Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Summary

Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Podcast: Alaska News Nightly – Alaska Public Media
Host: Wesley Early
Date: December 31, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a comprehensive roundup of major news and issues across Alaska, focusing on rural healthcare funding and public health, the ongoing uncertainty around Alaska's marine highway connection to the Lower 48, disaster assistance for typhoon-affected communities, local stories of missing persons and financial crime, community fundraising for the arts, and innovative education programs that ground students in real-life skills and cultural traditions.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Alaska Continues Universal Hepatitis B Vaccination for Newborns

(01:29–03:42)

• Issue: Despite the CDC's narrowed recommendation for hepatitis B vaccination, Alaska maintains universal dosing for newborns due to persistently high infection rates, especially among Alaska Natives.
• Expert Voices:
  • Dr. Joe McLaughlin, Alaska's Chief Epidemiologist, advocates for continued universal dosing, citing Alaska’s rates at nearly three times the national average.
• Notable Insight:
  • Transmission risk remains high due to close community ties, especially in rural and Alaska Native populations.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “This universal birth dosing helps to ensure every baby receives protection regardless of their location, their access to care or any follow up challenges that they might have.”
    – Dr. Joe McLaughlin [01:46]
• Impact: Insurance providers continue coverage, signaling broad institutional support.

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2. Largest Ever Federal Investment in Alaska Rural Healthcare

(03:42–05:48)

• Announcement: Alaska will receive $272 million next year from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, with potential for $1.4 billion over five years, outpacing all other states per capita.
• Key Discussion:
  • Funds will be tailored to boost rural clinics, stabilize the workforce, and minimize the need for patient travel.
  • Concerns remain about regulatory and bureaucratic obstacles to spending flexibility.
• Stakeholders:
  • U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Rep. Nick Begich, and Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg presented a united front.
  • Rural health leaders, like Petersburg Medical Center CEO Phil Hofstadter, expressed optimism but cautioned against one-size-fits-all mandates.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “If we can put a man on the moon, we ought to be able to solve the problem between here and 90 miles away of Prince Rupert.”
    – Jim Clark [07:06] (in next segment but reflects rural innovation spirit)

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3. Alaska Marine Highway Southern Route in Limbo

(05:48–10:29)

• Story: Closure of Prince Rupert, BC terminal severs Alaska’s direct ferry road link to the Lower 48. Alternatives, including a new terminal in Hyder, Alaska, are under study.
• Barriers:
  • Infrastructure decay, international disputes, and logistical hurdles plague efforts to revive the Prince Rupert connection.
  • Federal “Buy American” requirements and Canadian opposition complicate repairs.
• Community Perspectives:
  • Some advocate giving up on Prince Rupert, others push for perseverance.
  • The Hyder alternative is appealing for being under Alaska control, despite being less developed than Prince Rupert.
• Public Opinion:
  • A survey of 2,500 Alaskans prioritized restoring the Southeast road connection.
• Memorable Quotes:
  • “It's going to take everyone to lean into this thing. It is problematic at the highest levels of bureaucracies to try to get back to Prince Rupert. But we're going to give it our best push and we're going to keep pushing until it happens.”
    – Robert Venables, Southeast Conference [07:36]
  • “We own the land and most of the work is already done. It's a very adaptable situation. So for me, there isn't even a discussion.”
    – Bob Horchover, Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board, on Hyder [09:22]
• Outlook: Regardless of the route, officials estimate 5–8 years to restore access.

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4. Disaster Unemployment Benefits for Typhoon Survivors

(11:32–13:13)

• Summary: Residents and workers from areas struck by Typhoon Ha Long may apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance, with weekly payments up to 27 weeks.
• Eligibility: Broad criteria include inability to return to work, injury, or newfound family support responsibilities.
• Practical Information:
  • Deadline: February 20, 2026
  • Info line: 907-465-4691 (with interpreter services)

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5. Ongoing Search for Missing Juneau Resident

(13:13–14:33)

• Case: Benjamin Steppeton disappeared June 22, 2025, from downtown Juneau; family raised $25,000 for search efforts, including diver operations.
• Law Enforcement Angle:
  • Deputy Chief Craig Campbell confirms the investigation has a criminal aspect.
• Notable Quote:
  • “We just don't want his memory to fade, you know, or anybody to think that we're giving up searching for him at all. Because we're not.”
    – Martin Stepeton Sr., Benjamin's brother [13:13]
• How to Help: Contact JPD at 907-586-0600 or submit an anonymous tip via Juneau Crime Line.

