Programs

Overcrowding is a perennial problem in rural Alaska, but the Covid-19 pandemic has made living with it harder. Cramped conditions offer little space to work from home, conduct virtual schooling, or quarantine, and put many multigenerational households at increased risk of infection. Tackling the problem isn’t easy, but, as Erin McKinstry reports for Alaska Public Media, federal COVID funds are offering some relief in the Bering Straits Region.

Alaska Insight host, Lori Townsend, talks to experts about rural housing challenges.

Alaska’s foster care system has long been challenged by a need for more case workers and foster families, but now the lack of social workers and willing caretakers has reached a crisis level.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy makes another push for higher permanent fund dividends. A bill to provide state recognition of tribes passes the House, but faces a more difficult path in the state Senate. A Bethel-raised Yup'ik musician receives national awards.

This page features the full reading of the introduction, written and performed by Ian C. Hartman. You will also find an excerpt of the introduction that aired on KSKA on February 14th, 2022.

This page features the full reading of the forward, written and performed by Ed Wesley. You will also find an excerpt of the forward that aired on KSKA on February 7th, 2022.

Born in Hong Kong and raised in Alaska, tea connoisseur Jenny Tse takes us on a tour of the world's first geothermal tea farm, hand-rolls a batch of tea leaves, and serves up the freshest cup of hot tea in the heart of winter.

COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to drop. Also, some tribal organizations feel left out of the state's new bycatch task force. And after surviving an avalanche, an Alaskan writer faces post-traumatic stress and grief.

On this next Outdoor Explorer, our guest is Alli Harvey, outdoor columnist for the Anchorage Daily News. Her columns often explore the connection between happiness and outdoor adventure. Alli is also a landscape artist and is about to start her next adventure in her new mobile art studio and gallery, an Airstream trailer that she will take on the road to the places she wants to paint.

On this Outdoor Explorer, we’ll go to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, to visit with doctor, mountaineer, and author Peter Steele. He was the team doctor for the 1971 International Everest Expedition. We’ll discuss Peter’s adventures as a mountaineer, a husband, and a father, his friendship with Eric Shipton, and his observations about large Himalayan mountaineering expeditions.

Police dashcam footage raises new questions around the 2019 shooting of a Black man in Anchorage. Also, a board to revitalize the state's ferry system meets for the first time. And Alaska Native Juneau residents gather to honor missing loved ones.

Tribal courts could gain more power over domestic violence cases. Alaskan Olympic champion Kikkan Randall reflects on the up-and-coming U.S. ski team. A renewed debate over halibut allocation in Southeast and Southcentral.

The UAA Women’s basketball program is elite. Conference champs, sweet 16 appearances, perennial national championship contender, and of course - mayhem! What makes them so successful? How much attention are they getting locally, and nationally? Should they be getting more attention given their success? And what does the future hold for UAA basketball?

Lawyers make closing arguments over Alaska’s new legislative district map. Also, Ketchikan students respond to allegations of racism at a recent basketball game. And Alaska’s Polynesian community ships donations to Tonga.

A new compilation of the stories of struggle and triumph provides a lens on the lives and careers of Black Alaskans.

Childhood chronic illness affects 40% of school-aged children and adolescents. Nutrition, movement, environmental toxins and genetics play a role in this progression.

The victim's brother reflects after a Fairbanks jury convicts his sister's killer in a cold case murder. Also, the state ombudsman issues a report critical of Alaska’s only public psychiatric hospital. And for some fishermen, disaster relief funds are too late to help.

The omicron wave is starting to recede in Alaska. Also, allegations of racism in the stands at a Ketchikan basketball game are under investigation. And NASA's big new space telescope is calibrating on a star in the Alaska-iconic Big Dipper.

Last summer Alaska Public Media facilitated conversations between people with different political views as part of One Small Step – a collaboration with StoryCorps. The goal was to find common ground in a divisive political climate.

A judge hears arguments from university students and the state over higher education funds. Also, jurors begin deliberating in the trial over Sophie Sergie's murder.