Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Summary

Alaska News Nightly — Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Podcast: Alaska News Nightly
Host: Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media
Date: January 27, 2026
Summary by: [AI Podcast Summarizer]

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Episode Overview

This episode of Alaska News Nightly delivers a comprehensive update on significant statewide issues, including Senator Lisa Murkowski’s call for the resignation of the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, record-breaking snowfall in Anchorage, a state-city partnership to address crime, a lawsuit over Kotzebue's water crisis, a reduction in overdose deaths, approval for a new school psychology program, and a special feature on Jackie Purcell’s 40-year television career.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Accountability: Senator Murkowski Calls for DHS Secretary's Resignation

• Senator Lisa Murkowski demands Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem resign, citing “intense immigration crackdown” that led to two citizen deaths in Minneapolis (00:11).
  • Liz Ruskin reports Murkowski criticized Noem for “fanning the flames” and lacking effective oversight (01:04).
  • Notable quote: "She has, through her words and I think in her action, She's taken a direction that has not been helpful ... and I don't think that it helps the country." — Jackie Purcell, summarizing Murkowski (01:25)
• Murkowski was among the first Republicans to openly challenge the administration’s tactics. Other Republicans, like Senator Thom Tillis, echo her concerns, criticizing the focus on nonviolent individuals instead of “serious criminals” (02:22).
• Senator Dan Sullivan has not publicly commented on the issue as of this broadcast (03:05).

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2. Record Snowfall in Anchorage and Changing Climate

• Anchorage broke its all-time January snowfall record with 39.7 inches, surpassing the 2000 record (03:24).
  • Expert insight: Brian Brettschneider, National Weather Service climatologist, attributes this anomaly to climate warming, making it “easier for the air to hold more moisture” (04:07).
  • Notable quote: “The amount of precipitation we've already received in January is what we typically get ... through about May 10th.” — Brian Brettschneider (05:15)
• City crews are working nonstop to clear roads; whimsical truck names like “Bladey Gaga” illustrate local color (04:22).
• Significant public safety impact: 99 vehicles stranded (“ditch divers”) and 36 reported collisions, including 12 injuries (04:22).

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3. State and Anchorage Join Forces to Tackle Crime

• Governor Mike Dunleavy announces a partnership to address public safety in Anchorage, noting the city’s above-average share of violent and property crimes (05:54).
  • Crime statistics: Anchorage has 55% of the state’s murders, 51% of sexual assaults, 67% of car thefts, and 78% of robberies despite only 38% of the population (06:04).
• Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case welcomes collaboration, notes longstanding challenges of coordination between city and state prosecution (06:36).
  • Notable quote: “It’s a lot more complicated and complex than that. We expect that Anchorage's crime rate is going to be higher ... than a smaller jurisdiction.” — Sean Case (06:43)
• New three-prong plan, as explained by state Attorney General designee Steven Cox (07:29):
  1. Quality of Life Crime — focuses on retail theft, public drug use, illegal camping.
  2. Intercepting Drugs — increased collaboration with postal and airport authorities.
  3. Reducing Violent Crime — especially sexual assault.
  • Cross-designation will allow city prosecutors to handle state felonies, and vice versa (08:28).
  • Cox expects full implementation by spring, pending his legislative confirmation (09:41).

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4. Kotzebue Sued over Sewage Crisis

• Four Kotzebue residents are suing the city over raw sewage flooding during infrastructure failures in early 2024 (10:14).
• Plaintiffs allege city negligence led to property damage and emotional distress.
  • Attorney Myron Angstman says, “[My clients] believe their situation requires some payment of money to make them whole ... for cleanup … and emotional distress.” (11:08)
• Each plaintiff seeks up to $100,000 in damages. The state has provided funds for service line repair, but not for residential damages (11:30).

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5. Alaska's Drug Overdose Death Rate Declines

• State report notes a 5% drop in overdose deaths in 2024 – Alaska’s first decrease after record highs in 2023 (12:32).
• State distributed 45,000 naloxone kits and fentanyl test strips, expanded mobile crisis teams, and increased access to medication-assisted treatment and therapeutic courts.
  • Expert praise and caution: “I think we’re on the right track." — Teresa Welton, Alaska Office of Substance Misuse (12:57)
• Continuing challenges:
  • Rural access to treatment
  • Increasing methamphetamine and multi-drug overdoses
  • Fentanyl still involved in 70% of deaths (14:32)
• Lab testing reveals users often unknowingly ingest mixed substances.
  • Dr. Seth Werkentine: “People are pretty surprised at the results and had no idea they were taking those.” (15:11)
  • Drug courts are effective at connecting people to treatment instead of jail (16:13).

