Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, February 5, 2026

Summary

Alaska News Nightly Podcast Summary
Episode: Thursday, February 5, 2026 | Published: February 6, 2026
Host: Casey Grove – Alaska Public Media

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Episode Overview

This episode of Alaska News Nightly covers a broad range of news stories from around the state, including a wrongful death lawsuit from a fatal plane crash, the state’s ongoing budget woes, emerging resource industries, a legal battle over media defamation, local housing incentives, arts community tensions, and a preview of Alaskan athletes at the upcoming Winter Olympics.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed in Fatal Bering Air Crash

Segment Start: [01:29]

• A year after the Bering Air Flight 445 crash, which killed all 10 on board, the family of one victim, JD Moncur, filed a wrongful death suit against Bering Air.
• The lawsuit, filed in Nome Superior Court, is based on the preliminary NTSB report that found the Cessna Caravan was 1,000 pounds overweight and encountered icing conditions.
• Casey Debouse, the family’s attorney, emphasized the need for accountability and improved aviation safety:

  “It’s a hard week when you’re the same week after the accident. But as we’ve done our investigation, we have enough evidence and we decided it’s time to get moving forward with this litigation so that their family can get answers and some justice out of this terrible incident.” – Casey Debouse, [02:03]

• The NTSB final report is expected by early summer; Bering Air did not comment.

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2. Potential Seabed Mineral Mining in Alaska

Segment Start: [03:39]

• The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management seeks input on possibly auctioning leases for seabed mineral development in Alaska’s federal offshore waters — a first for the state.
• Target minerals include cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements crucial for U.S. energy security.
• Concerns have been raised about disrupting thriving seafloor ecosystems, including corals and sponges.
• Public comments are open until March 2nd.

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3. Governor Dunleavy’s Fiscal Plan and Budget Critique

Segment Start: [05:25]

• Alaska continues to grapple with a structural budget deficit—spending outpaces revenue, largely due to volatile oil prices.
• Governor Dunleavy’s new fiscal plan proposes:
  • Temporary sales tax (4% in summer, 2% in winter) and higher oil taxes for 5-7 years.
  • Permanent fund dividend formula changes constitutionally protected.
  • 1% cap on annual state spending growth (not adjusted for inflation).
  • Elimination of corporate income taxes after the temporary period.
• Former budget director Neil Steininger points out the plan fails to achieve true stability:

  “At no point do any of these things add up to get to a balanced budget.” – Neil Steininger, [07:12] “The effect of the changes would ultimately make the state's revenue just as volatile, if not more... that’s the position we've been in already.” – Neil Steininger, [08:04]

• Lawmakers from both parties question the proposal’s efficacy. House Speaker Bryce Edgmon comments:

  “Back of the envelope would suggest that the governor’s plan in its totality would actually increase our problem. It would not lessen it.” – Bryce Edgmon, [08:47]

• UAA economists recommend that corporate and oil/gas tax hikes would have the least negative impact on residents:

  “The impact on people is much more stressful on folks to have a sales tax or an income tax, easier to accumulate a little higher tax on the industry.” – Sen. Gary Stevens, [09:25]

• Dunleavy’s allies are also skeptical; the public is invited to testify on the tax bill.

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4. Defamation Lawsuit Against Alaska Journalists Dismissed

Segment Start: [10:42]

• A judge dismissed Jeremy Cubis’s defamation suit against major Alaska journalists and news outlets over their reporting on controversial statements about rape.
• The court found the articles, which included challenging paraphrases and comments, to be accurate.
• The matter may be appealed.

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5. Fairbanks’ Housing Crisis and New Tax Incentives

Segment Start: [11:40]

• The Fairbanks Northstar Borough passed a 10-year property tax exemption for qualifying multifamily housing to address a growing housing shortage, particularly as military populations increase.
• The exemption incentivizes five or more unit projects, especially near military installations.
• The measure received wide support but was described as only a partial solution:

  “The housing issue is larger than could simply be contained in this ordinance... we just want to consider this a piece in a larger puzzle.” – Katie Yarrow, Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, [13:44]

• Minor amendments were made for water supply flexibility; the program is modeled on earlier successful incentives.

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6. Music, Politics, and Principles: Juneau Jazz Fest Controversy

Segment Start: [14:30]

• Jazz musician Spencer Edgar canceled a fundraiser show for ACLU of Alaska after a conflict with Juneau Jazz & Classics festival leadership over branding and political fundraising.
• Edgar and his band wanted to donate tips and circulate immigration enforcement resources, but failed to get the organization’s consent.

