Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Podcast: Alaska News Nightly – Alaska Public Media
Host: Casey Grove
Date: January 14, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode brings a statewide roundup of news stories impacting Alaskans, from the halls of the U.S. Senate to local communities facing unique challenges. Major topics include U.S.-Greenland relations and Alaska's senators taking on White House foreign policy, a stark look at Anchorage’s “outdoor deaths” crisis, responding to avalanches and emergencies, healthcare access in rural areas, and uplifting stories of resilience—both among students new to Alaska and mushers racing across the terrain.

Key Segments and Insights

1. U.S. Senate’s Stance on Greenland and Executive Power

Reporter: Liz Ruskin (Washington Correspondent)
[01:29–04:54]

• Main Points:
  • Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) met with foreign ministers of Denmark and Greenland, aiming to affirm Congressional support for Greenland’s sovereignty in stark contrast to the White House’s aggressive rhetoric about “taking” Greenland for strategic purposes.
  • Murkowski and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced a bipartisan bill to prohibit U.S. funds being used to “blockade, occupy, annex, or otherwise assert control” over Greenland or any NATO ally.
  • Murkowski notes her surprise at having to introduce legislation addressing such a scenario:
    • “This is a message that I think is very clear and very strong and quite honestly one that I never thought I would have to author and introduce into the United States Congress.” (Murkowski, [02:49])
  • On Congressional oversight, Senators express concern that Congress is not fully asserting its constitutional power:
    • “No.” (Casey Grove, [03:58])
    • “Some days, no, definitely not.” (Angus King, [03:58])
    • “I’d say it’s the seventh inning, we’re behind four to three, but the game isn’t over.” (Angus King, [04:07])
  • Senate voted to block a resolution restricting the President’s use of military force in Venezuela, with Murkowski supporting it and Dan Sullivan opposing.

2. Anchorage’s Outdoor Deaths: Persistent Crisis and Personal Stories

Interview: Michelle Theriault Boots (Anchorage Daily News Reporter)
[04:54–10:45]

• Main Points:
  • Anchorage recorded 45 “outdoor deaths” (people found dead outside with no fixed address) in 2025, only a slight decrease from all-time highs in prior years.
  • Causes include instability in shelter availability and increased prevalence of fentanyl.
    • “Fentanyl is so omnipresent, so cheap and so deadly and potent that she saw that as potentially a contributing factor to keeping this number high.” ([07:49])
  • Contrary to assumptions, more deaths occur in summer and shoulder seasons than mid-winter, as people are less likely to be in shelters.
  • Boots emphasizes the humanity behind the statistics:
    • “I want people to be remembered for more than the way they died.” (Michelle Theriault Boots, [08:47])
  • Personalizes the crisis through the story of Troy Jacko, a young man remembered by his sister for his caring nature and artistic pursuits, showing the deep personal losses experienced by families.

3. Community Emergency: Avalanche Danger in Juneau

Reporting: Yvonne Cramry with interview from Jennifer Skinner (St. Vincent DePaul, Juneau)
[15:05–18:15]

• Main Points:
  • Avalanche threats forced Juneau’s emergency warming shelter for unhoused residents to relocate three times in two days.
  • Staff quickly moved operations and supplies, facing uncertainty and community concerns:
    • “It was intense to realize that we were going to have to relocate.” (Jennifer Skinner, [15:36])
    • “So we contacted our city officials again and said, hey, is this safe? And he said, you know what? Get out. Let’s err on the side of caution.” ([16:21])
  • The community’s response was largely supportive, with city staff and local businesses helping:
    • “I can’t express my gratitude to community members and community businesses that are so willing to step in and step up when we have a hard time and help us problem solve and just be like, we got you.” (Jennifer Skinner, [17:52])
  • After a brief stay in a local school, shelter operations returned to their original site.

