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. Download Audio:
(Photo via http://www.thesamuraimusher.com)

AK: Samurai Musher

If you didn't hear the rendition of the Alaska Flag Song by a Japanese choral ensemble last week at Anchorage's Alaska Performing Arts Center, you missed something special. The finale of the musical play, "Samurai Musher" brought the audience to its feet to sing along with the cast.  The play told the story of Japanese musher Jujiro Wada, and although the curtain has come down on the play, Wada's story is still unfolding. Download Audio

Traveling Music 5-17-15

Traveling Music Shonti Elder 5-17-15   Promoted Keb'Mo and band in concert Friday, June 5, Glenn Massey Theater, on campus of Mat-Su College in Palmer, and Saturday, June...

Algo Nuevo: May 10, 2015

Here’s the Sunday, May 10, 2015 edition of Algo Nuevo con Dave Luera — Something New with Dave Luera. If you have questions, comments...

Mat Su Assembly Budget Discussions

The Matanuska Susitna Borough Assembly wrestles with providing services while keeping the mil rate low.

49 Voices: Seth Landon of Wasilla

This week, we're hearing from Seth Landon, who also participated in the Clean Air Challenge. Landon moved to Alaska five years ago from the flat lands of Michigan and now calls Wasilla home. Download Audio

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. Download Audio:

AK: Biking a Century

Have you ever thought about biking one hundred miles in one go? KSKA's Anne Hillman did, so she signed up for the Clean Air Challenge. It's a bike ride the American Lung Association hosts every year to raise money for education and research on lung disease. At first Anne was in it more for the challenge of the ride than for the cause. But then something happened along the way. Download Audio:

Algo Nuevo: May 17, 2015

Here’s the Sunday, May 17, 2015 edition of Algo Nuevo con Dave Luera — Something New with Dave Luera. If you have questions, comments...

Traveling Music 5-24-15

Traveling Music Shonti Elder 5-24-15   Format: Song Title Artist / Composer CD Title Label Duration   Promoted Keb'Mo and band in concert Friday, June 5, Glenn Massey Theater, on campus of Mat-Su College...

AK: A 12-Year-Old Ambassador

Imagine you arrive in a world where it rains all year round, and daylight swings from 17 hours in summertime to a paltry six in winter. And you’re only seven years old. That’s the situation Jasmine Molina found herself when she first got to Sitka, over 5,000 miles from her native city of Manila in the Philippines. Sitka’s Filipino population has grown substantially in the past five years, but there remains no formal system to help new students transition to school. That is, until Jasmine came to town. Listen now:

49 Voices: Jean Aspen of Homer

This week, we're hearing from Jean Aspen, a writer of wilderness books and a nurse who lives in Homer. Download Audio

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. Download Audio:

June 2015 Television Highlights: Lucky Chow Debuts

LUCKY CHOW travels across the United States to explore Asian cuisine's impact on American food culture. Hosted by Danielle Chang, the six-part series explores a wide variety of Asian food and drink — from a famous Japanese noodle dish to Korean kimchi to Chinese fusion — while meeting the new generation of chefs and entrepreneurs dedicated to keeping the traditions alive.

Traveling Music 5-31-15

Traveling Music Shonti Elder 5-31-15     Promoted Keb'Mo and band in concert Friday, June 5, Glenn Massey Theater, on campus of Mat-Su College in Palmer, and Saturday, June...

King Harald V of Norway

King Harald V of Norway addresses the Alaska World Affairs Council alongside a panel of Arctic experts, including Craig Fleener, Fran Ulmer and Borge Ousland. KSKA: Tuesday, June 2, at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Listen now:

AK: A teenager and his past

It’s graduation season for Alaska’s high school seniors. Earning a diploma marks a milestone in a person’s life. And for one Juneau student, that milestone is especially sweet after his high school experience was interrupted with several trips to juvenile detention. Listen now:

49 Voices: Amanda Cash and ‘The Magpie’

This week, we're talking with chef Amanda Cash, who owns a new food trailer in Anchorage called 'The Magpie' that specializes in making breakfast- and lunch- with local ingredients. Download Audio

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. Listen now:

Ambassador Zygimantas Pavilionis on “Lithuania: A Start-Up Nation”

Ambassador Zygimantas Pavilionis speaks on Lithuania's culture of entrepreneurship and the nation's potential in a global economy. Listen now: