Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Podcast: Alaska News Nightly – Alaska Public Media
Host: Casey Grove
Date: October 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the aftermath of a devastating storm in western Alaska, focusing on evacuations and the resilience of affected communities. It also highlights this year’s Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) convention, behavioral health reforms, subsistence rights advocacy, tributes to a beloved opossum at the Alaska Zoo, and a celebration of Alaska’s Assistant Principal of the Year.

Mass Evacuations in Western Alaska Following Typhoon Ha Long

[00:19–08:34]

Key Discussion Points

• Evacuations of Kipnuk and Quigillingok:

  • After the remnants of Typhoon Ha Long battered the Kuskokwim Delta, over 1,000 residents sheltered in schools due to extensive flooding and wind damage.
  • Shelter conditions were dire (power outages, non-functional toilets, scarce heating fuel).
  • The cracked Kipnuk runway was repaired, allowing airlifts to Bethel and beyond.
  • Some residents were reluctant to leave their subsistence lifestyles and ancestral lands despite it being unsafe.

• Firsthand Accounts of the Storm’s Devastation:

  • Buggy Carl, Kipnuk’s tribal administrator, described riding out the storm with his family as their house floated half a mile downriver:
    • "We only floated down a few minutes. It felt like hours because the time was really slow and I was really—my adrenaline was like out of the roof." — Buggy Carl [02:43]
  • Quigillingok’s Bria Paul described the challenge of prioritizing families with no homes for evacuation and uncertainty about resettlement.

• Search and Rescue Efforts:

  • Coast Guard, Troopers, and National Guard teams conducted aerial, ATV, and boat searches for those missing and to evacuate the injured and vulnerable.
  • The search for two Quigillingok residents was suspended after extensive efforts.
    • "Suspending an active search is always a tough decision to make and it is especially difficult in this situation where the Quigellinga community is already suffering so much." — Buggy Carl [04:17]
  • The body of Ella Mae Kashatook was found; two relatives remained missing.

Notable Quotes

• "I know their mindset that their heart is here. They don't know anywhere else to go." — Buggy Carl [01:50]
• "They deserve to be searched. Their names deserve to be heard." — Bria Paul [04:49]
• "His face was both like, happy, but at the same time, there was this huge sigh of relief that we were able to get people into a safe location." — Lt. Blake David Brostorm, Coast Guard [06:32]
• "Our homes are like our sanctuary... All the love that you have inside that home, gone overnight—It's very tragic..." — Brostorm [07:10]

Juneau Police Use-of-Force Incident

[08:34–11:27]

Key Discussion Points

• The state’s Office of Special Prosecutions declined to file charges against former Juneau police officer Brandon LeBlanc for an arrest where excessive force was alleged.
• The incident, widely circulated online, led to public outcry and LeBlanc’s resignation.
• Juneau’s police chief committed to policy reforms in the aftermath.

Notable Quotes

• "He firmly believes that LeBlanc is a good officer who made a very bad mistake." — Chief Derek Boss (paraphrased) [09:19]

Push to Reform Behavioral Health Regulations

[11:27–12:18]

Key Discussion Points

• Alaska Behavioral Health Association’s John Solomon said burdensome regulations hinder access to mental health services.
• Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s executive order aims to reduce regulations by 25% across agencies by 2027.
• The state is collecting public comment on which rules could be cut.

Notable Quotes

• "The past three years has been administrative burden, and that's what this is. It's just all the paperwork and the regulations and things." — John Solomon (paraphrased) [11:05]

The Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) Convention Preview

[12:18–16:18]

Key Discussion Points

• Thousands arrive in Anchorage for AFN, the largest annual Native gathering, amidst a year marked by natural disasters and political challenges.
• The convention acts as a "Native New Year" and crucial place for tribal unity and advocacy.
• Recent years saw some groups leave AFN over disagreements, but most have returned, reflecting renewed commitment to unity.
• Despite a federal shutdown and the storm’s impact, AFN remains focused on resilience, leadership, and cultural preservation.

