Talk of Alaska

Three longtime Alaska journalists are saying goodbye to the profession. What have they learned along the way, and how has their work evolved over the decades?

On this Talk of Alaska, we take a look at organized events around the state like live music, local food festivals and cultural celebrations.

Is geothermal energy safe? How does it work? And what areas of Alaska could most benefit from it?

What did lawmakers pass this year and what was left on the table for the second half of the 34th legislature?

We discuss the legal rights of people facing or worried about removal from our state and country on this Talk of Alaska.

We discuss what has changed and how Alaskans feel about it after three months of the second Trump Administration.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski joins us from Washington DC to answer your questions on this Talk of Alaska.

What can state leaders, local governments and housing authorities do to meet the extreme demand for affordable housing?

How will state leaders overcome division on perennial issues like state education spending, the permanent fund dividend and infrastructure needs across the state?

After five decades of the Limited Entry program, many rural communities have lost the majority of their local commercial fishing permits.

Alaska volcanoes are sometimes restless. In many cases, activity elevates and then dies back down, but Mount Spurr, near Anchorage appears to be waking up. Scientists now say an eruption near the state's largest city is more likely than not in coming weeks or months. What could a big eruption mean for health, infrastructure and air travel? We hear from scientists and public health officials on this Talk of Alaska.HOST: Lori TownsendGUESTS:Dr. George Conway - Chief Medical Officer, Municipality of AnchorageKristi Wallace - Volcanologist, Alaska Volcano ObservatoryKari Wiederkehr - Disaster Recovery Coordinator, Anchorage Office of Emergency ManagementRELATED:What to know about Mount Spurr's likely eruptionSpurr ashfall could divert flights to Fairbanks. Airport officials say they're ready.Anchorage Schools prepare for Mount Spurr eruptionResources for emergency preparedness | Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management]]>

Spring yard work in March? Southcentral and other areas of Alaska saw very low snowfall throughout the winter.

Alaska imports the vast majority of food from other states and countries making our state vulnerable to supply line disruptions and driving up prices. The Alaska Food Policy Council aims to help support more in-state food production and distribution. What are the unique challenges and opportunities for Alaskans interested in boosting the annual harvest? What do food policy advocates think of the proposed Alaska Department of Agriculture? We discuss the ongoing work and AFPC's upcoming conference in Kodiak on this Talk of Alaska.

The ombudsman helps elevate the voices of everyday Alaskans when they have a complaint with or seek change in government services.

We discuss how local news works, and how to think critically about the news and information you consume.

We discuss what is known, and what has service-providers concerned, about the ongoing freezes on federal funds, on this Talk of Alaska.

President Trump has spoken at length about his love of tariffs. He has paused, for now, a broad tax on imports from Canada and Mexico, but a 10% tariff on Chinese goods is in effect, along with a 25% tariff on imported steel and aluminum. The President has also laid out a timeline for reciprocal tariffs to be applied to any country that taxes US goods. What will these new taxes mean for Alaska commerce, the cost of construction, the seafood industry and grocery prices? Economic experts join us to break down the numbers on this Talk of Alaska.

President Donald Trump signed a flurry of executive orders in his first few days in office. Some have been celebrated, some caused confusion and some left federal employees uncertain about their future. One order really struck a chord with Alaskans: the executive order that changed the name of North America's highest peak back to Mount McKinley from its Koyukon Athabascan name, Denali. We asked what you thought and heard from more than 700 Alaskans! Did you weigh in? We discuss the importance of place names and why they matter on this Talk of Alaska.

As a disruptive climate contributes to more damaging storms, floods and wildfires, how prepared are you to make it through an emergency?

How does carbon sequestration technology work, and what are its potential applications in Alaska? We discuss carbon capture, use, and storage on this Talk of Alaska.

Former President Jimmy Carter's death has Alaskans reflecting on how he shaped the state. The Alaska conservation law Carter signed doubled the size of America's National Park System. It vastly expanded wildlife refuges, among other set-asides. Many Alaskans were angry, saying the 1980 law locked up land, but it also gave Alaskans certain access rights that are unique in federal land management. We discuss Carter's legacy of conservation, and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act on this Talk of Alaska.

Alaska's oil and gas sector has long been in decline. From a peak of oil production in the 80s, more than 2 million barrels per day, to a 75% drop to under 500,000 today. With some projects in development now and a new extraction friendly administration headed to the white house, will Alaska's fossil fuel sector boom again? Or will the world's move toward renewables change industry development plans here? We discuss the future of Alaska's energy industry on Talk of Alaska.

Connecting Alaskans, from Utqiaġvik to Juneau, hear festive greetings, well wishes and sentiments from those who call Alaska home. With listeners all over the state, and even in the Lower 48 and Hawaii, this show is the perfect opportunity to send love to friends and family, no matter where they may be.