  “I assumed that they would not have a problem with it and did not seek the consent for that collaboration.” – Spencer Edgar, [15:30]

• While the board didn’t object to individual expression, they didn’t want their festival’s brand linked to official fundraising.

  “We just didn’t want the two of them together saying that we formally endorse an outside fundraiser.” – Alex Syrio, interim director, [16:19]

• Edgar expressed disappointment but insisted on standing by his values:

  “I would have not felt good about compromising my values in this way. I would not have felt good with going through with it.” – Spencer Edgar, [16:47]

• The Dream Band will hold a separate fundraiser for ACLU next month.

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7. Cascade Point Ferry Terminal Sparks Community Pushback

Segment Start: [17:50]

• A state plan to build a second ferry terminal at Cascade Point near Juneau, largely to benefit mining industries, is meeting widespread public opposition (90% of public comments), labeled even as a “boondoggle.”
• Critics argue the terminal primarily benefits private enterprise rather than public travelers and does not address the ferry system’s core issues (aging vessels, staffing, reduced sailings).
• Mining industry leaders are among the few supporters.

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8. Alaska at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Segment Start: [19:57]

• Anchorage-based reporter Nat Herz previews the abundance of Alaskan connections at the Milan Winter Olympics, with cross-country skiing front and center.
• Half of the 16-person U.S. cross-country team hails from Alaska, plus several racing for other countries.
• Notable athletes include:
  • Gus Schumacher: Once “way less than his dog” as a junior at Kincaid Park, now a world-class competitor with real medal chances ([21:08], [22:03])
  • Hailey Swirbul and Hunter Wonders: Young stars who briefly left the sport due to burnout but made individual comebacks on their terms ([22:18])
  • Rosie Fordham: Sydney, Australia native who cold-emailed U.S. colleges, landed at UAF; now competes internationally for Australia.

    “I went to my parents and I was like, yo, I'm going to Fairbanks. They're like, where is that? And I was like, Alaska. Can we book a flight?” – Rosie Fordham, [24:35]

• Keegan Randall, Anchorage’s Olympic gold medalist from 2018, will join NBC’s broadcast crew:

  “You’ll be able to hear Anchorage resident and past Olympic gold medal winning cross country skier, now retired Keegan Randall, helping call some of the races on NBC’s national broadcast.” – Nat Herz, [25:13]

• The Winter Games run Feb. 7–22. Nordic ski events air in the early morning Alaska time.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On budget fixes:

  “At no point do any of these things add up to get to a balanced budget.” – Neil Steininger, [07:12]

• On cross-country skiing's personal stakes:

  “I went to my parents and I was like, yo, I'm going to Fairbanks. They're like, where is that?... Alaska. Can we book a flight?” – Rosie Fordham, [24:35]

• On the value of protest in music:

  “Reflect on the history of the music and the nature of it and how it was born out of adversity and originated basically as protest music.” – Spencer Edgar, [17:22]

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• [01:29] Bering Air lawsuit and crash details
• [03:39] Seabed mineral mining proposals
• [05:25] Alaska budget crisis and Dunleavy’s plan
• [10:42] Journalist defamation lawsuit dismissed
• [11:40] Fairbanks housing incentives
• [14:30] Juneau Jazz Festival fundraising controversy
• [17:50] Cascade Point ferry terminal opposition
• [19:57] Alaska at the Winter Olympics
• [21:08 – 25:43] Athlete profiles and Olympic storylines

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Conclusion

This Alaska News Nightly episode provides insight into the state's key legal, economic, environmental, social, and sporting narratives as Alaskans face enduring budget challenges, advocate for transportation and housing solutions, navigate community values, and celebrate their outsized impact on the world athletic stage. The reporting maintains a grounded, community-centered tone with frank, sometimes wry, on-the-ground perspectives from reporters and interviewees.

For full stories, Olympic schedules, or to catch the episode, visit alaskapublic.org.

Transcript

[A]

Support for Alaska Public Media On Demand comes from Siri, an Alaska Native corporation with operations and investments spanning five continents, 45 states and two US territories. It's a hard week when you're the same week after the accident, a wrongful.

[B]

Death lawsuit is filed over last year's fatal Bering airplane crash. From Alaska Public Media, this is statewide news on Alaska News nightly for Thursday, February 5th. Good evening. I'm Casey Grove. Also tonight, budget crunchers weigh in on Governor Dunleavy's plan to fix the state's fiscal problem.