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6. School Psychologist Program Approved at UAA

• The State Board of Education unanimously approved a school psychology master’s program at UAA after prior controversy (16:42).
• Public testimony stressed urgent need for homegrown professionals to support students with disabilities.
  • Rebecca Emerson: “Look past the ideological debate and see the faces of the students like Winston who rely on these services.” (17:20)
• Board member Kathryn McCollum and Barbara Tindall noted mental health’s importance amid remaining concerns (17:34; 18:06).
• UAA will work toward national accreditation, but graduates can soon begin working in Alaska schools. (18:21)

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7. Feature: Jackie Purcell Celebrates 40 Years as Alaska’s Forecaster

• Meteorologist Jackie Purcell reflects on her 40 years in Alaska broadcast media (19:34).
• Notable career lessons:
  • Persistence: “My mom … had great advice. She goes, you know, you have to be persistent, but don’t be a pest.” (19:34)
  • Resilience: “I was fired my first day on the job … but it really taught me a valuable lesson. … Each failure teaches you something else … you just weren’t the right person at the time.” (21:36)
• Changes in broadcasting technology: from massive machines to instant digital weather data (20:32).
• On visibility and public life: “When I go to the grocery store, it takes a little bit longer because people are like, hey. … I like it, to tell you the truth.” (23:57)
• Alaska’s changing climate: “It’s milder and more severe at the same time ... tundra thawing, tree line going farther north, glaciers melting.” (22:50)
• On authenticity: “You’re pretty much the same on TV as you are off TV … how exhausting to be two different people.” (24:22)
• Listener affection: “We always say, ‘What’s Jackie say?’ … That to me is so precious.” (24:51)

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Senator Murkowski via Jackie Purcell:
  “I think the president needs to look at who he has in place as the Secretary of Homeland Security. … I would not support her again. … it probably is time for her to step down.” (02:09)
• Brian Brettschneider:
  “The amount of precipitation we've already received in January is what we typically get from January 1st through about May 10th. And there's been almost 10 years where we didn’t even have this much precipitation all the way through the end of June.” (05:15)
• Sean Case, Anchorage Police Chief:
  “As a state and as a city, that has to be one of our top priorities.” (09:19)
• Teresa Welton:
  “I think we’re on the right track.” (12:57)
• Jackie Purcell on persistence:
  “You have to be persistent, but don’t be a pest.” (19:34)
• Jackie Purcell on resilience:
  “Failure — don’t look at it as a failure. It’s a stepping stone.” (21:36)
• Jackie Purcell on authenticity:
  “You’re pretty much the same on TV as you are off TV … how exhausting to be two different people.” (24:22)
• Rebecca Emerson, parent:
  “Please approve this program so that more Alaskan students can have the support they need to succeed in the classroom.” (17:28)
• Dr. Seth Werkentine:
  “People are pretty surprised at the results and had no idea that they were taking those." (15:11)
• Casey Grove (host), to Jackie Purcell:
  “Persistent, but not a pest. I like that.” (20:02)

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Segment Timestamps (MM:SS)

• Senator Murkowski & DHS Secretary Noem – 00:11 to 03:24
• Anchorage Snow Record & Weather Patterns – 03:24 to 05:29
• State-Anchorage Crime Partnership – 05:54 to 09:41
• Kotzebue Lawsuit on Sewer Crisis – 10:14 to 11:30
• Overdose Deaths Decline & Harm Reduction – 12:32 to 16:42
• UAA School Psychologist Program Approval – 16:42 to 18:21
• Jackie Purcell’s 40 Years in Broadcasting – 19:34 to 25:11

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Conclusion

This Alaska News Nightly episode offers a snapshot of the state’s most pressing challenges and resiliency: political accountability, evolving climate, creative public safety strategies, community legal action, slow-but-promising progress in health crises, forward movement in education, and the enduring spirit of local icons. The episode is packed with insightful interviews, memorable moments, and an authentic Alaskan voice throughout.