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6. Convictions in Elderly Fraud Case; Community Impact

(14:33–17:54)

• Summary: Shubham Patel sentenced to 364 days for his role in scamming a Petersburg elder out of $100,000+; codefendant received 170 days, a third suspect remains at large.
• Court’s Standpoint:
  • Sentencing within statutory guidelines; victim accepted plea agreement.
• Quote Highlight:
  • “Some might question whether there should be more or less time attached to a conviction for that type of crime. But that's not something that the court or the parties have control over. That's within the legislature's discretion.”
    – Judge Katherine Lybrand [16:10]
• Restitution: Patel ordered to repay $50,000 and faces possible deportation.

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7. Documentary Screening Revives Petersburg’s Nonprofit Theater

(17:54–21:20)

• Story: Local screenings of Tide and Table raised $8,000 (plus ongoing donations) for the financially struggling, community-run Northern Knights Theater.
• Approach:
  • Admissions were free; the community donated voluntarily.
  • The event highlighted the theater’s role beyond cinema, as a space for education and performing arts.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “We’ve just been literally treading water all year trying to make sure that we can keep the theater in operation for our community.”
    – Cindy Fry, theater manager [19:01]
  • “It's a vital part of the community, the way it's used for not just showing of films, but also for the arts and for education.”
    – Brian Bill, director [20:44]
• Outlook: The fundraiser not only keeps the theater open but sets a precedent for future support.

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8. Sitka Students Learn Life Skills Tied to Culture and Land

(21:28–26:36)

• Story: Pacific High School’s Friday Life Skills class, partnered with Sitka Trail Works, imparts hands-on knowledge such as preparing deer hide, understanding local resources, and fostering environmental stewardship.
• In The Classroom:
  • Students practice dehairing deer pelts, learn environmental uses for fur, and share family traditions tied to local materials.
  • Community partner Emily Pound emphasizes starting from students’ existing knowledge.
• Notable Moments:
  • Student requests fur to take home for family crafting:
    “My grandma, she makes stuff out of fur... and my grandpa, he has a hat and it's... beaver fur. So I was wondering if I can bring home.”
    – Unnamed student [24:18]
  • Teacher’s perspective:
    “Knowing where your food comes from and having that respect for nature I think is really important, something that I didn't have in my education growing up. And students ask really big questions about the environment and about their place in world. And having that space, I think is really important for them to have those big questions.”
    – Haley Rinella [25:35]
  • Reflection on connection:
    “We have leather all around us all the time, but a lot of times we kind of take it for granted. So I think it's useful for us to just see the process...”
    – Judd Kirkness [26:26]
• Takeaway: The curriculum not only builds practical skills but also strengthens connections—with culture, nature, and community.

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Memorable Quotes

• On Rural Healthcare Investment:
  “The federal government is providing the funding that we can design a program with that actually meets and reflects our unique challenges.”
  – Dr. Joe McLaughlin [04:13]

• On Maintaining Connection:
  “If we can put a man on the moon, we ought to be able to solve the problem between here and 90 miles away of Prince Rupert.”
  – Jim Clark [07:06]

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Useful Timestamps

• 01:29 – Alaska maintains universal hepatitis B vaccine for newborns
• 03:42 – $272M in federal rural health funding—the largest per capita in the US
• 05:48 – Ongoing challenges maintaining Alaska’s southern ferry/road connection
• 11:32 – Disaster unemployment assistance for Typhoon Ha Long survivors
• 13:13 – Family and police continue to search for missing Juneau resident
• 14:33 – Sentencing in Petersburg elderly fraud case
• 17:54 – Film screening raises $8,000 for local nonprofit theater
• 21:28 – Sitka students' life skills class blends tradition, community, and environment

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Conclusion

The episode presents a dynamic cross-section of life in Alaska—public health debates shaped by unique local risk, historic healthcare investment, infrastructure challenges with economic and social impact, stories of resilience and loss, community solutions for arts and learning, and the interplay between tradition and contemporary education. It showcases Alaskans’ adaptability, resourcefulness, and commitment to place and one another.

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For more local stories, visit alaskapublic.org.

