Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Host: Casey Grove, Alaska Public Media
Air Date: September 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode covers the expiration of health insurance subsidies in Alaska, the fight for federal science funding, a high-profile court case in Juneau, severe storm damage in Elfin Cove, ongoing Anchorage housing reform, Arctic research initiatives, and a heartfelt memorial for trailblazing Iditarod musher Mary Shields. The reporting is rich with local voices and direct agency and resident perspectives, offering listeners a window into Alaska’s unique challenges and community spirit.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Health Insurance Subsidies Facing Expiration

[00:19 - 04:55]
Reporter: Liz Ruskin

• Issue: Thousands of Alaskans risk losing health insurance subsidies as enhanced premium tax credits enacted during COVID are set to expire at year’s end.
• Financial Impact:
  • Without subsidies, insurance costs could jump astronomically.
  • Example: A couple in their 60s, earning $53,000 each, could see premiums increase from 9% to nearly 50% of their income.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “Who out there can find an additional half of their income to go towards insurance?” — Sen. Lisa Murkowski, [01:27]
• Affected Groups:
  • Small business owners, fishermen, nonprofit employees, those without employer insurance—about 25,000 Alaskans.
• Broader Effects:
  • Loss of coverage could lead to higher uncompensated care costs and hospital strain.
  • Jared Kosin, AK Hospital & Healthcare Association —
    • “It puts more pressure on hospitals because that care will be completely unpaid for.” [03:57]
• Political Tension:
  • Subsidies are a central issue in a federal budget standoff.
  • Alaska’s legislature passed a resolution urging action, but only Murkowski’s spokesperson responded; Congressman Begich and Sen. Sullivan were unavailable or did not provide comment.
• Outlook:
  • If the enhanced credits expire, subsidized consumers could see costs more than double.

2. Federal Science Funding in Alaska at Risk

[04:55 - 07:15]

• Context:
  • 14 AK lawmakers (Democrats & Independents) urge the state's congressional delegation to oppose major scientific research budget cuts proposed by President Trump.
• Agencies at Stake:
  • NASA, NSF, NOAA.
• Local Impact:
  • UAF (Univ. of Alaska Fairbanks) researchers fear undermined Arctic health and technology research.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “These research dollars don’t just impact the studies that are currently ongoing, but they also impact all of the real life applications of research...” — Rep. Ashley Carrick, [05:36]
• Status:
  • Congressional appropriations not finalized; lawmakers are also wrangling over avoiding a government shutdown.

3. Juno Artist Acquitted in Terroristic Threatening Trial

[07:15 - 09:39]
Reporter: Yvonne Crumry

• Case Background:
  • Mitchell Whatley, a Juno artist, was acquitted of four felony counts after distributing notes with a rifle image and the words, “feeling cute might shoot some children,” on Transgender Day of Visibility, 2023.
• Key Details:
  • Attorney argued Whatley didn't intend a true threat; Whatley claimed notes were a meme reflecting his then belief that transgender people were dangerous.
  • Notable Quote:
    • “In my world as a K12 educator... in the world we live in, a sick joke is a threat.” — Bridget Weiss, former Juneau School Superintendent, [07:54]
• Impact:
  • Local businesses pulled his work, citing anti-trans rhetoric; Whatley says he no longer holds those views.
• Outcome:
  • Jury found him not guilty.

4. Elfin Cove Landslides and Community Recovery

[10:06 - 12:02]

• Event:
  • Multiple landslides and windstorms devastated Elfin Cove, with power outages, homes, businesses, boardwalks, and fishing infrastructure damaged.
• On the Ground:
  • Tyler Maggart, resident:
    • “It almost looks like a tornado came through because the wind was just ripping the trees down and across things.” [10:28]
  • Emergency teams are assessing infrastructure stability and landslide risks with drones.
• Recovery:
  • Central power restored; southeast side remains without utilities.

5. Moose Rutting Season & Entanglements

[12:02 - 13:44]

• Issue:
  • Increased risk of moose entangling antlers in outdoor items (e.g., Christmas lights, nets, cords) during mating season in Anchorage.
• Warning from Biologists:
  • Animals exhaust themselves struggling, risking injury or death, and may cause car collisions if their vision is impaired.
  • Corey Stantorf, Fish & Game:
    • “They fight and fight and fight until they exhaust themselves and die...” [13:25]
• Advice:
  • Public urged not to intervene but to call 311 or Fish & Game if an entangled moose is spotted.

6. Anchorage Housing Reform – TISDO Plan

[13:44 - 18:48]
Reporter: Hannah Flor

• Context:
  • Mayor’s office proposes the Transit Supportive Development Overlay (TISDO) to address Anchorage's housing shortage by easing zoning restrictions.
• Plan Details:
  • Streamlines the 1,000-page zoning code, increases housing type flexibility, removes lot size minimums, boosts allowed building size on lots (from 30–40% up to 80%), and permits taller buildings (up to 3 stories).
  • Targets core city areas north of Tudor Road.
• Public Response:
  • Ongoing engagement shaping revisions.
  • John Isaacs, Turnagain Community Council:
    • “I think they could do more to let people know that this is out there.” [17:18]
  • Some advocates feel recent revisions are “watered down,” fearing necessary change is being diluted.
  • Jason Norris, housing advocate:
    • “The only rooms you’re walking into are those opposed. You’re not going out to ... everyday working people who could benefit from this.” [18:01]
    • “We’re doing this for the next generation because ... our future’s leaving, and that’s really what we’re trying to address.” [18:23]
• Next Steps:
  • Hearing before Planning & Zoning Commission October 6; Assembly vote expected in November.

