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.

Bypass Mail Targeted in US House Legislation

Alaska’s bypass mail subsidy is being targeted by a California lawmaker looking to trim costs and generate more revenue for the financially ailing U.S. Postal Service.

Anchorage Nonprofit Starts Text Giving Program

A non-profit in Anchorage is the first organization in Alaska that can receive donations by text message.

Native Organization Seeks Supreme Court Review on Contract Payment Disputes

The Arctic Slope Native Association is waiting to hear whether the U.S. Supreme court will review a case involving underfunded contract payments between tribally ran medical facilities and the Indian Health Service.

BOEMRE Splitting into Two Entities

After the Deepwater Horizon spill last year, the Minerals Management Service became the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement. Now the federal agency that oversees offshore drilling in the U.S. is undergoing another transition.

Second Controller Speaks About Korean Airliner Incident on 9/11

Another Air Traffic controller who says he worked with Korean flight 085 that was diverted to Whitehorse on Sept. 11, 2001 has come forward with additional details of the day’s events. APRN reported Friday that retired Air Traffic Controller Rick Wilder says the pilot was ordered to squawk that he had hijackers on board.

Air Traffic Controller Talks About Korean Airliner Incident on 9-11

A decade after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, APRN has uncovered new information regarding the events that caused a Korean 747 en route to New York and scheduled to stop in Anchorage for fuel, to be diverted from Anchorage to Whitehorse Canada.

ANSCA at 40 Panel Meeting at UAA

A panel discussion at the University of Alaska Anchorage Friday night will be the culmination of a series of talks that were organized by the ANCSA at 40 committee.

SBA Encourages Small Businesses to Export Goods, Services

The regional manager of the Small Business Administration’s International Trade Finance Programs is in Alaska encouraging small business owners to consider growing sales by exporting their goods and services.

Health Care Reform Begins to Affect Medicare

The federal health care reform law is beginning to affect Medicare. Under the Affordable Care Act, enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug plans, known as Part D, is earlier.

With Cold Weather Coming, Anchorage Homeless Numbers Up

A townhall style meeting took place at Anchorage's Bean's Cafe on Tuesday to highlight the dangers of living outside through the upcoming winter. Bean's serves daily meals to those who are homeless and the working poor. Yesterday's meeting featured speakers from the Anchorage Police department, Catholic Social Services and clients of Bean's and the Brother Francis shelter located across the parking lot. A paper listing the warning signs of hypothermia was handed out.

AK: Letters – The Old Fashioned Kind

It’s probably safe to say that most people, especially those under 50, rarely, if ever sit down, put pen to paper, lick envelope glue and put a letter in the mailbox. But an Anchorage club of self proclaimed letter nerds, all under 40, are doing exactly that.

Mora-Lopez Sentenced to Three Months in Prison, $10,000 Fine

A man in an unusual case of identity theft was sentenced in federal court in Anchorage Thursday. Rafael Mora-Lopez had lived in Anchorage for more than two decades as Rafael Alberto Espinoza.

Officials Look to Dirigibles as Possible Transportation Solution

Officials from the State and NASA are leading a workshop in Anchorage to talk about the potential for airship transportation in Alaska.

Katie John Subsistence Litigation Back in Front of the 9th Circuit

The subsistence litigation of Mentasta elder Katie John was back in court recently when a three-judge panel of the 9th circuit held hearings in Anchorage. John’s first case went to the U.S. Supreme court and established that congress intended through title 8 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act or ANILCA to protect fish and game, including navigable waters of Alaska. After the rule making in that decision, the state of Alaska asked an en banc panel of the 9th circuit to review the case. The decision in favor of John was reaffirmed.

Denali Commission Official Anxious for Clarity on Returned Funds Request

As Congress debates how to cut federal spending, federal managers are left without answers about how their agency will be impacted.

Trapper Creek Mid-Air Crash is Second in Three Weeks

The fatal mid-air collision over the weekend near Trapper Creek is the second in Alaska in less than a month.

Anchorage School District Receives Extra $19 Million

Anchorage School District Superintendent Carol Comeau was pleasantly surprised to get nearly $19 million in extra money for the upcoming school year.

Native Elder and Leader Caleb Pungowiyi Passes Away

A former leader of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference and a prominent Alaska Native traditional science advocate has died.

AK: Peek Inside Military Training

Recently an anti terrorism battalion of Marine Reservists were in Alaska for a two week training.

Officials Issue Warning on Fraudulent Food Inspectors

Officials with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s food safety program are warning restaurant and processor owner/operators about fraudulent food inspectors.