Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Host: Casey Grove
Podcast: Alaska News Nightly, Alaska Public Media
Date: January 22, 2026
Overview
This episode of Alaska News Nightly delivers key statewide news, focusing on legislative developments in the capital, natural resource issues affecting Alaskan communities, human interest stories, and local activism. Major topics include the failed override of Governor Dunleavy’s veto of a tax bill, scrutiny of a federal business program vital to Alaska Native corporations, ongoing concerns about natural gas shortages in southcentral Alaska, a murder case in Fairbanks, oil spill response in the Pribilof Islands, political developments in the U.S. House race, grassroots resistance actions in Sitka, and the enduring impact of the mascot McGruff the Crime Dog.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Alaska Corporate Income Tax Veto Override Fails
Segment start: [00:24]
- The Alaska legislature failed to override Governor Mike Dunleavy’s veto of a bill (SB 113) designed to modernize Alaska’s corporate income tax and generate additional revenue, especially from companies selling to Alaskans over the Internet.
- House Speaker Bryce Edgmon (Dillingham, Independent) noted the challenge of passing revenue measures, pointing to the state’s historical reliance on oil money rather than broad-based taxes.
- Supporters argued the bill merely brought Alaska in line with other states and wouldn’t raise costs for consumers, referencing academic studies.
- Critics (notably Republican Rep. Kevin McCabe of Big Lake) warned the costs would be ultimately borne by Alaskans.
Notable Quote:
"It's disingenuous to think that we are not going to pay for this tax."
— Rep. Kevin McCabe [02:03]
Notable Quote:
"How dare we go to Alaskans and say we want to tax you, we want to take your dividend before we’re going to collect revenue from tech billionaires."
— Sen. Bill Wielechowski (Anchorage, Democrat) [02:44]
2. Federal Review of SBA 8(a) Program and Alaska Native Corporations
Segment start: [03:54]
- The Department of Defense has announced a thorough review of the federal SBA 8(a) business development program, which gives Alaska Native corporations and tribes contracting opportunities.
- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth questioned the “race-based contracting” aspect, calling for a review to ensure contracts contribute to military effectiveness and are not diverted to large contractors.
- Quinton Carroll, Executive Director of the Native American Contractors Association, defended the program as fulfilling federal obligations and said Native contractors support efforts to eliminate waste and fraud.
Notable Quote:
"Native participation in the SBA 8 program is not a DEI initiative."
— Quinton Carroll [04:48]
3. Southcentral Alaska’s Looming Natural Gas Shortage
Segment start: [06:08]
- Two major utilities are expanding natural gas storage to buy some “breathing room” as supply contract deadlines near and local fields are depleted.
- Anchorage Daily News reporter Alex DeMarbonne explained storage facilities will help but are not a long-term solution; importing liquefied natural gas may be necessary as early as next year.
- The impact on household bills is expected to be noticeable but not “devastating,” with storage expansions adding roughly $150 a year for some customers.
- There’s concern over the lack of long-term energy planning during years of surplus.
Notable Quote:
"Cook Inlet has basically underground reservoirs or caverns... that were once filled with gas... there’s these empty caverns now in which utilities can inject gas in order to store it down there."
— Alex DeMarbonne [09:36]
Timestamped Highlights:
- The immediate effect of not expanding storage: possible rolling reductions in heat and power during cold snaps ([07:19]).
- Historical context for the shortage: fields once exported gas, but now are running dry ([08:35]).
4. Crime and Courts: Fairbanks Murder Case
Segment start: [12:08]
- A 29-year-old man, Brian Davenport, was arrested for the first-degree murder of his grandmother in Fairbanks.
- Details from the police indicate Davenport called 911 following the incident and later confessed during a mental health evaluation.
- The incident involved a stolen handgun belonging to the family.
Notable Quote:
"He did admit to stealing his grandfather's handgun and to shooting his grandmother in the back of the head."
— Teal Soden, Fairbanks Police spokesperson [13:52]
5. Bering Sea Oil Spill Response and Environmental Risks
Segment start: [14:27]
- The fishing vessel Arctic Sea ran aground near St. George Island, spilling an unknown amount of fuel, with significant concerns for marine mammals and seabird colonies.