Transcript

[Jackie Purcell]

I think the president needs to look at who he has in place.

[Casey Grove]

Senator Lisa Murkowski calls for the resignation of the US Secretary of Homeland Security from Alaska Public Media. This is statewide news on Alaska News nightly for Tuesday, January 27th. Good evening. I'm Casey Grove. Also tonight, the state partners with the city of Anchorage to address high crime rates.

[Sean Case]

As a state and as a city, that has to be one of our top priorities.

[Casey Grove]

Those stories and more tonight on Alaska News Nightly. Senator Lisa Murkowski said today that Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem should resign. The senator says Noem needs to be held to account for an intense immigration crackdown that has killed two citizens in Minneapolis. Alaska Public Media Washington correspondent Liz Ruskin reports.

[Liz Ruskin]

Murkowski says Noem has an obligation to maintain control of what the agencies in her jurisdiction are doing. Instead, Murkowski says Noem has fanned the flames like when the secretary claimed without evidence that Alex Preddy, the nurse Border Patrol agent shot to death on Saturday, was a domestic terrorist.

[Jackie Purcell]

She has, through her words and I think in her action, She's taken a direction that has not been helpful to the situation. And I don't think that it helps the country.

[Liz Ruskin]

Murkowski spoke to reporters on her way to a Senate vote as lawmakers returned to the Capitol from a week away. She says it's a good sign that the administration has removed top Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino from Minneapolis, but that accountability rests with Noem.

[Wesley Early]

Should she resign? Should she resign? Should she resign?

[Liz Ruskin]

You know, I voted for her.

[Jackie Purcell]

I think the president needs to look at who he has in place as the Secretary of Homeland Security. I would not support her again. And I think it probably is time for her to step down.

[Liz Ruskin]

Murkowski was among the first Republicans in Congress to openly criticize the tactics of the immigration enforcement operation after agents shot the group of GOP critics remains small. But minutes before Murkowski spoke, North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis also castigated Noem. He said the enforcement operations need to focus on the serious criminals President Trump promised to target and not pursue non violent people.

[Casey Grove]

I think that what she's done in Minnesota should be disqualifying. She should be out of a job. And I mean, really, it's just, it's, it's just amateurish. It's terrible. It's making the President look bad.

[Liz Ruskin]

Unlike Murkowski and Tillis, Senator Dan Sullivan didn't issue a statement this weekend to condemn Preddy's death or call for reform. He held his phone to his ear as he walked through a crowd of reporters on his way to the Senate chamber to vote. Reporting from the U.S. capitol, I'm Liz Ruskin.

[Casey Grove]

Anchorage broke its January snowfall record today as schools were let out early and the state's largest city plowed through another winter storm. The storm started Monday and as of 3 this afternoon had dropped 10.6 inches. At the National Weather Service forecast office in west Anchorage, a winter storm warning is in effect until 9pm cautioning that driving could be very difficult. The 39.7 inches of snow in Anchorage as of this afternoon was the city's most ever in January, eclipsing a record set in 2000. And January, which is often cold, is not typically a snowy month for Anchorage. The snowiest on average is December. But National Weather Service climate researcher Brian Brettschneider says that's changing as Alaska's climate warms.

[Brian Brettschneider]

It's a little easier now for the air to hold more moisture, and we've seen a couple really wet January's here in the last three years and a sizable uptick in January precipitation in the last two decades or so.

[Casey Grove]

The Anchorage school district sent most students home early today and canceled all after school programs. Parents were watching for updates about possible school closures tomorrow, which the Anchorage school district says it will announce on its social media pages. By 5:30am Wednesday at last check, the Anchorage Police department was reporting 99 vehicles in distress, sometimes referred to as ditch divers, and 36 collisions, including 12 with injuries. Kenny Friendly, spokesman for Anchorage's public works department, says plow crews are working around the clock and using trucks with names like Bladey Gaga, the Broominator and Slick Sleddin.

[Brian Brettschneider]

Sidewalks and trails and main roads are always the priority first, and when that's complete, that's when we go into residential.

[Casey Grove]

Brett Schneider, the climatologist, says what's even more remarkable than breaking the January snowfall record is the nearly 3 inches of liquid held in that snow, along with some rain that fell during the month.

