Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Summary

Alaska News Nightly: March 11, 2026 – Episode Summary

Main Theme

This episode of Alaska News Nightly dives into major policy shifts, legal updates, economic developments, and community stories affecting Alaska. Key topics include the advancement of a high-profile state budget bill, healthcare workforce legislation, a major federal land policy reversal and lawsuit, updates from the Iditarod race, Anchorage’s new tiny home initiative, a proposed sexual assault law change, and recognition of Sitka’s flourishing food scene.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. High-Profile Budget Bill Advances in the Alaska Senate

• [01:30–03:08]
  • The Alaska Senate unanimously passed a trimmed $370 million supplemental budget.
  • The bill unlocks hundreds of millions for government construction—the amount was reduced about 30% after Republican pushback over tapping state savings.
  • Sen. Chairman Hoffman (D-Bethel): Increase in oil prices helped fill the deficit, making the slimmed budget possible.
  • Sen. Mike Cronk (R, Minority Leader):

    “We are able to accomplish what I feel needs to be addressed for the state of Alaska and also the concerns of many of the members of the minority.” (02:27)

    • Minority Republicans want more answers on overspending, especially by the Department of Corrections.

    “This is one step closer to not withdrawing as much as what was initially looked at.” (03:02)

  • Senate hopes the deal will appease House Republicans, whose votes are needed; a new state revenue forecast may delay the final House vote.

2. Controversy Over Nursing Compact Legislation

• [04:11–08:01]

  • Alaska stands to gain over $1 billion in federal healthcare funding but must pass multiple bills aligning with federal “best practices.”

  • Jared Kosin (Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association):

    “It’s just so snagged up in politics.” (04:59)

    • The nursing compact would allow out-of-state nurses to practice in Alaska, potentially easing a worsening nurse shortage.
    • Although supported by most nurses (~90%), unions push back, fearing loss of state regulatory control and workplace safety issues.

  • Dr. Ann Zink: CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) could pull millions if compact legislation fails.

    "CMS has been very clear that ... there will be financial consequences." (05:28)

  • Sen. Kathy Giesel (R-Anchorage, nurse): Opposes compact as written—Alaska has unique cultural and geographic concerns.

    “I certainly respect their expertise in the profession of nursing, but Alaska is different … We have reasons that we need to regulate our own nurses.” (06:28–06:37)

  • Shannon Davenport (nurse, union leader):

    “It’s not the golden goose. It’s not the answer to everything. It’s not the magic key that’s going to unlock everything.” (07:18)

  • Kosin: Not optimistic on progress this year; the deadline is 2027.

    “I feel like we’ve completely lost vision for what the policy is ... Am I optimistic? I’m not.” (07:46)

3. Federal Land Transfer and Environmental Lawsuit

• [08:15–11:35]

  • The Department of the Interior plans transfer of 2 million acres to Alaska, removing decades-old barriers to energy/mining.

  • 10 environmental groups are suing—concerns include habitat destruction, subsistence loss, and lack of tribal consultation.

  • Rebecca Knoblin (Attorney, Center for Biological Diversity):

    “These lands have been protected since the 1970s because of their critical importance to wildlife ... Trump’s reversal of these protections came without any sort of environmental review or public process … we’ll see him in court.” (09:29)

  • Pam Miller (Alaska Community Action on Toxics):

    "This would certainly pave the way … for extractive industries to move in and damage the lands and waters … threatens communities with contamination from heavy metals." (10:17)

  • BLM acknowledges subsistence users may lose access to previously open lands; Tanana Chiefs Conference condemns lack of tribal consultation.

4. Proposed Reform to Sexual Assault Law for Medical Providers

• [12:21–14:36]
  • Bill by Rep. Sarah Hannon (D-Juneau): Would change law that criminalizes sexual assault by medical providers so that awareness of assault is no longer a loophole for defendants.
  • Triggered by the highly publicized Jeffrey Fultz sexual assault case in Juneau, where charges were dismissed because victims were aware but didn't consent to inappropriate contact.
  • Syethtin Jama Ann Haselquist (Victim):

    “Awareness does not mean consent. Awareness does not mean a patient feels safe enough to stop what is happening or challenge a medical provider. That gap allowed the person who harmed me to avoid accountability.” (14:19)

  • Next hearing for the bill TBD; closes loophole for future cases.

