Adelyn Baxter, KTOO - Juneau
Justice Alaska: the process and psychology of jury selection
A major way citizens to participate in the judicial system happens on jury duty. How are jurors called to serve? Do you need a legal background to be a juror? What is the juror's job? What is the art and science behind selecting a jury? We'll talk with Alaska's state court jury coordinator, and with an attorney who has selected many juries for trial.
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Now that the blob is over, scientists are eager to assess its impact
Over the last year, warm water temperatures in the Gulf of Alaska, infamously known as the blob, have dissipated. Warmer water temps are thought to have a hand in massive bird die-offs and declines in Pacific cod, and now that the three-year period of summer-like marine conditions is over, scientists and fishery managers are eager to assess the full impact of the blob. Listen now
The strays of Anchorage and Alaska: Who worries about them?
Who deals with lost and abandoned animals in Anchorage? If you lose a pet, how do you find it? What city ordinances govern how we live with animals in the municipality? We'll talk cats, dogs, rabbits and more.
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Legislators hope to fix uncertainty plaguing school budgets this session
This session, some state legislators hope to put an end to the uncertainty school districts across the state face when it comes to their budgets. House Bill 287 and Senate Bill 131 both address K-12 school funding, but in different ways. Listen now
Distillery cocktail debate continues after weekend hearing on House Bill 269
The House Community and Regional Affairs Committee met Saturday in the state Capitol to hear public testimony on House Bill 269. The bill would settle a debate over whether distilleries can serve mixed cocktails in their tasting rooms. Listen now
Art of the North gallery through the eyes of experts
Take a virtual tour of the stunning Art of the North gallery at the Anchorage Museum with curator Betany Porter, Aaron Leggett, curator of Alaska history and culture, and Kesler Woodward, Alaska artist and art historian.
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Officials troubleshoot hiccups in EAS after tsunami warning
When a powerful 7.9 magnitude earthquake in the Gulf of Alaska hit early Tuesday morning, it sent a host of people and systems into motion. But there were parts of the EAS that failed. Local, state and federal officials are now working to sort out those kinks. Listen now
Putting on the show: A theatre conversation with Teresa Pond
Anchorage has always had a lively theatre scene. Join Teresa Pond, producing artistic director at Cyrano's Theatre Company, for a look back and a look forward.
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Homer residents evacuate after quake sounds tsunami alarms
Homer residents woke up to tsunami sirens in the early morning hours Tuesday. The National Weather Service Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer issued a tsunami warning for the Gulf of Alaska after an 7.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded about 175 miles southeast of Kodiak City. Listen now
AK: What’s it like to drive a 54,000 pound DOT plow truck?
It’s winter, and that usually means plenty of snow and ice. Or at least it did in November, when Adelyn Baxter had the chance to ride shotgun in a 54,000-pound plow truck to learn a little about how roads in Juneau are cleared. Listen now
Juneau’s state legislators field questions, cynicism at town hall
Juneau’s state legislators hosted a town hall Thursday to hear from the public and talk through concerns. The 2018 legislative session begins next week. Listen now
How the U.S. Constitution protects press freedoms, and why
Critics of the news media can casually label stories they don't like as "fake news," but the U.S. Constitution protects rigorous press coverage for an important reason. First Amendment lawyer John McKay walks us through these constitutional protections and significant court cases upholding them, as well as Alaska cases where these protections have applied.
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Juneau’s first Year of Kindness ends, but kindness effort will continue
Juneau’s Year of Kindness, an initiative that began last January, officially ended Sunday with a celebration at Thunder Mountain High School. Listen now
How safe is your mobile device? Your home computer? Your small-business network?
How do you keep your home computer and router and your mobile device safe from hackers? How do you scale that up for a small business. We asked the FBI, and they are sending experts in cyber security to share best practices and take your questions.
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Homer fishermen grapple with cod decline
Regulators voted to slash Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod allocations 80 percent earlier this month after a massive decline in stocks. That has fishermen and processors around the Gulf deciding what to do when the season kicks off on in January. Listen now
UA president: Flat funding limits education, training and economic development
The university system employs 1,183 fewer people than it did three years ago, student enrollment has declined 15 percent and tuition is increasing.
Local athletes hope to represent Juneau at Native Youth Olympics
Every year, hundreds of students from around the state gather in Anchorage for the Native Youth Olympics. For the first time since 1983, Juneau is putting together a team. Listen now
History: Alaska’s rough and tumble territorial lawyers and judges
KSKA: Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2 pm and 8 pm. Outsiders may think of the law as a staid profession, one in which the rules have been around for a long time and everyone dutifully followed them. If you enjoy the belief that Alaska is different than anyplace else in the Lower 48, listen in to this show to learn how Alaska's early lawyers and judges were different.
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State Division of Elections denies GOP primary block
The Alaska Division of Elections has denied the Alaska Republican Party’s request to block three incumbent House Republicans from running in the party’s 2018 primaries. Listen now
GOA Pacific cod allocations hacked 80 percent after massive stock decline
A dramatic decline in Gulf of Alaska Pacific cod stocks forced regulators to hack the fishery’s total allowable catch by about 80 percent Saturday. The large cut will likely hit the commercial fishing industry in the Gulf hard. Listen now