As the temperatures outside drop, the temptation to curl up next to the fireplace with a good book only grows. A memorable novel can take us out of the dark and cold and transport us somewhere entirely new. So what do bookstore owners and librarians say are the best new reads? And what role do these gathering places play in the larger community? We discuss reading recommendations for the colder seasons on this Talk of Alaska.

A safe, stable and supportive home is important for helping young people start life off on solid emotional ground, but sudden tragedies, accidents, illness and dysfunction can lead to children needing foster care. It can be hard to find nurturing adults to provide care, especially for kids who need intensive, therapeutic care. A new campaign seeks to raise awareness and recruit new foster care families. We learn more on this Talk of Alaska.

Alaska's darkest season is a great time of year to see new movies and documentaries with family and friends. The Anchorage International Film Festival gets underway on Friday, December 6, and features a packed schedule of documentaries, short films, comedy, animation and discussions with filmmakers. It will be a week filled with creative and thoughtful content from both Alaska filmmakers and international selections. We hear from filmmakers and the festival directors on this Talk of Alaska.

Whales hold a deep and an outsized role in Alaska's culture. The huge sea mammals are a centuries long mainstay of steady protein for Alaska Native communities and they invoke mystique and power for many Alaskans. A dead fin whale that washed up near Anchorage is bringing hundreds of spectators to the beach. What is the whale teaching biologists about the health of Alaska's whale populations and by extension the health of oceans? We'll learn more on this Talk of Alaska

Pedestrian safety should be a major consideration when transportation corridors are being built. But for decades, roads and highways were designed to create speedy and efficient movement of vehicles, not people on foot or on a bicycle. As understanding grows of the health, safety and community benefits from creating walk and bike routes, city planners and traffic engineers are getting better at designing for the safety of all users. Anchorage has had a lethal stretch of pedestrian deaths in recent months. We discuss what's being done to lower these tragedies on this Talk of Alaska.

On this Talk of Alaska, we revisit our 2023 discussion on darkness, and finding ways to enjoy the short days of winter.

The harm that comes from too much cell phone time, especially for young people, has become much clearer in recent years. So much so that the U.S. Surgeon General is calling for warning labels on social media platforms, similar to the warnings on cigarettes and alcohol, because of what he calls a youth mental health crisis. Education leaders are grappling with how to keep kids focused during the school day while balancing logistics and safety concerns. Should cellphones be banned in school? If so, what should those bans look like? We discuss it on this Talk of Alaska.

Leading a happy, healthy and productive life should be available to all of us, and it is, but sometimes the path to it can be buried under years of trauma, abuse, neglect and addiction. Those of us who have suffered abusive behavior in the past may have locked it down or tried to ignore it or numb it through alcohol and drugs. Sharing our experiences, the good and the bad, can be a powerful start to healing, forgiveness and a life with less pain. We talk with Alaskans who have done just that and hear how their bravery has helped them find a happier life on this Talk of Alaska.

Who should help shape the future of clean energy, land and water use, community health and sustainable economic growth in the far north? Three Alaska women have been selected as Fulbright Arctic Initiative scholars, and although they have very different career paths, they share the common goal of a healthy, secure Arctic where the people who call this vast region home have a say in what that future looks like. We learn about their international research plans and what they hope will come out of it on this Talk of Alaska.

Presidential elections typically draw a significant number of voters to the polls. This year a coalition of Alaska organizations is working to increase that number even more, especially in underserved communities. What does it take to boost voter turnout across the state, especially in communities where people aren't as likely to vote, and what issues are bringing Alaskans to the polls? We discuss voter engagement on this Talk of Alaska.

Alaska nonprofits have an outsized role in addressing needs for a broad swath of services, from child care to mental health support to food production. Beyond the services they provide, nonprofits are also a big part of the economic engine of the state. What will changes in leadership at some of the largest nonprofits here mean for the future of supportive services and rates of charitable giving? We discuss the future of Alaska's nonprofit sector on this next Talk of Alaska.

As the temperatures outside drop, the temptation to curl up next to the fireplace with a good book only grows. A memorable novel can take us out of the dark and cold and transport us somewhere entirely new. So what do bookstore owners and librarians say are the best new reads? What role do these gathering places play in the larger community? We discuss reading recommendations for the colder seasons on this Talk of Alaska.

Police officers are tasked with keeping order in our communities and ensuring residents and visitors engage in lawful conduct. It can be a difficult job where decisions sometimes need to be made in seconds, especially when people are at risk, in crisis and threatening themselves or others. After Anchorage Police officers shot and killed four people in Anchorage over the last few months, some Alaskans are calling for change. Law enforcement officials, attorneys, and community advocates answer questions about use of force and how cases are investigated on this Talk of Alaska.

Spending more time indoors in fall and winter might be appealing and cozy, but it can also be an effective way for respiratory viruses to spread. Alaska has seen spikes in respiratory illness in recent weeks. What do you need to know about the latest viral variants, their treatment and the vaccines that can prevent infection or lessen severity if you do get sick? Alaska's top medical experts join us to describe the latest science about viral disease, how to prevent it and answer your question on this Talk of Alaska.