5. Iditarod Race: Progress and Challenges

• [15:53–19:23]
  • Iditarod mushers faced severe wind chills, tricky trail conditions, and even wildlife encounters (bison) as they passed through McGrath and into the interior.
  • Jesse Holmes (defending champ) led into McGrath, stopping briefly before pushing on.

    “Getting these dogs a little taken care of, getting ready for the next stages of the race ... It’s going to continue to be tough.” (16:03)

  • Mushers describe trials of running in -45°F to -68°F wind-chill, with frozen gear and wet, exhausted teams.
  • Some elected to rest in McGrath, others in Ophir, depending on team condition and strategies.
  • Gabe Dunham encountered bison on the trail (“terrified”), while others had hearty checkpoint meals and mapped out runs for the next stretch.

6. Anchorage Launches Pre-Approved Tiny Home Plans (ADU Program)

• [19:23–21:32]
  • Municipality released the first of several pre-approved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) designs for residents to help ease the city’s housing shortage.
  • Claire Ross (Mayor’s Office):

    “We need more apartment buildings, we need more single family homes and we need more ADUs.” (20:09)

  • The plans are tailored for Anchorage's climate, available for free, and, coupled with a checklist, aim to simplify the permitting process and cost barriers.
  • Ross: "For the most part, you can build them anywhere now, so ... we wanted to just remove a couple barriers to make it even easier." (20:53)

7. Sitka’s Food Scene Garners National Recognition

• [22:36–26:17]
  • Two local restaurants, Beak and Ludwig’s Bistro, made USA Today’s “Best Alaska Restaurants” Top 5 for 2026.
  • Chef Renee Chicaitis Trafton (Beak):

    "It's thrilling ... you might really make someone's day ... they remember Sitka and their meal forever." (24:02)

  • Chef Edith Johnson (Ludwig’s Bistro):

    “It just shows that Sitka is on the right trajectory—we’re a culinary hub ... so many amazing female chefs on this island. I just think it's really special.” (24:59) “They want to see fishermen’s names on the menu. ... To be able to say, 'Oh, yeah, I know who caught my spot prawns ...' is just—it’s so special and very uniquely Southeast Alaska.” (25:51)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sen. Mike Cronk (Budget):
  “We are able to accomplish what I feel needs to be addressed for the state of Alaska and also the concerns of many of the members of the minority.” (02:27)

• Syethtin Jama Ann Haselquist (Sexual Assault Bill):
  “Awareness does not mean consent. Awareness does not mean a patient feels safe enough to stop what is happening ...” (14:19)

• Chef Edith Johnson (Sitka’s Culinary Scene):
  “There’s so many talented chefs on this island and there’s so many amazing female chefs ...” (24:59)

• Pam Miller (Land Lawsuit):
  "This would certainly pave the way ... for extractive industries to move in and damage the lands and waters ..." (10:17)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Budget Bill Advances: 01:30–03:08
• Nurse Compact Legislation: 04:11–08:01
• Federal Land Transfer Lawsuit: 08:15–11:35
• Proposed Sexual Assault Law Reform: 12:21–14:36
• Iditarod Race Update: 15:53–19:23
• Anchorage’s Tiny Home Program: 19:23–21:32
• Sitka Restaurants Shine: 22:36–26:17

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Tone & Style

The reporting maintains a clear, fact-driven tone while letting interviewees’ voices bring emotional depth. The host, Lori Townsend, and field reporters provide concise context and direct soundbites, giving the episode a sense of immediacy and engagement with Alaska’s ongoing stories.

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This summary captures the episode’s major news, personalities, and broader themes, providing a comprehensive yet readable recap for listeners and non-listeners alike.

Transcript

[Lori Townsend]

Support for Alaska Public Media On Demand comes from alyeska Pipeline Service Company maintaining

[Mike Cronk]

and operating the 800 mile Trans Alaska Pipeline since 1977. Learn more at alyescapipeline.com. We are able to accomplish what I feel needs to be addressed for the state of Alaska.

[Lori Townsend]

The Alaska Senate moves Forward a high profile budget bill from the Alaska Public Media. This is statewide news on Alaska News nightly for Wednesday, March 11th. Good evening. I'm Lori Townsend. Also tonight, environmental groups sue the federal government over its plan for 2 million acres in the interior. Trump's reversal of these protections came without any sort of environmental review or public process. Those stories and more tonight on Alaska News Nightly.

