Programs

Educators express disappointment in Governor Dunleavy's cuts to public school funding. Plus, a  national shortage of chemotherapy drugs reaches Alaska.

More than 500 bills have been introduced nationwide this year that seek to limit the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, including in Alaska. Despite these numbers, advocates in Alaska say there’s been good progress in defending those rights. But what exactly are they? And how are Alaskans celebrating Pride Month despite this national trend? We discuss proposed laws and regulations, and pride month celebrations on this Talk of Alaska.

The governor's budget vetoes are in, and they include cutting half of an education funding increase. Also, a sub-sea fiber optic cable break in the Arctic is affecting emergency services in the region. And researchers head up Mt. Edgecumb, a long-dormant volcano in Sitka that's been rumbling recently.

A former employee of the governor's gave a speech airing his extremist views that had not been approved by the governor's office. Plus, without enough officers to cover shifts, Fairbanks Police will change their patrol schedule.

Alaska tribes cheer a Supreme Court opinion that upholds the Indian Child Welfare Act. Plus, a report says the well-being of Alaska children ranks among the worst in the nation.

A Supreme Court Decision expected soon could overturn the Indian Child Welfare Act. Plus, Northwest Alaska deals with challenges caused by the lack of internet and phone service.

Summer has arrived in Alaska, at least as far as the trees are concerned. Pollen counts are high and it seems everyone is sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. Do you have questions about seasonal allergies? What about pet allergies or food allergies? Do you suffer from allergic rhinitis or asthma? Join host Dr Justin Clark as he explores these topics and more on this episode of Line One.

A severed undersea cable causes internet and phone outages for Northern and Northwest Alaska. Plus, Alaska hospitals are struggling with shortages of two common chemotherapy drugs.

Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of Black Americans from more than 400 years of slavery. The magnitude of those centuries of imprisonment, forced labor and brutal treatment continue to affect all Americans today. However, there has been tremendous growth and progress for Black people in our country and state. We discuss the great strides made, despite resistance, and the work yet to be done on this Talk of Alaska.

The Seattle cargo shipping shutdown could bring delays to goods headed for Alaska. Plus, Cooper Landing considers taxes to help pay for emergency services. 

Known for her witty observations on NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and her really large family of pets, Paula Poundstone will be performing in Anchorage later this month.The author, podcaster and expert dog-waste-remover joins host Anne Hillman to discuss her comedy, her home life, and more.

Fentanyl is showing up in pills that look like prescription drugs, contributing to a rise in overdose deaths. Plus, remembering artist Joe Senungetuk.

This week on State of Art we're talking about the Sundown Solstice festival. The three-day concert features a mix of well-known, up-and-coming and local artists whose music ranges from hip-hop, electronic and rock. The festival starts Friday, June 16 and runs through Sunday at Cuddy Park. We're joined by Hellen Fleming, co-owner of Showdown Productions, the organizers of the festival. She tells us about the artists, what it takes to put on an event this big and being caught up in city drama.

NOAA tells southeast troll fishermen that they might still get a king salmon season this summer. Plus, the Mat-Su school board adopts controversial policies aimed at transgender students, despite some opposition.

Anchorage's summer clearing of homeless camps starts at a park set for an upcoming music festival. Plus, Sen. Dan Sullivan warns of alleged Chinese spies on Alaska military bases.

The Mat-Su school board prepares to vote on a pair of policies that would impact transgender students and sex ed. Plus, scientists study how the highly pathogenic bird flu withstood the winter in Alaska.

Alaskans like to pack in as much fun as possible during our gloriously long summer days and extended bouts of backyard, beach, boat and campsite time is made all the better when you have a great book to relax with. Readers know how books create magical doorways into other worlds and other worldviews that enhance your imagination in ways that scrolling online will never match. If you want to stick to home grown books, Alaska has many great authors and a wide range of selections from thrillers to romance to science. We’ll talk with Alaska writers and librarians to hear about their book recommendations on this Talk of Alaska.

Teens use a healthy kind of peer pressure to warn each other about the dangers of vaping. Plus, renewable energy projects are expanding, above the Arctic Circle, in Kotzebue.

This week on State of Art we're take a trip downtown to the Anchorage Museum to learn about their new exhibit "All Aboard: The Alaska Railroad Centennial." It covers the history, impact and people that made the railroad what it is today. We're joined by The Anchorage Museum's Aaron Leggett, senior curator and of Alaska history and indigenous cultures, who gives us a tour of some of the exhibits highlights. We hear about contributions of indigenous workers, Leggett's personal connections to the railroad and more.

If you happened to be driving down Tudor Road in Anchorage last weekend you may have noticed a throng of people dressed in armor, medieval gowns and maybe even a dragon suit. That’s because we are in the midst of the Three Barons Renaissance Fair which runs through this weekend. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host Dave Waldron speaks with a long-time board member about the fair and moderates a debate between the three Barons as they vie for the public's support to rule the realm of Hillshire.