilitate this type of care." [04:34]
  • "Imagine how that can change how your neighbors and your friends and your family and your community can thrive." [05:10]
• On tariffs and small business:
  • Eric Parsons: "It feels like an assault on small business and innovation." [08:52]
  • "There's still going to be chaos and unpredictability." [09:26]
• On legacy mining pollution:
  • Mayor Orion Hanson: "We have to be very, very pragmatic and cautious going forward that we're doing this in a safe way." [15:40]
• On Fairbanks weather:
  • Brian Brettschneider: "There's just no other way to describe it as anything other than a really cold winter for ... the interior." [21:41]
  • "This is really an outlier ... So there's not really a trend that people should be kind of reading into this." [24:34]

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• Fisheries Board & Salmon Restrictions: [01:13–03:56]
• Psychedelic Therapy Recommendations: [03:56–05:30]
• Alaska Businesses React to Tariff Ruling: [05:30–09:35]
• Sand Point Canoe Tragedy: [10:39–12:01]
• Juneau Police Union Agreement: [12:01–14:00]
• Skagway Ore Shipping & Pollution Debate: [14:00–18:10]
• Arctic Edge 20 Military Exercise: [18:27–19:23]
• Anchorage Cleanup Team Expansion: [19:23–20:56]
• Fairbanks Winter Weather Analysis: [20:56–26:16]

Additional Notes

• The episode balances rural and urban issues, featuring stories from economic, environmental, and social justice perspectives.
• The tone is factual, occasionally reflective, and deeply community-focused.

For more coverage and to listen to specific stories, visit alaskapublic.org.