[Avery Elfeldt]

Hi, I'm Avery Elfeldt, a reporter with the Alaska Desk. That's a joint reporting effort from Alaska Public Media, khs, where I work in Hanes and other public radio stations in Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Aleutians. It allows us to connect you with the issues happening in communities all across the state. You can hear our stories during the morning news on Alaska News Nightly or [e-mail] the Alaska Desk is only possible with the support of grants and listeners like you. Thank you.

[Lori Townsend]

A high profile budget bill that would unlock hundreds of millions in government construction projects across Alaska took a substantial step forward in the state legislature today. The Alaska Senate unanimously passed what's known as the supplemental budget this afternoon, setting an up or down final vote in the House in the coming days. The budget bill faced a brief delay in the Senate as Republican lawmakers objected to the initial half a billion dollar proposal passed by the House and expanded by a Senate committee. The budget bill taps a savings account, so it needed a supermajority and that gave the Republican minority leverage to negotiate. And today, minority Republicans ultimately agreed to a roughly 30% reduction. All 20 members of the Senate voted to advance a newly trimmed back $370 million spending package. Bethel Democratic Sen. Chairman Hoffman says a spike in oil prices erased some of the deficit lawmakers had planned to fill.

[Mike Cronk]

As a result of that, we are able to accomplish what I feel needs to be addressed for the state of Alaska and also the concerns of many of the members of the minority.

[Lori Townsend]

The deal removes from the budget bill tens of millions of dollars to make up for unexpected spending by some departments this past year, most prominently the Department of correct. Republican Senator Mike Cronk, the minority leader, says it's important for lawmakers to dig a little deeper into why agencies spent more than planned by reducing this.

[Mike Cronk]

This is, you know, one step closer to not withdrawing as much as what was initially looked at.

[Lori Townsend]

Other Republicans thanked the majority for paring the budget back to only what they saw as the most urgent items. Senators are also hoping the deal will placate House Republicans who initially withheld their votes to draw from savings. Minority caucus members said they want more time to examine why spending had grown. House leaders indicated this afternoon they'd seek a final super majority vote tomorrow, but the Republican minority leader says it'd be irresponsible to hold a final vote before a new state revenue forecast on Friday. Alaska is on track to receive more than $1 billion from the federal government over the next few years to improve health care in the state. But millions of that depends on the Legislature passing several bills aligning Alaska with best practices for r health care. So far, some of the changes have been fairly uncontroversial. But as Alaska Public Media's Rachel Castandra reports, a proposal that would make it easier for out of state nurses to practice in Alaska is facing fierce pushback.

[Jared Kosin]

When you boil it down, Alaska Hospital and Healthcare association head Jared Kosin says joining a so called licensed compact is pretty simple. He says there would be a set of criteria nurses would demonstrate, and if

[Mike Cronk]

they do, then they are issued a license within whatever states in the compact, and then they can practice in any states that use those same standards as set by the compact.

[Jared Kosin]

Proponents say joining a compact would help ease a nurse shortage across the state that's projected to worsen. A 2023 report showed one in five registered nurse positions across Alaska were unfilled. Cosin says it may be simple to explain, but actually getting a bill passed to join the compact has been anything but.

[Mike Cronk]

It's just so snagged up in politics.

[Jared Kosin]

The last version of the bill was introduced in 2023. It was supported by most healthcare organizations in the state, but it was opposed by nursing unions. He says that created a toxic dynamic. And this year there's new pressure on the legislature thanks to the Rural Health Transformation Program. When the state health department applied for the money, it told the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services the state would join the compact.

[Avery Elfeldt]

CMS has been very clear that these are things that they want to see, and if you don't get them passed through legislation, there will be financial consequences to the state.

[Jared Kosin]

That's Ann Zink, emergency room physician and former chief medical officer of Alaska. The state's been directed by CMS to create compacts for other healthcare positions, too physicians, emergency medical services, psychologists and physician assistants. The state Department of Health doesn't know exactly how much money would be clawed back if Alaska doesn't pass all the required legislation, including the nurse compact bill. But a health department official wrote over email that a ballpark estimate is that millions of dollars is at stake annually and tens of millions of dollars over the five years of rural funding. State Senator Kathy Giesel, Republican from Anchorage and a nurse, said she won't vote for the bill as is. She's worried because she says it would mean Alaska turns over regulatory authority to a national organization.

