Marijuana Legalization In Alaska; And Sally Jewell’s Arctic Visit

First, we're discussing what the legalization of marijuana  coming up next Tuesday means for state residents in real terms. And also a rare visit from Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to Kotzebue in the Northwest Arctic Borough and the large group of lawmakers who were also in the Arctic. Download Audio

Anchorage Edition: April 16, 2010

Each week, KAKM gathers commentators for a review of the week’s news, politics and public affairs in Anchorage and Alaska. The topics for this...

Alaska Edition: May 16, 2014

Two state troopers die during an arrest in Tanana - a memorial service draws 4,000. The battle over SB 21, the oil tax bill, continues through intense advertising and campaigning. The State Assessment Review Board meets in Anchorage. Economist Scott Goldsmith weighs in on SB21, the oil tax bill. Advocates of same-sex marriage are in court. The state's annual Cook Inlet lease sale is held. Voting-rights advocates charge the state's translations of the election ballots into Native languages are faulty. Fairbanks four granted new hearing by judge. KSKA: Friday, May 16 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 17 at 6:00 p.m. KAKM: Friday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 17 at 4:30 p.m. Download Audio

Anchorage Edition: March 19, 2010

Each week, KAKM gathers commentators for a review of the week’s news, politics and public affairs in Anchorage and Alaska. Topics for this week...

Anchorage Edition: April 9, 2010

Each week, KAKM gathers commentators for a review of the week’s news, politics and public affairs in Anchorage and Alaska. The topics for this...

Diversity In Anchorage

Today’s topic is diversity in Anchorage. We’ll start with how the community and the state became home to so many people from different cultures then dive into what that means for Anchorage today – how do we maintain our cultural diversity while also building a healthy, unified community. KSKA: Friday, 3/20 at 2:00pm and Saturday, 3/21 at 6:00pm KAKM: Friday, 3/20 at 7:30pm and Saturday, 3/21 at 4:30pm Download Audio

Obama Names New Secretary of the Interior; and the Anchorage School Board Passes A New Preliminary Budget

President Obama names 56 year-old REI Executive Sally Jewell the Secretary of the Interior. The Anchorage School Board passes a preliminary budget after hearing a great deal of public testimony. The United States Post Office will end Saturday delivery come August. The Anchorage School District and the teachers union have begun contract negotiations. The state House passed a revised cruise ship pollution bill. A group of homeowner in the Rabbit Creek neighborhood are concerned by the possibility that non-residential development could drain their water supply. The state House starts to move on legislation that would expand the school voucher program and provide aid to parochial schools. ConocoPhillips says the tax changes Parnell proposes for the oil industry just don't go far enough. Sen. Murkowski unveils a sweeping energy bill from her position as ranking member of the Senate Energy Committee. KSKA: Friday, 2/8 at 2:00pm & Saturday, 2/9 at 6:00pm TV: Friday, 2/8 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 2/9 at 5:00pm

Music in Alaska

On this week's Alaska Edition, host, Zachariah Hughes sits down with three reporters to talk all about music in Alaska. What's new? What's happening across the state? And what's changing?

Coast Guard Sets Up Seasonal Base In Kotzebue; And FERC Approves A TAPS Settlement

Even though there’s no drilling in Arctic waters this summer, work is still being done in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. The Coast Guard has set up a forward operating location in Kotzebue this year after opening a seasonal location in Barrow last summer. Proponents of the oil tax referendum gather over 50,000 signatures. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approves a TAPS settlement with the three owners. KSKA: Friday, 7/19 at 2:00pm & Saturday, 7/20 at 6:00pm TV: Friday, 7/19 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 7/20 at 5:00pm Download Audio

Overcoming the stigma attached to mental illness

Mental Illness Awareness Week starts on Sunday. Twenty percent of adults in the United States experience a mental illness. Rates are higher in Alaska Native and American Indian populations, though those groups are less likely to seek help because of cultural barriers. On today’s program we’ll discuss ways to overcome those barriers and ways the entire community can address the stigma attached to mental illnesses for all individuals. KSKA: Fri., Oct. 2, at 2:00 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 3, at 6:00 p.m. KAKM: Fri., Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 3, at 6:00 p.m. Listen now:

