Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media
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.
Scientists Search For Reason Of Cook Inlet Beluga Decline
Scientists studying Cook Inlet Belugas have watched the dramatic decline of their numbers from 1,300 in the 1970s to only 300 now. Biologists, state and federal officials, commercial fishermen and oil and gas developers all speculate about why the belugas haven't rebounded after they were put on the endangered species list in 2008. But there are no concrete answers.
Thousands of Anchorage Residents Without Power
Last night Anchorage residents experienced extremely high winds resulting in tree loss and structural damage to homes, but the distribution was erratic.
Cost Will Play Major Part in Beluga Recovery Plan Success
Because the Cook Inlet whales are listed as Endangered, the Endangered Species Act mandates that critical habitat be identified and a recovery plan must be developed
Crews Work To Clear Anchorage Roads
State and municipal transportation crews are working to clear roadways after last night's storm. State department of Transportation spokesman Jeremy Woodrow says all road crew workers have been pulled off regular maintenance and are out with chainsaws clearing downed and leaning trees in the Anchorage area.
Storm-preparedness links and contact information:
- 511.alaska.gov
- Alaska Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
- Municipal Light and Power ML&P hotline for power outages/downed lines & trees: 279-7671 or toll-free at 1-888-999-5340
- Chugach Electric Chugach Electric numbers to report power outages/downed lines & trees: 762-7888 or toll-free at 1-800-478-7494
Yearly Cook Inlet Beluga Count Wraps Up
The annual summer effort to determine the number of endangered whales that exist in Cook Inlet is underway with one count completed in June and another finished this month.
Footprint Sheds More Light On Prehistoric Alaska
A recent discovery of an enormous, ancient footprint in Denali National Park is being seen as another indication of how busy the Alaskan landscape was with prehistoric animals coming and going for seasonal food hunting.
Election Results Impact Alaskans
APRN’s Dave Donaldson joins us from Juneau, answering questions on what the defeat of Ballot Measure 2, and other primary election results, will mean for Alaskans.
Five Democrats Vie For Chance to Run Against Don Young
Next Tuesday 5 Democrats are running against each other, hoping to garner the most primary votes to be able to challenge Republican Don Young for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House.
Young Faces Two Primary Election Challengers
In next Tuesday’s primary race Congressman Don Young will be defending his 40 year tenure as Alaska’s lone U.S. House member against two Republican challengers and five Democrats also vying for the seat.
Anchorage Faces $30 Million Budget Gap
Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan says the city is facing a $30 million budget gap. Speaking to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Monday Sullivan says that is the amount needed if the city expects to have the same size of government next year.
Longtime Alaska Wolf Biologist Passes Away
Longtime Alaska wolf biologist Tom Meier has died. The National Park Service reports that the 61 year old Meir, who worked at Denali National Park, was found dead in his home Tuesday. No cause of death has been released.
Permit Review Underway for Anchorage Wastewater Treatment Plant
When you flush the toilet or toss kitchen waste down the drain, where does it go? If you live in Anchorage, you may be surprised to learn it eventually ends up in Cook Inlet. A recent visit to the wastewater treatment facility was an eye opening education in what is and isn’t taken out before it dumps into the water.
New ASD Superintendent Focusing On Basics
This week Anchorage School District Superintendent Jim Browder released the latest student test scores and introduced a multi-year, district wide plan to boost them. Scores over the last five years shows overall achievement remains relatively flat. Browder says the new plan will focus on strengthening the basics.
Historic Military Vehicle Convoy Celebrates the Alaska Highway’s 70th Anniversary
Around 200 participants associated with the Military Vehicle Preservation Association will be kicking off a drive up the Alaska Highway on Saturday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the highway’s construction. Wendy Rowsan is a logistics and public relations volunteer with the group. She says their first convoy was across the U.S from Washington DC to San Francisco.
Gov. Parnell Frustrated With Senate’s Bi-Partisan Majority
Governor Parnell has said he’d like to see the Senate bipartisan working group broken up and he’ll strive to help more Republicans get elected this fall. Part of the Governor’s frustration with the group centers around his failed efforts to get his oil tax reduction legislation HB110 passed. Parnell’s efforts are being challenged by members of the resurrected Backbone organization that is working to support the bipartisan group. But the Governor says the coalition is bipartisan in name only.
Shell Scales Back Drill Plan for 2012
Shell has modified plans for drilling in the Arctic this summer. Shell spokesman Curtis Smith says lingering sea ice and logistical challenges are shrinking their window for work.
Alaska-Linked Athletes Competing In London Olympics
Alaska has a few athletes competing in the summer Olympics in London. The two athletes with the strongest connections to Alaska are trap shooter Corey Cogdell who grew up in Eagle River and long jumper Janay DeLoach, who went to high school at Eielson in North Pole. Two other Olympic athletes attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Matt Emmons and Jamie Beyerle-Gray. Both are shooters.
Robert Reich Speaks In Anchorage
Public Policy professor and former Clinton Labor Secretary Robert Reich is in Anchorage this week. The Berkeley economist is a prolific author and commentator on the current plight of the global economy. He has some thoughts about Alaska’s economy too. He thinks natural gas is set to become a primary energy source for developed nations. And given that, he doesn’t think Congress should ban natural gas exports, as one Democratic Representative has proposed.
Late-Senator Ted Stevens Inducted Into US Olympic Hall Of Fame
The late Senator Ted Stevens received a posthumous honor last week when he was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. Stevens is credited with leading the congressional effort to pass the Olympic and Amateur Sports Act. It was later re-titled to include his name.
Emergency Van Would Play Big Part In Large-Scale Disaster Recovery
Planning for disasters in Alaska is a job on scale with the size of the state – huge. The state is prone to tsunamis, wildfires, lethal storms and earthquakes.