Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media
Lori Townsend is the news director 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.
Sullivan on Trump VP vetting: ‘I was probably as surprised as you were’
Is Donald Trump considering Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan for vice president? A piece by People magazine speculating the senator may be on the list of potential VP picks was ricocheting around social media yesterday. So, what does the senator say? Listen now
Alaskans crowned champs in all 2016 Mt. Marathon divisions
Alaskans took first place in all 3 divisions of the annual 4th of July mountain race in Seward. In the men's division, The Alaska Dispatch reports Fairbanks skier David Norris not only won the race, he set a new record-41 minutes, 26 seconds. In the women's division, Christy Marvin of Anchorage took first place with a time of 51 minutes, 2 seconds.
Tribes in Alaska can now take lands into trust
Tribes in Alaska can move forward with petitioning the federal government to take lands into trust. A federal appeals court today dismissed the state of Alaska's challenge in the trust litigation. Download Audio
The ripple effect of losing oil jobs
The loss of high paying oil industry jobs has economic impacts that ripple throughout the state’s economy. From industry support service jobs to engineering firms and even the local coffee shop, further job losses are not only possible, but likely. How are Alaskans dealing with these cuts and how much might industry job loss affect the broader economy? Download Audio
Native names in modern culture
Words have power. Recently the federal government quit using certain words to describe ethnic groups. Words like Eskimo and Aleut. Young Alaska Native people are increasingly using their Native names on social media and professionally. There's also a push by some to return to the original Native descriptors for places and landmarks.
Anchorage woman wins Trans Am bike race; first woman, first American to do so
Lael Wilcox is a woman of many firsts. The 29 year old Anchorage resident and world bicycle traveler just won the 4200 mile Trans Am bike race. She was the first woman and the first American to win the grueling race. Wilcox started the race on June 4th in Astoria, Oregon and won yesterday in Virginia. The Trans Am race is self supported. Wilcox said you have to carry what you need or buy it along the way. Download Audio
Struggles for equality in the LGBTQ community
Alaska Pridefest week runs from June 18th to the 25th and is an opportunity to celebrate and support diversity in the broadest sense, mixing fun with education about the triumphs and ongoing struggles for equality for LGBTQ citizens. This year's event will also be a time of somber reflection after the Orlando massacre. We'll discuss pride week, respect and safety on the next Talk of Alaska. Download Audio
Michael Johnson to be new commissioner of education and early development
Dr Michael Johnson will be the new commissioner of education and early development. In a state release today, Governor Bill Walker said he was pleased to have Dr Johnson begin his new appointment on July 1st. Download Audio
Medfra Fire grows to more than 1,600 acres, firefighters battling winds
Crews are battling a large blaze about 50 miles southeast of McGrath, dubbed the Medfra Fire.
Fire managers urge caution heading into Memorial Day weekend
Alaskans will be headed outdoors to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend - the unofficial start of summer for many, but fire managers are reminding state residents that the risk of wildfire is extremely high and they are urging caution. Download Audio
The Permanent Fund and the budget
Lawmakers couldn't pass a budget plan during 121 days of regular session and will now try to break the gridlock in a special session. All current proposals include using permanent fund earnings to fill the deficit. But the idea of the permanent fund is that it will be...permanent and some Alaskans say, don't touch it.
Anchorage Fire Department Responds to Southside Brush Fire
6:24 pm-
The Anchorage fire department is working to contain a five to seven acre brush fire west of Elmore road, near Sundance Circle.
Fire Department Responds to Anchorage Brush Fire
Helicopter sent to assist containing Southside blaze.
What can be done about Alaska’s derelict vessels?
What happens when a ship runs aground or sinks in Alaska and the owner abandons it? The state is potentially on the hook for what can be a huge expense. Derelict vessels are a big problem in Alaska. State, federal and environmental organizations work together to try to get these hazards out of our waterways but it's difficult and dangerous.
Made of Salmon: Alaska Stories from The Salmon Project
Alaskans have strong, wide-ranging opinions on just about any topic, but one thing most agree on is a love of the state’s most iconic fish - salmon! A new book brings the stories of 50 Alaska writers together to celebrate what many will be doing this summer-casting nets and lines, hoping for a good story and a great meal.
‘Most Likely to Succeed’ author encourages education innovation
An advocate for a revolution in education has been touring the nation and recently spent eight days visiting Alaska schools. Ted Dintersmith is a former venture capitalist turned education innovation enthusiast.
Iditarod Committee: Beals will not compete in 2017 race following domestic violence charges
The Iditarod Trail Committee Board released a statement today regarding rules related to musher conduct. Recent reports of domestic violence charges against musher Travis Beals have prompted Iditarod officials to disallow any 2017 application from Beals. Download Audio
Gearing up for Alaska’s wildfire season
Fire season has already started. The mild winter and lack of snow in Southcentral Alaska has firefighters nervous about the tinder dry conditions in and around the state's largest urban center. Interior Alaska is also an area of high fire danger this spring. Green up is early, but how much would new growth slow a big burn?
Political intrigue at the Alaska Republican Convention
The state Republican Convention started this afternoon in Fairbanks. We sent APRN reporter Liz Ruskin to check it out. Download Audio
Former Alaska Senator Gravel to speak at UAA
Former Alaska U.S. Senator Mike Gravel is in Alaska this week. The outspoken Democrat is known for being fiercely independent, famously reading the Pentagon papers on the floor of the Senate in 1971 at a time when President Richard Nixon refused to release them to reporters. He also attempted a run for President in 2008. Download Audio