Alaska News Nightly: Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Host: Casey Grove | Podcast: Alaska News Nightly (Alaska Public Media)

Episode Overview

This episode of Alaska News Nightly covers a range of pressing statewide topics, from education test score debates and landmark criminal justice developments, to ongoing local policy dilemmas and unique stories of cultural connection. You’ll hear key voices from policymakers, education officials, community leaders, and everyday Alaskans, along with a memorable deep-dive into Ketchikan’s sea shanty tradition.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Alaska Student Test Scores & Education Policy (00:20 – 04:48)

Key Points:

• Minor Gains in Test Scores: Recent data from the Department of Education shows Alaska's test scores remain mostly flat, with only a third of students meeting grade-level standards in core subjects.
• Shifting Policy Focus: Commissioner Dina Bishop highlights the need for dialogue to shift from funding debates to concrete student learning.
• Persistent Challenges: Chronic absenteeism remains a major concern, with over 40% of students missing at least 10% of school last year.

Notable Quotes:

• "If we took all grade levels, generally, we were pretty flat."
  — Dina Bishop, Commissioner of Education [00:20]
• "Much of our discussions have been on everything other than student learning. And for me, when you do put priority on student learning … student learning improves."
  — Dina Bishop [02:00]
• "We need to now focus on student outcomes, as though that wasn't the whole entire focus of that dialogue and discussion."
  — Sen. Luki Tobin, Senate Education Chair [02:39]

Memorable Moment:

Sen. Tobin shares a local principal’s excitement over new reading curricula funded by boosted school budgets, and underlines the ongoing work needed, especially around attendance.

2. Release of Alaska’s Youngest Female Convicted Murderer (04:48 – 06:55)

Key Points:

• Release After 40 Years: Wynonna Fletcher, convicted at age 14 for a triple murder, is freed via resentencing after shifts in attitudes toward juvenile life sentences.
• Arguments at Resentencing: Her attorney cited past abuse and exemplary prison behavior; the prosecution emphasized severity of the crimes.

Notable Quote:

• "I wanted to make sure that my actions spoke for how sorry I was for what I did."
  — Wynonna Fletcher [04:44]

Memorable Moment:

Judge Jack McKenna grants Fletcher a sentence reduction, reflecting both her rehabilitation and the nation’s evolving perspective on juvenile justice.

3. Death of Italian Scientist on Mendenhall Glacier (06:55 – 10:02)

Key Points:

• Accident Details: Dr. Riccardo Pozabone, noted planetary geologist, died after falling into a moulin while researching glacier ice patterns.
• Rescue Efforts: Colleagues had no communications devices; rescue deemed too dangerous to attempt.
• Tributes: Pozabone remembered as a brilliant and generous researcher.

Notable Quotes:

• "Their friend was the only one that had an inreach and phone device. So they had no phones on them."
  — Jonathan Tuttle, Northstar Glacier Safety Director [07:42]
• "It's pretty easy to get complacent with the hazards around you. And this was a good wake up call… of just how quickly things can escalate."
  — Tuttle [08:44]
• "Riccardo was a brilliant researcher with a limitless passion for geology … always willing to share his expertise with enthusiasm and infectious happiness."
  — Francesco Suaro, colleague (quoted by Alex Solomon) [09:17]

4. Anchorage Park Shootings & Homelessness (10:02 – 11:37)

Key Points:

• Double Shooting: Two people killed near Mountain View park, site of previously contested homeless encampments.
• Ongoing Investigation: Victims not yet named, no arrests; police ask for information from public.
• Community Impact: Past shootings and recent camp clearings highlighted.

5. Search for University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor (11:37 – 13:41)

Key Points:

• Search begins for a new UAF chancellor.
• Interim chancellor Mike Srega, a UAF alumnus, will not seek the permanent role.
• Timeline for selection: review in October, announcement expected in March.

6. Matanuska-Susitna Borough Ordered to Repay Federal Ferry Grants (13:41 – 18:16)

Key Points:

• Failed Ferry Saga: Mat-Su Borough ordered to repay $5.8 million after the infrastructure for the $80M MV Susitna ferry never got used as planned.
• Root Causes: Lack of docking facilities in Anchorage, political and financial hurdles, accumulating maintenance costs.
• Current Status: Ferry is now used by the Philippine Coast Guard after being sold for a fraction of its original cost.

Notable Quotes:

• "Things that are free are rarely actually free. ... the ferry itself was a gift. But as soon as it came into the possession ... it started to accumulate costs."
  — Amy Bouchatz, Mat Su Sentinel [13:41]
• "I cannot believe we're still talking about this. And I cannot believe that this is still costing the borough money."
  — Amy Bouchatz recounting community feedback [17:53]

7. Southeast Alaska Red King Crab Fishery Reopens (18:16 – 20:07)

Key Points:

• First Commercial Opener Since 2017: Crab stocks finally meet regulatory minimum, allowing fishery to reopen.
• Economic Impact: Crab valued at over $100 each; anticipated total harvest over 200,000 pounds.
• Adaptive Management: Some bays remain closed, specific limits and reporting protocols in place.

Notable Quote:

• "Even for some of our survey areas, we set more conservative harvest rates ... and we still reach that £200,000."
  — Adam Messmer, State Shellfish Biologist [19:07]

8. Ketchikan’s Sea Shanty Tradition – Community & Song (20:58 – 25:45)

Key Points:

• Greg Thomas’ Legacy: Leading monthly sea shanty nights in Ketchikan for 30 years.
• Cultural History: Songs highlight both work rhythms and social issues like class struggle and labor rights.
• Community’s Role: Emphasis on singing together, fostering camaraderie and intergenerational connection.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• "You know how sometimes you get a song stuck in your head? I've had a song stuck in my head for 55 years."
  — Greg Thomas [21:52]
• "Plimsoll fought the corporate and political machine. ... I always introduce that song to let people know that a man did this. Thousands of people were dying and people didn’t care. The rich people of the world didn’t care."
  — Greg Thomas [23:31, 24:01]
• "It’s important that everybody sings, and I think that’s the fun part of it. People say I can’t sing, but they do."
  — Greg Thomas [24:54]
• "Maybe they say something about us, about humanity's pursuit of a port in the storm."
  — Jack Darrell, Reporter [25:06]

Important Timestamps

• Education test scores & policy debate: [00:20 – 04:48]
• Wynonna Fletcher resentencing & release: [04:48 – 06:55]
• Mendenhall Glacier accident & tribute: [06:55 – 10:02]
• Anchorage double shooting: [10:02 – 11:37]
• UA Fairbanks chancellor search: [11:37 – 13:41]
• Mat-Su ferry repayment saga: [13:41 – 18:16]
• Red king crab fishery opens: [18:16 – 20:07]
• Sea shanty community story: [20:58 – 25:45]

Tone & Style

The reporting remains calm, factual, yet distinctly Alaskan – balancing serious policy, poignant human stories, and quirky cultural features.

For More

Stories from this episode are available at alaskapublic.org
News tips: news@alaskapublic.org