[Sarah Hannon]

I certainly respect their expertise in the profession of nursing, but Alaska is different.

[Lori Townsend]

We have reasons that we need to regulate our own nurses. We have cultural differences than other states in the lower 48. We have distances and issues like that.

[Jared Kosin]

And she says even if the bill is altered, the compact can't be. It has to be joined as written. Shannon Davenport is a union leader and nurse working in behavioral health and hospice care in Anchorage. She says there are many problems with the nursing field right now, especially workplace safety, and she doesn't think the nursing compact is the solution to them. She says the compact is designed to serve institutions, not always nurses.

[Lori Townsend]

It's not the golden goose. It's not the answer to everything. It's not the magic key that's going to unlock everything.

[Jared Kosin]

Even so, most nurses support a compact. Almost 90% of nurses living in Alaska, according to a 2023 survey, and 85% of union nurses do. Legislative leaders say they're reviewing the proposals closely and weighing the pros and cons. But at least this year, Cozen says he's not expecting much progress.

[Mike Cronk]

I feel like we've completely lost vision for what the policy is, what the merits of this bill are, and it's just going to continue to be in a fight. So at this time, am I optimistic? I'm not.

[Jared Kosin]

Lawmakers do have one more session to consider the idea. The federal deadline to join the compact is at the end of 2027 in Anchorage, with additional reporting by Eric Stone. I'm Rachel Cassandra.

[Lori Townsend]

The U.S. department of Interior announced last month that it will offer more than 2 million acres of land to the state of Alaska with the idea of removing long standing federal barriers to energy and mining development. Now 10 environmental groups are suing the department for rolling back those protections. As Shelby As Herbert reports for the Alaska Desk, their concerns range from habitat destruction to the loss of subsistence rights.

[Shelby Herbert]

For over 50 years, an area called the Dalton Corridor, which stretches from the Yukon river to the Brooks Range in northern Alaska, has been subject to federal oversight. Now the Department of the Interior says it's reversing those protections to facilitate energy and mineral development like the proposed Alaska LNG pipeline and the Ambler Road project. Governor Mike Dunleavy hailed the announcement, saying it fulfills a promise made in the 1959 Alaska Statehood act, which authorized the transfer of over 100 million acres of federal land to the state. But a group of environmental organizations say the transfer breaks a number of other land management laws like the Alaska Native Claims Settlement act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

[Lori Townsend]

These lands have been protected since the 1970s because of their critical importance to wildlife and the communities that rely on that wildlife. And Trump's reversal of these protections came without any sort of environmental review or public process or explanation for the reversal. And so we'll see him in court.

[Shelby Herbert]

That's Rebecca Knoblin, a senior attorney for the center for Biological Diversity, an organization dedicated to protecting endangered species and ecosystems across the United States, and one of the petitioners in the lawsuit. The complaint, filed on Tuesday in the U.S. district Court in Anchorage, alleges that the transfer will cause widespread harm to vulnerable ecosystems and species like caribou. Here's Pam Miller from Alaska Community Action on Toxics.

[Mike Cronk]

Yeah, well, this would certainly pave the way again for the Ambler Road and other extractive industries to move in and damage the lands and waters and habitats and the communities that depend on these lands and waters for cultural and subsistence reasons and threatens communities with contamination from heavy metal and other harmful chemicals.

[Shelby Herbert]

Bureau of Land Management Alaska State Director Kevin Pendergast previously acknowledged that subsistence users in the area could experience new restrictions on lands that are transferred to the state. And in the lawsuit, the petitioners highlighted the BLM's admission that local communities could lose access to entire areas that were previously open for subsistence use. The Tanana Chiefs Conference, a Fairbanks based Alaska Native tribal consortium, isn't involved in the law, but it did release a statement condemning the transfer, saying the decision was made without necessary tribal consultation and that it could strip protections from important harvesting grounds and cultural sites. The Department of the Interior declined to comment on the lawsuit. Reporting In Fairbanks, I'm Shelby Herbert.

[Lori Townsend]

Still to come on Alaska News Nightly, Sitka gets special recognition for being a culinary hotspot.

[Edith Johnson]

There's so many talented chefs on this island and there's so many amazing female chefs on this island. I just think it's really special.

[Lori Townsend]

That's ahead. Stay with us.