The Alaska Permanent Fund was established more than 40 years ago. Through the decades there have been multiple changes to how funds are allocated, and perennial legislative fights over the amount of the Permanent Fund dividend. Permanent Fund managers want changes to the fund's structure they say will protect it for the future. What are they advocating for and how are lawmakers responding?

Company mergers are often touted as a way to create more efficiencies for the companies and savings for customers. Albertsons, the owner of Safeway and Carrs, wants to sell to Kroger, the parent company of Fred Meyer. The deal would affect multiple stores in Alaska. The companies say the merger will result in better prices for consumers. Do economists, public advocates and attorneys agree? We ask them on this Talk of Alaska.

The painful legacy and harm caused to Alaska Native people by the boarding school era in Alaska and the rest of the nation is only beginning to be acknowledged and understood. The U.S. Interior Department released a report last month to continue documenting the federal government's role in the system that ripped children away from their homes. We talk with survivors and researchers about what else is needed to tell the full story and bring healing on this Talk of Alaska.

When you look at the impact humans have on nature, it's easy to be pessimistic. Major forces like climate change and human-caused extinction events paint a bleak picture of the future. But biologists and climate scientists say there's still a lot that gives them hope. We discuss a book aimed at highlighting conservation success stories and encouraging optimism about the future, on the next Talk of Alaska.

Housing, a place to live where you feel safe and in charge of your things is a fundamental, basic need. Having a home makes it easier for people to control their lives, keep steady employment and create a nurturing environment for children. Increasingly, this basic need is financially out of reach for people in Alaska wanting to own a home or even to find affordable rent. We discuss the layers of challenges to creating more housing on this Talk of Alaska.

Alaska's commercial fisheries have, for decades, been an international symbol of prosperity, abundance and healthy eating, providing a good living for generations of fishermen and their crews. But a combination of factors are endangering the economy of many coastal communities and transforming the lives of Alaskans who depend on commercial fishing. We discuss the future outlook for Alaska's iconic fisheries on this Talk of Alaska.

Disability Pride Month is a time for celebration and reflection. Advocates take the month of July to recognize the progress that's been made since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. And to reflect on how to further empower people with disabilities to shape the services they receive. We speak with disability advocates about their top priorities, and the celebrations ahead, on this Talk of Alaska.

The Fourth of July often brings thoughts of festive celebrations like parades, picnics and fireworks, but what does honoring the nation's independence mean? What are our rights, but also our responsibilities to a healthy democracy? How do you reflect on what freedom means, and what's the best way for us all to move forward as a united nation? We discuss historical and philosophical context on our democracy and what freedom requires of us all on this next Talk of Alaska.

Refugees seeking safety from conflicts and international problems have been coming to Alaska for decades, but in recent years, the number of people resettling in the state has jumped significantly, bringing families and individuals to new communities all across Alaska. What is the refugee experience like here, and how can local communities best prepare for and welcome those who have been displaced from their home countries? We discuss welcoming new neighbors, and celebrating World Refugee Day on this Talk of Alaska.

Social media can be fun. But it can also be dangerous, especially for children and teenagers. A U.S. surgeon general report found significant links between teen social media use, eating disorders and body dissatisfaction, especially for teen girls. But a bill that would have banned Alaskans under the age of 14 from social media stalled in the legislature. What controls are appropriate for parents and what do young people think about it? We'll ask on the next Talk of 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. On this Talk of Alaska, we revisit our 2023 conversation with Alaskan authors and librarians to discuss book recommendations for Summer reading.

Summer is here in Alaska. The days are longer, the snow is melting and the weather is at least a little warmer. That means Alaskans are spending a lot of time outside, hiking, biking, boating and hunting, just to name a few activities. Whatever your Summer adventure is, there's always the chance that something can go wrong. So what can you do to keep yourself safe? We gathered your best advice and talked with outdoor safety experts to hear their tips on this Talk of Alaska.

The Alaska Court System is honoring 25 years of therapeutic courts in the state this month. These alternative paths to justice and rehabilitation bring together a broad partnership of law enforcement, corrections and health professionals to work on a plan of treatment rather than incarceration for Alaskans who struggle with mental health challenges, past trauma or addictions. The idea is to prevent recidivism, reduce crime and promote public safety. How well have the courts performed in the last 25 years and what will the next 25 look like? We discuss therapeutic courts on this Talk of Alaska.

In shops across Alaska, sales of cannabis flower and extracted products have been legal for nearly a decade. How are growers and retailers faring in a heavily-taxed and competitive industry? A bill advocates hoped would lower tax rates didn't pass the legislature, so what does that mean for the industry? And what does a federal change to reclassify marijuana mean for the future of full legalization? We discuss legal cannabis sales and the outlook for the future on this Talk of Alaska.