Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media

Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media
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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.

Report Offers Findings On Status Of Alaska Women

A report released Tuesday offers stark findings on the status of Alaskan women. Women in the state earn much less than their male counterparts, have been imprisoned at a higher rate during the last decade and are committing suicide at a rate twice as high as the rest of the United States. Download Audio

Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame: Jewel Jones

As part of Women’s history month, Alaska Public Media brings you the voices of influential Alaskan women who have helped shape and define the social, cultural and political discourse in Alaska. 15 women were recently inducted into the Alaska women’s hall of fame at a ceremony in Anchorage. Former Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer was inducted herself in 2009. She was on hand to introduce one of this year's inductees-public health and community development advocate Jewel Jones. Download Audio

New Book Offers How-to Tips for Aspiring Homesteaders

How to successfully live off the grid in remote areas, is the subject of a new book called "The Alaska Homesteader's Handbook. Independent Living on the Last Frontier." The book features profiles and how to tips by Alaska homesteaders and offers practical advice on a wide range of topics from How to age game meat to packing horses for the backcountry to safely crossing rivers. Download Audio

State Senate Passes Oil Tax Overhaul; Changing Arctic Impacts On Subsistence, Economies

The state senate on Wednesday night narrowly passed an overhaul of the oil tax system. Iditarod Trail Committee deals with an unusual death of a dropped dog in Unalakleet. The Arctic is changing, investigate the impacts to subsistence and food resources and the potential for new economies there. Fairbanks officials looking for a way to bring in cheaper gas. KSKA: Friday, 3/22 at 2:00pm & Saturday, 3/23 at 6:00pm TV: Friday, 3/22 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 3/23 at 5:00pm Download Audio

Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame: Dorothy Jones

As part of Women’s history month, Alaska Public Media brings you the voices of influential Alaskan women who have helped shape and define the social, cultural and political discourse in Alaska. 15 women were recently inducted into the Alaska women’s hall of fame at a ceremony in Anchorage. Former Anchorage Assembly chair and hall of fame steering committee member Jane Angvik tells us more about one of the inductees-Anthropologist and women's therapy advocate Dorothy Jones. Connie Wolf accepted the award. Download Audio

Musher Chooses Unique Route To Kobuk 440

The Iditarod is over, but there’s still racing left to be done this season. The Kobuk 440 out of Kotzebue is scheduled to start April 11. One musher is taking the long route to reach the race. Chuck Schaeffer, formerly of Kotzebue and now living in Willow, is driving his dogs from Nenana to Kotzebue for the race, alone. Schaeffer did the trip last year as a way to save the expense of flying his dogs north for the race. But this year, he’s taking time to stop and talk with young people in villages along the trail about personal responsibility and self pride. Download Audio

Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame: Joan Hurst

As part of Women’s history month, Alaska Public Media brings you the voices of influential Alaskan women who have helped shape and define the social, cultural and political discourse in Alaska. 15 women were recently inducted into the Alaska women’s hall of fame at a ceremony in Anchorage. Former lt governor Fran Ulmer was inducted herself in 2009. She was on hand to introduce one of this year's inductees-the late Youth development and child advocate Joan Hurst. Barb Dubahvich accepted the award. Download Audio

Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame: Karen Hunt

As part of Women’s history month, Alaska Public Media brings you the voices of influential Alaskan women who have helped shape and define the social, cultural and political discourse in Alaska. 15 women were recently inducted into the Alaska women’s hall of fame at a ceremony in Anchorage. Former Anchorage Assembly chair and hall of fame steering committee member Jane Angvik tells us more about one of the inductees-Anchorage Superior court judge - Karen Hunt. Download Audio

Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame: Diddy Hitchins

As part of Women’s history month, Alaska Public Media brings you the voices of influential Alaskan women who have helped shape and define the social, cultural and political discourse in Alaska. 15 women were recently inducted into the Alaska women’s hall of fame at a ceremony in Anchorage. Former lt governor Fran Ulmer was inducted herself in 2009. She was on hand to introduce one of this year's inductees-Political science professor Diddy Hitchins.

Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame: Carolyn Covington

As part of Women’s history month, Alaska Public Media brings you the voices of influential Alaskan women who have helped shape and define the social, cultural and political discourse in Alaska. Fifteen women were recently inducted into the Alaska women’s hall of fame at a ceremony in Anchorage. Former Anchorage Assembly chair and hall of fame steering committee member Jane Angvik tells us more about one of the inductees - education advocate Carolyn Covington.

Alaska Author Releases New Book ‘Heat’

It may seem odd that an Alaskan author would write an entire book on the concept of heat, but all things hot is the focus of Bill Streever’s newest offering. Streever is the author of the best seller Cold and in his new book, he explores everything from tasting crude oil to walking on fire, an experience he described as enjoyable.

Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame: Daphne Brown

As part of Women’s history month, Alaska Public Media will be bringing you the voices of Alaska women who have made a difference in their communities and the state. Fifteen women were recently inducted into the Alaska women’s hall of fame at a ceremony in Anchorage. Former Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer was inducted herself in 2009. She was on hand to introduce one of this year's inductees — the late Architect Daphne Brown. Brown's husband, Jonathan, and daughter, Catherine, accepted Daphne's award.

Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame: Judy Brady

As part of Women’s history month, Alaska Public Media will brings you the voices of Alaskan women who have helped shape and define the social, cultural and political discourse in Alaska. Fifteen women were recently inducted into the Alaska women’s hall of fame at a ceremony in Anchorage. Former Anchorage Assembly chair and hall of fame steering committee member Jane Angvik tells us more about one of the inductees - resource development advocate Judy Brady.

Alaska Women’s Hall Of Fame: Arne Beltz

As part of Women’s History Month, Alaska Public Media brings you the voices of Alaskan women who have helped shape and define the social, cultural and political discourse in Alaska. Fifteen women were recently inducted into the Alaska women’s hall of fame at a ceremony in Anchorage. Former Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer was inducted herself in 2009. She was on hand to introduce one of this year's inductees — the late Nurse Arne Beltz. Beltz’s son William accepted Arne's award.

International Delegates To Decide On Polar Bear Protections

Delegates in Thailand are scheduled to decide Thursday whether to increase protections for polar bears under an international treaty that regulates trade of endangered species. The United States is proposing to upgrade the polar bear listing to the highest level of protections under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Speices, or CITES. If it passes, it will ban international commercial trade of polar bear fur and other parts. Bruce Woods is a spokesperson for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska.

JBER Commander Anticipating Sequester Cuts

The sequester cuts take effect at midnight, but what it may ultimately mean is still a moving target. The Commander at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Colonel Brian Duffy says he would like to be hopeful that Congress will still find a resolution before the late night deadline.

15 To Be Inducted Into Alaska Women’s Hall Of Fame

Thursday evening, 15 women will be inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Anchorage. The recognition of women’s contributions to the state started in 2008 during the 50th anniversary of statehood.

5,000 Alaska Department of Defense Workers Could Be Furloughed In Sequester

The numbers are dire. Five thousand civilians who work for the Department of Defense in Alaska would be furloughed once a week. Food for the elderly would be cut, because the federal government would slash more than $180,000 from programs like Meals on Wheels.

Sealaska Chairman Kookesh Flown to Anchorage After Heart Attack

Former state senator Albert Kookesh was medevaced to Anchorage Monday morning after suffering a heart attack. His eldest daughter Elaine says the 64-year old Kookesh was in Juneau preparing for a trip out of state, when he called his wife saying he was having chest pains and was going to the hospital. He was stabilized and flown to Providence Hospital and Medical Center.

Parnell Says Gas Pipeline Has Reached New Milestone

Governor Sean Parnell gave an update in Fairbanks Friday on what he called a significant milestone in plans for building a gas pipeline in Alaska. In his state of the state address a few weeks ago, the governor had given the companies, BP, ConocoPhillips, Exxon and Transcanada a deadline of February 15th to come forward with details of their proposed project. A letter from the companies, delivered on Friday, stated they had made a project concept selection. The governor called that an important phase in building a line.