Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media
New film explores how Arctic ecosystems are affected by climate change
A new documentary film looks at how climate change is affecting Arctic ecosystems. Listen now
2018 Alaska Teacher of the Year nominee: Eric Rush
Eric Rush teaches 3rd grade at Ticasuk Brown elementary in North Pole and has been a teacher for nine years. Rush said even in 3rd grade, technology can be a challenging distraction, but also a terrific tool for creating interest and excitement for learning. Listen now
2018 Alaska Teacher of the Year nominee: Karen Martin
Karen Martin teaches 4th grade at Denali borough's Tri Valley School. Martin has been a teacher for 12 years and was a scientist before she became a teacher. She says educational requirements for younger students have become more strenuous. Listen now
2018 Alaska Teacher of the Year nominee: Kent Fielding
Skagway high school English and History teacher Kent Fielding taught at Mt. Edgecumbe before Skagway, where he has taught for the past 12 years. He said technology, especially phones can be a challenge in school but he says in Skagway, it's crucial. Listen now
2018 Alaska Teacher of the Year nominee: Ben Walker
Anchorage teacher Ben Walker teaches 7th grade science at Romig Middle School. Walker said teachers have very different challenges today then in past decades. Listen now
Data breaches and online security
It's become too common. Reports of a data breach that leaves thousands or millions of consumers vulnerable to identity theft, fraud or other types of scams. But what can you do to keep your personal information safe when online commerce is every day business? Listen Here
The Mayor of Anchorage addresses concern over crime and safety
Anchorage had a record number of homicides last year and is on pace to possibly surpass that number this year. Mayor Ethan Berkowitz took some heat for comments he made last week when he said residents who were not involved in drugs or out after midnight were safe. He apologized a day later, saying he wishes he could undo those comments. He said when crime happens to someone in the city, he feels the weight. Listen now
Former Alaska first lady passes, remembered as “frank and friendly”
Ermalee Hickel, the wife of former Governor Wally Hickel, died yesterday. Though her husband's outsized personality may have overshadowed her at times those who knew her say she was a strong woman of faith and family. Listen now
Anchorage medic mobilizes to help residents of Houston
Gray and one of her Mobile Medics International teams recently returned from Houston where they found the greatest need was in areas where undocumented immigrants were living. Listen now
The status of Vietnam vets in Alaska
60,000 Americans died in the Vietnam war. Thousands more died in the following years. A new documentary by filmmaker Ken Burns examines the era. In the first of a series of discussions on the war, we'll hear from Alaska Vietnam veterans about how they're doing today, decades after their service and what we've learned as a nation. Listen Here
The end of the summer salmon fishery
Some runs were outstanding, some were terrible. On the next Talk of Alaska, we're discussing the state's iconic species-- salmon. Whether you fish for sport, subsistence or make your living as a commercial fisherman or woman, the summer season is wrapping up. Listen Here
Alaska News Nightly: Monday, September 4, 2017
Alaskans volunteer to help victims of flooding in Texas; Soldotna retailer sentenced for illegal sales of synthetic marijuana; Marijuana tax revenue trended higher in July; New plan for air quality in Fairbanks gets EPA approval; Wind farm owner takes utility to court over purchase refusal; Alaska student tests show dismal results; Legislation signed into law aims to boost vocational opportunities; Local officials worry about rockslide potential near busy Skagway port; Self taught 18 year old student fluent in multiple languages; Return of Chilkat robe celebrated by southeast tribes
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, September 1, 2017
State rejects Exxon's plan for Point Thomson; Governor Walker bullish on gasline but lawmakers have doubts; Anchorage syringe exchange program overwhelmed by demand; Anchorage leaders see uptick in new businesses; Hunting guides charged for illegal hunts; Golden Valley Electric Association approves funding for Healy 2; Battling opioid addiction in Alaska's fishing community; AK-This week: Family Cabin
Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017
Walker calls for a fourth special session; Walker lends support to Trump in lawsuit over arctic drilling; Tillerson proposes scrapping arctic and climate envoys; Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz files for re-election; Details of kidnapped Anchorage man's beating emerge as suspects still sought; State budget cuts cause uncertainty for court system positions; State ferry Taku bid process extended; After nearly two decades Bristol Bay Native Corporation reopens quarry;
Alaska News Nightly: Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017
Federal Appeals court throws out one convictions of former Fairbanks militia leader Schaeffer Cox; Health Care Authority could save state government millions of dollars; Alaska Soldiers to deploy to Afghanistan; Investigators drop inquiry dropped in Zinke calls to Alaska Senators; Sitka Coast Guard members deploy to Texas; St Paul ramps up reindeer program to improve food security; Mat Su fish meeting causes tension for Cook Inlet commercial and sport fishing; The second lives of eagles;
Alaska News Nightly: Monday, Aug. 28, 2017
Violent crime spree leaves one dead, another wounded; two inmates that escaped Bethel's jail have been recaptured; The state of Alaska is considering whether it should sue the manufacturers of powerful painkillers; Hurricane, now tropical storm Harvey won't affect Alaska oil prices; One in seven Alaskans are food insecure, the SNAP program helps them; traveling to Sleetmute where two women run a fishwheel; Climate change is affecting Kodiak bears relationship with an important food source, berries; "Lineage: Tlingit Art Across Generations" premieres tomorrow night (Tuesday 8/29) on 360 North.
The future of Alaska journalism
Fake news. Lame stream media. Journalism these days is getting a really bad rap. In an era when you can find a constant stream of information on the internet 24 hours a day, how important are news organizations? Listen Here
How could getting rid of for-profit medical insurance save the country money?
Congress has so far been unsuccessful in attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. There's a lot of debate about how to best contain spiraling health care costs and some Americans say it's time for a national health care plan. Listen now
The economic future of Alaska
Alaska is an oil state, but will that be true forever? The state is confronting low oil prices and declining production. Several companies are betting on new production. Others think Alaska needs to grow a different kind of economy. Listen Here
Legislative compromise
State lawmakers called themselves into a third special session to pass a scaled back capital budget. It was a long time in the making, but does the compromise signal that lawmakers can come together on a longer term budget plan for the state? What sticking points remain? Listen Here