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.
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.
Federal Priorities
The President called for action on domestic energy development, infrastructure upgrades and climate change during his state of the union address. What could it mean for Alaska? U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski will be on hand to discuss how her energy development plans may fit or clash with White House policies over the next four years.
KSKA: Tuesday, 2/19 at 10:00am
‘Into Great Silence’ Investigates Secret Life Of Whales
Making extinction personal was the goal of whale biologist Eva Saulitis when she wrote her new book “Into Great Silence.” Saulitis has studied Prince William Sound Orcas for more than two decades. Her memoir is an intimate look at the sentient creatures and the threats to their existence. Saulitis says she worked in a remote hatchery in her early 20s and was drawn to the secret life of whales.
JBER Restricts Alcohol In Barracks; Mat-Su Creamery Closes Down
The Board of Fisheries adopted a new salmon management plan for the Kuskokwim last week. About 24 fishermen were cited last year near Dillingham; what’s happening in those cases? Is there any word from the congressional delegation about when relief funds may be put forward in legislation? How are families faring without the salmon they could not harvest last fall and without money for store purchases?
KSKA: Friday, 1/25 at 2:00pm & Saturday, 1/26 at 6:00pm
TV: Friday, 1/25 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 1/26 at 5:00pm
Former Editor Rips Journalists For Lack Of Climate Change Coverage
A former national editor has jumped ship from covering the news to being part of it. Wen Stephenson who was an editor for the Boston Globe, The Atlantic and a producer for NPR's On Point, says he’s lost patience with the lack of progress on climate change legislation. He wrote a cover story earlier this winter for the Phoenix, taking reporters to task for not covering climate change as a crisis. He says when he does see coverage on climate, it’s very narrowly focused.
Parnell Discusses Priorities For Session
I sat down with Governor Parnell today to talk about those priorities. He wasn’t ready to give away any specifics on the new oil tax reform proposal that will top his agenda. But he says after his defeat on his oil tax plan last session, his administration did a lot of homework.
Democrats Poised To Fight Governor’s Oil Tax Reform Proposal
Things have changed a lot for Democrats this legislative session. They are in the minority in both the House and the Senate. I spoke with House minority leader Beth Kerttula and Senate Minority leader Johnny Ellis this morning to ask about that change and their agenda for the session. Ellis says Democrats are energized to fight the Governor’s oil tax reform proposal.
28th Alaska Legislature Convenes Tuesday
The 28th legislature gets underway Tuesday afternoon. With Republicans holding a majority in both chambers, significant changes are likely for how lawmakers will work together. Oil tax reform proposals will be a big focus. I sat down in the Speaker’s chamber with Majority leaders Kenai Representative Mike Chenault, the house speaker, and Wasilla Senator Charlie Huggins, Senate President, to ask how they see the debate over oil taxes playing out this session. I asked Huggins if there were any deal breakers for him.
Alaska Dinosaur Exhibit Opens In Dallas Museum
An exhibit highlighting Alaska dinosaurs has recently opened at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas. Anthony Fiorillo is the curator of earth sciences at the museum. He spends a lot of time in Alaska during the summer months looking for clues to Alaska's past animal inhabitants.
Contaminated Site Has Nikiski Residents Worried About Groundwater Pollution
A contaminated site in Nikiski has residents worried for the safety of their groundwater. The Arness Septage site was a dumping ground in the 1980s for more than 4,000 gallons of oil contaminated waste, sludge and other pollutants. In the decades since, Department of Environmental Conservation staff say the site has not been properly monitored. Peninsula Clarion reporter Brian Smith just published a six-part series on the site. He says in the late 1980s the area was cleaned up. But he told APRN’s Lori Townsend there are still big questions about how area ground water was affected.