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.
LISTEN: As coronavirus shuts down schools across Alaska, educators are figuring out what happens next
Schools across the state are closed until at least March 30th. In a state that has low or no internet in some areas, how are districts working to meet the educational, nutritional and mental health needs of students?
LISTEN: How emergency officials and first responders are preparing for coronavirus
President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over the coronavirus pandemic. What does that mean for state emergency planners?
LISTEN: Legends of the last great race are here to celebrate Iditarod 2020
What can we expect from this year's field of racers? How have trail conditions and sled designs changed over the decades? And who's trail stories are the most…hellacious? It's all about the Iditarod when race icons Jeff King and DeeDee Jonrowe join us.
Gov. Dunleavy has new PFD ideas and questions the feasibility of an income tax | Alaska Insight
Gov. Mike Dunleavy released his budget plan in December. It included paying out a full Permanent Fund dividend, but also left a $1.5 billion deficit on the table for legislators to grapple with.
LISTEN: It’ll take more than money to bring the Alaska Marine Highway back to life
The ferry system is completely offline right now, with residents facing empty shelves and upended plans. Temporary contractors may help in the short term, but what will it cost Alaskans and what's the long term solution?
How educators and officials are dealing with the rise in teen vaping | Alaska Insight
While the youth tobacco rate has declined, one in four teenagers is now ingesting nicotine through a new, stylish product. E-cigarettes, or vapes, are a growing problem in secondary schools across the United States. But what's inside the liquid being vaporized? And how will it affect this generation's health?
LISTEN: Gov. Mike Dunleavy returns to discuss resolving the state budget stalemate
Gov. Mike Dunleavy released his budget plan in December with a full permanent fund dividend and a $1.5 billion deficit for legislators to grapple with.
Preparing for and preventing the spread of the novel Coronavirus | Alaska Insight
The novel coronavirus is a global public health emergency according to the World Health Organization and many countries, including the U.S., have restricted travel from China or closed their borders. But questions still remain about how lethal the virus is. How likely are you to contract the virus?
LISTEN: To combat teen vaping in Alaska schools, educators and state officials work together
Teen vaping is a growing problem nationwide, with the CDC reporting that one in four students use vaping products. But what’s inside the liquid being vaporized? And how will it affect teenager’s health?
LISTEN: How serious is the novel coronavirus?
There are confirmed cases in the U.S. and a chartered flight evacuated Americans from China through the Anchorage airport before arriving in California. But how big should this concern be compared to annual influenza infections? Should countries shut down international travel?
Fighting teacher turnover in Alaska’s schools | Alaska Insight
Teacher recruitment and retention has long been a challenge for Alaska. A recent study shows that teachers trained outside of the state are the most likely to leave positions here.
Why forensic nursing is critical for fighting interpersonal violence | Alaska Insight
Proper evidence collection and documentation after domestic violence or sexual assault is an important step to help women who have been traumatized. A unique forensic training academy at UAA is teaching nurses how to conduct these exams and is helping grow the network of forensic nurses across the state.
LISTEN: How can we get more Alaskans teaching in their home communities?
The highest rates of teacher turnover in Alaska are with teachers who are trained outside the state. So how are educators and lawmakers working to get more Alaskans trained to teach in their home communities?
LISTEN: Homelessness services are working to keep Alaskans sheltered as statewide cold snap continues
The recent, severe cold weather has turned difficult conditions into life threatening ones. How are shelter managers and others who work to end homelessness grappling with extreme need for those who are most vulnerable during this extended cold snap?
Training the next generation of women in the trades | Alaska Insight
Skilled trades -- jobs like welding, plumbing, heavy equipment operation and construction -- are attractive jobs for people looking for non-traditional career fields with competitive pay. While the trades continue to be male-dominated fields, more and more women are entering the workforce as training becomes more readily available.
LISTEN: There’s a lot on the table during the next legislative session. State government reporters break down what to look out for.
Next Tuesday, legislators return to Juneau to start the 2020 session. Will the Dunleavy administration and state lawmakers find common ground on how to pay for state services and a permanent fund dividend without draining the Constitutional Budget Reserve?
How State Senate leadership is preparing for the next legislative session | Alaska Insight
Governor Mike Dunleavy released his budget proposal for the next fiscal year in December, but the legislature will have their work cut out for them when they return to Juneau on January 21 to begin the next session. How will lawmakers on both sides of the aisle come together to balance the state budget?
LISTEN: Senate leadership is here to answer your questions ahead of the 2020 legislative session
Alaska Lawmakers will have a lot on their plates when they convene on January 21st for the start of the legislative session. How will they work to balance spending with less revenue coming in from oil and what amount will they agree to for a permanent fund dividend?
Mel Sather, Alaska broadcasting pioneer, dies at 75
Mel Sather, who built the Anchorage-based Native station KNBA, died Dec. 4 after a long illness.
LISTEN: Spanish flu devastated rural Alaska in 1918. Are we better prepared for a pandemic 100 years later?
The 1918 viral pandemic known as the Spanish flu, killed millions worldwide and devastated rural communities in Alaska. 100 years later, what did pathologists learn from that outbreak and how prepared are we to handle a fast moving infectious disease today?