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.
Alaska’s Marijuana Industry | Alaska Insight
A statewide ballot initiative in 2014 legalized recreational cannabis. Retail stores and growers are now licensed and operating.
The marijuana industry in Alaska
Marijuana has been legal in Alaska since a voter initiative passed in 2014. Retail businesses and commercial growers are operating and paying millions in taxes to the state, but one of only three testing facilities recently shut down and there's still no decision regarding on-site consumption. LISTEN HERE
Elder Abuse & Fraud | Alaska Insight
Alaskans have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars and elders are especially vulnerable. On Alaska Insight, we’ll learn more about how state and federal law enforcement officials are working to protect citizens from financial ruin.
How are Alaska State Troopers coping with lower staffing?
The Alaska State Troopers face a dilemma. They take on some of Alaska's toughest cases and are seeing increased demand. But even as state budget shortfalls have forced cuts, the agency is struggling to keep the troopers it already has. How are the troopers coping with staffing issues? Will public safety suffer? LISTEN HERE
2018 Anchorage Mayor’s Race | Alaska Insight
Lori Townsend sits down with front-runners Ethan Berkowitz and Rebecca Logan to get their perspective on some of the most important issues Anchorage residents are facing. Election Day is April 3, 2018.
New documentary highlights mismanagement of Native trust money by feds
100 Years: One Woman's Fight for Justice is the story of Blackfeet tribal member, the late Eloise Cobell. Cobell took on the Interior department over missing funds in trust accounts that were supposed to be paid to Native landowners. Listen now
Restaurant and Service Industry in Alaska | Alaska Insight
Alaska has one of the nation’s most diverse populations which results in an equally diverse restaurant and service industry. However, that doesn’t make the industry immune to the state’s current recession.
Governor Walker pushes for fiscal solution: “The worst plan is no plan”
Governor Bill Walker said today he's heard from legislative staff that committee hearings are moving appropriately on budget discussions. but he says he's disappointed that the House and Senate are still struggling to find consensus. Listen now
Jeff King on PETA and past Iditarod protests
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals or PETA plans to protest the start of the race in Anchorage tomorrow morning. Former Iditarod champion Jeff King sat down with Lori Townsend recently to talk about the race, his career and his feelings about the animal rights activists who are against racing sled dogs. Listen now
A Closer Look: 40 Years of Public Radio in Anchorage
This program is all about long serving Alaska Public Media Program Director Bede Trantina, as well as memories of the early days of KSKA. We sat down with Bede and Alex Hills, the founding general manager of KSKA who hired Bede 39 years ago to find out more about how the station got started and how Bede began her tenure here.
LISTEN HERE
Non-Profits in Alaska | Alaska Insight
Alaska tends to have more non-profit organizations and more active volunteers than many other states, especially in rural Alaska.
High Healthcare Costs in Alaska | Alaska Insight
A lot of factors contribute to the cost of health care in Alaska. Lori Townsend sits down with Julie Taylor, CEO of Alaska Regional hospital in Anchorage and Becky Hultberg, President and CEO of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association to discuss some of the reasons and possible alternatives to the unusually high healthcare costs in the state.
Alaska’s Economic Forecast | Alaska Insight
On this edition of Alaska Insight, Lori Townsend sits down with Anchorage Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Bill Popp and State Labor and Commerce department senior economist Neal Fried to discuss the current economic climate in Alaska following the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation luncheon. They go over the numbers and discuss the possibility for recovery for the 49th state.
‘Flutters From Side Street – Volume One’ showcases Anchorage coffeehouse musings
George is an artist who started drawing on a white board that featured daily drink specials to give customers something interesting to look at. Those drawings are inspired by his inner social and political contemplations and are now collected in a new book - Flutters From Side Street - Volume One. Listen now
Tsunami warning DOWNGRADED to an advisory
The National Weather Service has lifted the tsunami warning for coastal Alaska.
It has been downgraded to a tsunami advisory. That means that while a wave *has* been recorded in the Gulf of Alaska, it’s not big enough to require evacuations.
Anchorage author chronicles 8-year friendship with Dizzy Gillespie
A new book by Anchorage author David Brown, chronicles an eight-year friendship with Dizzy Gillespie, united people around music and through his spiritual beliefs. Listen now
Memoir details emigration from Ireland to New York to Alaska
A recent memoir chronicles the adventures of a young man as he emigrated from Ireland to New York and Alaska. Listen now
The potential for future energy development
Walker administration officials say the future is bright for resource development with new oil discoveries on the North Slope, potential mining opportunities and the prospect of opening ANWR. They also say the long awaited gas line deal is coming together. How much of this message is an economic wish list and how much is reality? Listen Here
Power and Empire: New Alaskan-helmed Tom Clancy novel launches
The author Tom Clancy died in 2013, but Tom Clancy the fiction series powerhouse is very much alive and well. The continuation of Clancy's thrillers are now in the capable hands of an Alaskan author-Eagle River resident Marc Cameron, a best selling author in his own right, Cameron has just released his first Clancy book -- Power and Empire features Clancy characters President Jack Ryan and his son, Jack Ryan Jr., who works for a secret intelligence agency.
UAA forum to discuss education in democracy
A forum discussing the value of education in a democracy takes place at the University of Alaska Anchorage campus Tuesday evening. The panel features former Alaska Supreme Court justices, doctors, education and immigration experts and others. Listen now