Transcript

[Wesley Early]

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 U.S. territories.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

In rural areas. We know how to use those funds. We know what challenges arise in our locations.

[Wesley Early]

Rural health leaders say they're cautiously optimistic about a new federal rural health fund. From Alaska Public Media, this is statewide news on Alaska News nightly for Tuesday, December 30th. Good evening. I'm Wesley Early. Also tonight, the southern road connection for the marine highway system is in limbo and communities want a solution.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

If we can put a man on the moon, we ought to be able to solve the problem between here and 90 miles away of Prince Rupert.

[Wesley Early]

Those stories and more tonight on Alaska News Nightly.

[Angela Denning]

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 you with 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.

[Wesley Early]

Alaska state health officials continue to recommend the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns despite a recent controversial change in federal guidance. State Epidemiology Chief Dr. Joe McLaughlin says the vaccine is especially important in Alaska, which has struggled with high rates of chronic hepatitis B.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

This universal birth dosing helps to ensure every baby receives protection regardless of their location, their access to care or any follow up challenges that they might have. This approach has definitely helped reduce disparities in hepatitis B outcomes across Alaska for decades.

[Wesley Early]

Public health experts credit the vaccine with dramatically lowering the risk of developing chronic hepatitis B, serious liver diseases and liver cancer. For over three decades, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all babies across the country get the vaccine at birth. Then this month, the CDC narrowed its guidance recommending the vaccine or only for infants born to women who test positive for the virus or whose status is unknown. The guidance says women who test negative should consult with a healthcare provider before vaccinating their newborn. But McLaughlin emphasizes that the CDC also acknowledged that each state has to consider its own hepatitis B rates and risk factors.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

So Alaska, where the rates are nearly three times the national average, clearly falls into a higher risk category as a state in general. And our data support continuing universal birth dose vaccination to protect infants in Alaska.

[Wesley Early]

Hepatitis B is a virus spread through bodily fluids and from mother to baby during childbirth. Historically, Alaska has had high rates of hepatitis B, especially among Alaska Native people. In the 1970s, widespread infection led to high rates of liver cancer in Alaska Native children. McLaughlin says screening and vaccinations have helped reduce rates of hepatitis B in the state. Still, it is present. Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Lawrence says about about 100 Alaskans are newly diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B every year. He says the virus can spread in Alaska partly through close community ties when.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

There is cross between households and between families. If one person has hepatitis B, that could be transmitted throughout an entire community, even to members who are not of that same household.

[Wesley Early]

Health insurers have said they will continue to cover the hepatitis B vaccine. Meanwhile, Alaska will get $272 million from the federal government next year to upgrade its rural health, officials announced Monday. The money comes from the Rural Health Transformation Program, a new five year fund meant to allow rural areas to tailor healthcare systems to their specific needs. At a news conference in Anchorage, US Senator Dan Sullivan said the program has the potential to reshape Alaska's healthcare system in a way that benefits everybody.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

The federal government is providing the funding that we can design a program with that actually meets and reflects our unique challenges.

[Wesley Early]

Sullivan spoke alongside governor Mike Dunleavy, US Representative Nick Begich and Alaska Department of Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg. Every US State will receive funding next year through the transformation Fund, but Alaska is getting by far the most per person. If it gets a similar amount in the remaining four years of the program, it'll receive almost $1.4 billion total, Sullivan said. The money will be used to strengthen rural clinics, to stabilize healthcare workforces and help keep care closer to home, reducing the need for costly and disruptive travel.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

It's certainly the biggest investment from the federal government to Alaska's healthcare system in our state's history.

[Wesley Early]

The $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program was authorized as part of the Republican backed One Big Beautiful bill, which also included new requirements for Medicaid access. The money comes after the state lost millions in public health funding and as federal subsidies for the Affordable Care act are set to end. Federal Phil Hofstadter is CEO of Petersburg Medical center in southeast Alaska. He said in an interview that the new funding could have huge impacts on much needed changes to the state's healthcare system. As long as regulations and bureaucracy don't.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

Get in the way in rural areas, we know how to use those funds, we know what challenges arise in our locations and those might be different in different locations. So I feel like if we're not allowed to use those funds specifically to meet the needs of our communities. That could be a potential failure point.

