Programs

Anchorage loosens its drug testing policy for city workers' off-the-clock marijuana use. Plus, Longtime Senator Donny Olson weighs in on the vacancy for House District 40. And, Fat Bear Week 2023 comes to a close as one big bruin is crowned champion.

The state is making progress processing food assistance applications, but some Alaskans still face months-long waits. Plus, a year after Typhoon Merbok, families on Alaska's west coast are still struggling to find housing. And, a Fairbanks writer's work about salt gets national recognition.

The rise in challenges to books in school and public libraries has grown rapidly in recent years. Efforts to censor certain topics in reading material is not new. Attempts have appeared periodically throughout history, but the American Library Association saw a 70% increase in book ban requests in 2022. We discuss what’s driving the latest spike in demands for book removals and who should decide on this Talk of Alaska.

Alaskans celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Plus, national church leaders make reparations to Alaska Native congregants in Juneau. And, there's still time to vote for the fattest Katmai bears before the conclusion of Fat Bear Week.

Homeless Anchorage residents wait on shelter options as the city clears a large camp. Plus, the state health department is changing how it handles Medicaid renewals. And, Kenai Peninsula artists present their work at a judged, biennial art show.

The design of a traditional large skin-on-frame boat used by the Unangax people was thought to be lost after Russian colonizers destroyed the last remaining examples in the 1800's, but after decades of work, the design of the niĝilax has been restored. Now, the recreated boats are touching Alaskan waters for the first time in over 200 years. To discuss the process and significance of the restoration, host Lori Townsend is joined by Ethan Petticrew, an Unangax dance instructor, teacher, and Executive Director of Cook Inlet Head Start, as well as Marc Daniels, the boat builder who facilitated the restoration project.

https://youtu.be/_Ka9-tBUweg It’s been about 200 years since Russian colonizers demolished the last remaining examples of large Unangax̂ boats called a niĝilax̂. The wooden framed boats...

The one-man show depicts the life of Ted Stevens who served as a U.S. senator for Alaska from 1968 to 2009 and had its world premier last month. The play was written by Alaska State Senator Gary Stevens (unrelated) and is directed by Kalli Randall. We’re joined by Randall and visiting actor Dan Morrison to find out more.

Jenna Wright, the Anchorage Economic Development Corp.'s new head, says the city needs to become more desirable and affordable to workers.

Alaska's Senators work to reframe the debate about funding for Ukraine. Plus, after repeated delays, Anchorage police finally have a date for equipping officers with body-worn cameras. And, the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation's new leader seeks a younger workforce.

Our guest on this episode of Outdoor Explorer is Kikkan Randall, executive director of the Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage. The conversation is wide-ranging, from the programs and events NSAA has planned for the upcoming ski season to impacts of climate change and NSAA's upcming 60th anniversary.

Several incumbents lose in Fairbanks as election results are tallied in cities across the state. Plus, an Alaskan in a high-ranking position at the Dept. of Interior steps down. And, marching bands are catching on in Alaska.

The CDC estimates that 13% of men in the US meet the criteria for having a substance use disorder and that men account for more than three quarters of deaths from excessive drinking. Excessive alcohol and drug use in men also leads to increases in domestic violence, sexual assault, and an increased risk of suicide. On this Line One, Host Prentiss Pemberton and his guest discuss the ways addiction affects men and what can be done to overcome it.

Two soldiers from Fort Wainwright died in a training accident near Salcha. Plus, one Native corporation plans to create a dividend for shareholders from the profits of an aging mine. And, a state study looks at whether limiting sport fishing to hatchery fish could help conserve King salmon.

Alaska continues to see staffing shortages at pharmacies. Plus, the Anchorage Assembly prepares a $10 million ballot question to improve access to Chugach State Park. And, internet speed in Unalaska gets a boost.

The series of events celebrating writing and writers in Alaska runs from Sunday October 1 to 8. There will be live events and virtual presentations featuring everything from poetry and romance to nonfiction and children's books. Professor of English and Book Week coordinator, Trish Jenkins, joins us to tell us all about it.

The Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention is only a few weeks away and there will be plenty of speakers, crafts and traditional music. But what about contemporary music? On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we have two very different in-studio performances from some up-and-coming Alaska Native musicians. Join host Dave Waldron as he speaks with hip-hop duo Brother Buffalo and singer-songwriter Witty Youngman about their music and how their heritage influences their art.

As salmon disappears on the Yukon River, a young leader considers what that means for the future. Plus, a new report examines Alaska's prison population. And, a new project aims to provide STEM education resources to Indigenous students.

https://youtu.be/2mEWnN1uRKM A local food hub has spouted Port Lions on Kodiak Island, bringing with it increased food security. The archipelago is now home to six...

The disruption of the pandemic focused even more attention on a perennial concern for Alaska, our distance from major food suppliers. The future economic health of our state depends in part on having a more robust, local supply of food to reduce reliance on outside producers. In this episode of Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend is joined by Glenna Gannon, an assistant professor of sustainable food systems with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Tikaan Galbreath, technical assistance network director with the Intertribal Agriculture Council, to discuss creating sustainable food systems in Alaska.