Alaska News Nightly – Episode Summary

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
Host: Casey Grove | Produced by Alaska Public Media

Episode Overview

This episode of Alaska News Nightly covers a broad range of statewide stories:

• The Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory approach to “forever chemicals” and energy infrastructure
• Anchorage’s animal shelter crisis due to an animal neglect case
• New research and cultural efforts around black seaweed in Southeast Alaska
• Skijoring as a winter sport for Alaskans and their dogs
• An interview with Iditarod rookie musher Kevin Hansen
• A significant criminal case involving child exploitation

The episode maintains a balance of practical, investigative, and human-interest reporting, anchored by voices from across Alaska.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Environmental Policy and Alaska’s Energy Future

[01:31 - 05:13]
Reporter: Shelby Herbert

• High-level Visit: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin joins Governor Mike Dunleavy to tour the UAF coal plant in Fairbanks, discussing regulatory impacts on Alaska’s unique energy infrastructure.
  • “So the administrator is up here looking at things like coal plants on the base, fuel plants on the base…” — Gov. Dunleavy [02:03]
• Regulatory Rollbacks: Both officials praised limited deregulation, citing economic benefits.
  • “I gotta tell you, it’s a breath of fresh air.” — Dunleavy [02:41]
• PFAS Standards: Reporters pressed Zeldin on delayed compliance deadlines for PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in drinking water.
  • “Some water systems are struggling to be able to pay for the work in order to come into compliance…” — Zeldin [03:29]
  • The EPA says it is not abandoning safety rules, but meeting standards is financially difficult for some rural utilities.
• PFAS Remediation: Interest in new local soil cleanup technologies that could end costly soil shipments outside Alaska.
  • “It’s now becoming more economical so that Alaskans can instead remediate it.” — Zeldin [04:09]
• State Response: The state won’t “bring the hammer down” on local systems, but will hold corporations accountable for pollution.
  • Alaska Legislature is considering annual water tests and expanded liability for PFAS polluters.
  • “…any bill that sets back Alaska’s development would have a hard time getting over the line.” — Dunleavy [05:01]

2. Anchorage Animal Shelter Overwhelmed

[05:13 - 10:14]
Reporter: Hannah Flor

• Crisis at Animal Care & Control:
  • Shelter designed for ~150 animals is now housing 240+ after a single neglect case brought in 103 bunnies, 36 birds, 2 cats, and 9 fish.
  • “You don’t know you need someone to deal with 103 bunnies until you need someone to deal with 103 bunnies.” — Becky Wint Pearson, Municipal Manager [06:48]
• Logistics & Stress:
  • Each bunny requires its own cage (due to fighting), making space and care even scarcer.
  • Staff overextended; hard to intake more animals or give adequate attention.
  • In this legal limbo, the animals can’t be named, photographed, or adopted until the case resolves.
  • “Fingers crossed for Easter, she says... but that’s not looking super likely.” — [07:43]
• Cost:
  • $3 per rabbit per day ($15,000/month). Costs may fall on the animal’s owner if convicted.
  • “But when you have 103 bunnies and a bunch of other animals, it adds up very quickly.” — Tamiya Liebersbach [08:39]
• Adoption Concerns:
  • The city already has many feral bunnies; adopting out 103 at once will be challenging.
  • “You probably could just trap one outside if you wanted a pet bunny…” — Liebersbach [09:22]
  • When adoption is permitted, staff already have a list of names prepared for the bunnies.
  • “I do have some staff members who... have long lists of names in their phones.” — Logan Robinson, Deputy Manager [09:49]
• Volunteer Call:
  • Community members are encouraged to help care for the animals during this crisis.

3. Extradition in Child Exploitation Case

[10:58 - 13:09]
Reporter: Casey Grove

• International Prosecution:
  • Zobeidul Amin, a Bangladeshi national, appears in Anchorage federal court after extradition.
  • Accused of operating an international child sexual exploitation ring—hundreds of victims, including at least one Alaska girl.
  • Used social media to coerce and blackmail minors; charged with 13 federal counts (distribution, cyberstalking, etc.).
  • Faces 20 years to life if convicted.

