Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, September 11, 2025

Overview

This episode of Alaska News Nightly explores pivotal news and developments from across Alaska, from shifts in the state’s conservative media landscape to renewable energy challenges in rural communities. Other key stories include difficulties with electric vehicle shipping, a high-profile double homicide, the daunting search for avalanche victims, new mining operations, and grassroots movements to boost food security through community gardening.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Resignation of Suzanne Downing and the Future of Conservative Media (00:23–05:36)

Summary:
Suzanne Downing, founder of the influential conservative blog Must Read Alaska, has resigned following disputes with the site’s owner, raising questions about the outlet’s future and the evolving conservative voice in Alaska politics.

• Background on Must Read Alaska:

  • Founded in 2015 as a newsletter, became a major platform for conservative opinion journalism
  • Downing known as a “bomb thrower and a pot stirrer” (Eric Stone, 01:49)
  • Sold site in 2023 but stayed as contractor

• Resignation Circumstances:

  • Disagreement with owner John Faulkner about a story on ex-Attorney General Treg Taylor and property disclosures
  • Faulkner wanted story removed/modified; Downing refused and resigned
  • Downing: “If you start taking down stories when someone complains, your integrity is shot.” (paraphrased, 02:36)

• Political Impact:

  • Highly influential among both conservatives and liberals
  • Rep. Jamie Allard: “She has for the past decade given the conservative voice a platform... to move forward with the ideals of the conservatives.” (03:34)
  • Jim Lotzfeldt (Democratic consultant): “She fed into an echo chamber and just effectively became the voice for conservatives...” (04:09)
  • Critics: Accusations of dishonesty; Downing responds that she corrects errors and disputes are often just “a difference of opinion.”

• What’s Next:

  • Downing launching new site, restricted by a non-compete for six weeks
  • Future of Must Read Alaska uncertain; Downing wrote most of the content
  • Lotzfeldt: “I think this is really bad news for John Faulkner because I think without her there’s no reason to go to that page.” (05:22)

2. Renewable Energy Challenges in Rural Alaska (05:51–07:09)

Summary:
Rural Alaska faces growing barriers to renewable energy development due to federal budget cuts and policy shifts, even as advocates stress the necessity of alternatives to fossil fuels.

• Infrastructure Reliance:

  • Small villages depend on fragile infrastructure: diesel plants, fuel tank farms, water systems
  • Jocelyn Fenton (Denali Commission): “Villages depends on a fragile but vital infrastructure system...” (06:10)

• Federal Funding Issues:

  • President Trump’s 2026 budget reduces funding, especially for wind, solar, and batteries
  • Renewable projects “paused or defunded” (06:19)

• Political Debate:

  • Sen. Lisa Murkowski: Programs should not favor one energy source; wind and solar are “quickest and quite honestly, cheapest right now.” (06:57)
  • Sen. Brian Schatz: Office of Indian Energy holding $30 million, waiting for authorization to spend on renewables

3. Electric Vehicle Shipping Crisis in Alaska (07:55–12:13)

Summary:
Major shipping companies have halted EV transport to Alaska over lithium-ion battery fire risks, disrupting local dealerships and buyers.

• Dealer Experience:

  • Lonnie Khmelov (Affordable Auto Sales, Juneau): “I would say we sell probably about 40% EV.” (08:24)
  • Now limited to ferry shipment: “We’ll find ways to get them here and ship them out if need be... I’m staying positive on that.” (08:54, 08:57)

• Big Dealers Struggle:

  • Cody Richardson (Juneau Auto Mall): “It will definitely affect our ability to grow EV sales in southeast Alaska.” (09:18–09:21)
  • AML continues to ship hybrids, will reevaluate as standards improve

• Root of the Ban:

  • Prompted by a ship fire (June near Adak) involving electric and hybrid vehicles

• Advocates’ Perspective:

  • Steve Benke (Renewable Juneau): Open barge shipping is safer than sealed cargo; Juneau is “a Goldilocks zone for EVs.” (10:37)

• Buyer Frustration:

  • Maggie Miller (Anchorage resident): “I was really disappointed because I just understood this was something we were trying to... make a change and it's something that we totally can support.” (11:30)
  • Ended up switching to a gas-powered Highlander after being unable to get an EV (11:54)

4. Anchorage Double Homicide and Homeless Community Impact (12:48–13:59)

Summary:
Following the killing of Carl Nielsen Jr. and Sarah Ashley Cummings near a former homeless camp, the affected community mourns and discusses ongoing instability.

• Personal Testimony:
  • Bobbi Leaf: “Once they moved us out of the snow dump, they literally scattered us so we weren’t able to find each other at all times. We didn’t have a safe place to go... when we were together we were safer.” (13:22)
  • On the victims: “...were wonderful, amazing people who would give you the shirt off their backs... who would be there and hug you and hold you if you needed them...” (13:41)

5. Search Challenges for Avalanche Victims (13:59–15:49)

Summary:
Efforts continue—without success—to recover the bodies of three heli-skiers lost in a deadly March avalanche near Girdwood.

