Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media
Incumbent Independent Gubernatorial Candidate Bill Walker | Alaska Insight
Bill Walker joins Lori Townsend on Alaska Insight to describe what he will do if he is elected to a second term. Learn more about his background, growing up poor, and what he plans to do to address a rise in crime and sexual assault in Alaska.
Ballot Measure One
Ballot measure one is a hotly contested initiative that has divided Alaskans over what may sound like a simple request-stand for salmon. But it's a complex question that's pitting environmental groups against mining and oil companies. So what does a yes or no vote mean? Both sides claim that if they lose, the results could be disastrous, but what's really at stake? Listen now
Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Mark Begich | Alaska Insight
He’s previously held elected office as Anchorage’s mayor and as one of Alaska’s U.S. Senators. Democrat Mark Begich is running to be Alaska’s next Governor and he joins host, Lori Townsend, to discuss his views on the issues affecting Alaskans. Reporter, Zachariah Hughes, also visited Mr. Begich’s home to learn more about the candidate outside of politics.
Gubernatorial candidate Bill Walker
Over the past two weeks, the top challengers campaigning to be Alaska's next Governor have outlined their positions on the state's future needs. Now it's the incumbent's turn. Independent Bill Walker joins us to make his case for keeping the job of Alaska's top elected official. What would he focus on if he wins a second term? Listen now
Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mike Dunleavy | Alaska Insight
Alaska Insight Season Two kicks off with a series of episodes featuring discussions with the candidates running for Governor. In this episode, we get to know more about Republican Mike Dunleavy as both a politician running for office and an Alaskan family man.
Gubernatorial candidate Mark Begich
As the race for Alaska's next Governor heats up, Talk of Alaska is featuring all three candidates in September. On the next program, Democrat Mark Begich joins us. What does he see as the best path forward for the future of Alaska? LISTEN HERE
Gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy
The field is set for the general election and the campaign for Alaska's next Governor is in full swing. Talk of Alaska will feature the three gubernatorial candidates over the next few weeks, starting with Republican Mike Dunleavy. What is his vision for the future of our state? LISTEN HERE
Land into trust limbo for Alaska tribes
Indian Country is a term used to describe reservation and other trust lands. The designation allows tribes to have greater economic and legal control of the land that is held in trust for them by the federal government. It can unlock federal funds for development and also precludes state and borough governments from taxing the trust property. The authority has only been in place since 2014 after years of legal battles. Now it’s on hold. How much land has been placed in to trust in 4 years and what does the review mean for future applications? LISTEN HERE
International journalist exchange brings Pakistani reporters to Anchorage TV station
Two young journalists from Pakistan completed their assignments in Anchorage last week. Tarhub Asghar and Shaista Mairaj spent three weeks at an Anchorage Fox News affiliate as part of an international journalism exchange through the U.S. State and Education Departments. Listen now
Reading and the importance of libraries
Vacations and books are wonderful companions. PBS is sponsoring the Great American Read this summer and people across the nation are voting on their favorite novels. But with the ease and portability of online reading, how important are books and the libraries that house them? What does the future look like for the places that care for literature, documents and other archives? LISTEN HERE
As man is found guilty of 2015 shooting, victim and family hope to move on
Gun violence can happen anywhere. Chelan Schreifels knows that all too well. Her daughter Caia Delavergne was shot by an Anchorage man, Christian Beier in October 2015. Beier was recently found guilty after a trial in Anchorage. Listen now
UA’s College of Education
It's the middle of summer but students seeking higher education are making plans for fall. The University's new Alaska College of Education aims to train more state residents to take teaching jobs here. The idea is to keep good teachers in rural Alaska communities. LISTEN HERE
The Human Genome Project, and how it could change modern medicine
Dr. Eric Green, Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health says the project’s signature accomplishment was reading out the three billion letters that make up the human genome sequence. Dr Green gave the keynote address at a Southcentral Foundation conference in Anchorage last week. Listen now
Investing in small business
Alaska has a lot of entrepreneurs. Small business owners do everything from walk dogs to design clothing. How has the small business climate evolved in the state and what's on the horizon? Where can people with big plans get support and capitalize on the interest in buying locally? LISTEN HERE
Public Safety in rural Alaska
Rural Alaska has long had a lack of adequate law enforcement. State budget cuts have exacerbated the problem and recent reporting reveals trouble with how or if some local law enforcement officers are screened before they're hired. What's being done to make rural Alaska safer? LISTEN HERE
Rural healthcare facilities struggle paying Internet bills as FCC rate review holds up subsidies
A program that provides millions of dollars in federal subsidies to help pay rural Alaska healthcare facilities' high internet bills has been on hold for nearly a year. Listen now
Report highlights long-standing issue of VPOs with criminal convictions
Recent reporting in the Anchorage Daily News has exposed a long-standing problem in Alaska of rural communities hiring village police officers with past criminal convictions. That includes some who later committed crimes while they were officers -- as the ADN headline puts it -- going from "criminal to cop and back again." Listen now
Social worker mentors and OCS funds
Working with families in crisis is stressful and social workers have a high burn out rate. A new program within the Office of Children's Services aims to help OCS field workers by providing mentors who can help them learn the skills they'll need to not only survive, but thrive in a challenging occupation. How will that ultimately help children and families? LISTEN HERE
Health care, addiction and budget cuts
The state health care system has been stretched thin by rising rates of addiction, a growing need for more mental health treatment beds and Medicaid expansion. These needs were under the budget lens during the legislative session. How will health care providers meet the challenge of treating sick Alaskans during the funding crunch? LISTEN HERE
Social media records brought in for evidence as alleged Grunwald murder accomplice stands trial
The Palmer trial of Erick Almandinger is in its second week. Almandinger is one of several teenagers who are accused of murdering 16-year-old David Grunwald in 2016. Listen now