[Brian Brettschneider]

The amount of precipitation we've already received in January is what we typically get from January 1st through about May 10th. And there's been almost 10 years where we didn't even have this much precipitation all the way through the end of June.

[Casey Grove]

With four days left in January, Anchorage's record snowfall for the month could theoretically continue to pile up. But Brett Schneider says the forecast shows that's unlikely to happen after this latest storm peters out. Governor Mike Dunleavy announced last week that the state would partner with the municipality of Anchorage to better address public safety concerns in the state's largest City Alaska Public Media's Wesley early has more.

[Wesley Early]

During his State of the State address, governor Mike Dunleavy said Anchorage has a high crime rate compared to the rest of the state. Despite having 38% of Alaska's population, it.

[Casey Grove]

Had 55% of the state's murders, 51% of sexual assaults, 67% of car thefts and more than 78% of robberies.

[Wesley Early]

The governor announced that the state would be partnering with the municipality of Anchorage to tackle crime through a series of initiatives. Dunleavy singled Anchorage out as he noted that crime rates across the state had dropped significantly during his tenure.

[Casey Grove]

If you take Anchorage out of the mix, our state's overall crime rate is well below the national average.

[Sean Case]

It's a lot more complicated and complex than that.

[Wesley Early]

Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case says the governor's take on Anchorage crime was narrow and selective.

[Sean Case]

We expect that Anchorage's crime rate is going to be higher than Homer's or a smaller jurisdiction that generally, if you look at crime stats across the country, are going to have lower, lower criminal activity.

[Wesley Early]

Still, Case says the state and city have been talking for months about how to better address crime in Anchorage, and he welcomes the help. The city typically prosecutes lower level crimes like misdemeanors, while the state tends to focus on felony cases. Chief Case says a lack of communication between the city and state sometimes results in cases slipping through the cracks.

[Sean Case]

So one of the first things that we talked to the state about is when some of those crimes disappear or don't get prosecuted. That doesn't mean there's not a lower level misdemeanor crime that the municipality could adopt.

[Wesley Early]

State Attorney General designee Steven Cox says the partnership is divided into three prongs, with the first aimed at addressing what are called quality of life crimes, including retail theft, public drug use and illegal camping.

[Brian Brettschneider]

On quality of life matters, you know, it's our view that that disorder, this public disorder, it breeds crime and law and order prevents it.

[Wesley Early]

Those crimes have been the focus of a recent push from city leaders. Anchorage police recently wrapped up a targeted focus on retail theft through the holiday season. Additionally, city leaders are set to vote on a series of code changes aimed at better addressing public nuisances like intoxication and indecent exposure. Cox says the state's goal is to help support the city's initiatives by not only providing additional prosecution help, but also bringing in a host of other departments aimed at addressing those crimes as they occur. He says the state also plans on rolling out a process for training municipal prosecutors to handle felony cases.

[Brian Brettschneider]

They'll have the designation and the ability to bring state felony retail theft cases directly so that not just us, it's not just the state prosecuting state felonies, but the city prosecutors will be able to do this with these cross designations as well.

[Wesley Early]

Cox says state prosecutors could also be cross designated to handle Anchorage misdemeanors related to things like illegal camping and public nuisances. The collaboration's other two prongs will be aimed at intercepting drugs heading into the state and reducing violent crime, including sexual assault on drug related issues. Cox says the state is in the early stages of an improved method of working with postal services and airports to better catch drugs when they're first brought into the state. When it comes to addressing violent crime case, the police chief says he's hopeful that the state can work to improve the prosecution of those cases.

[Sean Case]

One of the things that we think the state can help out is taking more of those cases, moving them forward, taking them to grand jury and moving that process further down the line. I think there are we have so many victims in the state, particularly when it comes to sexual assault. And as a state and as a city, that has to be one of our top priorities.

[Wesley Early]

In his State of the State address, Governor Dunleavy said he expects all three prongs of the state's partnership with Anchorage to be in place by spring. Cox is currently awaiting a confirmation vote from the Legislature before he can officially become the state's attorney general. Reporting in Anchorage, I'm Wesley Early.

[Casey Grove]

Still to come on Alaska News Nightly, one of Alaska's most prolific TV personalities, Jackie Purcell, celebrates. For 40 years, there were times when.