Notable Quotes

• "It's about brainstorming. It's about learning from each other and saying, hey, what do we need to do? How do we take care of each other?" — Sven Haakonson [13:02]
• "Protecting our way of life, a way of life that AFN's co chair Joe Nelson says has been threatened by drastic federal budget cuts and new policies that affect native lands." — Joe Nelson [13:40]
• "The theme was somehow prescient. If ever there was a time for unity, it's now." — Rhonda McBride [15:10]
• "To those affected, we see you. We are with you. To those who can help, now is the time." — Roy Aglowen [15:51]

Federal Policy Updates

[16:18–18:03]

Key Discussion Points

• The U.S. Senate passed the "ARTIST Act," enabling Alaska Native artists to continue selling traditional ivory works even when other states enact ivory bans.
• The bill, spearheaded by Sen. Dan Sullivan, seeks to protect Alaska Native livelihoods from unintended effects of state-level ivory restrictions.

Tribal Unity Gathering: Subsistence Rights

[18:03–19:47]

Key Discussion Points

• Panelists at the Alaska Tribal Unity Gathering discussed unity in defending Native subsistence rights, referencing landmark court cases and new threats.
• Andrea Burgess, executive director of Native People's Action, stressed the urgent need for Indigenous solidarity amidst environmental and political changes.
• Calls for growing Indigenous presence in law and politics.

Notable Quotes

• "Things are literally shifting from beneath our feet, beneath our waters... We don’t have any time to spare to be in disagreement amongst our own selves." — Andrea Burgess [18:03]
• "We need more representation and not people who come and move here for three years... They say we're going to fix you. But they don't know our needs, our way of life." — Nelly Unangik Jimmy (via Burgess) [19:05]

Feature Story: Grubby the Opossum’s Legacy

[19:47–21:39]

Key Discussion Points

• Grubby, an opossum who stowed away from Washington to Alaska, became a beloved resident at the Alaska Zoo, defying the odds by living well past a typical opossum lifespan.
• Her presence sparked debates on invasive species and public affection, leading to the viral #FreeGrubby campaign.
• Zoo Executive Director Tristan Thone and fan Allison Phillips reflected on Grubby’s impact.

Notable Quotes

• "We saw an opportunity not only to give her a second chance, but to also educate people. So I think it was an easy decision for us." — Tristan Thone [20:28]
• "Her outcome was she had fans and she was loved by the staff at the zoo." — Allison Phillips [21:27]

Celebrating Alaska’s 2026 Assistant Principal of the Year

[21:39–25:33]

Key Discussion Points

• Jamie Cabral, assistant principal at Petersburg’s middle and high schools, is recognized statewide for his dedication across multiple roles: dean, coach, athletic director, board member.
• Colleagues and administrators describe Cabral’s tireless energy, self-sacrifice, and positive influence on students and staff alike.
• Cabral emphasizes community support and humility regarding his awards.

Notable Quotes

• "He is just an exceptional person to work with. I mean, best person I've worked with probably my entire career." — Principal Brad King [23:17]
• "He is one of the only people I’ve met who can just, like, make you feel really good. On a bad day, you just go and talk to Jamie and you walk away and it's like, oh, I feel great now." — Dustin Crump, Spanish teacher [24:00]
• "Yeah, that was not expected whatsoever, not even the region one. I like to try and just stay on the down low and keep working and make sure the kids got what they need at the school. But it is super, super amazing." — Jamie Cabral [24:42]

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• Evacuation urgency and reluctance to leave home: Buggy Carl [01:15, 01:50]
• Coast Guard’s emotional reflections on rescue: Brostorm [06:32, 07:10]
• AFN as a 'Native New Year' and engine for unity: Sven Haakonson, Joe Nelson, Roy Aglowen [13:02, 13:40, 15:51]
• Panel on subsistence rights and Indigenous empowerment: Andrea Burgess [18:03, 18:45, 19:24]
• Touching tributes to Grubby the opossum: Tristan Thone, Allison Phillips [20:28, 21:27]
• Inspiring testimonials about Jamie Cabral’s impact: Brad King, Dustin Crump, Jamie Cabral [23:17, 24:00, 24:42]

Conclusion

This episode delivers a powerful snapshot of both urgent crises and enduring community spirit across Alaska. From the hardship and heroics following a catastrophic storm to grassroots cultural and political organizing at AFN, the show captures the themes of resilience, unity, and hope that define Alaska’s people and their stories.