Programs

Many older Alaskans are building community, battling isolation and staying healthy in exercise classes.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing about the Anchorage Community Concert Band’s spring performance “Going Places.” We hear from the band’s conductor Dr. Mark Wolbers to find out more about the concert and what makes it a “journey through time and place.”

State regulators hear from the Nuiqsut mayor about last year's gas leak at the Alpine oil field near the village. Plus, Anchorage Assembly members consider a "clean slate" approach to finding a new space for a homeless shelter.

Lawmakers consider denying themselves pay raises after a convoluted process recommended a significant bump in compensation. Months-long delays for Medicaid application approvals are causing some Alaskans to forego needed health care.

Sobriety can be one of the most consequential changes someone can make in their life. It has the potential to improve your mental and bodily health, but it’s also a difficult path that faces stigma and barriers in the healthcare system. March is Alaska’s Sobriety Awareness Month, and on this Line One, host Prentiss Pemberton talks with Recover Alaska’s sober heroes about their stories, and the ways sobriety has changed their lives.

Climate protestors in Washington D.C. continue to press President Joe Biden after his approval of the Willow Project. Plus, homicides increased steadily and significantly in Alaska over the last decade, according to a state report.

Alaska’s Southeast commercial salmon troll fleet is the target of a federal lawsuit that alleges the fishery threatens the chinook salmon food stock of endangered orca whales off the coast of Washington. The suit was brought against the federal government but seeks to shut down the 30 million dollar fishery this summer. Critics say it will decimate the livelihoods of Southeast troll fishermen and suggest other causes are depleting the whale’s food supply. We discuss the fight over fish and who has the right to them on this Talk of Alaska.

A remote Alaska community grapples with the aftermath of the first polar bear attack in three decades. Plus, Senator Dan Sullivan addresses the commercial fishing trade show in Kodiak.

This week on Hometown Alaska we're joined by Erin Baldwin Day, lead organizer of Mutual Aid Network of Anchorage, to find out about the grassroots, community-minded organization filling gaps other groups cannot meet.

Susan McKenzie has declined the role of commissioner for the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.

Student representatives on the state school board share their thoughts with lawmakers on a controversial gender identity bill. Plus, Remembering sportfishing advocate Bob Penney, who fell in love with the Kenai River in the 70s.

This week on State of Art we’re hearing about Out North’s Fringe Festival going on all of April. It features films, performance art and workshops meant to build community and push the boundaries of art. We’re joined by Out North’s Executive Director Erin Willahan and Fringe Artistic Director Indra Arriaga to find out more.

On this episode of Alaska Insight, host Lori Townsend is joined by Dr. Kelly Drew and Dr. Oivind Toien, two researchers at the University of Fairbanks Alaska who are looking at the possible medical applications of understanding hibernation.

Senator Murkowski decries the collapse of several fisheries at the commercial fishing trade show in Kodiak. Plus, court system officials defend the state's grand jury system against protests.

https://youtu.be/2pCMvmLkL8Y Seeing how much Alaska relies on imports for food and gardening, Melina Sevigny asked herself, how could she help it's food security? She started...

There are many organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life of Alaska's youth. Many use the outdoors and nature to help kids overcome the challenges they face. Onward and Upward is a nonprofit based in the Mat-Su Valley and is one such organization. The group offers programs that use the concept of "one health" that incorporates adventure, challenge by choice, experiential learning and place based education while being sensitive to trauma. Randy Dowd, Executive Director and founder, and his staff join host Paul Twardock to discuss the programs they offer and benefits that youth receive from their program and ones like it.

The EPA proposes a national limit on PFAS compounds in drinking water. Plus, an Alaska oil and gas expert's idea for the state to make money by NOT drilling in ANWR.

Alaska Native mushers took the podium in the 2023 Iditarod, with the Knik Kid, Ryan Redington, winning his first championship and Bethel's Pete Kaiser and Aniak's Richie Diehl mushing into second and third place. The race's top 10 were all into Nome by Wednesday morning, and we have an update on Rookie of the Year honors, as well as three Dogs of the Day, two listener questions and a story about collecting dog pee. Also: This'll do it for Season 7 of the Iditapod. Thanks for coming along with us on this thousand-mile journey!

Tuberculosis is a disease with a complicated history in Alaska. For decades, the state has led the country in rates of infection, but care for people with tuberculosis has a history of discrimination and mistreatment. However, treatments have changed and health workers say cases are especially high right now. On this Line One, host Dr. Justin Clark explores the scope of tuberculosis in Alaska, and the treatments for those who have it.

The 40-year-old Ryan Redington has won his first Iditarod and the first championship for the Redington family, on his 16th try (and after six previous scratches). "I've just been on pins and needles," said his mom, Barb, at the finish line. We'll hear Redington's finish itself in this episode, and from Alaska Public Media's Lex Treinen about the finish and how Redington arrived there first. The dog friends that did the leading into Nome -- Sven and Ghost -- are our obvious picks for Dogs of the Day. And we have a listener question about dog-human friends, with a fun answer from a friendly musher.