7. Arctic Airborne Ecosystem Research

[18:48 - 21:41]
Reporter: Wally Rana

• Project:
  • University of Washington’s “Arctic Air” team, in Alaska for its fourth summer, studies the Bering and Chukchi seas by deploying high-tech buoys and using hyperspectral aircraft cameras.
• Key Activities:
  • Monitoring harmful algal blooms, sea ice, phytoplankton; gathering ocean data via sensors.
  • Nusheen Nawaz, UW scientist:
    • “Buoys are like our fingertips on the ocean.” [19:59]
    • “We send out buoys in our stead to collect data about the ocean and how it's changing.” [20:12]
  • Hyperspectral imaging distinguishes phytoplankton species, some of which can threaten human health.
• Significance:
  • Open science platform enabling climate change research and technology tests across multiple stops (Prudhoe Bay, Nome, Kotzebue).

8. Remembering Iditarod Legend Mary Shields

[21:41 - 25:38]
Reporter: Shelby Herbert

• Event:
  • Over 100 Alaskans gathered to celebrate Mary Shields, the first woman to finish the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (1974), who passed away at 80.
• Highlights:
  • Shields was not only a racing pioneer but also an author, community mentor, gardener, and baker.
  • Libby Riddles (first woman Iditarod winner), via letter:
    • “Happy trails, Mary, and thanks for being who you were.” [22:57]
    • “You’ve come a long way, baby. They said that back then, and it’s even more true today.” [23:00]
  • Ali Zirkle, first woman to win Yukon Quest:
    • “She was living her best life unto herself. And I don’t think she ever knew how much she inspired me 30 years ago. To this day, I try to live my best life. So thank you, Mary, for breaking trail.” [24:48–25:04]
• Legacy:
  • Mary’s mushing gear will be featured in a future Alaska State Museum exhibit.
  • Friends recall her warmth, humor (popcorn insulation!), and the enduring sense of possibility she gave future generations.

Notable Quotes – Attributed and Timestamped

• On Health Insurance:
  • “Who out there can find an additional half of their income to go towards insurance?”
    —Sen. Lisa Murkowski, [01:27]
• On the Impact of Losing Insurance:
  • “It puts more pressure on hospitals because that care will be completely unpaid for.”
    —Jared Kosin, [03:57]
• On Alaska Research Funding:
  • “These research dollars don’t just impact the studies that are currently ongoing, but they also impact all of the real life applications of research...”
    —Rep. Ashley Carrick, [05:36]
• On the Juneau trial:
  • “In the world we live in, a sick joke is a threat.”
    —Bridget Weiss, [07:54]
• On Elfin Cove Damage:
  • “It almost looks like a tornado came through because the wind was just ripping the trees down...”
    —Tyler Maggart, [10:28]
• On Moose Entanglements:
  • “They fight and fight and fight until they exhaust themselves and die...”
    —Corey Stantorf, [13:25]
• On Anchorage’s Housing Challenge:
  • “We do know that the current rules are making it really hard to build very small, like three story, six apartment buildings, making it really hard to build starter homes.”
    —Graham Downey, mayor’s office, [16:05]
• On Seeking Broader Housing Input:
  • “The only rooms you’re walking into are those opposed. You’re not going out to ... everyday working people who could benefit from this.”
    —Jason Norris, [18:01]
• On Ecosystem Monitoring:
  • “Buoys are like our fingertips on the ocean.”
    —Nusheen Nawaz, [19:59]
• On Mary Shields’ Legacy:
  • “Happy trails, Mary, and thanks for being who you were.”
    —Libby Riddles, [22:57]
  • “She was living her best life unto herself. And I don’t think she ever knew how much she inspired me 30 years ago.”
    —Ali Zirkle, [24:48–25:04]

Segment Timestamps

• 00:19 – 04:55: Health Insurance Subsidies Crisis
• 04:55 – 07:15: Federal Science Funding at Risk
• 07:15 – 09:39: Juneau Terroristic Threatening Acquittal
• 10:06 – 12:02: Elfin Cove Landslide Recovery
• 12:02 – 13:44: Moose Entanglement and Public Safety
• 13:44 – 18:48: Anchorage Housing Reform (TISDO)
• 18:48 – 21:41: Arctic Airborne Research Initiatives
• 21:41 – 25:38: Mary Shields Memorial and Legacy

Tone & Style

The reporting is direct, community-focused, pragmatic, and often poignant, reflecting both Alaska’s practical challenges and its resilient, neighborly character.

For Further Information

• Full episodes, story archives, and contact details available at alaskapublic.org