[Wesley Early]

But Hofstadter says he is cautiously optimistic about the transformation program. Alaska Department of Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg said the state will share more details in coming weeks about how hospitals, community based organizations and federally qualified health centers can access the funds. The state of Alaska is considering opening up a new ferry terminal in southeast Alaska. It would connect Alaska's ferries to the Lower 48 road system without going through Canada. The idea comes as Alaska continues to struggle with the closure of the ferry terminal at Prince Rupert in British Columbia. Costalaska's Angela Denning reports that the state is conducting a $250,000 study to see if a terminal on Alaska's side of the border would be better.

[Angela Denning]

For decades, the Alaska Marine Highway System relied on a terminal at Canada's Prince Rupert as its southern road connection. The state has leased the terminal from Canada, but it's been closed for most of the past six years. There are numerous complications, like infrastructure challenges and disagreements with Canada over border control responsibilities. The Dock needs over $20 million in repairs, and Alaska's aging fleet isn't certified for international travel anymore.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

If we can put a man on the moon, we ought to be able to solve the problem between here and 90 miles away of Prince Rupert.

[Angela Denning]

That's Jim Clark, the former chief of staff for governor Frank Murkowski, who worked on the ferry system for decades. Clark was speaking at a regional development meeting in Ketchikan last year. Prince Rupert's closed terminal has been a hot topic in many southern Southeast meetings. Some, like Robert Venables of the Southeast Conference, say they're not ready to give up on Prince Rupert.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

It's going to take everyone to lean into this thing. It is problematic at the highest levels of bureaucracies to try to get back to Prince Rupert. But we're going to give it our best push and we're going to keep pushing until it happens.

[Angela Denning]

The Prince Rupert connection isn't completely off the table, but Alaska would need a federal waiver to bypass a requirement that steel materials for repairs be American made. The state has requested this waiver in recent years without success. Canadian officials have opposed the requirement because the terminal is on Canadian soil. And so the state's Department of Transportation has considered hyder, Alaska, about 90 miles from Ketchikan, as an alternative.

[Judd Kirkness]

Fortunately, we have a lot of data for this site.

[Angela Denning]

Kirk Miller is an engineer with the state's Department of Transportation.

[Judd Kirkness]

We've done engineering up and down this whole causeway. The Island.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

I've been working on their harbor and.

[Judd Kirkness]

All these projects there for years. So we have data, but not quite enough.

[Angela Denning]

He was speaking about the site last year. This October, a new feasibility study began and is expected to be completed in mid-2026. The study is looking at all the details, like where a dock would go, the water depths, dredging and environmental concerns. It's estimated the new terminal would cost about $30 million. It's located about the same distance to Seattle as Prince Rupert, about 1,000 road miles. Prince Rupert is much larger than Haider and has more amenities. But Haider would be under Alaska's control.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

I just want to really voice my support for Haidar.

[Angela Denning]

That's Bob Horchover, a member of the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board, which makes recommendations to the state. He was speaking at a board meeting.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

In July in Hyder. We own the land and most of the work is already done. It's a very adaptable situation. So for me, there isn't even a discussion.

[Angela Denning]

The State approved a 20 year ferry plan this year based in part on a survey of over 2,500 Alaskans. Many respondents said restoring a road connection in Southeast was a priority and local governments agree. The Ketchikan Gateway Borough passed a resolution supporting the Hyder terminal. If Prince Rupert doesn't work out nearby Metlakahtla feels the same. Mayor Albert Smith said that having no Prince Rupert connection has hurt his town's economy with fishing.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

The rail system is real close to.

[Wesley Early]

Rupert, so we could use the ferry.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

To transport fish and then it's connected.

[Wesley Early]

Right to the 48 and it's a more efficient way.

[Angela Denning]

At least one Alaska lawmaker is on board. Republican Representative Jeremy Bynum of Ketchikan.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

I'm going to be a fierce fighter here on the legislative side to make sure we can get the funding in.

[Wesley Early]

Place that we need.

[Angela Denning]

Whether Alaska rebuilds the Prince Rupert connection or build a new terminal at Hyder, officials say either option would take five to eight years to complete the necessary infrastructure work. Reporting for CoastalASKA in Petersburg, I'm Angela Denning.

[Wesley Early]

Still to come on Alaska News Nightly, Sitka students are studying more than arithmetic in a new weekly life skills class.

