Alaska News Nightly – January 21, 2026

Host: Casey Grove | Podcast: Alaska Public Media

Episode Overview

This episode of Alaska News Nightly delivers a comprehensive snapshot of major developments across Alaska, from statewide fiscal plans and education funding lawsuits to community-level stories about road safety, childcare, and a unique jigsaw puzzle competition. The show leans on robust local reporting to illuminate how policy decisions, funding battles, and community initiatives shape life from Anchorage to Petersburg.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Governor Dunleavy's Fiscal Plan & Proposed Seasonal Sales Tax

[01:29–02:58]

• Governor Dunleavy is set to propose a temporary, seasonal sales tax as part of a larger fiscal stabilization plan.
• The plan aims to raise approximately $1.6 billion in new annual revenues starting 2027.
• Key components:
  • Limit on government spending
  • Changes to oil taxes
  • New formula for the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD)
• The sales tax and other measures are presented as a “five-year bridge” until anticipated state revenues rebound.

Notable Quotes:

• Governor Dunleavy [01:37]: “There will be a temporary seasonal sales tax concept put forth for discussion with the Legislature.”
• Governor Dunleavy [02:45]: “It’s a roadmap to inject stability, especially over the next five years…”

Context:

• Political support in the Legislature remains uncertain.
• Lawmakers have previously resisted such tax measures.

2. Lawsuit for Adequate Public Education Funding

[04:27–07:54]

• Fairbanks North Star Borough School District and Cuspuk School have filed suit against Alaska, asserting the state is neglecting its constitutional obligation to properly fund public education.
• Advocates seek:
  • An “evidence-based adequacy study”
  • An annual inflation adjustment for education funding
  • Judicial recognition of the funding shortfall
• The case is not about damages but seeks policy change.

Notable Quotes:

• Caroline Storm (Coalition for Education Equity) [04:27]:
  “If the advocacy that we’ve done for a decade has not moved the needle, then we were left with pulling the other lever, so to speak…”
• Caroline Storm [05:09]:
  “I just don’t feel like they’re listening… we only got 39% of what was needed…”
• Caroline Storm [05:56]:
  “The education clause promises that Alaska school age children have the right to a sound basic education…”

State Response:

• The Department of Law says legislation, not litigation, is the proper channel; asserts the constitution delegates funding decisions to lawmakers.

3. 11th Airborne Division on Standby Amid Minnesota Unrest

[08:42–11:03]
Reported by Tim Ellis

• Alaska-based 11th Airborne Division (1,500 soldiers) may be deployed to Minnesota due to unrest over a federal immigration enforcement operation.
• Concerns raised over the use of active-duty troops for domestic law enforcement.
• The White House and military have not provided detailed information.

Notable Quotes:

• Sen. Scott Kawasaki [09:24]:
  “We want to know… how long they’re going to be gone away from their families and for what purpose.”
• Suzanne Fleet Green [09:46]:
  “It’s sort of a shocking use of force and a shocking use of our armed services.”

Legislative Concerns:

• Sen. Lisa Murkowski emphasizes the need to be “strategic” with military resources, especially in light of Arctic security concerns.

4. Anchorage Road Safety Funding Restored

[11:49–14:16]

• After previously cancelling nearly $20 million for transportation safety projects, the state restored—and increased—the amount to over $30 million.
• Driven by high rates of pedestrian deaths and public outcry.
• Projects include:
  • Increased lighting on Gamble Street
  • Fewer lanes and wider sidewalks on Northern Lights Boulevard
  • Lower speed limits

Notable Quotes:

• Suzanne Fleet Green (Anchorage Mayor’s Chief of Staff) [12:10]:
  “If you look at the numbers in terms of where vehicle crashes happen and where pedestrian injuries happen, they’re in Anchorage.”
• Shannon McCarthy (DOT) [12:32]:
  “Sometimes when you receive criticism and feedback from your partners, it’s an opportunity…”

Impact:

• Funding strategy: Advance-using anticipated federal funds to fast-track urgently needed safety projects.

5. Juneau School District Childcare Program Debate

[14:06–15:36]

• The school board postponed decisions on reallocating $1 million for childcare programs.
• Debate centers on:
  • The current privately-run (Auk Lake Preschool) program’s state licensing status
  • Whether to consider YMCA Alaska as a future provider
• Auk Lake Preschool’s current aftercare program is running but awaits licensing.
• YMCA Alaska evaluating expansion feasibility; earliest new program could launch is 2026–27 school year.

Notable Quote:

• Nate Root (YMCA Alaska CEO) [14:59]:
  “…the soonest we would open a program would be the beginning of the 26-27 school year.”

