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.
Checking in with state economists as Alaska reopens | Alaska Insight
More than a third of Alaskan workers have applied for unemployment in the last 2 months. With so many Alaskans out of work, how will small businesses survive a summer with little to no tourism? Will CARES Act funding be enough to keep small businesses going?
Balancing municipal budgets during COVID-19 | Alaska Insight
COVID-19 has put a strain on small Alaska communities who rely on seasonal income to stay afloat. What can and should the state do to keep municipal governments strong?
LISTEN: Alaska was coming out of recession when COVID-19 hit. Now the future is more unclear than ever before.
How deep will the downturn be, and what will it take before we can say Alaska’s economy is in recovery? What are the benchmarks and what will state services, employment and Alaska’s business sector look like after so much financial loss?
The challenges of distance education | Alaska Insight
In mid March, students went on spring break, but widespread concern over the coronavirus meant they could not return to their classrooms for the remainder of the spring semester.
LISTEN: Small businesses employ just over half of all Alaskans. How are they fairing as they wait for CARES act funding?
A lawsuits filed against the legislative budget and audit committee says the entire legislature must approve of releasing CARES Act funding to Alaska businesses and municipalities. What happens now and how many more businesses will go under while they wait for help?
Stabilizing Alaska’s economy after COVID-19 | Alaska Insight
Alaska lawmakers have said they need to approve the governor’s plan for sending out federal CARES act funds to Alaska businesses and communities, but are uncertain if they have to reconvene in Juneau to do so. With some of Alaska's largest industries suffering, what will lawmakers do to help stabilize Alaska's economy?
LISTEN: Distance education looks different across Alaska. How are students doing?
Many families have low or no internet connection available in their homes, so how well does remote teaching work and what might it portend for the start of classes in the fall?
Re-opening Alaska’s economy | Alaska Insight
Governor Mike Dunleavy began allowing businesses to reopen this week after more than a month of emergency closures. What are the restrictions?
LISTEN: Lawmakers discuss stabilizing the economy after COVID-19
Alaska lawmakers have said they need to approve the governor’s plan for sending out federal CARES Act funds to Alaska businesses and communities. They’re considering reconvening in Juneau to do so. Should they?
Take a break from pandemic stress with Alaska artists | Alaska Insight
Social isolation and sheltering in place have disrupted our daily lives, leaving many people anxious and stressed. Musicians and writers join us to help you decompress.
LISTEN: Dr. Anne Zink and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss reopening the economy on Talk of Alaska
Reopening Alaska's economy is something some Alaskans desperately want while others urge caution as the coronavirus pandemic continues. THow will this work in practice and how do we know it isn’t too soon?
Working to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in rural Alaska | Alaska Insight
Limited or no road access means many rural Alaska communities face challenges in delivering health care. With the additional strain COVID-19 is putting on local health care providers, how is rural Alaska preparing to stop the spread of coronavirus in their small, isolated communities?
LISTEN: Take a break from pandemic stress with some help from Alaska musicians and writers
With the stress of sheltering in our homes and a daily barrage of worrisome news about the global pandemic, it’s important to find time to decompress, relax and find hope for the future.
LISTEN: How is rural Alaska preparing for COVID-19?
With limited clinic and hospital capacity, how are rural Alaska health providers preparing to assist residents who become ill?
The economic implications of the COVID-19 shut downs | Alaska Insight
ISER examined the negative effects of the COVID-19 on Alaska’s economy, and the numbers are stark: there are tens of thousands unemployed, and nearly 2 billion in lost state GDP. How much will federal spending help Alaskan businesses and individuals?
LISTEN: What Alaskans’ response to the 1964 earthquake can teach us about approaching crises today.
Journalist and author Jon Mooallem talks with Lori Townsend about his book and what he learned about how Alaskans made it through a day that literally turned their world upside down.
Alaska’s U.S. Senators discuss how the CARES Act can benefit you | Alaska Insight
The global economy is being hammered by the effects of widespread illness and business closures due to COVID-19. In response, congress has put together the largest financial relief package in history. Will it be enough to blunt the economic decline in the U.S?
LISTEN: Can Alaska’s economy bounce back after COVID-19?
Tens of thousands unemployed, nearly $2 billion in lost state GDP, these are the economic projections in a new report by ISER examining the negative effects of the COVID-19 virus on Alaska’s economy. How much will federal spending help Alaskan businesses and individuals?
Keeping kids learning during the coronavirus pandemic | Alaska Insight
With a national and state emergency declared to slow the spread of coronavirus, school districts across Alaska are dealing with extended spring breaks and uncertainty surrounding the remainder of the school year. What are the options for distance education in a state with low or no internet connection in some areas?
LISTEN: Congress put together a $2 trillion relief package. What happens next?
Congress has put together the largest financial relief package in history. Will it be enough to blunt the economic decline in the U.S? And what will it mean for Alaska's economy and workers?