• Persistent Search:

  • Hazardous terrain in steep mountain ravine with deep snow and fast glacial water
  • Trooper Austin McDaniel: “Every time we have flights south of Anchorage, we’re still taking a route that flies us over that area hoping to see some type of clue...” (15:28)

• Company Silence:

  • Chugach Powder Guides refuses to comment on the incident

6. New Antimony Mining in Fairbanks Region (16:27–19:48)

Summary:
U.S. Antimony Corporation launches a campaign to recover the mineral from historic waste piles, with expansion plans drawing skepticism and local opposition.

• Strategic Resource:

  • Reduces dependency on imports (notably China); no US production in 2024
  • Mining from 1930s-era waste at Mohawk Mine (Ester Dome area)

• Community Concern:

  • Rep. Ashley Carrick: “After having seen the like long term future plans and size of this project. I'm even more concerned about it than I was previously.” (17:32)
  • Lack of public engagement raises issues for Kerrick, who lives near the mine: “I hope that the community is listened to.” (19:28)

• Support for Economic Growth:

  • Rep. Will Stapp: “I think economic growth is generally a good thing and I think responsible resource development is also a good thing...” (18:47)

• Operations:

  • Ore to be trucked to smelter in Montana (20 loads/month)
  • State says scope is small enough to avoid extra permitting for now

7. Sitka Community Gardens Receive Major Grant Funding (21:22–25:59)

Summary:
Two community garden projects in Sitka receive large grants, aiming to bolster food security and empower residents to grow their own food.

• EPA-Funded Community Garden:

  • $345,000 grant supports land prep and garden development
  • Joel Hansen (project manager): “It’s pretty exciting. I didn't think we'd get this far along. There’s still a lot of work to do, but at least some number of members will be able to start growing gardens in their rented plots next.” (23:00)

• Sitka Tribe of Alaska Initiative:

  • $385,000 from Native American Agricultural Fund to support traditional foods and tribal autonomy
  • Jeff Felpouch (Resource Protection Director): “As soon as we got the funding, my mind started racing about all the things we need to do.” (23:59)
  • Working with Baranof Island Housing Authority to serve those without their own gardening space

• Wider Importance:

  • Joel Hansen: “I think home kitchen gardens are going to become more and more important to people in Sitka in order to get by, with rising cost of prices and wages stagnating.” (25:18)
  • Cliff Richter (BIHA Executive Director): “When you’re in apartment living or higher density, there’s usually not a lot of room to do this sort of thing on your own property.” (25:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “She has for the past decade given the conservative voice a platform in which to voice their policies, who they are, and to move forward with the ideals of the conservatives...” — Rep. Jamie Allard (03:34)
• “If you start taking down stories when someone complains, your integrity is shot.” — Suzanne Downing (paraphrased by Eric Stone, 02:36)
• “She fed into an echo chamber... liberals reading it to see what the conservatives were talking about. And thus they started to sort of control the debate.” — Jim Lotzfeldt (04:09)
• “We were safer together.”— Bobbi Leaf, on the homeless community dispersal after the park closure (13:22)
• “I was really disappointed because I just understood this was something we were trying to, you know, do as a country. We were trying to, you know, make a change and it's something that we totally can support.” — Maggie Miller, Anchorage resident on EV shipping barriers (11:30)
• “I hope that the community is listened to.” — Rep. Ashley Carrick, on new mining operations near Fairbanks (19:28)
• “It’s pretty exciting. I didn't think we'd get this far along.” — Joel Hansen, Sitka community garden project manager (23:00)
• “As soon as we got the funding, my mind started racing about all the things we need to do.” — Jeff Felpouch, Sitka Tribe of Alaska (23:59)

Key Timestamps

• 00:23 — Introduction to Suzanne Downing’s resignation from Must Read Alaska
• 01:49 — Eric Stone explains the significance of Must Read Alaska
• 02:36 — Details of Downing’s resignation and principles
• 03:34 — Rep. Allard and Lotzfeldt discuss Downing’s impact
• 05:51 — Renewable energy struggles in rural Alaska begin
• 07:55 — Shipping stoppage puts EVs out of reach for many Alaskans
• 11:30 — Maggie Miller shares her disappointment buying a gas vehicle instead of EV
• 12:48 — Anchorage double homicide and homeless community impact
• 13:59 — Ongoing search for avalanche victims in the Chugach
• 16:27 — U.S. Antimony initiates mining near Fairbanks; political and local reactions
• 21:22 — Sitka’s community gardens receive grants, sparking new food security efforts

Tone:
Direct, informative, and community-focused, with many voices highlighting the stakes, debates, and lived experiences behind each story.

This summary brings you Alaska’s most urgent statewide news, offering context, first-hand voices, and clarity on ongoing developments affecting communities large and small.