How to talk about suicide after the fact
Many conversations about suicide only focus on prevention and looking for the warning signs. But what if a suicide has already happened? How do we talk about it publicly and privately in healthy, supportive ways? During this week’s show we’ll discuss the media coverage of recent suicides, like the death at AFN, and how to have community conversations about such deaths.
KSKA: Fri., Oct. 30, at 2:00 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 31, at 6:00 p.m. KAKM: Fri., Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 31, at 6:00 p.m.
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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.
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The current and future authority of Alaska’s tribal governments
The state and tribes have a relationship that is at times tense but there has been progress on some fronts. This week there was an announcement that the first joint tribal/state court would be starting up in Kenai as a partnership with the Kenaitze Indian tribe and the state. A tribal and state judge will sit side by side and preside together over a wellness court, dealing with substance-related criminal cases.
KSKA: Fri., Oct. 16, at 2:00 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 17, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Fri., Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 17, at 6:00 p.m.
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Mat-Su Borough elections yield unexpected results
This week's election in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough took an unexpected turn. Ballots are still being counted and the winner of the Borough mayor's race is still undetermined. And the three cities within the Borough had their own elections on Tuesday, also with some surprising results.
KSKA: Fri., Oct. 9, at 2:00 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 10, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Fri., Oct. 9, at 7:30 p.m. & Sat., Oct. 10, at 6:00 p.m.
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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.
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Faith and its role in public policy development
Today we’re talking about faith and public policy. The intersection of the two has been highlighted this week by Pope Francis’ visit to Washington, D.C., and his pointed comments on climate change, immigration, and homelessness. Similar conversations are also happening here in Alaska where interfaith religious groups have lead campaigns to expand Medicaid and increase environmental protections. Today we’ll talk about the role faith plays in developing public policy in Alaska.
KSKA: Fri., Sept. 25, at 2:00 p.m. & Sat., Sept. 26, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Fri., Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m. & Sat., Sept. 26, at 6:00 p.m.
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Alaska scientists brief the White House science advisor
Last week the president visited Alaska, and so did the White House science advisor, Dr. John Holdren. Holdren painted a sobering picture of climate change in the north during his speech at the State Department’s GLACIER conference in Anchorage. But before GLACIER got underway, Holdren had a briefing with a handful of Alaska scientists. Two of them join us on Alaska Edition this week.
KSKA: Friday, Sept. 11, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 12, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 12, at 6:00 p.m.
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The changing role of Alaska’s military
Today we’ll be discussing the changing role of the military in Alaska. The state has unique training grounds and conditions, and that’s no small part of why it hosts the kind of large-scale exercises we’ve seen this summer. But recently announced reductions in Army personnel at Joint-Base Elmendorf-Richardson in the years ahead, as well as a growing focus on the Pacific theater are complicating Alaska’s place in the military.
KSKA: Friday, August 7, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 8, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, August 7, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 8, at 6:00 p.m.
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Two Anchorage mayors tackle two recessions
This week, we’ll be talking with two Anchorage mayors about two recessions. With us are Tom Fink, who took over the reigns of Anchorage in 1987, not long after a collapse in the price of oil, and by Ethan Berkowitz, who’s been in office just about a month now.
KSKA: Friday, July 31, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 1, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, July 31, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 1, at 6:00 p.m.
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Non-profits and their role in Alaska
Alaska has somewhere between 5,000 and 6,000 non-profits, and their important role in supporting community needs throughout the state is undeniable. Today we'll be examining that role, and how it has grown over the past half century.
KSKA: Friday, July 24, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 25, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, July 24, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 25, at 4:30 p.m.
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Big-Name Brands Arrive in Anchorage
On Thursday, Anchorage fashionistas lined up to be the first inside the new H&M men's and women's apparel store in Anchorage. We'll be viewing some footage of that exciting event in a moment. Today, we are taking a look at how and why national brands, and in H&M's case, international brands, are locating in Anchorage.
KSKA: Friday, July 17, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, July 18, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, July 17, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 18, at 4:30 p.m.