[Jackie Purcell]

People didn't believe in me, but I believed in myself. I thought, I can do this.

[Casey Grove]

You know, that's ahead. Stay with us. The city of Kotzebue is getting sued over sewer and water infrastructure problems in 2024 that led raw sewage to flood some homes. Four Kotzebue residents filed suit in state Superior Court last week. They alleged the city failed to provide safe, effective and sanitary water and sewer to its residents, which they say is a breach of contract. In February 2024, a water main froze and about 800 Kotzebue residents lost water in their homes. About two dozen residents also lost sewage service. The outages lasted a month and a half. The lawsuit alleges it was the city's fault. At the time, the city said aging infrastructure and multiple mechanical failures contributed. The four plaintiffs also alleged that while attempting to fix the problem, the city caused water and raw sewage to flood their homes. Attorney Myron Angstman represents the residents in the case.

[Brian Brettschneider]

They believe their situation requires some payment of money to make them whole, and that includes money for cleanup and repair of their premises, for the disruption of their service and for emotional distress that was caused by this very difficult situation.

[Casey Grove]

Angstman said the intrusion of water and raw sewage caused his clients significant emotional and property damage, lost injury, income and property value expenses and other damages. His clients are seeking up to $100,000 each for damages, the court costs and attorney fees and other relief after the freeze up. The state of Alaska authorized funds to cover service line repairs but not other damages within homes. Joe Evans, the attorney for the city of Kotzebue, did not respond to a request for comment for this story. A date has not been set for the next court hearing. The rate of Alaskans dying from drug overdoses declined by 5% in 2024 compared to the year before, according to a recent state report. That's a welcome reduction after the state saw its highest number of overdose deaths on Record in 2023, Alaska Public Media's Rachel Cassandra reports. Experts say it's a good start, but more work is needed.

[Rachel Cassandra]

The United States has seen significant declines in overdose death rates over the past two years, and now Alaska could be seeing the start of a similar reduction, according to experts. Teresa Welton is a manager for Alaska's Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention. She says the decline is good news for the state, even though the state's reduction is much smaller than the national one.

[Jackie Purcell]

I think we're on the right track.

[Rachel Cassandra]

And she says the decline is likely partly due to state efforts, the report notes. The state distributed 45,000 naloxone kits in 2024 with fentanyl test strips. The state has mobile crisis teams in Anchorage, Matsu, Fairbanks, Ketchikan and Juneau. And Alaska has expanded access to medication assisted treatment, recovery housing and therapeutic courts. But Welton says there's more work to do, and it will require a collaborative effort among the state, tribal organizations and local communities.

[Jackie Purcell]

Even with nationally, everybody is trying to look for that magic fix to start decreasing these deaths, and I think it's just a combination of supporting communities to address these issues at a community level and emphasizing prevention, she says.

[Rachel Cassandra]

It's expensive to build treatment facilities, so increasing access to buprenorphine and other medications for substance use disorders could help prevent overdose deaths, she says. Alaska struggles with having enough resources to provide treatment for substance use disorders, partly because geography means rural residents must travel for treatment, according to the report. Fentanyl is Alaska's deadliest drug. It contributed to more than 70% of overdose deaths in 2024. But Welton says it's crucial to note that many of the overdoses with fentanyl also included one or more other substances.

[Jackie Purcell]

There is an increase in methamphetamine overdoses and adulterations within the drug supply, so people who might be thinking they're just taking a opioid pill could also have many different other drugs in it and that's contributing to the overdose rate, she says.

[Rachel Cassandra]

The state has been distributing fentanyl test strips so people will know what's in their drugs. Dr. Seth Werkentine is an addiction medicine specialist in Juneau and says lab testing has been a huge help to his clients.

[Casey Grove]

We will have screening tests for substances and people are pretty surprised at the results and had no idea that they were taking those.

[Rachel Cassandra]

Werkentine says it's worth celebrating that 18 fewer Alaskans died in 2024 than the year before. He says that could be partly due to the state adding treatment centers and increasing access to medication assisted treatment. And he says different providers and emergency responders in the state are getting better at connecting people with their next step in treatment.