[Haley Rinella]

A big thing that we care about is, you know, the students happiness and education in the school, but also outside of school.

[Wesley Early]

That's ahead. Stay with us.

[Olivia Rose]

Hi, I'm Avery Elfeldt, a reporter with the Alaska desk. That's a joint reporting effort from Alaska Public Media, khns, 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 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.

[Wesley Early]

Thank you Individuals who have been impacted by Typhoon HA long may be eligible for unemployment benefits. Last week, the state's Department of Labor announced that anyone who lived or was employed at the time of the disaster in the Lower Kuskokwim Regional Education Attendance Area, the Lower Yukon REAA or the Northwest Arctic Borough areas may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance. That's a special kind of unemployment benefit that supports people whose ability to work was impacted by a disaster. To qualify, the typhoon must have impacted your ability to return to the place where you worked or if an injury impacted your ability to work. People who suddenly became a major support to their household following a death related to the typhoon. They may also be eligible or if you were scheduled to begin work in an area impacted by the typhoon, you may also qualify. The assistance payments would be between $153 and $370 per week for up to 27 weeks. The deadline to apply is February 20, 2026. People who want to apply will be asked for their Social Security numbers as well as dates they worked and contact information for employers, self employed people or those who were previously unemployed may also be eligible and and will be asked to provide a record of their wages. For more information and to see if you might qualify, you can call 907-465-4691. Free interpreter services are available. Meanwhile, last week marks six months since 42 year old Juneau resident Benjamin Steppeton was last seen in downtown Juneau. His brother, Martin Stepeton Sr. Says his family and friends haven't stopped looking for him, even during the holidays.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

We just don't want his memory to fade, you know, or anybody to think that we're giving up searching for him at all. Because we're not. We're still doing everything we can to still try to find what happened to my brother.

[Wesley Early]

Police listed Benjamin as a missing person after he was last seen in Juneau on June 22 in the downtown area. Benjamin is Alaska Native, about 5ft 6 inches tall and has brown eyes. Before he went missing, he often frequented the downtown area and had been homeless for roughly two years following his disappearance. His family raised over $25,000 to fund a robust search effort and paid for divers to search the Gastineau Channel in September. Martin believes his brother may have fallen or been pushed into the water. And though Martin says the divers didn't find any signs of Benjamin then, the family is working with the Juneau Police Department in hopes of getting divers into the water for another search soon. Juneau police Deputy Chief Craig Campbell says detectives are still actively investigating the case and encourage anyone with information about Benjamin's disapp to contact the department. Campbell says the department believes there may have been people involved in Benjamin's disappearance who aren't coming forward.

[Judd Kirkness]

It is looked being investigated at more.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

Than just a missing person's case, but also a missing person's case with a criminal aspect into it.

[Wesley Early]

People can share information by calling JPD's dispatch line at 907-586-0600 or submitting an anonymous tip through Juneau Crime Line. The second of two men arrested in Petersburg last summer for scamming an elderly resident of over $100,000 will serve a year in jail. As KFSK's Olivia Rose reports, the sentencing closes the case, but a third suspect remains at large.

[Olivia Rose]

Shubham Patel visited Petersburg twice in 2025 to do his part in defrauding an elderly resident. He was arrested in June, pleaded guilty to theft charges in October and was sentenced on December 8, a few days after his 25th birthday. In a plea deal for reduced penalties, Patel agreed to cooperate with the state's investigation into the elaborate phone scheme that defrauded the victim of over $100,000. Two charges were dropped, and Patel was ultimately convicted on a felony charge of second degree theft and a misdemeanor of second degree attempted theft. He was sentenced by Ketchikan Superior Court Judge Katherine Lybrand to 364 days flat. During the Dec. 8 hearing, Lybrand noted that because Patel had no criminal history, the parties were working within a sentencing range of 0 to 2 years and the time under the agreement is right in the middle of that range.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

And some might question whether there should be more or less time attached to a conviction for that type of crime. But that's not something that the court or the parties have control over. That's within the legislature's discretion.