- Severe winter weather has hampered salvage operations, likely forcing a delay in fuel removal until spring.
6. 2026 U.S. House Race: New Challenger Inspired by Don Young
Segment start: [16:49]
- Bill Hill, retired teacher and Bristol Bay fisherman, enters the Alaska House race as an independent, citing Don Young’s legacy as inspiration.
- Hill positions himself as independent from special interests and is noncommittal about caucusing with either party.
- Public records show a mix of small, progressive campaign donations.
- Other candidates: Incumbent Rep. Nick Begich (R) and Democrat Matt Schultz.
Notable Quote:
"That's kind of who I hope to, in some respect, mold myself after, you know, what's good for Alaskans first... we need people that are going to work for Alaskans."
— Bill Hill [16:49]
Notable Quote:
"I think that decision needs to be done thoughtfully and that needs to be done at the appropriate time with whatever the structure of Congress looks like at that time."
— Bill Hill on caucusing [17:29]
7. Sitka “Whistle Choir” Demonstration Against ICE Actions
Segment start: [18:39]
- About 70 Sitkans formed a “whistle choir” as part of growing national resistance to ICE activities, using whistles to alert communities and express solidarity with those affected by immigration enforcement.
- Community member Kashi Shla Louise Brady shared her personal fears for her family and called for more community mobilization.
- A group of eight counter-protesters voiced support for law enforcement, citing family connections to border patrol and police.
Notable Quotes:
"This is affecting people who live here, and there are those of us who actually... have skin in the game. I'm obviously native. I'm obviously a person of color. I travel with my passport, I travel with my birth certificate, I travel with my certificate of Indian blood and my tribal IDs. I am really motivated to help young people."
— Kashi Shla Louise Brady [19:56]
"I support ICE 100%. I support the border patrol because my family's border Patrol, and I support the sheriff's department, my family's sheriff..."
— Linda Marlin, counter-protester [21:33]
8. McGruff the Crime Dog and the Skagway Police – Lasting Impressions
Segment start: [22:26]
- Melinda Munson interviews Sgt. Winston Cavendish (one of the first McGruffs), whose visit to Skagway led to an ongoing relationship with its police department.
- Cavendish recalls the enthusiastic reception of the McGruff character, White House visits, and the deeper impact—sometimes being a safe confidant for abused children.
- McGruff’s legacy remains active as Cavendish, now 83, continues to serve on the mascot's advisory board.
Memorable Moments and Quotes:
"I had been squeezed, hugged, kissed. No, not me. McGruff was. I'll tell you, it was exhausting in a wonderful way..."
— Sgt. Winston Cavendish [23:34]
"Know his first words were, heel. Heel, boy, heel. He grabbed me by the other side of my head, and he's scratched my ears. And I'm the only person in the history of the United States that ever had his ears scratched by a president."
— Sgt. Cavendish, on meeting President Reagan [24:37]
"I'm very proud of my dog. I'm very proud of what he's represented today."
— Sgt. Cavendish [26:11]
Structured Timestamps Overview
| Segment | Topic | Timestamp | |---------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | 1 | Vetoed corporate income tax bill and overriding debate | 00:24–03:54 | | 2 | Federal SBA 8(a) program scrutiny and Alaska Native corporations | 03:54–06:08 | | 3 | Southcentral Alaska natural gas shortage and storage expansion | 06:08–11:10 | | 4 | Fairbanks murder case | 12:08–14:27 | | 5 | Oil spill near St. George Island and salvage operations | 14:27–16:49 | | 6 | U.S. House race announcement: Bill Hill’s campaign | 16:49–18:39 | | 7 | Sitka “whistle choir” ICE resistance and counter-protest | 18:39–22:26 | | 8 | McGruff the Crime Dog’s history and Skagway connection | 22:26–26:35 |
Conclusion
This episode presents a rich tapestry of Alaskan civic life, from the gritty debates over state funding to the day-to-day resilience of local communities. It blends hard-hitting news with stories of ongoing advocacy and even nostalgia, providing valuable context to Alaska’s pressing challenges, ongoing debates, and enduring community spirit.