Programs

This week on State of Art we're hearing from artist Jimmy Riordan. He spoke with Hometown Alaska host Kathleen McCoy about his new project involving a retired bookmobile, raising funds for repairs and what comes next.

On the next Outdoor Explorer, we have an interview with one of the world’s top professional snowboarders, Jeremy Jones, who has made more than 50 films about his exploits in Alaska alone. But that’s not all Jeremy is about anymore. As he saw winter eroding, he has become an activist to do something about climate change, and recruited other top skiing and boarding pros to become activists as well. Thanks for listening!

How has this summer affected marine mammal, fish and seabird populations? And what does the hot weather mean for the state as Alaskans adapt to the reality of climate change? We'll discuss the summer heat wave on the next Talk of Alaska.

Not long after the United States purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867, the Alaska Commercial Company, then a newly formed trading firm, launched extensive sea otter hunting operations in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands. Until recently, most of the records for the Aleutian Islands were considered lost forever. Read more.

Today we’re going to school outside. Douglas Causey is a Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and most days he’s teaching in a classroom like every other teacher. But, the one he’s teaching today couldn’t be more different. This classroom is in Portage Valley. And the homework? Catching fish. Read more.

KSKA: Thursday, February 1, at 2:00 & 8:00 p.m. The next Outdoor Explorer focuses on women, and specifically events for women athletes. The Alaska Ski for Women is coming up soon, and after that the Gold Nugget Triathlon, and there are others too. We’ll be talking with competitors and organizers to find out what these events are like, how they feel different from co-ed races, and why it is important to have events specifically for women. LISTEN HERE

Anxiety is a normal and important human experience that is necessary for motivation and even our survival as a species. Anxiety, however, can become a frustrating and debilitating condition that can manifest as intense irrational fear, hypervigilance, panic, obsessive behaviors, and poor self esteem.

Judge rules that a ballot measure that would change how Alaskans choose state elected officials can move forward. Also: Still no sign of a missing Homer woman who vanished Oct. 17.

Memorial Day is upon us, and with it, huge minus tides in lower Cook Inlet. Excellent clam tides are hitting at the same time as the starting weekend of the summer season. But razor clams have been scarce of late. We’ll have a researcher trying to find out why, as well talking about how to pursue razors, and going after steamers and butters, too. Biology, food safety, digging, camping, cooking. You'll even hear some secret recipes on the next Outdoor Explorer. KSKA: Thursday, 5/23 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm Download Audio

New oil estimate for NPR-A: It's 'HUGE'; State looks to settle TAPS tariff cases; North Slope borough storm gets disaster declaration; Refuge drilling opponents prepare for next phase of struggle; Bethel Search and Rescue seeks stronger partnership with local police; Alaska Christmas trees: backyard charm or out-of-state beauty?; AK: Anchorage celebrates winter solstice with tour of trees; 49 Voices: Anita Laulainen of Palmer Listen now

Until the virus is under control, experts say the state’s economy will continue to suffer.