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Challenges and successes for Alaska’s LGBTQ community
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision and legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. But in the same week, the rainbow flag was burned outside of Identity, Anchorage’s LGBT community center. In these fast changing times, what challenges and successes are the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities facing here in Alaska?
KSKA: Friday, 7/3, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, 7/4, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, 7/3, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 7/4, at 4:30 p.m.
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Hip-hop bringing positive change to Anchorage
Hip hop is more than just music and dance. It’s a culture. And for some people in Alaska it’s a way to bring positive change to the community.
KSKA: Friday, 6/26, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, 6/27, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, 6/26, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 6/27, at 4:30 p.m.
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Fighting Alaska’s wildfires
Fires ripped through Southcentral Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula this week, destroying structures and triggering evacuations. As the fires calm down, people are starting to head home. This week on Alaska Edition we’ll talk about fighting fires and taking the next steps toward recovery.
KSKA: Friday, 6/19, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, 6/20, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, 6/19, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 6/20, at 4:30 p.m.
Youth decision-making and healthy choices
Think back to being a high school student and navigating the social world. What made you happy or lonely? How did you decide if you wanted to play sports or study hard or drink alcohol? Nowadays fewer kids are drinking and making risky decisions than many people think. And we have data showing why. This week's Alaska Edition focuses on youth decision making and how the community is supporting healthy choices.
KSKA: Friday, 6/12, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, 6/13, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, 6/12, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 6/13, at 4:30 p.m.
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The purpose and history of Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend
Today, we’re talking about the Permanent Fund. Some House Republicans want to move some of the fund’s earnings into the body of the fund so it can’t be touched. Others are tossing around the idea of using the Permanent Fund as collateral for earning more money for the General Fund. Is this what the Fund is for? So, we’re taking a step back and looking at the history of the Permanent Fund and the Permanent Fund Dividend.
KSKA: Friday, 5/29, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, 5/30, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, 5/29, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 5/30, at 4:30 p.m.
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The Legislature’s Second Special Session
With the state legislature now gaveled in to a second special session in the new Legislative Information Office in Anchorage, major state issues are under debate, namely the state's operating budget.
KSKA: Friday, 5/22, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, 5/23, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, 5/22, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 5/23, at 4:30 p.m.
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How can Alaska solve its fiscal crisis?
We’ve been hearing for months about Alaska’s fiscal crisis. The budget is being cut and we’ll have to dip into reserves. Some economists predict that the state will run out of savings in less than a decade. But is there an alternative? Can the state make money for the general fund from sources other than oil revenue? Some economists say yes.
KSKA: Friday, 5/15, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, 5/16, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, 5/15, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 5/16, at 4:30 p.m.
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Rural Alaska’s Water Issues
Today we’re discussing water. Specifically, the absence of adequate water and sewage systems in rural communities across Western Alaska. Though there has been a lot of progress building facilities in the last 20 years, the job isn’t done, leaving many with limited access to potable water. It’s not merely an issue of convenience. There are elevated health risks, economic consequences, as well as questions of fairness in resource allocation. And amid diminishing state revenues along with accelerating climate change, the problems are rapidly worsening.
KSKA: Friday, May 8, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 9, at 6:00 p.m.
KAKM: Friday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 9, at 4:30 p.m.
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Delving Into Anchorage’s Mayoral Runoff Election
With just a few days left before Anchorage voters head to the polls Tuesday for a runoff election to pick a new mayor the race is intensifying. On April 7th, Ethan Berkowitz and Amy Demboski took the most votes in the city-wide election. For the most part the campaigns were cordial, with the candidates sparing on policy disagreements, but respectful of one another. But in the last week or so new issues have been quickly popping up—both personal and policy related. Today we’ll be sorting through the mayor’s race stories appearing online and in the news, getting a handle on what coverage is substantial, and what’s superficial.
KSKA: Friday, 5/1 at 2:00pm and Saturday, 5/2 at 6:00pm
KAKM: Friday, 5/1 at 7:30pm and Saturday, 5/2 at 4:30pm
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