Valerie Lake
Originally from the Central Coast of California, Valerie joined Alaska Public Media in July 2017. She creates original video content for the station's TV and digital platforms while also overseeing the Production Department. Before moving to Alaska, Valerie worked as an ENG Editor at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina. She also served in the U.S. Air Force as a TV and Radio Broadcast Journalist where she traveled around Europe, Africa, The Baltics, Australia, and the Southern United States reporting on military events, exercises, and missions. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, backcountry skiing, backpacking, yoga, and traveling.
A community discussion on immigration in Alaska | Alaska Insight Web Extra
Alaska is home to some of the most diverse neighborhoods and schools in America. Immigrants play a large role in expanding the state’s cultural identity, economy, and community....
Reviving the art of making Iñupiat Mukluks | INDIE ALASKA
Mukluks are traditional boots worn by indigenous Arctic people around the world. Their successful design allows airflow, which prevents perspiration from causing frostbite in extremely cold conditions. Mukluks are very versatile though...
Living off the Land in an Alaskan Iñupiaq Community | INDIE ALASKA
About 60 miles North of the Arctic Circle is the small village of Noatak. The majority of the residents there, including Lonnie Arnold, still live a traditional subsistence lifestyle and rely on...
Exploring Alaska Through Pottery | INDIE ALASKA
What started as a fun, childhood hobby has now turned into a blooming business for potter, Marta Elaine Zegzdryn. Her company, MEZ Pottery, can often be found at festivals and fairs across...
Finding the Skateboard Scene in Alaska’s Largest City | INDIE ALASKA
With long, dark winters and temperatures often dipping below freezing, most people might not consider Anchorage to be a location with a growing skateboarding community. But Garrett Swenson, a lifelong Alaskan and...
Making Delicious Jelly from Spruce Trees | INDIE ALASKA
Alaska in the spring is a blossoming green wonderland to harvest and forage for wild edible plants. Lisa Brandstetter takes advantage of many of these spring treats, but a favorite for her...
We are an Improv Troupe | INDIE ALASKA
Scared Scriptless is the longest running improv comedy troupe in Alaska. They routinely perform sold out shows to a devoted local audience. The members of Scared Scriptless might not be vying for...
We are Chaga Harvesters | INDIE ALASKA
Gabriel Degange and Allison Dunbar are mushroom people. They first met at a mushroom convention and now, as a couple, they run their own business harvesting natural, Alaska chaga and growing gourmet mushrooms for...
I am a Fiddlehead Forager | INDIE ALASKA
The 49th State has an abundance of edible wild plants, but some people might think of Alaska's wild berries or mushrooms before they'd consider eating fiddlehead ferns. Jason Porter, the Executive Chef of Alyeska...
I am the Karaoke King | INDIE ALASKA
Kelly Terry had no formal experience when he volunteered to operate the DJ booth for karaoke night at Asia Garden Restaurant in 1994. After more than 20 years in the position, he is now...
I am an Ice Hockey Star | INDIE ALASKA
You can't talk about Alaska without mentioning hockey. Guadalupe Martinez has been playing indoor, outdoor and pond hockey for years now, thanks to the help from the Scotty Gomez Foundation.
As any hockey player knows,...
I am a Splitboarder | INDIE ALASKA
Mikey Cuadrado has been snowboarding for more than a decade, but for the last seven years he's fallen in love with the unique sport of splitboarding. When he couldn't fight his feelings for splitboarding...
We are a Fly Fishing Academy | INDIE ALASKA
The Bristol Bay Fly Fishing & Guide Academy hopes to educate, engage and inspire Bristol Bay young adults to become local leaders in river stewardship and prepare them for jobs based on healthy fish...
Interview with Billy Toien (L) Candidate for Governor | Running 2018
Alaska Public Media interviewed Libertarian Candidate for Governor, Billy Toien.
The 2018 election is here and three primary candidates are vying for the title of Governor of Alaska. In this interview, hear from Billy...
Audiogram: The Visitors
As polar bears lose their habitat in the Arctic, they have no choice but to come to shore and try to live part of their lives on land. That means they come into the...
Audiogram: The Fishermen
For years, Alaska fishermen have worried that climate change would threaten their livelihoods - now, it has. In late 2013, a strikingly warm mass of water arrived in the Gulf of Alaska and stayed...
Audiogram: The Senator
As chair of the Senate Energy Committee, Lisa Murkowski has a significant role in shaping national energy policy. She, more than most Alaskans, sees how climate change could devastate her state. But on climate...
Audiogram: The Village
The village of Newtok, in Western Alaska, is about to disappear. The land it was built on is eroding away, threatening not just the village, but a way of life.
I am an Alaskan Rapper | INDIE ALASKA
Different rap styles can vary from the West Coast to the East Coast, to down South; and in Anchorage, Alaska, rappers like Tayy Tarantino are creating their own unique sound. Tayy Tarantino started singing...