Talk of Alaska
by Alaska Public Media
Alaska’s only statewide call-in forum for discussing the issues impacting life on the Last Frontier. Politics, science, culture and current events are covered by host Lori Townsend and members of the Alaska Public Media news team along with guests and callers.
Episodes
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Line One: Addiction and recovery in men
The CDC estimates that 13% of men in the US meet the criteria for having a substance use disorder and that men account for more than three quarters of deaths from excessive drinking. Excessive alcohol and drug use in men also leads to increases in domestic violence, sexual assault, and an…
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Talk of Alaska: AI in academia
Computer technology aids us daily in our work and personal lives. Banking,online ordering, education, even monitoring your blood sugar and other health conditions is now routine. These systems also track our online habits, learning about our preferences and using that data to offer similar types…
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Talk of Alaska: Preparing for Fall storms and other disasters
It has been a year of global extremes, with record breaking heat, severe drought, and unprecedented flooding. The switch to the weather pattern known as El Niño generally signals a turn toward more warming and NOAA reports that warmer than average sea surface temperatures will likely continue and...
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Talk of Alaska: The statewide housing shortage
Across Alaska, an insufficient housing supply and historically high rental and mortgage rates are pushing Alaskans into urban centers, causing them to leave the state, or forcing them into homelessness. Affordable housing is critical for health and wellbeing, and leads to better employment and...
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Talk of Alaska: Understanding Tsunami Warnings
Alaska is one of the most seismically active places in the world. Located on the Pacific ring of fire, earthquakes and tsunami alerts are not uncommon in our state, but information about the level of concern for coastal areas can sometimes be confusing, creating more anxiety at an already…
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Talk of Alaska: Fighting the opioid epidemic
The CDC reports nearly 110,000 Americans died in 2022 from overdoses. The highly lethal drug Fentanyl was the cause for the majority of the overdose deaths and is the top illicit opioid of concern. What’s the latest information on addiction prevention, treatment and the efforts of law enforcement...
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Talk of Alaska: Port of Alaska Modernization
You can get toasters, new blankets, specialty dog food and a range of other household goods through the U.S. mail from companies such as Amazon, but if you want lumber, concrete, a new dishwasher, or any of the household items found in local stores, it’s most likely entering the state and coming…
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Talk of Alaska: Raising Awareness about FASD
Babies who were exposed to alcohol during pregnancy can develop lifelong developmental disabilities known collectively as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or FASD. The effects can be subtle to severe and every person is affected differently, making diagnosis challenging but critical for better…
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Talk of Alaska: Upcoming trail and cabin maintenance
New cabins? Extended trails? Maybe better access to hot fishing spots? Amid the flurry of spending from federal pots of infrastructure funds is a lot of money aimed at improving park services for public enjoyment. How is this and other money being deployed, what will it mean for Alaska parks and...
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Talk of Alaska: The Alaska Railroad turns 100
In July of 1923 the last spike signaling the completion of the railroad from Seward to Fairbanks was pounded into place in Nenana by President Warren G Harding. 100 years later, the Alaska railroad is unique in the nation as the only remaining rail service to carry both passengers and freight. We...
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Talk of Alaska: Neal Fried and the history of Alaska's economy
After nearly 45 years at the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, state economist Neal Fried is retiring. Over his long career in the state, Fried has built up an in-depth understanding of the booms and busts of Alaska’s economy. What stands out to him from his decades of looking...
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Talk of Alaska: Broadband in Rural Alaska
No online banking, no Amazon orders, no internet classes. A broken fiber optic cable buried far below the Beaufort Sea ice, north of Oliktok Point has brought internet service for a wide swath of Arctic communities to dial up speed or a complete halt. Repairs are still weeks away. How are…
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Talk of Alaska: Pride Month and LGBTQ+ rights
More than 500 bills have been introduced nationwide this year that seek to limit the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, including in Alaska. Despite these numbers, advocates in Alaska say there’s been good progress in defending those rights. But what exactly are they? And how are Alaskans celebrating...
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Talk of Alaska: Celebrating Juneteenth and looking ahead
Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of Black Americans from more than 400 years of slavery. The magnitude of those centuries of imprisonment, forced labor and brutal treatment continue to affect all Americans today. However, there has been tremendous growth and progress for Black people in our...
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Talk of Alaska: Summer reading with Alaskan authors
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...
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Talk of Alaska: Military and veteran supports in Alaska
The transition from active duty service to civilian life can be challenging for anyone in the military. For those who have survived combat and carry that trauma, it can be much more difficult to blend back into family and community life. Some veterans isolate and Alaska has one of the highest...
