Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media
Lori Townsend is the chief editor, senior vice president of journalism and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452. Read more about Lori here.
What can Anchorage’s beached whale teach us? | Talk of Alaska
A dead fin whale that washed up near Anchorage is bringing hundreds of spectators to the beach. What can biologists learn from analyzing this fin whale?
Making Alaska roadways safer | Talk of Alaska
Anchorage has had a lethal stretch of pedestrian deaths in recent months. We discuss what’s being done to lower these tragedies on this Talk of Alaska.
Dealing with the dark | Talk of Alaska Rewind
On this Talk of Alaska, we revisit our 2023 discussion on darkness, and finding ways to enjoy the short days of winter.
Regulating phone use in schools | Talk of Alaska
Should cellphones be banned in school? If so, what should those bans look like? We discuss it on this Talk of Alaska.
Alaska Children’s Trust Lived Experience Storytelling Project | Talk of Alaska
We discuss how sharing stories of child abuse and neglect can help to bring healing, and prevent further pain on this Talk of Alaska.
Alaskans in the Fulbright Arctic Initiative | Talk of Alaska
Three Alaska women have been selected as Fulbright Arctic Initiative scholars. We learn about their international research plans on this Talk of Alaska.
Changes in Alaska’s nonprofit landscape | Talk of Alaska
What will changes in leadership at some of the largest nonprofits in Alaska mean for the future of supportive services and rates of charitable giving?
Police accountability and community trust | Talk of Alaska
Law enforcement officials, attorneys, and community advocates answer questions about use of force and how cases are investigated on this Talk of Alaska.
Vaccines for whooping cough and other diseases | Talk of Alaska
Alaska’s top medical experts join us to describe the latest science about viral disease, how to prevent it and answer your questions on this Talk of Alaska.
The future of the Permanent Fund | Talk of Alaska
Amid concerns over its long-term stability, Permanent Fund managers are proposing changes to the fund’s structure they say will protect it for the future.
What the proposed Kroger/Albertsons merger could mean for Alaskans | Talk of Alaska
Albertsons, the owner of Safeway and Carrs, wants to sell to Kroger, the parent company of Fred Meyer. The deal would affect multiple stores in Alaska.
The federal report on boarding schools | Talk of Alaska
The U.S. Interior Department released a report in July 2024 to continue documenting the federal government’s role in the system that ripped children away from their homes.
Optimism in the face of environmental threats | Talk of Alaska
We discuss a book aimed at highlighting conservation success stories and encouraging optimism about the future, on the next Talk of Alaska.
Why is housing so expensive right now? | Talk of Alaska
Increasingly, housing is financially out of reach for people in Alaska wanting to own a home or even to find an affordable place to rent.
The Outlook for commercial fisheries | Talk of Alaska
Several factors are endangering the economy of coastal communities and transforming the lives of Alaskans who depend on commercial fishing.
Celebrating disability pride in 2024 | Talk of Alaska
We speak with disability advocates about their top priorities, and the celebrations ahead, on this Talk of Alaska.
Freedom, Democracy and the Fourth of July | Talk of Alaska
We discuss historical and philosophical context on our democracy and what freedom requires of us all on this next Talk of Alaska.
What does freedom mean to you? We want to know!
Share your ideas for an upcoming Talk of Alaska episode. Your answers may be shared on-air or on our website.
Celebrating World Refugee Day in Alaska | Talk of Alaska
How can communities best help those who have been displaced from their home countries? We discuss welcoming new neighbors on this Talk of Alaska.
Social media risks for children | Talk of Alaska
Social media can be fun. But it can also be dangerous, especially for children and teenagers. A U.S. surgeon general report found significant
links between teen social media use, eating disorders and body dissatisfaction, especially for teen girls. But a bill that would have
banned Alaskans under the age of 14 from social media stalled in the legislature. What controls are appropriate for parents and what do young people think about it? We’ll ask on the next Talk of Alaska.