Programs

After much debate, the state Senate passes a bill to increase school funding. Also, river breakup is underway, with ice jams causing concern over flooding. And a passenger jet gets a new paint job: an Indigenous design celebrating our connection to salmon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0KNdZwsGgA

On this Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend is joined by Sen. Löki Tobin and Stephanie Berglund, CEO of Thread Alaska, to discuss the scope and possible solutions to the child care crisis.

The play tells the story of a blind woman who gets caught up in a tension-building game of cat and mouse with dangerous criminals. We're joined by show director Krista Schwarting and lead actor Kaichen McRae to talk about the technical challenges, character choices and the unique lead role.

Stories are posted on the statewide news page. Send news tips, questions, and comments to news@alaskapublic.org. Follow Alaska Public Media on Facebook and on Twitter @AKPublicNews. And subscribe to...

Summer in Alaska brings a plethora of outdoor adventure opportunities. Boating, hiking, climbing, fishing, wildlife viewing, fishing, and hunting ramp up — and so do the calls for help. On this episode of Outdoor Explorer, host Paul Twardock speaks with representatives from various rescue groups to learn about what they do and how to avoid needing their help.

A long-awaited bill to increase to Alaska's education formula reaches the full Senate. Plus, a lack of childcare in rural Alaska forces families to make tough choices. 

A new report from the US Surgeon General highlights a trend of loneliness and isolation among Americans. According to the report, lack of connection with other people can create adverse health effects on par with frequent smoking. On this Line One, host Prentiss Pemberton explores the mental and physical health benefits that come with a sense of belonging and connection and what can go wrong when they’re missing.

Two large tribal organizations leave the Alaska Federation of Natives. Plus, Alaskans mourn missing and murdered Indigenous loved ones.

People without an idea of where they would sleep, stay safe, cook or have access to bathroom facilities or running water, were made to leave the Sullivan Arena. Many of them will have no choice but to camp in area parks in the city. Why did the Sullivan close and what is the plan to address the needs of those who are without housing before next winter? We’ll talk with city leaders to find out on this Talk of Alaska.

How Alaska’s child care crisis is impacting Anchorage families. Plus, researchers are crowd-sourcing river ice photos to help predict potential floods.

Nearly 61 thousand households in Anchorage have pets. That works out to about 105 thousand dogs and 88 thousand cats. That’s a lot of animals — and a lot of animal waste. And pet ownership doesn’t just impact the people who live with the creatures. Caring for pets is both challenging and rewarding for veterinarians and their staff, too. This week on Hometown, Alaska, we’re talking to veterinarians about their mental health and pet care basics as well as taking a trip to the dog park to see how your actions affect everyone downstream.

This week on State of Art we're discussing a play about the reality of friendship and an indigenous artist who looks to the resources that fed her ancestors. First, we hear from Erin Gingrich and Alaska Pacific University Gallery Manager James Temte. Gingrich's show "Kaviqsaaq Qivliaq-taaq Siññaktut (Red Silver Dreams)" includes photography and carving representing her experiences during the 2022 salmon fishing season. We're also joined by director Jill Bess and actor Gigi Lynch who tell us about Cyrano's Theater Company's upcoming production of "Dog Park."

Oil company executives testify against legislation that increases their taxes. Plus, a look at the economic toll of a snow crab population crash that coincided with a marine heat wave.

https://youtu.be/yDaTI4-rEEc

On this episode of Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend is joined by midtown assembly member Felix Rivera and Alexis Johnson, the housing and homelessness coordinator for the Bronson administration, to discuss the reasoning for shrinking the Sullivan, and the city's plan moving forward.

Uncertainty remains for a valuable Southeast Alaska king salmon fishery. Plus, a trial in Ketchikan questions the constitutionality of tribal values posted in schools. 

John Schoen spent 20 years working for Alaska's Department of Fish and Game as a scientist studying Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goats and brown bears in the Tongass National Forest. He is a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in field science and conservation. John joins host Paul Twardock to discuss his fascinating career and memoir titled "Tongass Odyssey: Seeing the Forest Ecosystem Through the Politics of Trees, A Biologist's Memoir."

Lawmakers in Juneau are considering a special legislative session to settle on a fiscal plan for the state. Plus, Alaskans spoke in favor of ranked-choice voting during a hearing on a bill to repeal the measure.

Alaska's capital city is expecting 1.5 million tourists this summer, 30% more than pre-pandemic levels.