[A]

At no point do any of these things add up to get to a balanced budget.

[B]

Those stories and more tonight on Alaska News Nightly.

[C]

Hi, I'm Avery Elfeldt, a reporter with the Alaska Desk. That's a joint reporting effort from Alaska Public Media, K and S, where I work in Hanes, and other public radio stations in Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Aleutians. It allows us to connect you with the issues happening in communities all across the state. You can hear our stories during the morning news on Alaska News Nightly or [e-mail] the Alaska Desk is only possible with the support of grants and listeners like you. Thank you.

[B]

The family of one of the victims who died in a Bering Air plane crash last year is suing the regional airline. The news comes a day before the anniversary of the crash, which killed all 10 people on board and shook communities in northwest Alaska. Bering Air Flight 445 was on its regularly scheduled route from Unalakleet to Nome when it crashed about 30 miles southeast of Nome. JD Moncur was one of the passengers. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Nome Superior Court today. Casey debouse is an attorney with Aviation Law Group, which is based in Seattle and represents the family.

[A]

It's a hard week when you're the same week after the accident. But as we've done our investigation, we have enough evidence and we decided it's time to get moving forward with this litigation so that their family can get answers and some justice out of this terrible incident.

[B]

The National Transportation Safety Board has not released its full investigation into the crash, but a preliminary report found that the Cessna caravan was almost 1,000 pounds overweight when it flew into icing conditions. The lawsuit alleges that led to the crash and that it flew without adequate safeguards for the situation. DeBause says those allegations are based on the NTSB's preliminary report and an independent investigation by the Law Group. J.D. moncur was 52 years old. His family said he was born in Wyoming and moved to Alaska in 2008. Moncur worked as a project engineer and lived in Eagle River. He survived by his wife and three adult children. The family said in a written statement that they appreciate the outpouring of support they have received throughout the year. They also said they chose to pursue the lawsuit to seek accountability and contribute to greater aviation safety. Bering Air did not respond to a request for comment today. NTSB officials say they anticipate the final investigation into the crash to be released in early summer. Alaska's waters could open to seafloor mineral mining the federal government is seeking input on what could be the first lease sale of its kind. KUCB Sophia Stewart Rossi reports.

[D]

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is evaluating whether to hold a lease sale for seabed mineral development in federal waters off Alaska. The federal agency is seeking information and input to help decide if it should move forward. The request covers specific areas of Alaska's federal offshore waters, including around most of the Aleutian Islands. The request also says the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is interested in areas where the U.S. geological Survey has identified potential for critical minerals in Alaska. Those could include cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements. According to the federal agency, which is part of the U.S. department of Interior, the goal is to, quote, strengthen U.S. energy security and supply chains, shorten delivery lines and keep jobs and investments here at home, end quote. The move comes as the Trump administration has signed orders aimed at speeding up the development of energy and critical minerals if the agency decides to proceed. Federal law requires environmental analysis and additional steps, but it would be the first mineral lease sale in Alaska's offshore waters. Scientists have already been working to identify what minerals might be on the aleutian seabed. A U.S. geological Survey team searched the region last summer, but data on what minerals they found hasn't been released yet. What scientists did find, however, were thriving coral and sponge communities on the Aleutian seafloor, which may be vulnerable to disturbances from resource extraction. Comments on whether to hold a lease sale can be submitted online. The deadline is March 2nd at midnight Eastern time in Unalaska. I'm Sophia Stewart Rossi.

[B]

Alaska's state government remains in search of a solution to its long running budget problems. The problem is simple. The state spends more than it takes in the solution. Well, not so simple, alaska Public Media's Eric Stone reports.

[E]

If you ask governor Mike Dunleavy, a lot of the state's problems come back to the budget process. Every year, lawmakers gather in Juneau for four months and spend much of that time Debating how the state should spread around its limited funds. How much for education, how much for public safety, and for the last decade or so, how much the permanent fund dividend should be. Meanwhile, much of the state's revenue depends on the constantly swinging price of oil. Dunleavy says investors who might otherwise bring jobs and new residents to the state.

[A]

And have noticed this volatile budgetary process has negatively impacted our ability to recruit investment to the state. It has retarded our GDP growth, it has caused deep fractures within this body and within other relationships, and it leads to uncertainty in funding for critical programs.

