Programs

Temperatures are dropping quickly and hundreds of Anchorage residents are currently living unsheltered in camps and on the street across the city. What’s the plan to keep them safe this winter and beyond? Join host Anne Hillman as she speaks with three city leaders who are working on this problem.

Eugene Peltola's death has aviation experts calling attention to Alaska's high rate of small plane crashes. Plus, infants can now be immunized against a common threat in Alaska — RSV. And, a farmer’s market started by Anchorage's Hmong community grew from a handful of vendors to maximum capacity.

Across the state, homebuilding and vacancy rates are down. Rent, mortgage rates and home prices are up.

Across Alaska, it’s a challenge to find affordable housing. Home building and vacancy rates are down, while rent, mortgage rates and home prices are up. The lack of affordable housing drives people into overcrowded homes and homelessness, or out of state. Some officials have begun referring to it as a housing crisis. On this episode of Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend is joined by Anchorage Assembly Member Dr. Daniel Volland, and Nolan Klouda, Executive Director of the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development, to discuss the causes, and possible solutions, of Alaska's housing crunch.

On this episode of State of Art we're discussing the Alaska Writers Guild and their upcoming conference. The guild connects Alaska writers and provides educational opportunities for things like business and marketing. Their annual conference for writers and illustrators will be held on Friday and Saturday the last weekend of September at UAA's Rasmuson Hall. We're joined by Alaska Writers Guild board members Laura Carpenter and Brooke Hartman to find out more about the guild, what to expect from the conference and more.

Politicians are still confident in the pipeline project, even as a long timeline has export buyers looking for other options.

Experts say the odds are not good for a liquefied natural gas line in Alaska, but politicians continue to promote the idea. Plus, a Wasilla man hopes his art can help raise awareness about the importance of cancer screening. And, a new Amazon sorting facility is coming to Anchorage.

Alaskans mourn the death of Eugene "Buzzy" Peltola Jr., the husband of Congresswoman Mary Peltola. Plus, residents of the Interior village of Fort Yukon reflect on life without salmon, four years after stocks collapsed. And, Alaska's pinball scene is thriving in Juneau.

Dr. Justin Clark was joined by Coleman Cutchins, who is the lead pharmacist for the Alaska Department of Health and the office of substance abuse and misuse and Venus Woods, Director of HIV Prevention & Education for the Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association (Four A's). They discussed updates on the opioid epidemic including synthetics like fentanyl, counterfeit prescription pills, and opioid overdose reversal drugs.

Questions abound on the merger of the state's two biggest grocery chains. Plus, members of a church in Juneau decide not to run a community homeless shelter this winter. And, the Southeast community of Hoonah gets proactive about keeping bears out of their trash cans.

Across Alaska, an insufficient housing supply and historically high rental and mortgage rates are pushing Alaskans into urban centers, causing them to leave the state, or forcing them into homelessness. Affordable housing is critical for health and wellbeing, and leads to better employment and education outcomes. What are the solutions to Alaska's chronic housing shortage? We talk with Alaskans focused on answers on this Talk of Alaska.

President Biden speaks in Anchorage on the 22nd anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Plus, a rare glimpse of a fundraiser in Seward that draws national politicians and lobbyists. And, world-renowned climbers seek the guidance of a Petersburg man before a daunting ascent.

This week on State of Art we're joined by "Arsenic and Old Lace" director MaryAlice Larmi to discuss the fast-paced farce. It centers on Mortimer Brewster and his maniacal family including spinster aunts who have a habit of murdering lonely old men, a brother on the run from the law and one who thinks he's Teddy Roosevelt. She tells us about what to expect, casting the right performers, and acting icon Boris Karloff's contribution to Anchorage Community Theater's 1957 production of the play.

The stigmas and statistics of mental health awareness are important issues for Alaskans, especially as it relates to suicide prevention. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host Justin Williams leads a conversation about how to discuss mental health and suicide prevention with Blaze Bell of Standing Together Against Rape and Recover Alaska as well as Shana Cooper of the Alaska Native Justice Center. They share their professional insight and personal experiences to explain how to approach these issues and share what resources are out there.

New details on a midair collision over Katmai National Park. Plus, the star of Hamilton reflects on bringing the smash Broadway show to Alaska. And, Northwest Arctic communities work to help those struggling with opioid addiction.

The new commissioner of education sits down for her first interview since taking the job. Plus, The Mat-Su school board changes how their student representative can participate. And, Juneau residents confront the mental health impacts from last month's historic flooding.

Alaska author Don Rearden grew up in Southwest Alaska living and observing rural life. His books "Raven's Gift," a novel, and "Without A Paddle," a collection of poems, reflect his Alaska experiences and life. Don also co-authored books featuring two of Alaska's professional military rescuers. Don joins host Paul Twardock to discuss Alaska's culture, history and environment and how they influenced his writing.

Petersburg's new trash contract comes with a 34% price hike, which would pile onto the community's already sky-high living expenses.

The Department of the Interior cancels the state's oil leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Plus, Indigenous healers are featured in a new museum exhibit in Anchorage. And, generations of Nulato women carry on the tradition of summer fish camp, despite declining salmon runs.

Katya Karankevich is breaking records in the spearfishing scene but she's doing it in Alaska while battling tides, tourists, and glacial silt.