[Olivia Rose]

The victim in the case, who asked not to be identified, said she agreed with the sentence the prosecution proposed. At the final hearing in the spring of 2025, the victim was contacted by a scam caller impersonating a government agent who convinced her to wire them nearly $80,000. The scam caller contacted the victim again to arrange in person money pickups in Petersburg. Patel came to Petersburg in May with another suspect who Investigators identified as 28 year old Utkarsh Mishra. That's when the victim handed over some 50,000 more dollars. Mishra has been indicted but remains at large under an arrest warrant. Patel returned to Petersburg for a second time in June, this time with 23 year old Harshal Kumar Patel, a co defendant in this case. Both men, who are citizens of India and not related, were arrested on June 9 by local police and the FBI after they met up with the victim and attempted to take an additional $60,000 cash. Harshal Kumar pleaded guilty to first degree attempted theft in October. The court sentenced him to 170 days flat, including time served, and released him from jail. Shubha Patel remains in custody at Lemmon Creek Correctional Facility in Juneau. He agreed to pay $50,000 in restitution to the victim and he will likely face deportation. His attorney declined to comment for this story In Petersburg, I'm Olivia Rose Local.

[Wesley Early]

Showings for a documentary about Petersburg doubled as a fundraising opportunity for the community's struggling nonprofit movie theater. As KFSK's Taylor Heckert reports, more than $8,000 was raised in two days. Earlier this month, when New Jersey based.

[Taylor Heckert]

Director Brian Bill was working on the documentary Tide and Table, he knew he wanted the first showing of the film to be in Petersburg. The film features the food and community of Petersburg and Bill wanted the community's approval. Before showing Tide and Table to a broader audience, the production reached out to Petersburg's only movie theater, the Northern Knights Theater. After connecting with theater manager Cindy Fry, Bill decided that the premiere of the film would double as a fundraiser for the space.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

And when Cindy talked about how the theater is just in need of just constant repair, you know, that's when we decided like, let's treat this as a fundraiser.

[Taylor Heckert]

The Northern Knights Theater is a nonprofit that partners with the local school district and employs high school students. It's been struggling to stay open and pay its bills as operating costs have continued to rise. In an interview with kfsk, Fry said that money has been incredibly tight, so.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

We'Ve just been literally treading water all year trying to make sure that we can keep the theater in operation for our community.

[Taylor Heckert]

Bill's production company, Two Doors Down Productions, donated $3,000 to the theater. They made tickets to the three showings of Tide and Table free. In return, they asked attendees to donate whatever they saw fit. The community donated over $5,000 during the film's three showings, raising a total of $8,000 for the theater. Fry says the fundraising has been amazing. She says this money will ensure that the theater can keep operating.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

It's hard to express how much gratitude we have for this donation and this event that was really unexpected.

[Taylor Heckert]

This money comes at a normally costly time of year for the theater. Big bills like insurance are due in the fall, and this fundraiser puts the theater at a starkly different spot than it was this time last year.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

Last year at this time, we identified that man, we are just really. We don't know if we're going to make it. So I just, I just asked what our, like, our account balance was right now, and it's. So I just heard from our account, it's about $1,500 before these donations that are in our account.

[Taylor Heckert]

This donation is over five times the amount of money the theater had in savings. Fry says she hopes to be able to put some aside for a necessary replacement to the seats in the auditorium. Those upgrades would impact more than just the movie theater. The space is housed in the middle school and is also an important space for theater, dance and musical performances. Bill, the director, says that's why the fundraising was so important.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

It's a vital part of the community, the way it's used for not just showing of films, but also for the arts and for education.

[Taylor Heckert]

That $8,000 figure isn't even the final dollar amount. The proceeds from merchandise sold at the showings are still being counted. Bill says he has no plans to make any revenue from this film. Instead, future screenings will be fundraisers for the theater as well.

[Wesley Early]

I feel the best way to do.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

This, because I'm based in New Jersey, is probably do it like a GoFundMe page. So this way they can get the funds directly after each showing. And then we can also promote it like on our channels as well.

[Taylor Heckert]

In the meantime, that $8,000 will be able to ease some of the stress on the community's theater. In Petersburg, I'm Taylor Heckert.

[Wesley Early]

From preparing deer hide to identifying different kinds of leather, Sitka Trail works partnership with Pacific High School's Friday life skills curriculum inspires students to develop a meaningful relationship with their environment via training in real life environmental skills. KCAW's Ryan Cotter recently visited one of their classes and has this report.

[Judd Kirkness]

Anybody who wants to this part, you can grab some gloves and play around with this. It's kind of a satisfying little process. So remember this.