[E]

He said that in his State of the State speech days before filing a series of bills outlining a fiscal plan that he says would make the budget more stable by boosting revenue and cutting expenses. Most of the money it would raise would come from a sales tax, 4% in the summer, 2% in the winter. The land would also hike oil taxes and capture more money from outside businesses. It would all be temporary, five to seven years, and at the end, corporate income taxes would vanish entirely. On the expense side, it would put a 1% cap on state spending growth every year that is not adjusted for inflation. So if inflation runs more than 1%, state spending shrinks. And it would also take the permanent fund dividend out of the state's annual budget debates by putting it and a new formula into the state construct constitution, plug that into the state budget and.

[A]

Well, at no point do any of these things add up.

[E]

To get to a balanced budget, Neil Steininger crunched the numbers for the Alaska Political Report, an insidery subscription newsletter. It probably helps that he's a former budget director for Dunleavy, Steininger says. For one thing, Dunleavy's plan would fully drain the state's $3 billion rainy day fund by 2033 or 2034, not exactly resolving the state's budget issues. But for another thing, Steininger says the effect of the changes would ultimately make the state' revenue just as volatile, if not more exactly what Dunleavy is trying to avoid. As a result of Dunleavy's proposed formula for dividends, which would take half of the state's annual draw from the permanent fund and split it 5050 between state services and dividends. Steininger says the fact that so much reliable, stable investment revenue would be tied to dividends would make the state more dependent on the price of oil.

[A]

That's the position we've been in already. That's actually nothing new. It's just really cementing that into the constitution.

[E]

The governor has repeatedly declined interviews on his plans, but his projections are substantially rosier. They show a slight surplus in the early 2000-30s before returning to large deficits. But the governor's office still projects the plan would draw down half of the rainy day fund over 10 years. Dunleavy says revenue from things like a boom in oil drilling or a new gas pipeline would help the budget balance in the long term. But Steininger says those don't show up in state economists projections. And so far the plan has landed in Juneau with a thud. Speaker of the House Bryce Edmond, a Dillingham Independence pendant, says he's not optimistic about its chances.

[B]

Back of the envelope would suggest that the governor's plan in its totality would actually increase our problem. It would not lessen it.

[E]

Even Dunleavy's traditional allies are skeptical. The Republican House minority leader called his plan incomplete. But where does that leave state leaders? Search for a solution Edgman and his Senate counterpart say they're intrigued by what they recently heard from a panel of University of Alaska Anchorage economists. They studied a wide variety of options at the request of the governor. Senate President Gary Stevens, a Kodiak Republican, says he was interested in the economist's conclusion that raising taxes on corporations and oil and gas would have the smallest impact on the state's economy.

[A]

The impact on people is much more.

[B]

Stressful on folks to have a sales.

[A]

Tax or an income tax, easier to accumulate a little higher tax on the industry.

[E]

But in the last year of Dunleavy's term, Stephen says it might be too late for this governor to solve the problem. Reporting in Juneau, I'm Eric Stone.

[B]

The House Finance Committee is taking public testimony on Dunleavy's tax bill tonight. Find more [e-mail]. Still to come on Alaska News Nightly, a preview and personal anecdotes from Olympians with Alaska connections.

[A]

I went to my parents and I was like, yo, I'm going to Fairbanks. They're like, where is that? And I was like, alaska. Can we book a flight?

[B]

That's ahead. Stay with us.

[D]

I'm Shelby Herbert, a reporter with the Alaska Desk. That's a joint reporting effort from Alaska Public Media and kuac, where I work in Fairbanks, and other public radio stations in Anchorage, Haines and the Allusions. It allows us to connect to the issues happening in communities all across the state. You can hear our stories during the morning news, Alaska News Nightly or [e-mail] the Alaska Desk is only possible with the support of grants and listeners like you. Thank you.

