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.
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
HistoryMakers to document diversity of Alaska African Americans as part of national project
Documenting the rich diversity of the lives of African Americans is the mission of a national group called The Historymakers. Videographers are in Alaska this week for the first time to capture the stories of 11 Alaskans. Listen now
A Rose in Candle highlights the tale of Jewish immigrants during the Gold Rush
A family story of the early gold rush days in Alaska was featured in Anchorage on May 14th at the Alaska Jewish Museum. The documentary, A Rose in Candle, was directed by Anchorage history enthusiast Russ Reno and tells the story of a young Jewish woman who was a violist from Romania.
The state park system
Alaska has the largest state park system in the nation. And with the summer season about to launch into high gear, Alaskans are preparing for state park adventures. On the next Talk of Alaska we'll hear from park managers on what they're doing to make even the most remote parks more accessible. And we'll discuss the future of the park system as the state continues to make budget cuts. LISTEN HERE
Anchorage emergency rooms can’t handle number of patients needing psychiatric care
Emergency rooms in Anchorage hospitals cannot keep up with the numbers of patients needing psychiatric care. It's a problem that's pushing people experiencing acute mental crises into more traditional ER's, overburdening staff, delaying care to other patients, and straining an already thin system. Listen now
What does it take to legally immigrate to America?
Immigration has been in the news a lot this year. Most of the coverage involves undocumented immigrants. But what does it take to cross the border legally? The requirements for entry into the U.S. can vary widely from one country to the next and it can be surprisingly hard. LISTEN HERE
Sen. Sullivan discusses Iran, N. Korea and Coastal Erosion in Alaska | Alaska Insight
Lori Townsend sits down with Republican U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan to talk about some of the recent news headlines and issues specifically affecting Alaskans for the Season One finale.
Alaska’s Real Estate Market | Alaska Insight
Spring is usually a popular time to buy a home in Alaska, but with the state being in a recession, how is the current real estate market faring and what is the outlook for the future? On this edition of Alaska Insight, Lori Townsend talks with realtors and brokers about the current status and future forecast of the commercial and residential real estate markets.
The Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame 10th anniversary
Alaskan women are smart, hardworking, innovative and tough. They have helped build the state through dedicated service to education, medicine, business, the arts and much more. The Alaska Women's Hall of Fame inducts several of them each spring and this year marks the 10th anniversary. LISTEN HERE
The Port of Alaska | Alaska Insight
The Port of Alaska, formerly the Port of Anchorage is the major point of entry for a huge share of the state’s commerce. From fuel to groceries to building supplies, the importance to Alaskans is clear.