[Avery Elfeldt]

Hi, I'm Avery Elfeldt, a reporter with the Alaska Desk. That's a joint reporting effort from Alaska Public Media, khs, where I work in Haines and other public radio stations in Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Aleutians. It allows us to connect you with the issues happening in communities all across the state. You can hear our stories during the morning news on Alaska News Nightly or [e-mail] the Alaska Desk is only possible with the support of grants and listeners like you. Thank you.

[Lori Townsend]

A bill that would change the scope of an Alaska sexual assault law had its first committee hearing yesterday. Democratic JUNEAU Representative Sarah Hannon's bill, introduced this year, would alter a law that specifically criminalizes sexual assault by a medical provider. As it stands now, a key part of the legal definition of sexual assault by a medical provider requires that the alleged victim isn't aware of sexual contact happening at the moment. Hannon's bill, if passed, would eliminate that stipulation. The bill was heard in the House Health and Social Services Committee Tuesday. Hannon introduced the bill. It stems from a very high profile sexual assault case that happened here in Southeast. The case was tried in Juneau last fall and it became apparent there was a loophole in and a couple of the victim's cases could not be pursued. That case involves more than a dozen former patients, predominantly Alaska Native women, who accused chiropractor Jeffrey Foltz of sexual assault under the guise of medical care while he worked at Southeast Alaska's Regional Health Consortium in Juneau. The bill comes after the sexual assault trial against Jeffrey Fultz ended with 2 acquittals and 14 charges declared mistrials in September. But shortly after the jury returned their verdict, the judge in the case dismissed one of those remaining charges. That charge was associated with Syethtin Jama Ann Haselquist, who testified that Fultz assaulted her under the guise of medical care in 2018 and 2019. Judge Larry Woolford ruled that Haslquist's testimony didn't match the legal definition of the sexual assault by a medical provider charge. The acquittal order said the charge is being dismissed because Hassallquist was aware that the contact she received was sexual and that it was not part of legitimate medical treatment. Hasselquist testified on behalf of the bill Tuesday.

[Sarah Hannon]

Awareness does not mean consent. Awareness does not mean a patient feels safe enough to stop what is happening or challenging a medical provider. That gap allowed the person who harmed me to avoid accountability.

[Lori Townsend]

After spending 10 minutes hearing the bill, the House Health and Social Services Committee put it aside to continue at a later date on Wednesday morning. Hannon's staff says the bill's next hearing hasn't been scheduled yet. While fals would not be tried under the altered law. If HB 242 passes, it would close that loophole in any future cases of sexual assault by a medical provider. Since the trial ended with a hung jury in September, the court assigned Fultz to a public defender. Public defender Nico Ambrose is Fultz's third attorney, and he says he needs more time to prepare to go to trial again. The next Read this hearing in the case is scheduled for April 15th. The first third of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has seen a bit of everything from severe wind chill to watery overflow and even some wildlife. Front of the pack team zipped through the interior hub of McGrath late last night and early today, but several others stayed at the checkpoint for their mandatory 24 hour breaks. Alaska Public Media's Ava White has more from McGrath more than 300 miles into the thousand mile race.

[Sarah Hannon]

Defending champion Jesse Holmes was first to McGrath late Tuesday, but he only stopped for a few minutes to grab supplies from his drop bags, including frozen fish to feed his team.

[Mike Cronk]

I'm getting these dogs a little taken care of, getting ready for the next stages of the race. I expect it to continue to be tough. So get you guys well rested there and get the dogs and myself refueled for the journey.

[Sarah Hannon]

Front running mushers like Holmes and frequent top 10 finisher Paige Drobney, both from the Denali highway area, opted to blow through McGrath, headed for the village of Takatna where they bedded down their dogs to take their 24s. Others like up and Comer Riley Dyke and Matt hall, the runner up the last two years passed those staying in Takatna and headed for the ghost town checkpoint of ophir for their 24 hour rest. It's been cold all along the trail so far. Teams experienced wind chill down to 45 below near McGrath and even colder in lower lying areas. Sophomore Iditarod musher Keaton Lowbrick says his boots were frozen when he pulled into McGrath this morning.

[Mike Cronk]

It always feels colder on I don't know if that's a river or whatever that was. My feet, I mean these are frozen salads.

[Sarah Hannon]

Josie Shelley is another veteran musher from Fairbanks. In the 2024 Iditarod Rookie of the Year, she won the first Yukon Quest Alaska 750 in mid February and laughs when asked about the cold weather.