4. Black Seaweed: Cultural and Ecological Keystone

[13:09 - 17:38]
Reporter: Hope McKinney

• Cultural Baseline Study:
  • Dr. Kelly Monteleone leads NSF-funded research to document black seaweed’s cultural and ecological importance in Southeast Alaska.
  • “So really important resource, but nobody spent the time to actually document it and that’s what I was asked to do.” — Dr. Monteleone [13:31]
• Access and Change:
  • Seaweed harvest locations threatened by rising sea levels, climate change, and mariculture (aquaculture) expansion.
  • Traditional harvesters note impacts from marine “blobs” and declining abundance/quality.
  • “It’s something that has always been on our table and in our pantry, and it is one of the cornerstone foods to our lifestyle.” — Charlie Skoltka Jr. [15:29]
  • Emphasizes links to community wellbeing, food security, and subsistence.
  • “…without doing these things sustainably and being able to practice our subsistence harvesting, pretty soon, no Alaskans will be able to afford to live in Alaska.” — Skoltka [17:03]
• Next Steps:
  • More community research and a forthcoming book after 2028.

5. Alaska Survival Kit: Skijoring with Dogs

[17:38 - 22:04]
Reporter: Clarice Larson

• Introduction to Skijoring:
  • Skijoring = skiing while being pulled by your dog.
  • “She [my dog] never stops... but over the years, I’ve discovered one way to truly, truly tire her out and also have fun... skijoring.” — Clarice Larson [17:52]
• Pro Tips:
  1. Don’t force your dog. Start only if they show interest.
     • “I put him in a harness fully prepared for him not to pull or do anything, and he took off and we had a blast.” — Kelsey Johnson [18:36]
  2. Find the right gear. Harness, belt, strong line, quick-release, and, of course, skis.
  3. Training matters. Verbal cues like “gee” (right) and “haw” (left) help; avoid “squirrel-wipeouts.”
     • “A lot of people use G for right, haw for left. Easy to slow down, but you can use anything you want.” — Johnson [19:22]
  4. Expect chaos. Dogs will be dogs—plan for mishaps.
     • “You have two dogs and they run on each side of a light pole...” — Becky Schaefer [20:33]
  • For many, skijoring is about dog-owner bonding and winter well-being.
    • “Going out on a trail with my dog is the most amazing thing and it totally resets me.” — Schaefer [20:03]
  • Bonus tip: Always clean up after your dog!
    • “Just being good stewards of the poop that our dogs leave behind and picking it up...” — Tristan Knudsen Lombardo [21:40]

6. Iditarod Rookie: Kevin Hansen of Kotzebue

[22:04 - 26:46]
Reporter: Desiree Hagan

• Family and Tradition:
  • Hansen grew up in a mushing family in Kotzebue; his father ran the Iditarod in 2017.
  • Started mushing in grade school, sprint-racing before working up to larger teams.
  • “You know, I was the kid that woke up early before school to check the results...” — Hansen [23:38]
• Training and Challenge:
  • Multiple-time Kobuk 440 finisher; recognizes the leap in challenge to the Iditarod.
  • Logistical planning is immense, and costs are high—especially off the road system.
    • “Everything we do get is freighted in. The freight expenses are just continuing to increase.” — Hansen [25:14]
  • Outfitting team of 16 dogs for race; feeling nerves but also excitement.
  • “You really feel it out there in times when it’s just you, your dogs and the land and dealing with the elements and challenges.” — Hansen [26:09]
  • Deep pride in representing his region and preserving Inupiaq culture through the sport.

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• On regulatory change:
  • “I gotta tell you, it’s a breath of fresh air.” — Gov. Mike Dunleavy [02:41]
• On animal sheltering crisis:
  • “You don’t know you need someone to deal with 103 bunnies until you need someone to deal with 103 bunnies.” — Becky Wint Pearson [06:48]
• On cultural resources:
  • “It’s absolutely a keystone species. It’s one of the cornerstones of our diet...” — Charlie Skoltka Jr. on black seaweed [16:34]
• On skijoring mishaps:
  • “You have two dogs and they run on each side of a light pole…” — Becky Schaefer [20:33]
• On mushing tradition:
  • “You really feel it out there in times when it’s just you, your dogs and the land and dealing with the elements and challenges.” — Kevin Hansen [26:09]

Timed Segment Index

• [01:31] Energy policy & EPA visit
• [05:13] Anchorage animal shelter crisis
• [10:58] Child exploitation prosecution
• [13:09] Black seaweed research in southeast
• [17:38] Skijoring tips for Alaskan winters
• [22:04] Iditarod rookie musher interview

Episode Tone & Style

The episode is factual and empathetic, with a blend of investigative reporting, practical advice, and storytelling from community members. The overall tone is conversational but authoritative, reflecting Alaska’s unique character—resourceful, community-oriented, and closely tied to land, animals, and tradition.

End of summary.