Charles Wohlforth
cwohlforth (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | About Charles
The Science of the ’64 Earthquake
Fifty years ago the greatest earthquake ever recorded in North America hit southcentral Alaska, devastating Anchorage. On the next Hometown Alaska, host Charles Wohlforth and guests will delve into the science behind the 1964 earthquake.
KSKA: Wednesday, March 26, 2:00 and 9:00 p.m.
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Training for Fitness
Have you gotten a little sedentary over the winter? Host Charles Wohlforth will be joined by a coach, a physical therapist and a dietician to talk about how to safely and successfully start a fitness program, to control weight, improve health or just enjoy life more. For those who already work out regularly, we'll talk about how to take it to the next level, and even to endurance competition.
KSKA: Thursday, 3/13, at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
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Education Funding Activism
Gov. Sean Parnell has declared this year the education session the legislature, but if you are involved in schools in Anchorage you already know that education funding and policy are hot topics. On the next Hometown Alaska, host Charles Wohlforth will be joined by education activists to lead a community discussion on school funding and school choice. Should state funding increase, and should it be available to private and religious schools?
KSKA: Wednesday, 3/12, 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
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Alaska Native Games
The annual statewide competitions are coming up soon, as well as the international Arctic Winter Games in Fairbanks. These games are spectacular, like the high kick, and sometimes require toughness and courage. Their cultural roots are for preparing for outdoor survival and hunting success. We'll have athletes and cultural experts in the studio.
KSKA: Thursday, 3/6 at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
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Choosing Capital Projects
Tradition is an important part of politics. The Alaska Legislature has long followed the tradition of keeping the state's capital budget process confidential until the last minute, and then releasing and voting on it in the final days of the session. Some people think that leads to bad decisions. We'll talk about Anchorage's recent tennis court controversies, and other impacts of how the legislature does its job. Is there a better way?
KSKA: Wednesday, 2/19, at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
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Anchorage’s Olympic Dream
In the 1980s, Anchorage made bids to host the winter Olympics. Remember Salt Lake City? That could have been us. Now the idea is back. On the next Hometown Alaska, we'll talk about whether Anchorage should be an Olympic city, and what was learned last time we tried. Join us with your questions, memories and opinions. Should we bid for 2026?
KSKA: Wednesday, 1/29 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm
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Moving the Transit Center
The People Mover bus system has routed through the transit center in downtown Anchorage for many years, but now city officials want to move the transit center to midtown as part of a mixed development of residential and commercial land uses. We explore the pros and cons of moving the transit center, and the implications for focusing more city activity in the midtown area instead of the traditional downtown core.
KSKA: Wednesday 1/15 at 2:00 and 9:00 pm
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Celebrating Volunteers
Volunteers are the heart of many organizations and causes. At this time of year, KSKA provides an opportunity to thank them for their contributions to the community. In the studio, our guests address what volunteers accomplish and how organizations can attract and make effective use of a volunteer workforce.
KSKA: Wednesday 12/18 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm
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The LGBT Experience in Anchorage
Anchorage lags behind much of the nation in protecting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens from discrimination, but does that mean they face more prejudice or have a harder life here? Our guests address the lgbt experience in Anchorage, the good as well as the bad. Join us and call in for an open discussion and honest questions about navigating sexual identity.
KSKA: Wednesday 12/11 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm
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Anchorage labor ordinance
The key players in the Anchorage labor law debate join us in the studio for a round table discussion: Mayor Dan Sullivan, Assembly chair Ernie Hall, Assembly member Elvi Gray-Jackson, and Gerard Asselin, the President of the Coalition on Municipal Unions. Join us for a civil discussion on a tough issue.
KSKA: Wednesday 11/6 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm
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Celtic New Year
Celtic New Year is something like Halloween, but more serious-- a night when the veil between two worlds is lifted and ancestors may be in touch. On the next Hometown Alaska, we'll learn about this tradition, and its 25th annual celebration in Anchorage, which is coming up, with members of the Irish and Scottish communities.
KSKA: Wednesday 10/23 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm
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The Mat-Su Ferry
The advanced-design ferry Susitna was supposed to connect Anchorage and Mat-Su's Point MacKenzie, but after spending $78 million on the vessel, no landing docks have ever been built and the ship has become a costly white elephant. On the next Hometown, Alaska host Charles Wohlforth and his guests will talk about how Mat-Su taxpayers to got in this difficult situation, and the options being discussed to deal with the cost.
KSKA: Wednesday 10/9 at 2:00 and 9:00 pm
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Shoes of Alaska
Shoes are particularly personal things, and yet universally human. On the next Hometown, Alaska we'll be talking about shoes as a way to understand our community, our culture and lifestyles. An exhibit is opening at the Anchorage Museum called Footnotes, and some of the shoes on dispay are crazy, including Xtratough boots as high heels. Charles Wohlforth hosts the curator and one of the artists.
KSKA: Wednesday 10/2 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm
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Prejudice and the Church
Churches have fought racial prejudice or gone along with it at different times and places in Alaskan history. These deep, moral issues put spiritual leaders in a complex position, and they see their duties very differently.On the next Hometown, Alaska host Charles Wohlforth talks with two pastors about how religious faith might be relevant to issues of prejudice, how churches talk about those issues, and the pitfalls of broaching them.
KSKA: Wednesday 9/18, at 2:00 pm (LIVE) and 9:00 pm
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World School
A family tragedy inspired Mary Katzke to sell her house and belongings, take her 10-year-old Corrin out of school, and head off around the world with him. Now Mary and Corin are back, and they've produced a film and exhibit about their experiences called World School. They join us to talk about jumping off the deep end into the wide world.
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KSKA: Wednesday 9/4 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm
Back to School with Superintendent Graff
School is starting in Anchorage, once again with a new superintendent. After a year of turmoil, the Anchorage School District is headed by a local educator, Ed Graff. Superintendent Graff looks ahead to coming school year and how he plans to guide the district. We're on the air the first day of school.
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KSKA: Wednesday 8/21 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm
Hiking the Chugach
This week's show puts together four guys who love hiking these trails and know them well, an author, two trail managers and your host. We'll talk about our favorite hikes while we put together a trail guide on the air.
KSKA: Thursday 7/25 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm
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What’s up with the weather?
Huge storms in the fall. A winter that was slow to start and then wouldn't quit. A late, frigid spring that turned into a scorching June. On the next Hometown Alaska, we'll talk about just how unusual the weather has been, and how that relates to climate--or doesn't. Tune in with your questions for our weather and climate experts.
KSKA: Wednesday 6/19 at 2:00 pm and 7 :00 pm
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Understanding Alaska’s Gas Line Options
Sometimes the news you hear and read gets so complicated and insider you want to tune out, but when it comes to the Alaska gasline, that would mean ignoring one of the most important issues that could determine the state's future for generations. On the next Hometown Alaska, we hold a clarifying discussion about gasline options and issues, a gasline 101 to get up to speed and form our own opinions.
KSKA: Wednesday, 5/29, at 2 pm and 7 pm
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Bragaw Extension / North Access to UMed District
The extension of Bragaw south into the university medical area has been a controversial idea for decades. Now the legislature has funded a project to connect the north side of UAA to Northern Lights Boulevard, and design is going ahead. We'll learn about the Bragaw extension, how it was approved, the routes under consideration, and the pros and cons of each, balancing the need to move traffic and the need to preserve the university campus.
KSKA: Wednesday 5/8 at 2:00 pm and 7:00pm
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