[Lori Townsend]

I did the Yukon Quest, it was like 68 below.

[Avery Elfeldt]

So this, I mean I don't like

[Lori Townsend]

the 40 below, but I'm also not. It's, it's fine.

[Sarah Hannon]

Shelly spent six hours in the McGrath checkpoint and squeezed in a two hour nap, her longest since the race started before heading farther down the trail. But not everyone continued down the trail. A handful of mushers declared their 24 hour rests in McGrath, including Jeff Dieter, another Fairbank smusher. Dieter is competing in his 9th Iditarod and says his 16 dog team is doing great and eating like wolves. He says that's a good sign.

[Mike Cronk]

I was trying not to go into my 24 with any sort of depletion of the team. Like I wanted to catch them while they're still sound and hungry and feeling their best so that we can build on that and actually leave here really ready for the final 2/3 of this race.

[Sarah Hannon]

Coming into the checkpoint, Dieter says he ran into overflow that left the entire team soaking wet with an ambient temperature of 25 below. Mushers also spoke of running into bison earlier in the race heading through the farewell burn after the treacherous Dalzell Gorge. Willow musher Gabe Dunham is terrified of them and says they were standing right at the edge of the trail.

[Lori Townsend]

Then they kind of moved off a little bit and we snuck by them really quick.

[Sarah Hannon]

But Jason Mackey was right behind me and he was like they were so close. There was no bison on the menu for Dunham and McGrath where she was taking her 24 hour layover and had southwestern chicken and rice for breakfast Wednesday. Stopping here, she says is part of a challenging but strategic plan.

[Jared Kosin]

I chose to come here because it

[Sarah Hannon]

sets me up to where now I'll

[Lori Townsend]

go to Ophir and I'll stay there for break after this and then that

[Sarah Hannon]

sets my team up for hopefully three runs into Ruby. The first musher to Ruby, where teams reach the Yukon river wins a gourmet meal cooked by flown in chefs that is sometimes eaten like Dudham's chicken and rice for breakfast, just depending on when they arrive in McGrath. I'm Ava White.

[Lori Townsend]

As of this afternoon, Iditarod teams were spread out across nearly 100 miles of trail from the front runners in Ophir all the way back to Nikolai. At last check. Riley Dyke remained but was taking a 24 hour break in Ophir along with Matt Hall, Laro Eklund and Josie Shelley. The top rookie so far, Jesse Terry was still on the trail looking to join the others in Ophir. A new program in Anchorage aims to make it easier for people to add tiny homes known as accessory dwelling units or ADUs to their property. This week the municipality launched the first of several pre approved designs that are available to residents for free. Claire Ross is with the mayor's office she says the program is part of a larger push to address the city's housing shortage.

[Claire Ross]

I just want young people to be able to stay in Anchorage and live here and that means we have to have a variety of houses, we need more apartment buildings, we need more single family homes and we need more ADUs.

[Lori Townsend]

The municipality worked with architects to design homes specifically for Anchorage climate and landscape. The city launched one design this week, a more than 800 square foot open concept ADU over a two car garage. Ross says a smaller design will be available in coming weeks, followed this summer by what she says will be the most economical design. Three years ago, the Anchorage assembly amended city code to make it easier to build ADUs in the municipality. Data shows permits for ADUs have gone up noticeably since then, but Ross says numbers are still nowhere near city goals.

[Claire Ross]

For the most part, you can build them anywhere now, so there's all this interest, but it's still really complicated and so we wanted to just remove a couple barriers to make it even easier.

[Lori Townsend]

The program includes a checklist to walk residents through the process with estimated timelines and permitting costs. The plans themselves are free and they're designed to be simple and less expensive to build. Ross says the cost of building an acreage is a major barrier.

[Claire Ross]

That's one of the things we can't really control and that's why the Muni wanted to do this pre approved plan is what are the costs that the Muni can control that we can lower and make easier for people because interest rates and building costs, we can't touch those.

[Lori Townsend]

Ross says she hopes to have material cost estimates by the summer so people will know what they're getting into. Ross says anyone who lives in the municipality qualifies to use the designs, although some places may need to amend structures slightly for things like snow load or floodplains. Ross says the municipality plans to work closely with the first people who use the program, using feedback to adapt it to residents needs. And she says if the program is popular, they'll likely add more designs options. Two popular Sitka restaurants have recently been nominated in USA Today's Top 10 Restaurants in Alaska list for 2026. The secret ingredient to their success? Building meaningful relationships with the community. KCAW's Ryan Cotter digs in for more. Hello Chef. Hey, how's it going?

