Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Podcast: Alaska News Nightly – Alaska Public Media
Host: Casey Grove
Date: October 22, 2025

Overview

This episode centers on the aftermath of Typhoon Ha Long, which ravaged several western Alaska communities—focusing on Kipnuk's severe damage, ongoing recovery efforts, and the uncertain future for evacuees. The episode also covers Anchorage's support for displaced residents, food insecurity in Skagway, urban bear encounters in Juneau, changes to Alaska Airlines' baggage policy, and a cultural highlight from the Koyana Festival. The coverage blends on-the-ground reporting, community voices, and policy updates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Typhoon Ha Long's Devastation in Kipnuk

• Impact and Damage

  • Kipnuk suffered catastrophic damage; 90% of structures destroyed (00:47). Most residents were evacuated, with only a handful staying behind to begin recovery as winter looms.
    • "It happened so fast. Everything changed like in a day." – James Paul (00:19, 02:56)
    • Storm surge exceeded 6.5 feet above normal high tide, flooding and displacing homes (01:57).
    • The local school, elevated on pilings, became the temporary hub for recovery (03:06).

• Community Resilience

  • Remaining residents, like Tony Paul and James Paul, are repairing what’s left, focusing on powering the school and water treatment plant with incoming heavy equipment.
    • "We're getting like mini excavators and skid steers and some more ATVs for the crew here so we can power up the school and water treatment plant. That's our main objective right now. That's our priority." – James Paul (03:38)
  • Many, including Anna Kashatok, express heartbreak and a sense that their home “isn’t Kipnuk anymore.” (02:28)
    • "It was so heartbreaking. Devastating. Kipnuk's not Kipnuk anymore." – Anna Kashatok (02:28)
  • A few, like Benjamin Cooktoun, vow to stay through the winter.
    • "We're going to stay here all winter. I'm not going to leave Kipnuk. These boys ain't gonna leave Kipnuk so we can survive. We got hope." – Benjamin Cooktoun (05:02)
  • Large-scale return remains unlikely until basic needs can be met; governor estimates it may be 18 months before many evacuees return (05:15).

2. Government Response and Disaster Assistance

• State and Federal Efforts
  • Disaster declared at the state level, but a federal disaster declaration (and associated funding) awaited President Trump’s signature (05:54).
  • Federal “individual assistance” is rare in Alaska; if approved, can provide up to $84,000 per household (06:32).
  • State individual assistance already available: up to $21,000 for home repairs, another $21,000 for other needs (07:11).
    • "Claimants may be eligible for $21,000 in home repairs, another $21,000 for other items." – Jeremy Zedeck (07:11)
    • If federal aid is unlocked, these caps double (07:28).
    • "It's a greater level of assistance...there is more money available to people that have lost their homes or lost their possessions." – Jeremy Zedeck (07:41)
  • Registration is ongoing, both online and in-person, to assess community needs and prepare for possible federal aid (07:56).

3. Anchorage’s Shelter, Housing, and Schooling for Evacuees

• Current Situation and Planning

  • About 655 evacuees currently in Anchorage shelters; city plans for up to 1,500 if more arrive (08:48).
    • "We've scaled that back in our expectations and our planning somewhat to plan for a max of 1500." – Becky Wint Pearson (09:06)
  • Efforts to move evacuees into private housing (hotel rooms, Airbnbs) ongoing (09:23).
  • State bears financial responsibility for disaster response, with potential for federal support pending a disaster declaration (09:53).

• Community and Education Support

  • Anchorage School District enrolled 130 displaced students, mostly at three schools. Superintendent emphasizes individualized support.
    • "Behind every enrollment number is a story, it's a face, and it's my role as superintendent to help these students get the supports that deserve and need." – Jarrett Bryant (10:53)
  • Financial and traditional food donations are being collected citywide.

• Importance of Rural Alaska

  • State Rep. Nellie Jimmy underscores the vital importance of rural villages.
    • "Alaska is made up of rural villages and without rural there's no Alaska." – Nellie Jimmy (10:22)

4. Bear Encounters in Juneau

• Bears in Hyperphagia
  • As bears prepare for hibernation, sightings in Juneau increase; they are drawn to trash and unsecured food sources (11:48).
  • Wildlife officials stress the importance of secure trash management and discourage illegal feeding of bears (13:41).
    • "They can delay hibernation if there's food out." – Carl Koch (13:37)
  • Last year, two bears were euthanized for aggressive behavior linked to trash (13:41).
  • Residents encouraged to secure all food sources and follow city ordinances (13:41).

