Alaska News Nightly – January 13, 2026

Host: Casey Grove (Alaska Public Media)
Date: January 13, 2026

Overview

This episode of Alaska News Nightly covers a wide range of statewide stories: political fallout as President Trump spars with Senator Murkowski over Venezuela war powers, the introduction of new faces in the Alaska House amid budget woes, the stability of Southcentral Alaska’s natural gas amidst a deep cold snap, avalanche threats and new detection technology in Juneau, federal indictments against Alaska State Troopers in a civil rights case, a significant port expansion in Emonik, Saxman’s water conservation notice, a contentious and costly City Hall move in Juneau, and an innovative study of Arctic grizzly bears.

Key Stories and Discussion Points

1. Political Tensions over Venezuela Military Power

[00:25 - 03:25]

• President Trump publicly criticized Senator Murkowski and other GOP senators who supported a War Powers Resolution restricting military action in Venezuela without congressional consent.
• Trump’s harsh language: “some real losers on the Republican side,” specifically calling out Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins.
• Murkowski stands by her vote, explaining her constitutional obligations override presidential displeasure.

Notable Quotes:

• “Let's just say I've been in this boat before where I have met the displeasure of the president...” – Lisa Murkowski (reported by Casey Grove, 03:05)
• “I don't want this to be a war... This is how we're making sure that we're not going to be at war in Venezuela.” – Lisa Murkowski (reported by John Sims, 02:47)

2. Alaska House Welcomes Two New Appointees Amid Fiscal Uncertainty

[04:03 - 07:14]

• Governor Dunleavy appoints Garrett Nelson, a political newcomer, and Steve St. Clair, a seasoned legislative staffer, to fill Mat-Su House seats.
• Nelson, a self-described “unashamed conservative,” is overwhelmed but determined, bringing his large family with him to Juneau.
• St. Clair emphasizes his budgeting skills, proposing state worker pay freezes and reduced optional Medicaid services.
• Both recognize the uphill battle, especially with lingering fiscal dilemmas and the fact it’s an election year.

Notable Quotes:

• “My expectations are like to hold to principles as much as I can, and I just expect to go down and get my teeth kicked in.” — Garrett Nelson ([04:41])
• “[Medicaid optional services are] the Cadillac version instead of the Pinto version. I think we need to pare that down.” — Steve St. Clair ([06:49])

3. Natural Gas Supply Holds Despite Cold Snap in Southcentral

[07:24 - 08:40]

• December’s frigid temps led NStar to triple its expected gas withdrawals, but new storage wells ensured reliable supply.
• John Sims, NStar president, credited the utility’s $68M storage expansion for added redundancy.
• Residents advised to conserve energy by lowering thermostat and only washing full loads of laundry.

Notable Quotes:

• “During a winter like this... we rely on everything to work perfectly to serve our customers.” — John Sims ([07:50])
• “We can meet all of our customers’ needs.” — John Sims ([08:36])

4. Juneau Avalanche Risk and New Radar Detection

[09:38 - 12:29]

• Juneau’s Barrens avalanche path remains under an urgent evacuation advisory after heavy rain, wind, and warmth increase the danger.
• For the first time, radar detection monitors avalanche activity, thanks to a Swiss startup.
• John Brissette, city avalanche advisor, says the undisturbed snow still poses a threat; further assessments using drone and LIDAR planned.

Notable Quotes:

• “It allows us to detect avalanches when we can't visually see them, which in Juneau is often with the darkness and with the weather.” — John Brissette ([10:53])

5. Federal Civil Rights Charges Against Alaska State Troopers

[12:29 - 15:25]

• Troopers Jason Woodruff and Joseph Miller pleaded not guilty to federal charges after a 2024 Kenai incident where the wrong man was violently arrested.
• The indictment alleges excessive force and a police dog bite; incident was captured on body cams.
• Both administrative and legal processes proceed in state & federal court; one trooper and the K9 are no longer with the department.