[B]

A state judge ruled Tuesday that two of Alaska's largest news organizations and two top reporters did not commit defamation when they described a former state employee's statements about rape. The Alaska Beacon reports that Jeremy Cubis, a former aide to governor Mike Dunleavy, sued reporters Nat Herz and Curtis Gilbert last year, along with the Anchorage Daily News and Alaska Public Media. American Public Media, a national organization, was also named in the suit. Cubus resigned in 2023 shortly before the publication of an article that described comments he made in two podcast episodes. He filed suit almost two years later, seeking more than $5 million in damages and lost wages. Cubas specifically challenged two parts of the article, a paraphrase that quoted Cubas saying, quote, it's fine for a man to force himself on his wife, and a statement that Cubis made comments about rape. Judge Christina Rankin concluded that the article was accurate and dismissed the suit by text message. Kubus said he will have more to say later, but that he was working on an appeal. The Fairbanks Northstar Borough assembly last week approved tax incentives for new multifamily housing construction like apartments. Borough Mayor Greyer Hopkins administration put forward the ordinance, which exempts some types of new residential construction from borough property taxes for up to 10 years. That's if a developer constructs five or more units, each with at least two bedrooms at the same address. The ordinance also includes breaks for smaller multi family developments, but with shorter tax exemption terms. The Hopkins administration says it's needed to encourage residential developments. The administration says that would help ease an existing housing crunch, which could get worse as additional service members head to Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base over the next couple years. Tom Hewitt, the special assistant to the borough mayor, says it's an issue that warrants policy intervention.

[A]

More housing anywhere and everywhere would help, but especially in Badger Road, North Pole area, stuff that's convenient to both bases and the planned military growth at those bases will constrain supply further. So this is a problem that we can't afford to just assume we'll fix itself.

[B]

Location is a criteria for eligibility. To qualify for the tax breaks, new housing construction must be in a so called military facility zone in City of Fairbanks or North Pole boundaries or in an area, quote, suitable for high density residential development as described in the ordinance. The measure is modeled after a similar tax incentive program that ran under the administration of former Borough Mayor bryce ward in 2022 and 2023. The Hopkins administration says that program successfully increased multifamily housing construction and that the new measure revives it with a few tweaks based on feedback from builders. The measure received strong support during public testimony, though commenters frequently said it's a partial solution, not a cure all. Here's Katie Yarrow, the president of the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce.

[D]

The housing issue is larger than could simply be contained in this ordinance, so we are recognizing that this is a meaningful step forward and we just want to consider this a piece in a larger puzzle.

[B]

The assembly amended the measure slightly to loosen some restrictions concerning water supply to qualifying developments, then passed the ordinance unanimously. It went into effect Friday. The application window for the exemptions closes at the end of 2028. On Monday, a Juno jazz musician canceled a show that was meant to be a part of a festival in town this week. The show was advertised as a fundraiser for the ACLU of Alaska, but the organization that planned the festival said they didn't agree to that. KTOO'S Yvonne Crumry reports.

[C]

Spencer Edgar plays the saxophone with other local musicians in the dream band Juno Jazz and Classics tapped his band to play a show during their annual jazz fest in town. But recent national events like immigration enforcement, ramping up efforts and shooting civilians led him to decide to approach this show differently.

[F]

Knowing I had this show coming up, I personally felt I felt uncomfortable promoting a show taking up bandwidth on the Internet during a time where people are sharing resources and looking out for each other.

[C]

So Edgar's decided to make the show a fundraiser for the ACLU of Alaska. The rest of his band were on board and he cleared it with the venue, the Alaskan Hotel and Bar, which was paying the band.

[F]

The plan was to, you know, have our tip jar pass it around to people. The tip jar was going to go to the organization.

[C]

He also planned to pass around flyers with links to report immigration enforcement activity and resources for forming safety plans. But Edgar's didn't clear it with Juno Jasm Classics. He said the organization hadn't really been communicating about the event.

[F]

I assumed that they would not have a problem with it and did not seek the consent for that collaboration.

[C]

Edgar's says festival leadership called him and expressed concerns about bringing politics into the festival. But interim director Alex Serio said a fear of political pushback was not a part of Juno Jasmin Classic's concerns.

[F]

This went to the board and the board decided that we've never had any outside fundraisers before.

[C]

And Syrio says the board also expressed frustration at not being informed of the fundraising aspect. But if Edgar's chose to ask for donations for the ACLU on stage and not in advertising, that would have been his right.

[F]

Everybody has freedom of speech, everybody can voice what they believe in and we respect that.

[C]

But the organization's board didn't want their branding on the same poster that advertised an ACLU fundraiser.

[F]

We just didn't want the two of them together saying that we formally endorse an outside fundraiser.

[C]

So the board asked Edgar's to remove its logo from the poster, but said he could carry on with the show.

[F]

I think the board hoped that there would be a compromise, that he would still be able to ask people and he would still play and we could still include community members, but he decided to do it independently and we totally support that.