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Talk of Alaska: The child care crisis
For working families across Alaska, the challenge of finding affordable, quality childcare is not new, but during the pandemic, the already limited capacity for childcare was further restricted. The lack of available help is spiking the costs of care and forcing parents to make difficult…
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Talk of Alaska: The 2023 wildfire season
2022 was one of Alaska's worst years for wildfires on record. The following winter saw record-breaking levels of rain and snow around the state. Will that precipitation have an effect on this year's season, and how is climate change affecting the way we think about fighting wildfires? We'll…
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Talk of Alaska: After the Sullivan
The Sullivan Arena homeless shelter closed to most residents on May 1. In the week preceding, people who had been living there began leaving the facility, in preparation for its closing. People without an idea of where they would sleep, stay safe, cook or have access to bathroom facilities or...
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Talk of Alaska: Building healthy communities
Think about your community. Do you feel safe there? Do you have access to clean water or to adequate housing? How connected are you to your neighbors? To the land? All these things are elements of a healthy community. On this Talk of Alaska we discuss what’s happening around the state to build...
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Talk of Alaska: The budget, the PFD, and new revenue options
Lawmakers have about a month left to finish the business of building a state budget that pays for mandated services, and is balanced. There's a lot of daylight between ideas for a spending plan that satisfies the numerous needs across the state without draining savings and paying a large…
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Talk of Alaska: New proposed PFAS regulations
For nearly 70 years, chemicals designed for a wide range of applications from firefighting foam to nonstick cookware have been used at airports and in many consumer products. In March the EPA proposed limits on these chemicals, known as PFAS, in drinking water. PFAS have been linked to numerous...
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Talk of Alaska: Representative Mary Peltola
Mary Peltola has been Alaska’s sole U.S. Congresswoman since last September when she won a special election, and although the legislative work that gets done in Congress may at times feel distant and far removed from the daily lives of Alaskans, the decisions made in Washington DC directly affect...
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Talk of Alaska: Spring Gardening
Across the state, even in the snowiest places, the signs of spring are starting to appear. Crocus and tulips are already emerging in some areas and gardeners are poring over seed catalogs, dreaming of growing their own food and beautifying their yards with flowers and other plants. It’s an…
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Talk of Alaska: The Southeast troll fishery lawsuit
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...
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Talk of Alaska: The Willow Project
The Biden administration has approved ConocoPhillips Willow project in the National Petroleum Reserve. Oil drilling proponents see it as a win for domestic energy production but some climate and indigenous activists call it a climate bomb that runs counter to President Biden’s commitment to...
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Line One: Resources for eating disorders in Alaska
9% of the US population will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and several other categories affect individuals of all ages, gender and weight. Despite stereotypes in media, less than 6% of people with eating disorders are diagnosed as underweight....
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Talk of Alaska: The Future of Mushing
The Iditarod. Alaska’s iconic race is more than 50 years old. Fewer teams took off for Nome in 2023 than in any other year. Are the number of competitors down because of the added expense of inflation or is there something else at play? What does the future hold for long distance racing and sled...
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Talk of Alaska: Lawsuits Challenging Tribal Sovereignty
Lawsuits challenging tribal sovereignty at both the state and federal level could have big implications for the future ability of tribes to exercise authority over tribal citizens and land. The state is suing over a land into trust application and The U.S. Supreme court is reviewing challenges to...
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Talk of Alaska: Updates to Alaska's Sexual Assault Laws
Alaska has long ranked at or near the top in the nation for rates of violence and sexual assault. Over the summer of 2022, lawmakers updated Alaska’s sexual assault laws, including a new definition of what defines consent. The law went into effect on January 1st, 2023. Why did it take decades to...
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Talk of Alaska: Cultivating Healthy Relationships
So much of our human experience is shaped by the people around us, especially by the people we love, or that we think we love, or that maybe love us? Relationships of all kinds can be complicated, even if they are healthy. During this next Talk of Alaska, we’re exploring what it looks like to…
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Talk of Alaska: Recognizing Unsung Black Alaskans
Since before statehood, Black Alaskans have made contributions both big and small to shape Alaska into what it is today. February is Black History Month, and we want to hear about prominent Black community leaders in your part of the state. Who are prominent Black Alaskans in your part of the...
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Talk of Alaska: Mike Dunleavy's Ideas for Alaska's Future
In his recent state of the state address, Governor Mike Dunleavy laid out ideas for Alaska’s economic future, such as using state forest land for carbon sequestration. He also wants more funding for statehood defense and said he’ll work with legislators to make Alaska the ‘most pro life state in...
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Talk of Alaska: Avalanche Safety in Southcentral Alaska
Southcentral Alaska has seen an extreme mix of winter weather so far this snow season and in some of the most popular mountain areas for Alaskans to get out and enjoy fresh snow, avalanche danger is High in the Alaskan backcountry. Before you grab your skis, splitboard or load up the snowmachine,...
