Alaska News Nightly – November 19, 2025

Podcast: Alaska Public Media
Host: Casey Grove
Date: November 19, 2025

Overview

This episode delivers statewide coverage of major Alaskan news and community discussions, with key stories centering on federal resource management reversals, Native corporation contracts with ICE detention centers, a landmark tribal fishing rights lawsuit, debates over a major mining project, embracing Alaska’s winter, local school closure decisions, and the future of the "Into the Wild" bus. The episode combines legislative updates, grassroots activism, personal stories, and community voices from across Alaska.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Moves to Reverse Biden-Era Environmental Rules

[00:06-03:58]

• Congress Votes Down National Petroleum Reserve Plan:

  • Alaska Congressman Nick Begich, with GOP support, moves to nullify the Biden administration’s plan for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA).
  • The Congressional Review Act prevents similar executive rules without Congressional approval, aiming to end “resource management whiplash.”
  • House also votes to restore prior Trump-era oil leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

  Notable Quotes:

  • Nick Begich: "So a future administration can't come in and decide to do something similar without the express authorization of Congress." [00:06]

• Federal Judge Nomination:

  • Aaron Peterson, nominated by former President Trump for a federal judgeship in Alaska, has an uncontroversial Senate Judiciary hearing. Praised for his expertise in Alaska-specific federal law.
  • Senator Dan Sullivan: "He knows and understands our great state and the federal laws that reflect on Alaska. I think he will be a great federal judge." [02:18]

2. Nana Corporation’s ICE Detention Contracts Protested

[03:58-06:25]

• Fairbanks Protest:

  • Shareholders gather to protest NANA Regional Corporation’s involvement in ICE detention center operations, carrying signs demanding "Divest."
  • NANA has secured $1.2 billion in contracts in the past decade; allegations of detainee abuse persist.
  • Protest is about shareholder empowerment and opposition to profit from suffering.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Ava White (shareholder): "Since figuring this out, learning about this, it's like, disgusting." [00:34, 05:40]
  • Casey Grove: "Why should we be making money off of people suffering?" [00:40, 05:49]
  • David Leslie: “We have no choice to be shareholders. The only way to lose our shares is to die.” [04:45]

• NANA’s Response:

  • Company asserts commitment to legal, human, and ethical standards but is criticized by protesters for lack of transparency.

3. Metlakatla Indian Community’s Fishing Rights Lawsuit

[06:25-08:43]

• Lawsuit to Protect Fishing Rights:

  • Metlakatla Indian Community’s lawsuit (five years ongoing) challenges Alaska’s authority to regulate its fishermen, staking claim to federally protected fishing rights dating to their 1891 reservation.
  • Opposition from Southeast tribes fear the suit might infringe upon their own cultural property and rights.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Richard Monkman (attorney for Southeast tribes): “We would analogize this to other cultural rights like dances, stories, carvings…which belong to the clans and belong to the houses within clans.” [07:34]

• Case Status:

  • Federal judge allows the case to proceed; state has moved to end it with summary judgment.

4. Community Debate Over Graphite Creek Mining Project

[08:56-13:44]

• Public Comment Closes Amid Community Division:

  • Brevig Mission residents express deeply divided, nuanced views about Graphite One’s proposed graphite mine—torn between job opportunities and protecting traditional indigenous ways of life.
  • Community gatherings facilitate comment-writing and resolutions opposing or seeking responsible management of the project.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Dickie Kuksruck (resident): “If we're going to pull out a non-renewable resource, then we should figure out how to do that responsibly and together.” [09:46]
  • Gilbert Toktu (Native village president): “Our goal is that we just don't want the mine to go through. I hope that everybody will hear the message about our coming from our community about this mine.” [12:53]
  • “Everybody knows that this proposed mine is going to interfere with our consistent lifestyle because of our younger generations…” [13:22]

5. Embracing (and Loving) Alaska’s Winter

[14:03-18:41]

• Alaska Survival Kit Series:

  • Ava White explores whether it’s possible to truly love Alaska’s harsh winters, featuring stories from longtime and new residents focusing on mindset, outdoor activities, and finding joy in small details.
  • Maggie Wilkinson (79) is an avid winter enthusiast, and Grace Bergey describes moving from “suffer fest” winters in Ohio to being enchanted by Alaska’s magical snowscapes.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Grace Bergey: “You get that sort of fairy tale effect…it's light and fluffy and sparkly and everything gets sort of pastel…” [15:40]
  • Maggie Wilkinson: “Walking in the dark is magical.” [17:43]
  • Ava White: “Maybe I just need to shift my perspective.” [16:44]

• Practical Advice:

  • Build snowmen, dress in layers, keep moving, slow down and enjoy little winter joys—reinforced by personal anecdotes and warm community tips.

6. Anchorage School Closures Avoided

[18:41-20:49]

• School Board Votes to Keep Both Schools Open:

  • Debate between closing Fire Lake and Lake Otis Elementary schools (both serving Title I and special education students) ends with board voting to keep both open, after extensive public testimony on both sides.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Leticia Kragan (teacher): “Closing Title I schools places the heaviest burden on the families least able to absorb it…” [19:19]
  • Emily d'Amico (special ed teacher): “The constraint of our current building…are now limiting our potential and compromising our ability to serve every student optimally.” [19:53]

7. The “Into the Wild” Bus and Its Controversial Legacy

[20:49-25:32]

• The Bus Remains in Storage:

  • Bus 142, made famous by Chris McCandless’s story, awaits funding to be displayed at the University of Alaska Museum of the North. Devoted fans travel far to visit even in storage.
  • The bus, while a cultural touchstone for some, evokes criticism about resources spent and the risks it once posed.
  • Museum curators prepare for possible vandalism when exhibit opens.

  Notable Quotes:

  • Angela Lynn (curator): “It’s one of the first, first questions that they ask as they come up to pay admission. Oh, I heard the bus is here. Can we see that?” [21:45]
  • "What we don't want to encourage or perpetuate is the destruction of historic cultural resources that represent really important stories to other people too." [23:40]
  • Karine McCandless (Chris’s sister): “Learning about him can certainly ignite that fuel that is within people, whether...getting out of a toxic relationship or leaving a job that they hate going to every day.” [24:43]
  • Visitor, Jared White: “He really bucked the system… It’s a very inspiring story for people, especially when you get into the routines and ruts of your life.” [24:08]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Federal Resource Management Reversal: 00:06–03:58
• NANA ICE Contracts Protest: 03:58–06:25
• Tribal Fishing Rights Lawsuit: 06:25–08:43
• Graphite Creek Mining Debate: 08:56–13:44
• Winter Survival Series – Loving the Cold: 14:03–18:41
• Anchorage School Closures: 18:41–20:49
• “Into the Wild” Bus Update: 20:49–25:32

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “Why should we be making money off of people suffering?”
  – Casey Grove [00:40, 05:49]

• “Walking in the dark is magical.”
  – Maggie Wilkinson [17:43]

• “Learning about him can certainly ignite that fuel that is within people…”
  – Karine McCandless [24:43]

Conclusion

This episode beautifully weaves high-stakes policy changes, local activism, cultural preservation, economic crossroads, and day-to-day survival into a tapestry of Alaska’s contemporary story. Listeners journey from Congress to village halls, icy trails, and the heart of statewide debate, capturing the state's unique blend of resilience, contention, and wonder.