[C]

But Edgar said continuing without the organization's support didn't feel right and he canceled the performance.

[F]

I would have not felt good about compromising my values in this way. I would not have felt good with going through with it.

[C]

He posted about the cancellation on his personal Facebook account, and the post garnered dozens of comments, some from local musicians and artists, in support of his decision and admonishing the organizations. Edgar says he understands that he sprung the change on Juno Jazz and Classics at the last minute, and he says he plans to communicate earlier in any future shows. But he also wants the board to consider the organization's role in the Juno community and that protest is inherent to jazz.

[F]

One of the things I encouraged them to do was to reflect on the history of the music and the nature of it and how it was born out of adversity and originated basically as protest music.

[C]

And Syrio says Juno Jazz and Classics will have conversations about that history more in the coming months. The Dream Band still plans to hold a fundraiser for the ACLU of Alaska sometime next month in Juneau. I'm Yvonne Crummery.

[B]

The state's proposed Cascade Point Ferry Terminal has received hundreds of comments from Southeast residents who say they want to see the ferry system work for travelers, not private mines. More than 90% of the comments reject building a second terminal in Juneau, farther from the city center and roughly 30 miles north of the existing Auk Bay Ferry Terminal. The comment period and a highly criticized economic analysis came after the state already signed a $28 million contract for the first phase of construction set to begin this summer. Leaders in Skagway and Haines opposed the project. Members of the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board have questioned the motives behind it and and said it doesn't fit into their long range plan. The Juneau assembly hasn't taken an official stance on the state's plan, but assembly member Maureen hall submitted a comment she wrote that she opposes the use of public funds to construct a remote State of Alaska ferry terminal when the facility's apparent primary purpose is to function as an ore dock for private industry, and that it represents a blatant misuse of public resources. 33 commenters called the project a boondoggle outright. Hundreds wrote that building a second terminal in Juneau doesn't solve the problems that the state's ferry system faces, including an aging fleet, crew shortages, reduced sailings and a lack of funding. Just under 50 people commented in favor of Cascade Point. Among them were mining leaders at Core, Alaska's Kensington Mine and Grande Portage Resources, which commented that they would benefit from the transportation services. The Winter Olympics are set to kick off with a torch lighting in Milan, Italy this weekend. Team USA obviously will be in attendance, but at least as far as the sport of cross country skiing is concerned, it might as well be called Team Alaska, given how many of the athletes have ties to our state. Anchorage based reporter Nat Herz is in Italy to cover the Games and joins us for a preview of some of the interesting storylines to follow. Hi, Nat.

[A]

Buongiorno, Casey.

[B]

Buongiorno. So, Nat, the Winter Olympics obviously are a whole bunch of different sports, but you were there pretty much exclusively focused on cross country skiing. Why is that?

[A]

Yeah, I mean, it's pretty straightforward. You know, we've got a few Olympians from Alaska competing in other sports. NHL hockey, goalie Jeremy Swayman, biathlete Maxime Germain. But most of the Alaska athletes competing are in cross country. Half of the 16 person US team, plus a couple more racing for other countries. You know, the geographic nature of this Olympics, sometimes they're sort of a little more compact with venues like all in one sort of city or mountain town. But in this case they're spread across like 150 miles of northern Italy with huge mountain ranges in the way. It took me five and a half hours or six hours to get here up in the mountains from Milton yesterday on a series of trains and coach bus that almost made me throw up. So I'm staying here.

[B]

That makes sense. Yeah. Roger that. So 16 cross country skiers total, eight from Alaska. Who will you be following most closely?

[A]

Yeah, well, we'll start with the biggest name, Gus Schumacher, who is a familiar face to, I think many people who are just like out on the trails in Anchorage at Kinkate Park. Gus grew up in Anchorage. I interviewed him for the first time when he was racing against the Dalton at national championships at Kincaid park when he was 13 years old. I think his Coach said he was way less than his dog at that time. Gus is now 25. He's a world junior champion a few years ago and is now one of the very best cross country skiers in the world. He was on the podium last month racing against effectively all the same people that will be competing here in Italy. Gus is still young. He's not exactly a regular on the podium, so he's not like a lock for a medal by any means. But there's a real chance he could become only the fourth ever American to win an Olympic medal in cross country skiing in the next couple weeks. And he's strong in a number of the different events that are on the table here.