6. Structural Crisis at Antioch Junior & Senior High School

[16:11–19:08]
Reported by Evan Erickson

• Sudden building closure after severe structural cracks emerged in the gymnasium’s ceiling—risk of collapse threatens adjoining elementary school.
• Superintendent working to continue education in alternate spaces; gym demolition recommended, but funding remains unclear.

Notable Quotes:

• Madeline Aguilard (Superintendent) [16:27]:
  “…they start hearing these really loud cracks and then eventually someone looked up and was like, oh well, there’s also a giant crack in the ceiling.”
• Aguilard [16:53]:
  “…it’s about 6 inches. It appears that most of the gymnasium roof joists have already broken.”
• Aguilard [18:52]:
  “I mean, heck, even a funeral—like we, we were that space… for emergency response.”

Emotional Impact:

• Loss of essential space for schooling and community events; historic and social consequences.

7. Anchorage Spring Election: Candidate Filing Opens

[19:23–20:35]

• Key municipal elections approaching:
  • Six assembly seats
  • Two school board seats
• Several incumbents are term-limited; voters must register by March 8, with the election held April 7.

8. Wrangell School Board Creates K–12 Media Literacy Librarian Post

[20:35–22:38]
Reported by Colette Czarnicki

• The new librarian position will manage libraries and teach media literacy, with a focus on research skills and the impact of artificial intelligence.
• Some educators argue district should prioritize filling other understaffed roles (e.g., intervention specialists).
• Supervision assures current staffing is sufficient for interventions; board approves the new role at ~$73K total cost.

Notable Quotes:

• Joshua Garrett (Superintendent) [20:45]:
  “The goal is to inflame the love of reading in our students across the entire district.”
• Ali Howell (Teacher) [21:15]:
  “Essential roles are being temporarily filled by volunteers… while some remain unmet entirely.”

9. Petersburg’s First-Ever Competitive Jigsaw Puzzle Event

[22:38–26:23]
Reported by Taylor Heckard

• The Petersburg Public Library hosted its first “speed puzzling” contest; seven teams competed to solve a 500-piece puzzle.
• The event brought out competitive spirit and community camaraderie, with teams refining their puzzle-solving strategies.

Notable Quotes:

• Participant Abby Hardy [23:19]:
  “I even like YouTube people who are like jigsaw contest puzzlers. I did not realize how big of a thing it is.”
• Winner Matt Powak [25:55]:
  “I mean, I hitched my wagon to a pretty good puzzler here, so I knew we had a pretty good chance.”
• Winner Lydia Martin [26:11]:
  “…it depends on the print and they picked such a good one. It’s a bunch of different feathers with different patterns and had this foil coating on it.”

Memorable Moment:

• The winning team finished in under an hour, well ahead of second place.

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

| Speaker & Quote | Timestamp | |---|---| | Governor Dunleavy: “There will be a temporary seasonal sales tax concept put forth for discussion with the Legislature.” | 01:37 | | Caroline Storm: “If the advocacy that we’ve done… has not moved the needle, then we were left with pulling the other lever…” | 04:27 | | Suzanne Fleet Green: “If you look at the numbers in terms of where vehicle crashes happen and where pedestrian injuries happen, they’re in Anchorage.” | 12:10 | | Sen. Scott Kawasaki: “We want to know… how long they’re going to be gone away from their families and for what purpose.” | 09:24 | | Madeline Aguilard: “I mean, heck, even a funeral—like we, we were that space… for emergency response.” | 18:52 | | Abby Hardy: “I even like YouTube people who are like jigsaw contest puzzlers. I did not realize how big of a thing it is.” | 23:19 |

Segment Timestamps (MM:SS)

• 01:29 – Governor’s long-term fiscal plan & sales tax proposal
• 04:27 – Public education funding lawsuit discussion
• 08:42 – 11th Airborne Division possible deployment
• 11:49 – Anchorage road safety funding restored
• 14:06 – Juneau after-school childcare program debate
• 16:11 – Antioch school building emergency closure
• 19:23 – Anchorage spring election candidate filing
• 20:35 – Wrangell K–12 librarian/media literacy job debate
• 22:38 – Petersburg competitive puzzle contest

Conclusion

This episode delivers a rich mix of urgent policy issues and human-interest stories, capturing the pulse of Alaska’s statewide concerns. Listeners are drawn from legislative halls and courtrooms to gymnasiums and libraries, experiencing the interplay of political decisions, legal actions, and vibrant community life across the Last Frontier.