Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media

Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media
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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.

Court Decision Has Big Implications For Tribal Lands

A D.C. district court decision quietly released on Easter Sunday, has huge implications for Alaska tribal and state lands jurisdiction. The court found the Secretary of Interior has the authority to take land into trust for Alaska tribes.

Court Says Feds Can Take Land Into Trust For Alaska Native Tribes

A decision this week from the U.S. District court for the District of Columbia has big implications for Alaska tribes. In the case of Akiachak Native Community v. Salazar, the court affirmed the ability of the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust for Alaska tribes. The ruling also states that Alaska tribes have the right to be treated the same as all other federally recognized tribes. Download Audio

Alaska Volcano Observatory Celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Alaska Volcano Observatory is celebrating its 25th anniversary today. It was created in 1988, two years after a large eruption of Augustine volcano near Homer created problems for the Anchorage area and the airport. The next year, in December 1989, Mount Redoubt erupted, sending an ash plume more than 30 thousand feet in the air. When a passenger jet on it’s way to Anchorage encountered the ash, it lost power to all four engines. The airplane plummeted nearly 20,000 feet before the pilots were able to regain control and land safely in Anchorage. Download Audio

Gov. Parnell Declares March 29 Vietnam Veteran’s Day

Governor Sean Parnell has signed legislation designating tomorrow, March 29th, Vietnam Veteran’s Day in honor of those who served more than 40 years ago in that conflict. Anchorage resident Ric Davidge is the national chairman for government affairs for Vietnam veterans in America. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He went to Vietnam in 1965 as a 19 year old medic. Download Audio

Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame: Thelma Langdon

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 introduced one of this year's inductees-the late Thelma Langdon who was honored for her work in education, mental health and elder care. Her daughter Mel Langdon accepted the award. Download Audio

Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame: Mary Joyce

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 the late, Mary Joyce who was honored for her achievements in Business and adventure! Mary Lou Gerby accepted the award on her behalf. Download Audio

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.