[Casey Grove]

Someone who's just in survival mode 247 has a hard time planning the next hour, let alone scheduling a visit next month or next week. Having these support systems around them can carry them through that very vulnerable time.

[Rachel Cassandra]

He also points to the state's drug courts for helping people get into recovery. They offer substance use treatment programs in instead of incarceration for eligible crimes, people.

[Casey Grove]

Who are convicted of substance use related crimes. Having the option of going through treatment does work. It has great evidence base behind it, he says.

[Rachel Cassandra]

Experts already know good harm reduction and treatment strategies for those with substance use disorders, he says. Now Alaska needs more support and funding to continue preventing overdose deaths. In Anchorage, I'm Rachel Cassandra.

[Casey Grove]

The state Board of Education unanimously approved a school psychology master's program at the University of Alaska Anchorage aimed at addressing the state's shortage of school psychologists. The approval took place during the board's special virtual meeting last Thursday. This comes after the board voted it down last year after some members brought up concerns about social justice mentioned in a sample syllabus. Several people testified at the meeting in support of approving the program, including Palmer resident Rebecca Emerson. Her son, Winston, is a second grader with down syndrome, and she says school psychologists are instrumental to making sure he gets the services they need.

[Jackie Purcell]

I ask you to look past the ideological debate and see the faces of.

[Rachel Cassandra]

The students like Winston who rely on these services.

[Jackie Purcell]

Please approve this program so that more.

[Rachel Cassandra]

Alaskan students can have the support they need to succeed in the classroom.

[Casey Grove]

Board member Kathryn McCollum originally brought up concerns about social justice in the program. After receiving clarification about how the program works, McCollum says she appreciates the efforts to create a homegrown program.

[Jackie Purcell]

I'm not thrilled that we have all.

[Rachel Cassandra]

These contractors from outside of our state, so I would much prefer to see people from Alaska serving Alaskans. And so I appreciate your efforts here.

[Casey Grove]

Board member Barbara Tindall, who previously opposed the program, voted in favor. This time around, she still had concerns about the focus on mental health.

[Jackie Purcell]

I'm going through the health and safety stuff. It's mental health, mental health, mental health. And I don't think we should just only be looking for mental health because there are people out there just looking for problems.

[Casey Grove]

People have A few ways to become licensed school psychologists in Alaska. One main way is to graduate from a program accredited by the national association of School Psychologists, or nasp. Another is to go through a program approved by the state's education board. UAA's program is on its way to getting NASP accreditation. The earliest it could achieve that is 2029, one year after the program's first cohort graduates. Now, with the state board's approval, those students could become licensed and hired to work shortly after graduating. One of Alaska's most prolific TV personalities is celebrating four decades on the statewide airwaves. But don't worry, Alaska's news source, meteorologist Jackie Purcell, is not retiring. Purcell and The Anchorage based TV station recently marked the occasion of her 40 years there with a half hour special calling it 40 years and counting. It's not just a celebration of Purcell's career, but also her success as a homegrown talent who graduated from Anchorage's Bartlett High School. And Purcell says she got her start not in TV but in radio.

[Jackie Purcell]

I moved to Oklahoma because I had some friends down there and I did get my first job. It took me about six months of calling this radio station once a month because my mom, she had great advice. She goes, you know, you have to be persistent, but don't be a pest. So I figured, I think once a month is good. A job opening came up and they're like, why don't we call that girl that calls us every month?

[Casey Grove]

That's what happens. Yeah, somebody quits or something.

[Rachel Cassandra]

Yeah.

[Jackie Purcell]

So I waited.

[Casey Grove]

Persistent, but not a pest. I like that.

[Jackie Purcell]

Yeah, well, that'll get you far in life. To tell you the truth, you still.

[Casey Grove]

Have a great voice for radio, but you don't have that thing that we say in radio, like, you have a face for radio. You have a voice and a face for radio and TV.

[Jackie Purcell]

Oh, well, thank you, Casey.

[Casey Grove]

My awkward segue to TV. 40 years of TV. Now, over that time, what kind of things have changed just in broadcast media in general, I guess.