4. Rural Health Access: Colonoscopies Return to Petersburg

Reporting: Taylor Heckert with interview from Jennifer Briner (Petersburg Medical Center)
[18:15–20:56]

• Main Points:
  • Residents in Petersburg can once again access regular colonoscopy clinics locally, reducing barriers for preventative cancer care.
    • “It’s so nice for people to be able to do those things at their own home, you know, and also a lot of people just aren’t going to go do it out of town.” (Jennifer Briner, [19:04])
  • The return of clinics is a relief after years without a consistent specialist, with a new quarterly program now planned.

5. Search and Rescue: Stranded Snowmachiners near Summit Lake

Reporting: Tim Ellis
[13:16–15:05]

• Main Points:
  • Two snowmachiners were rescued after being stranded in harsh weather.
  • Local emergency teams and DOT road crews coordinated to clear the highway and retrieve the individuals, who were cold but unharmed.

6. Crime and Law Enforcement: Tuksuk Bay Officer Kidnapping

[11:42–13:16]

• Main Points:
  • Adrian Kylukiak remains at large following alleged kidnapping and assault of a tribal police officer in Tuksuk Bay.
  • Incident highlights ongoing challenges with rural law enforcement and safety.

7. Sports: Mushers and Parvovirus Incident at Copper Basin 300

[20:56–22:32]

• Main Points:
  • Jesse Holmes wins the Copper Basin 300 sled dog race.
  • Parvovirus detected in a participating musher’s dogs; full compliance with biosecurity requirements was confirmed.
  • The episode underscores the vigilance needed to protect sled dog health during races.

8. Anchorage’s Newcomer Ski Team: Resilience in Action

Reporting: Hannah Flor with Coach Jeff Wright and students Daniel Mukumbozi, Alicia Maenda, Sofia Cantillo Garces & Katie Bisson (ELL Program Aide)
[22:32–26:48]

• Main Points:
  • Bette Davis East Anchorage High School’s ski team features more than a dozen students new to the U.S., many learning English and adapting to Alaska’s climate.
  • Coach Jeff Wright is inspired by the team’s determination:
    • “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this much sort of concentrated, can do attitude. These kids are like 120% in every day, every lesson, and also they just, they bring an impressive amount of joy to the equation.” (Jeff Wright, [23:39])
  • Student stories, like Daniel Mukumbozi from Uganda:
    • “I keep falling anytime when I try to ski, I keep falling, falling, falling anytime. But right now, yeah, I start being better.” (Alicia Maenda, [25:13])
  • Sofia Cantillo Garces, from Venezuela, describes how her difficult journey instilled inner strength:
    • “The situation in my country ... has made me tough, made me confident. And I know that if I try, I’m going to succeed.” (Sofia Cantillo Garces, [25:31])
  • The segment ends with Daniel falling during a race but getting right back up, emblematic of the perseverance shown by these students.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On anchoring legislative oversight:
  “Every day we should be thinking if we are fully asserting our authority under the Constitution. Is Congress right now?”
  (Murkowski, [03:58])

• Personalizing the “outdoor deaths” crisis:
  “Every single person on this list is someone’s family member. ... I want people to be remembered for more than the way they died.”
  (Michelle Theriault Boots, [08:47])

• Juneau’s emergency shelter odyssey:
  “It was intense to realize that we were going to have to relocate.”
  (Jennifer Skinner, [15:36])

• On supporting resilience and joy:
  “These kids are like 120% in every day, every lesson, and also they just, they bring an impressive amount of joy to the equation.”
  (Coach Jeff Wright, [23:39])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:29] – U.S. Senate and Greenland policy
• [04:54] – Anchorage “outdoor deaths” report
• [11:42] – Tuksuk Bay kidnapping suspect update
• [13:16] – Snowmachiner rescue near Summit Lake
• [15:05] – Juneau avalanche and emergency shelter relocations
• [18:15] – Colonoscopy clinics return to Petersburg
• [20:56] – Copper Basin 300 race, sled dog parvovirus case
• [22:32] – East High’s diverse and resilient ski team

Tone and Style

The tone is factual, empathetic, and community-oriented, balancing hard news and human interest stories. The episode conveys urgency in stories of crisis, compassion in coverage of loss, and inspiration in highlighting the strength of newcomers and communities alike.