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]

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.

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).

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).

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).

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).

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).

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)

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)

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)

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

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.