Response To Newtown Shootings; And The Port Of Anchorage Saga Continues

Many call for policy changes after the Newtown school shootings. Governor Parnell issues the 2013 budget. Update on the Port of Anchorage saga. Fairbanks continues to be burdened by high fuel costs. Attorney Dan Coffey faces and APOC complaint that he should have registered as a lobbyist while working for the Port of Anchorage. KSKA: Friday, 12/21 at 2:00pm & Saturday, 12/22 at 6:00pm TV: Friday, 12/21 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 12/22 at 5:00pm

Natural Gas; Pebble Mine; and Poultry Farms

Some of the stories they will talk about this week include: the Senate Resources Committee hears voluminous testimony on natural gas and potential gas lines; a former Lisa Murkowski aide Arne Fuglvog remains in the spotlight; new trials for former representative Vic Kohring and former representative Pete Kott will proceed; proponents of an initiative on the Pebble Mine have gone to court and won a big victory; there have been any number of serious plane crashes this summer across Alaska; who is Sam Pandolfo - and why does he matter?; Alaska grown may apply to many products - but not to poultry.

Anchorage Edition: March 18, 2011

Each week, KAKM gathers commentators for a review of the week’s news, politics and public affairs...
Mouhcine Guettabi discusses the legislative session on Alaska Edition.

Legislative Update

Alaska's legislative session is underway. Alaska Edition host, Ellen Lockyer, checks in on some of the big news actions. Listen Now:

Kulluk Makes National Headlines; And Militia Leader Sentenced To Nearly 26 Years

The Shell oil-drilling rig Kulluk makes headlines all over the United States and gets the attention of Congress, the Interior Department, environmentalists and the oil industry. Militia men Lonnie Vernon and militia leader Schaeffer Cox were sentenced by federal judge Robert Bryan on Monday and Tuesday. A 16-year-old Diamond High student with a BB Gun at school is arrested in algebra class. Who is Edison Chouest Offshore and why did they gain your attention during the Kulluk incident? Congress fails to renew the Violence Against Women Act. It's dog racing season, and we may be seeing a Renaissance of the sport in Bush Alaska. KSKA: Friday, 1/11 at 2:00pm & Saturday, 1/12 at 6:00pm TV: Friday, 1/11 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 1/12 at 5:00pm
Cannabis Plant. (Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

The future of the pot business in AK

This week on Alaska Edition, we are discussing the pot industry in the state. Listen Now:

Strategies for reducing the Alaska Native prison population

Alaska's prisons are full, and a disproportionately large number of the people inside are Alaska Natives. The recidivism rate for that population is about 74 percent. But there are solutions. Organizations around the state are using new strategies like joint tribal-state courts and more support for people who are re-entering the community to help reverse the trend.


KSKA: Fri., Oct. 23, at 2:00 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 24, at 6:00 p.m.


KAKM: Fri., Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 24, at 6:00 p.m.

Download Audio:

Treadwell Announces Candidacy For US Senate; And Murkowski Says She Now Backs Gay Marriage

Current Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell officially announces his run for the U.S. Senate in 2014. Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan announces his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor in the next election. Senator Lisa Murkowski says she now backs gay marriage. Proponents of a marijuana initiative have gathered enough signatures to get the issue on the 2014 ballot. In order to comply with the Clean Water Act, Anchorage Wastewater Utility may have to spend up to $800 million on equipment upgrades. KSKA: Friday, 6/21 at 2:00pm & Saturday, 6/22 at 6:00pm TV: Friday, 6/21 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 6/22 at 5:00pm Download Audio

Hollis French Considers Gubernatorial Run; And The Mat-Su Ferry Is Back In The News

Anchorage State Senate Hollis French ponders a run for governor. Exploring life and politics in rural Alaska. The Mat-Su Borough is weary of the cost of mothballing its idle $80 million ferry. The Democratic Party files suit against the state’s redistricting board. KSKA: Friday, 8/16 at 2:00pm & Saturday, 8/17 at 6:00pm TV: Friday, 8/16 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 8/17 at 5:00pm Download Audio

Oil Industry Spends More Than A Million Dollars Lobbying Legislature

The major oil companies spent more than a million dollars lobbying the Legislature in hopes of changing Alaska's oil-tax regime. What did they get for their money? Fairbanks played host to Gov. Sean Parnell this week. He was promoting natural gas and economic development. What does he have in mind? The Air Force says it will save more than $20 million by moving a wing of F-16s from Eielson to Elmendorf. How does Fairbanks react? The filing deadline for the Legislature approaches. KSKA: Friday, 6/1 at 2:00pm & Saturday, 6/2 at 6:00pm KAKM: Friday, 6/1 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 6/2 at 5:00pm