[Ryan Cotter]

As winter break is on the horizon for many students across the country, high schoolers typically spend their final few weeks of the semester armed with pencils and laptops. On their desks, studiously preparing for final exams. But this morning at Pacific high school, Judd kirkness is leading a group of four. Four students in removing the fur from a deer pelt to demonstrate one of the first steps in making leather.

[Judd Kirkness]

People used to just leave them upside down in a pond was the, like the common way. And you're just kind of letting rot take place. And instead of rot on this one, we're basically just using chemistry. And so this one, this class is.

[Ryan Cotter]

Part of Pacific high's Friday life skills curriculum, where students develop practical skills relevant to sitkins, from deer skinning to boat and trail maintenance.

[Haley Rinella]

Pacific high has always tried to, with the lens of their education is how can we better the community or better real world knowledge for the students who come here?

[Ryan Cotter]

That's Haley Rinella, a Pacific high school support staff member through youth advocates of Sitka.

[Haley Rinella]

And so I think that's kind of where the Friday skills were born from, was how can we use our partners in the community to better inform the students and educate the students? Because I think a big thing that we care about is how you know the students happiness and education in the school, but also outside of school.

[Ryan Cotter]

One such community partner is Sitka trail works, which has been collaborating with Pacific high school to provide practical environmental education to young sitkins for many years. For Sitka trail works programs manager Emily Pound, a big part of their curriculum involves drawing upon the knowledge the students already have from living in Alaska.

[Taylor Heckert]

We do try to lead with the lens of not assuming that the youth don't know what we're leading. Just coming from a place of saying, okay, this is your experience. What do you know? What can we learn from you?

[Ryan Cotter]

Back in the classroom, the students learn that leftover deer fur can be used as effective compost. But one student requests the fur for a different purpose based on her family knowledge.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

My grandma, she makes stuff out of fur.

[Wesley Early]

And my grandpa, he has a hat and it's. My grandma made him.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

It's beaver fur.

[Wesley Early]

So I was wondering if I can bring home. You bet.

[Judd Kirkness]

As much of this as you can carry. We've got some plastic bags here or something. We'll find something.

[Haley Rinella]

Yeah, we can do that.

[Ryan Cotter]

Progressing into the self described show and tell section, Kness passes around a variety of animal goods, From a pouch made of deer stomach to various samples of leather straps.

[Judd Kirkness]

Last time, can't remember if we showed fish leathers, but that one's a halibut leather.

[Taylor Heckert]

That's so thick.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

Yeah.

[Haley Rinella]

Wow.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

Really big.

[Haley Rinella]

Can I pass it?

[Judd Kirkness]

Yeah, please pass them all.

[Dr. Joe McLaughlin]

Around.

[Haley Rinella]

Wow, look at that. You can see, like, where the Fenella.

[Ryan Cotter]

Has been sitting in on the Friday life skills class for over a year. She thinks the curriculum uniquely helps students not only develop a stronger understanding of the land they live on, but also establish a connection to and curiosity about it as well.

[Haley Rinella]

Knowing where your food comes from and having that respect for nature I think is really important, something that I didn't have in my education growing up. And students ask really big questions about the environment and about their place in world. And having that space, I think is really important for them to have those big questions.

[Ryan Cotter]

As the class comes to a close and students file out for lunch, some curious students wander in to observe the pelt, which now has a large furless patch. As one student picks up her promised fur to send to her grandparents, she draws another connection between the leather she got to touch in class and that in her own life, the leather purse she's carrying.

[Wesley Early]

Because I was also feeling the end of my purse.

[Judd Kirkness]

Yeah, yeah, right. It is funny. I mean, we have leather all around us all the time, but a lot of times we kind of take it for granted. So I think it's useful for us to just see the process in Sitka.

[Ryan Cotter]

I'm Ryan Cotter.

[Wesley Early]

And that's 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 podcasts. We had reports tonight from Rachel, Cassandra and Hannah Floor in Anchorage, Angela Denning, Olivia Rose and Taylor Heckert in Petersburg, Samantha Watson in Bethel, Jamie Deep in Juneau and Ryan Cotter in Sitka. If you want to send us a news tip, question or comment, email [e-mail] Our audio engineer is Crystal Hyde. Madeline Rose is our producer. And I'm Wesley Early. Good night. This is statewide news on Alaska Public Media.