[Shelby Herbert]

Good.

[Sarah Hannon]

How are you doing?

[Lori Townsend]

Great.

[Ryan Cotter]

All right, ready whenever you are, Chef Renee Chicaitis Trafton stands at the ready in the kitchen of her restaurant beak. Warm afternoon sunshine spills through a window onto the counter of neatly organized ingredients and cooking supplies. Bite sized pieces of raw fish are on a cutting board, which Tokaidis Trafton will soon prepare into one of Beak's trademark dishes.

[Renee Chicaitis Trafton]

I'm gonna make my chili crisp marinated black cod tips, so I have my cod tips prepared. They're in the marinade and we have a flat top grill here, so I'm gonna spray it and then put the cocktips right on the grill.

[Ryan Cotter]

Located in downtown Sitka, Beak has become a beloved staple for many Sitkins since it opened nearly a decade ago. And now the rest of the country might be catching on too. Back in December, a representative from USA Today emailed to Kaida Strafton, informing her that she is one of 10 Alaska restaurants nominated for the best restaurants in Alaska list for 2026. Chachaitis Trafton says that Beak's high social media engagement probably played a partial role in its nomination. But also, being one of the few restaurants open in Sitka year round creates unique opportunities for connection.

[Lori Townsend]

In the summer.

[Renee Chicaitis Trafton]

It's thrilling because we have all these tourists and you might like really make someone's day if you're like, they've never had king salmon before or black cod or rockfish and they have a great experience and they might remember like Sitka and their meal like forever, which is like, it's really special. But then the winter is like really quality because sometimes you just know everyone in the dining room and you're like, oh, hey friends, like, it's great. Hang out.

[Ryan Cotter]

When the newspapers list was first published in late January, readers were able to vote as to which of the 10 restaurants would earn the number one spot. The results were officially announced on February 25th, and Beek ended up in second place. And it's not the only Sitka restaurant on the list. Ludwig's Bistro, a Mediterranean Alaska fusion restaurant, garnered enough votes to end up in fourth place. Owner and chef Edith Johnson says she feels incredibly proud that both restaurants made the top five.

[Edith Johnson]

It just shows that Sitka is on the right trajectory that we're in to just this culinary hub, that maybe people don't even realize there's so many talented chefs on this island and there's so many amazing female chefs on this island. I just think it's really special that with our lower population compared to Anchorage, that we could have two in the top five.

[Ryan Cotter]

Of course, one cannot describe Sitka's food scene without bringing up seafood. Johnson takes great pride in how Ludwigs is able to source native Alaskan ingredients in cooking up iconic Mediterranean dishes from Weathervane Tuscan scallops to paella made entirely from local seafood. But beyond the food itself, Johnson says that a unique aspect of Sitka's dining culture is the relationships built between local fishermen and customers.

[Edith Johnson]

They want to see fishermen's names on the menu. They want to know where their food has come from. This sea to table and this farm to table movement is not only just for people's health. It's also just to support your local community and everyone else that's in it. And to be able to say, oh, yeah, I know who caught my spot. Prawns. I know where my clams came from. I know where my Scouts came from is just it's so special. And very uniquely southeast Alaska.

[Ryan Cotter]

With their shared accomplishment under their belts, Chokaitis, Trafton and Johnson remain focused on preparing their restaurants for the upcoming summer season, eager to give visitors and locals alike a taste of what makes their community special. In Sitka, I'm Bryan Kotter.

[Lori Townsend]

And that's all for this edition of Alaska News Nightly. If you missed any of tonight's stories, we're [e-mail] and wherever you get your podcast. We had reports tonight from Eric Stone and Yvonne Crumry in Juneau, Rachel, Cassandra and Hannah Fluor in Anchorage, Shelby Herbert in Fairbanks, ava White in McGrath and Ryan Cotter in Sitka. If you want to send us a news tip, question or comment, email us newsalaskapublic.org Our audio engineer is Crystal Hyde, Kirsten Dobroth is our producer, and I'm Laurie Townsend. Good night.

[Jared Kosin]

This is statewide news on Alaska Public.