[B]

Yeah, Gus Schumacher. You mentioned Kincaid Park. I'm pretty sure Gus passed me one time. I was huffing and puffing going up a hill, and he just was like, cruising, no problem. Kind of looked over. Gus Schumacher. We will remember that name. Who else are you following?

[A]

Not that many of the other athletes, I think, really are likely to medal, but they each really have their own kind of stories and journeys to get here. Two that I think are interesting are Haley Swervel and Hunter wonders. Haley grew up in Colorado, moved up to Alaska to train with the Alaska Pacific University Club team. Hunter's also on that team, grew up in Alaska. Both of them were really strong at an early age and were really dedicating their whole lives to top level skiing and experienced real success. Haley made it on the podium at a top level World cup race. She went to the Olympics in 2022. Hunter was nearly at the same level, but. But also neither of them was really having very much fun on the road in Europe, being away from home, being away from friends, loved ones, family. So they both retired in their early mid-20s, which is kind of wild. There were some people who I think were really disappointed to see this happening, especially with Haley, who just had, you know, so much potential. But both of them, after taking some space and kind of finding some peace with the sport, have come back to it on their own terms and are doing it a slightly different way from some of their peers who maybe find it a little easier to be laser focused on this one pursuit. Haley last winter was patrolling at an Alpine ski area and this year was coaching cross country skiing in Anchorage before she made a decision over the summer to try for a comeback. And now she's here at the Olympics.

[B]

Yeah, it's super cool. I mean, again, in Anchorage, you. You see these people around. I actually just saw Haley maybe three weeks ago, before they named the Olympic Ski Team. And, you know, just interesting to think, like, she's, she's over there now competing. Nat, anybody else that you're following?

[A]

Well, yeah. In addition to these Team USA Alaska athletes, we also have another couple skiers with Alaska ties who will be racing in Italy for other countries. One is Rosie Fordham. She has a wild story where she grew up in Australia and kind of randomly got into cross country skiing, even though she grew up in Sydney, really far from snow. She then cold emailed like literally dozens of US College programs and got maybe three responses, including one from the coach at University of Alaska Fairbanks who offered her a scholarship. Rosie Fordham spoke on a podcast I taped with her earlier this winter. All right, sounds good.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

Yeah, I want to get out of Australia. I went to my parents and I was like, yo, I'm going to Fairbanks. They're like, where is that? And I was like, alaska. Can we book a flight? And they were like, oh, yeah. Fordham does some really cool and unconventional training sessions in Alaska. She goes wild ice skating. One time, she cross country skied the full 135 mile Denali highway in one day. But it really seems to be working for her. She's placed in the top 15 against the best in the world this season.

[B]

Wow, that is cool. And Australian ends up skiing for uaf and then in the Olympics. All right, Nat, wrap it up for us. Anything else?

[A]

Well, one other thing that's fun. You'll be able to hear Anchorage resident and past Olympic gold medal winning cross country skier, now retired Keegan Randall, helping call some of the races on NBC's national broadcast. Keegan, of course, became an Olympic champion in the team sprint in South Korea at the 2018 Olympics. Beyond that, Kasey, I am not going to tell you about the pizza or the focaccia or the tortellini. You'll probably be mad.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. All right. That was Nat Herz, who's reporting on the Winter Olympics from Italy. He will be back to talk to us more about the Olympics. You can find his work all over the place, including at our website, alaskapublic.org nat, have fun. Thanks for being here.

[A]

Grazie. Ameli Casey.

[B]

Grazie. The 2026 Winter Olympics officially kick off with the opening ceremony tomorrow at 10am Alaska time. The Games run through February 22nd. You can find the full schedule at olympics.com the website will stream some events live and feature some highlights and recaps. You can also watch the games on some cable networks or with a subscription to the streaming service Peacock. If you want to catch the Alaska skiers live, you're going to have to get up early. Nordic ski Competitions start at 3am on Saturday and 2:30am on Sunday. Find more at alaskapublic.org. And that is all for this edition of Alaska News Nightly. If you missed any of tonight's stories, we're [e-mail] and wherever you get your podcast. We had reports tonight from Alyona Nydin in Anchorage, Sophia Stuart Rossi in Unalaska, Eric Stone, Yvonne Crumry and Alex Solomon in Juneau Patrick Gilchrist and Fairbanks and Nat Herz eating his way through Italy. Our audio engineer is Crystal Hyde. Kirsten Dobroth is our producer. I'm Casey Grove. Good night. This is statewide news on Alaska Public Media.