Notable Quotes:

• “Justice needs to be provided for all concerned...” — Judge Thomas Matthews ([14:29])
• “Justice delayed is justice denied.” — Assistant AG Daniel Shorey ([13:54])

6. Emonik Port Expansion Realizes Longtime Dream

[15:25 - 18:35]

• After decades of effort by the late Martin Moore Sr., Emonik’s new dock is complete, supporting larger vessels and accelerating freight.
• The $23M project brings both economic growth and important shoreline erosion protection.
• Future plans include a new heated storage facility.

Notable Quotes:

• “Martin’s vision was... they’d already made inroads to Congress, State House and everything.” — Dave Rowland ([16:17])
• “It’s an erosion control project and it did exactly that.” — Matt Sweetser ([17:49])

7. Saxman on Water Conservation Notice Due to System Leak

[18:35 - 19:38]

• Saxman city clerk Ginger McCormick reports doubled water production from normal, attributed to a major leak.
• Repairs underway; water remains safe but residents are urged to conserve strictly to avoid a boil water advisory.

Notable Quotes:

• “We’re producing twice as much water as we did last year. We're just dealing with a big leak.” — Ginger McCormick ([18:58])

8. Juneau’s Costly City Hall Move Prompts Debate

[19:38 - 22:44]

• Juneau Assembly approves reallocating $6 million to cover the unexpectedly high $20.5 million bill to move City Hall to the Burns Building.
• Voters previously rejected bond measures for a new City Hall, but officials argue no better option exists to consolidate city services.
• Not all Assembly members agree: newly elected Nano Brooks believes the public has not been heard and the cost is unjustifiable.

Notable Quotes:

• “There is no cheaper solution. Those rocks include trying to build a new City Hall and looking at existing buildings.” — Mayor Beth Weldon ([20:43])
• “I can't support that in good conscience. It's not what the taxpayers voted for...” — Assemblymember Nano Brooks ([21:45])
• “Choosing the best of our least favorite choices.” — Assemblymember Alicia Huskandes ([22:40])

9. Arctic Grizzly Bears Studied Using Camera Collars

[22:54 - 26:14]

• Wildlife biologists begin using bear-mounted cameras to study how sparse Arctic grizzlies survive extreme conditions.
• Findings: bears feed on overwintered carcasses, and later on vegetation and berries; some have been observed hunting caribou.
• Researchers hope to inform both wildlife management and minimize human-bear conflict amid oil development.
• Surprising footage includes playful bear interactions, suggesting more complex social behaviors.

Notable Quotes:

• “In the springtime when there’s no vegetation... [bears] are utilizing overwintered carcasses.” — Ellery Vincent ([24:08])
• “It almost looks like a couple of the bears were playing, which was really unique and cool...” — Ellery Vincent ([25:55])
• “There’s very little evidence that predators are actually driving these population changes.” — Mark Nelson ([24:50])

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Candidness from politicians new and old, particularly Garrett Nelson’s blend of humor and resolve.
• The community pride and accomplishment in Emonik’s port expansion, with heartfelt tributes to its late visionary leader.
• The mixture of scientific curiosity and conservation concern as researchers delve into the secret lives of Arctic grizzlies.

Key Segments (Timestamps)

• Venezuela War Powers & Murkowski: 00:25 – 03:25
• New Alaska House Appointees: 04:03 – 07:14
• Natural Gas Supply Update: 07:24 – 08:40
• Juneau Avalanche Radar Debuts: 09:38 – 12:29
• Trooper Civil Rights Charges: 12:29 – 15:25
• Emonik Port Expansion: 15:25 – 18:35
• Saxman Water Notice: 18:35 – 19:38
• Juneau City Hall Funding Debate: 19:38 – 22:44
• Arctic Grizzly Bear Study: 22:54 – 26:14

This episode reflects Alaska’s ever-changing landscape—politically, environmentally, and socially—threaded together by grounded, often wry discussion and on-the-ground reporting from across the state.