[Jackie Purcell]

When I started, it was in the fourth Avenue theater building downtown in the basement, and the equipment was all big and heavy. When I started doing the weather, boy, I tell you what, the machine that used to spit out one satellite picture was like the size of a small Volkswagen. And I used to have to ask them make a picture, but if I wanted an updated picture for 10, I had to ask them again. So they'd push the button, the machine would warm up for like, 20 minutes, and it would spit out a picture. And to think that now you just go up and you pull it up. On the Internet, we have weather computers. We can pull up all sorts of parameters. You know, what's the water vapor imagery, what's the visible satellite imagery, what is the temperature profile, you know, all sorts of things. It's just been amazing. It's like going to a Polaroid, I was told at one point, and that kind of data to a digital photograph that had so many more layers, you know? Yeah.

[Casey Grove]

It's funny thinking about jobs where you just. You don't know where it's going to lead. And here you are. Right.

[Jackie Purcell]

I know. Like, that's the philosophy. You just get up every day, you do your best, you put one foot in front of the other. And you know what? I was fired my first day on the job here in Anchorage, Alaska, at a different radio station. And it really was a letdown. I was devastated, but it really taught me a valuable lesson. And again, my mom is like, well, you just gotta get up and put one foot in front of the other, honey, and start all over again. And I always tell school kids that failure, don't look at it as a failure. It's a stepping stone. You use that stepping stone to success. You know, each failure teaches you something else, and sometimes it's not even your fault. You just weren't the right person at that time.

[Casey Grove]

Yeah, but like you said, keep putting one foot on the other.

[Jackie Purcell]

And truthfully, there were times when people didn't believe in me, but I believed in myself. I thought, I can do this.

[Casey Grove]

You know, speaking of, you know, kind of putting one foot in front of the other and just coming in every Day and doing your job. You know, you've been a weather forecaster for a long time, and, you know, I wonder how. How has Alaska's weather changed? You know, just doing it day in, day out. What have you seen? And, you know, that's changed compared to back in the day.

[Jackie Purcell]

It's funny to say it's milder and more severe at the same time, but that's kind of the truth, because I would say when I started, you were in winter mode. Sometimes you had some bad storms, but generally it stayed cold over the sea ice. They had a protective layer of sea ice over northwest Alaska that would almost protect them from those waves or winter storm actions, which they do not have anymore. So tundra thawing, also the tree line going farther north into the Brooks Range. Past the Brooks Range at times, glaciers melting, severe storms that, like I said, like, ha long. If it had been a different time, maybe decades prior, they might have had enough ice that would have shielded all those coastal communities.

[Casey Grove]

Yeah, I feel like you're one of the most recognizable people in Alaska. I mean, like, I've been driving by and seen you doing live shots and shouted, hey, Jackie. And you waved like you knew who it was. You know, what's that like, though? I mean, is it tough to just go out and, like, get groceries and people see you, like, on a daily basis, or what's that like?

[Jackie Purcell]

I wouldn't say tough, but it is, yes, recognizable. And I make my husband do a lot of the grocery shopping. We laugh about it because when I go to the grocery store, it takes a little bit longer because people are like, hey. And then I stop and chat for a while, and he's able to just get in and out, you know? But I think that I like it, to tell you the truth, because I had a consultant say to me one time, which, you know, we didn't deal with a lot of consultants, but he said something that was very flattering, I felt. He said, jackie, you know, you're pretty much the same on TV as you are off tv. And I was like, wow, are some people not the same? He goes, oh, they're so nice on tv, but not nice in person. And I go, wow, how exhausting to be two different people, you know? But that's what I love the most, is being able to talk to people. It's like they invite you into their living room by turning on that tv. And really, this past couple of weeks, I've gotten so many nice comments. I prepared for some bad ones, but I haven't seen them yet. Some nice comments. You know, you've been in our family for decades. We always say, what's Jackie say? You know, that to me is so precious.

[Casey Grove]

That was meteorologist Jackie Purcell, who recently marked 40 years with Alaska's news source. You can find a half hour special about her career at Alaska's news source.com or on YouTube. And that is 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 raised reports tonight from Liz Ruskin in Washington, D.C. wesley early and Rachel Cassandra in Anchorage, Desiree Hagan in Kotzebue, and Jamie Deep in Juneau. If you want to send us a news tip, question or comment, email [e-mail] Our audio engineer is Crystal Hyde. Kirsten Dobrath is our producer. And I'm Casey Grove. Good night. This is statewide news on Alaska Public Media.