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Talk of Alaska: Sen. Lisa Murkowski
At the very end of 2022, congress passed the massive $1.7 billion dollar spending package. The bill includes language to fund new projects around the state, transfer land to the University of Alaska, and much more. Senator Lisa Murkowski joins us to discuss what else the money will support, talk...
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Talk of Alaska: Preparing for Extreme Weather
Alaska is often referred to as a land of extremes, but recent record breaking weather events across the state have challenged communities and drained local emergency response funds. How will more intense storms affect Alaska in the next decade and how can state and local governments use data to...
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Talk of Alaska: Homelessness is a Statewide Issue
It’s a bad convergence-cold weather, darkness and a growing need for shelter for vulnerable Alaskans, at a time when the pinch of inflation is making it more challenging for service providers to keep their doors open.. As we head into the toughest part of the winter season, how well are services...
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Cybsersecurity during the holidays
Online shopping is picking up as the holiday season approaches , and so are the cyber attempts to steal your money. Online scammers are especially active this time of year, and with constantly changing methods for theft of funds or information, it can be daunting to try and stay safe. We’ll speak...
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Talk of Alaska: How Inflation is Impacting Food Security
Inflation in the United States is at a 40-year high, driving up the already-inflated prices of food around Alaska. Low salmon runs in parts of the state and wide-scale natural disasters have also affected subsistence living, leaving many Alaskans struggling to feed their families. What is the...
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Talk of Alaska: The United States’ new Arctic strategy
Lori Townsend and her guests break down the White House’s new National Strategy for the Arctic Region. The plan outlines the United States’ approaches and goals for safety, international cooperation, economic opportunity, and environmental protection over the next 10 years. The plan was released…
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Talk of Alaska: Recapping Debate for the State
Alaskans across the state are already voting after big changes to our election system. Voters are using the new ranked choice method to select the state’s next Governor, U.S. House and one U.S. Senate seat. We’ll break down the issues and the candidate answers from our recent series of debates to...
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Talk of Alaska: Breaking Down Alaska’s Constitution
This year, Alaskans are deciding whether or not to hold another constitutional convention, but how do you decide if you want to change the constitution if you don’t understand the current one? On this week’s Talk of Alaska, ask questions of constitutional experts about Alaska’s constitution and…
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Talk of Alaska: The Constitutional Convention Debate
Every 10 years, Alaskans vote on whether or not to hold a constitutional convention. The state constitution has been amended many times, but Alaskans have always voted down a second convention in the past. This year there are active campaigns on both sides and on a special edition of Talk of...
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Talk of Alaska: Lessons and Stories from the Pandemic
What has been learned, or not, from the global pandemic that for more than two years drove medical facilities to the breaking point and killed more than a million Americans. The fast spreading disease also shut down huge swaths of our national and state economy in a manner that most of us have...
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Talk of Alaska: Critical Minerals in Alaska
Dozens of different minerals are required to make everyday items like cell phones and batteries. Now new federal climate legislation includes a provision that could spur efforts to develop more of these critical minerals right here in Alaska. But what are those minerals? And what does the growing...
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Talk of Alaska: Decolonizing Native Education
The legacy of boarding schools affected generations of Native people, from the children who were ripped away to their grandparents, parents, siblings and communities. While the pain and loss of that oppressive era should not be forgotten, moving into a healthier educational future is critical for...
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Talk of Alaska: The aftermath of the massive Bering Sea storm
Alaskans in communities along hundreds of miles of coastline from the YK Delta to Point Hope are grappling with the aftermath of a historic storm that flooded towns, floated homes off foundations and sank boats. The good news is there have been no reports of injury or death, but the recovery will...
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Talk of Alaska: Yukon River Salmon
For generations, Alaska Native people along the Yukon River have depended on a steady supply of salmon for a healthy source of protein to sustain them through the long winter. But king and chum salmon subsistence fishing has been closed to Yukon River families for the past two years, affecting…
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Talk of Alaska: The Race to November
The results of Alaska’s first ranked choice election may have surprised some Alaskans. Democrat Mary Peltola prevailed in the special election for the current U.S. House term, beating two Republicans. Now the real race is on for November where candidates are also competing for Governor, U.S.…
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Fentanyl and overdose deaths
High rates of substance abuse and addiction have long plagued Alaska, but in recent years, fentanyl has greatly increased the number of overdose deaths. New forms of the illicit drug are raising alarms for prevention advocates. The combination of pills that look like candy and the lethal risk of...
About this show
Alaska’s only statewide call-in forum for discussing the issues impacting life on the Last Frontier. Politics, science, culture and current events are covered by host Lori Townsend and members of the Alaska Public Media news team along with guests and callers.
Hosted by
Alaska Public Media