Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media
Lori Townsend is the news director 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.
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.
Summer reading with Alaskan authors | Talk of Alaska Rewind
On this Talk of Alaska, we revisit our 2023 conversation with Alaskan authors and librarians to discuss book recommendations for Summer reading.
25 Years of Therapeutic Courts | Talk of Alaska
How well have therapeutic courts like mental health and DUI courts performed in the last 25 years and what will the next 25 look like?
Marijuana reclassification and taxation | Talk of Alaska
While a bill to lower taxes didn't pass the legislature this year. Industry advocates say reclassification could offer some relief.
50 years of the Endangered Species Act | Talk of Alaska
The Endangered Species Act is 50 years old and through the decades the Act has helped numerous species recover and thrive.
Preparing for and preventing wildfires in 2024 | Talk of Alaska
What are the best ways to protect your property and community from fire? We discuss the 2024 wildfire season on this Talk of Alaska.
The correspondence school allotment lawsuit | Talk of Alaska
A Superior court judge recently threw out the laws supporting Alaska’s correspondence education program. Where does the program go from here?
Governor Dunleavy discusses education funding | Talk of Alaska
What would Alaska's governor agree to for an education spending plan? Governor Dunleavy joins us on this Talk of Alaska.
Conducting and analyzing public opinion polls | Talk of Alaska
We hear from people who create polls and those who use them in different campaigns, on this Talk of Alaska.
Discussing the 2024 legislative session | Talk of Alaska
What is the current tone of debate at the capitol? We talk with reporters covering this year's legislative session on this Talk of Alaska.
Cook Inlet gas production and railbelt energy | Talk of Alaska
We discuss the future energy needs for Southcentral Alaskans against diminishing supply on this Talk of Alaska
AI and Alaskan businesses | Talk of Alaska
How can computer learning technology help streamline work and create efficiencies for small businesses and what are the red flags?
Indigenous representation in popular media | Talk of Alaska
We talk with actors from the Alaska-focused series True Detective: Night Country about indigenous representation on this Talk of Alaska.
Minneapolis held a successful World Cup in February. Could Anchorage be next?
Olympian Kikkan Randall, a commentator for the World Cup's first U.S. cross-country skiing event in 20 years, wants Anchorage to host one.
Developments in child care support | Talk of Alaska
What are elected leaders and businesses doing to address the need for easily-available and affordable child care? We ask advocates on this Talk of Alaska.
Education funding and outcomes | Talk of Alaska
What is the best way to support students, teachers and schools for Alaska’s future? We discuss educational outcomes and funding on this Talk of Alaska.
The Future of the military in Alaska | Talk of Alaska
What do recent international conflicts and tensions mean for Alaska-based troops and defense installations?
Previewing Alaska Forum on the Environment 2024 | Talk of Alaska
We talk with presenters about the latest ways to protect the health of Alaska’s ecosystem on this Talk of Alaska.