5. Skagway’s Food Security Challenges

• High Prices and Spoilage

  • Skagway residents face high costs, poor selection, and spoiled produce at the only local grocery store (14:26–15:23).
    • "I'm going to pay $9.29 for a bag of peppers that I would have to throw away over half of them?" – Katie Auer (15:23)
  • Some residents coordinate gig-based grocery deliveries from Juneau—these have doubled since 2019 (16:10–17:04).
    • "You can get two dozen free range organic eggs for $8 from Costco, and they are like 10.50 including shipping..." – Katie Auer (16:49)
  • Store managers cite logistical difficulties due to Skagway’s dramatic seasonal population fluctuations (17:57–18:28).
    • "I don't have enough space to maintain all the produce I could sell...if I do, a larger portion of that produce is going to go bad..." – Lee McKinney (18:28)

• Alternatives and Community Solutions

  • Residents increasingly seek alternatives, such as local farming and importing food independently (19:22).
    • "I would say I find mostly other ways to get the bulk of what I need." – Brooke Jaskey Zuber (19:22)

6. Changes to Alaska Airlines Baggage Policy

• Policy Updates
  • Alaska Airlines ends its three free bags policy for in-state flyers with exceptions for Club 49 members and Alaska residents (19:47).
  • Non-residents or travelers without elite status now face significant baggage fees, sparking concern for those frequenting rural communities (19:47).

7. AFN Koyana Festival: Cultural Resilience and Celebration

• Overview and Community

  • The Koyana Festival ("thank you" in Yupik) highlighted with performances and an acknowledgement of those displaced by recent storms (21:17).
    • "The first phone call I made was, hey, how do we get TV screens there so that they can watch?" – Kelsey Jugan Wallace (21:51)

• Dancers and Drummers

  • Groups from Utqiagvik, Wainwright, and southeast Alaska showcased traditional and contemporary songs—many passed down through generations (21:58–23:10).
    • Youngest participant, Julius Kilupczyk (age 7), loves "stomping your feet" (22:33).
    • "Majority of our songs and dances are from time immemorial." – Marietta Amarok (23:10)
  • Some songs commemorate landmark events, such as performances at the L.A. Olympics (23:10).
  • Memorial to composers and local elders underscores the festival’s intergenerational continuity (24:09–24:30).

• Voices from Yishka U Group (Juneau)

  • Emphasis on cultural mixing and sharing across Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian, and Lutech traditions (25:00).
    • "We do a lot of different songs like we'll do Tlingit, Haida. We do a lot of Tsimshian songs. We do an Alley Oop song." – Nancy Barnes (25:00)
  • Emotional connection to elders and heritage:
    • "Brings me great peace knowing that I'm able to do a lot of stuff that she wasn't able to do." – Amelia Abeda (25:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "It happened so fast. Everything changed like in a day." – James Paul (00:19, 02:56)
• "It was so heartbreaking. Devastating. Kipnuk's not Kipnuk anymore." – Anna Kashatok (02:28)
• "We're going to stay here all winter. I'm not going to leave Kipnuk...We got hope." – Benjamin Cooktoun (05:02)
• "Alaska is made up of rural villages, and without rural there's no Alaska." – Nellie Jimmy (10:22)
• "You can get two dozen free range organic eggs for $8 from Costco, and they are like 10.50 including shipping..." – Katie Auer (16:49)
• "Majority of our songs and dances are from time immemorial." – Marietta Amarok (23:10)
• "Brings me great peace knowing that I'm able to do a lot of stuff that she wasn't able to do." – Amelia Abeda (25:38)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:24 – Kipnuk residents begin repairs after Typhoon Ha Long
• 01:41 – Tony Paul’s journey to the hardware store by boat
• 02:28 – Anna Kashatok recalls storm’s immediate aftermath
• 03:06 – School as recovery hub; meals served, state support arrives
• 05:02 – Benjamin Cooktoun vows to stay through winter
• 05:54 – Disaster declaration status and aid programs explained
• 08:48 – Anchorage’s response: evacuee numbers, housing, school enrollment
• 11:48 – Black bear encounters and bear behavior in Juneau
• 14:26 – Skagway’s grocery problems and reliance on shipped food
• 19:47 – Alaska Airlines luggage policy changes
• 21:17 – AFN Koyana Festival: cultural performances and community healing

Flow and Tone

The reporting mixes urgency, heartbreak, and resilience. Firsthand accounts from Kipnuk and Skagway capture the anxiety, hope, and resourcefulness of Alaskans. Meanwhile, cultural coverage and community engagement underscore Alaska’s strong traditions and social fabric. Direct quotes keep the language authentic and grounded in community voices, offering both detail and a sense of place.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the episode’s news, voices, and context, delivering essential insights into the challenges and strengths of Alaskan communities post-disaster and in daily life.