Title 21: Anchorage’s Latest Hot Potato

KSKA: Wednesday 8/31 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm After a decade of citizen, consultant and city planning elbow grease, the rewrite of Anchorage’s land use code is nearing the finish line of one very long marathon. The last big hurdle comes when the plan re-emerges from the Mayor’s Office. Comment and implementation timetables are still fuzzy.

The Bartok of Car Talk: Composer Leiderman’s Music Sets the Stage from Morning Edition to Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me

On a special edition of Hometown, Alaska this Friday, NPR theme composer BJ Leiderman talks about what make music for radio programs work. Download Audio (MP3)

Alaska’s Film Incentive Program: The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of

The legislature came up with an incentive program to bring filmmakers North to make their next Blockbuster. What has that money bought us? What has it meant to Alaskans with and without film connections? How does the average Alaskan become a carpenter or an extra? KSKA: Wednesday 9/21 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

In Memoriam: Conversation with ‘ENCOUNTERS’ host Richard Nelson

How does he even get those amazing natural wildlife sounds, as if he were standing right next to that grunting grizzly bear! As the host of Encounters, Richard Nelson is our guide to the fascinating sights,sounds and behaviors of Alaska’s resilient animals. For an opportunity to talk with Alaska anthropologist and naturalist Richard Nelson, join host Kathleen McCoy on a special edition of Hometown, Alaska on Friday. KSKA: Friday 11/11 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm

“Yes” or “No” on Proposition 5: Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative

On Tuesday, April 3rd, Anchorage residents will vote "yes" or "no" on Proposition 5. Proposition 5, or the "Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative", asks the question: "Shall the current Municipal Code sections providing legal protections against discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, age, physical disability, and mental disability be amended to include protections on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender identity?" KSKA: Wednesday, 3/28 at 2:00pm and 7:00pm
HTA April 25 Storytelling in Alaska

‘And then what happened?’

The Alaska Native Oratory Society just celebrated its 10th anniversary at UAA, featuring a full day of stories told by students and emceed by Alaska Native storyteller Jack Dalton. Join us for a round of stories including 'The Dragger,' 'Never Look in Windows,' and more. KSKA: Wednesday, 4/25 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Back to School with Superintendent Graff

School is starting in Anchorage, once again with a new superintendent. After a year of turmoil, the Anchorage School District is headed by a local educator, Ed Graff. Superintendent Graff looks ahead to coming school year and how he plans to guide the district. We're on the air the first day of school. Listen Now KSKA: Wednesday 8/21 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm

Allison Warden and Liz Medicine Crow

They come from different parts of Alaska and different Native communities. Their typical work day could not look more different. Both labor in the quest for a vibrant future for their people. Meet Allison Warden and Liz Medicine Crow, in conversation, on the next Hometown Alaska. KSKA, Wednesday, 10/16 at 2:00pm and 9:00pm Listen Now

Ted Stevens Anchorage Int’l Airport master plan: the next 20 years

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport master plan is coming in for a landing. It's time to get your questions answered and offer airport planners the feedback they need. Airport director John Parrott and project manager Evan Pfahler join us. KSKA: Wednesday, 10/30 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm Listen Now

Reconnecting with the Dena’ina in Anchorage

All your favorite Anchorage places, like Chester Creek and Point Woronzof, have other names given them by the first people who made Anchorage home, the Dena'ina Athabascans. Learn more about your hometown from the experts, the first residents, on the next Hometown Alaska. KSKA: Wednesday, 11/13 at 2:00pm and 9:00pm Listen Now

Moose and Mice, Be Gone!

Do moose hate Irish Spring soap? Do mice hate peppermint? We'll talk remedies to unwanted moose and mice visitors on the next Hometown Alaska. Email your tips to hometown@alaskapublic.org, and tune in for some you've never heard of before! KSKA: Wednesday, 11/20 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm Listen Now

Winter film fests: Let’s go to the movies

You say snow gives you hives? Not to worry. Anchorage hosts two winter film festivals that promise to transport your mind and imagination to places you never dreamed of visiting. Come enjoy the best getaway in the world: the movies. We'll feature program directors for the Anchorage International Film Festival and the Indigenous World Film Festival, They'll share highlights and don't-miss surprises for each festival. KSKA: Wednesday, 12/4 at 2:00pm and 9:00pm Listen Now

Rise of the Social Entrepreneur

On the next Hometown Alaska, we’ll hear a particularly Alaskan perspective on social entrepreneurship with Yaso Thiru. She teaches accounting at Alaska Pacific University, and for the last 18 months has promoted social change through education, employment and entrepreneurial spirit. We’ll talk of numerous examples, some global and some local, and take a closer look at Hope Studios, a social entrepreneurship venture right here in Anchorage, with gallery manager Julie Mettler. KSKA: Wednesday 1/8 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm Listen Now 

Arts in Alaska: Thriving, or just surviving?

The arts always seem to struggle for funding. Why? We'll hear from the Rasmuson Foundation on their Individual Artists Awards, and from local community arts organizations on their strategies to thrive, including the Design Forum, Anchorage Community Works, Object Runway and more. KSKA, Wednesday, 1/22 at 2:00 and 9:00 pm Listen Now

Our Weird Weather

Tulips and green grass in January? Road to Valdez closed by the mother of all avalanches? Will there be an Iditarod, a Fur Rondy, an Iron Dog? Let's talk about our recent weather and its implications on the next Hometown Alaska. KSKA: Weds. 2/5 at 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm  Listen Now

Where do you work?

The work world is changing. More and more creatives toil on contract and can work anywhere they want: the kitchen table, the local coffee house, or now, new co-working environments. KSKA: Weds. 2/12 at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Listen now:

Choosing Capital Projects

Tradition is an important part of politics. The Alaska Legislature has long followed the tradition of keeping the state's capital budget process confidential until the last minute, and then releasing and voting on it in the final days of the session. Some people think that leads to bad decisions. We'll talk about Anchorage's recent tennis court controversies, and other impacts of how the legislature does its job. Is there a better way? KSKA: Wednesday, 2/19, at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Listen now:

Media: Friend or Foe? Ask Brooke Gladstone.

Brooke Gladstone has spent 25 years in the news business, the past dozen years taking its temperature and analyzing its strengths and weaknesses on NPR's "On the Media." She does it on our behalf, as news consumers. Gladstone is in Alaska this week, her very first time, to talk about our uneasy relationship with news as detailed in her book, "The Influencing Machine." KSKA: Wednesday, 2/26, at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Listen now:

Good old dogs: Treating them well in the end

The sad truth is we usually outlive our pets. That parting is painful and tough to plan for, but being prepared can add some solace to a tough time. Join us on Hometown Alaska when long time Alaska veterinarian John Hightower takes your questions and talks us through the issues. KSKA: Wednesday, March 5, at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Listen now:

Code for America, Anchorage Brigade: What the hack are they up to?

Citizen engagement among coders and hackers is growing, thanks to a national nonprofit called Code for America. Find out how it's emerging in Anchorage and how citizens plan to influence life in Anchorage by tapping into available Open Data. Think crime data, public transit data, and more. KSKA: Wednesday, March 19, at 2:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Listen now: