Talk of Alaska

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 addressing climate change. We’ll discuss the Willow decision on this Talk of 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. Join host Dr. Justin Clark as he explores the spectrum of eating disorders and the resources available...

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 dog racing overall? Race veterans discuss what’s on the horizon for dog drivers and their teams on this...

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 the Indian Child Welfare Act or ICWA that claim the law is discriminatory. What could these decisions...

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 update the statutes and how might the changes affect prosecutions? Better legal tools to prevent assaul...

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 have a healthy relationship with someone, romantic or otherwise, and how it can improve our lives.

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 state? We’ll discuss unsung Black figures in the 49th state, throughout Alaska’s history and those making...

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 the country.’ What are the Governor's ideas for the permanent fund dividend, funding for education, aff...

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, stay with us for Talk of Alaska to hear from avalanche experts and guides about how best to prepare an...

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 about the new congress, and Alaska’s new congressional delegation on this Talk of Alaska.

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 plan and budget for keeping people safe? We discuss adapting for an extreme weather future on this Talk...

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 aimed at those experiencing homelessness keeping up with demand across the state and how can Alaskans h...

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 with cybersecurity experts about how to keep yourself and your loved ones digitally protected this hol...

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 current state of food insecurity in Alaska, and what resources are available. We’ll talk with folks workin...

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 in October amid heightened concerns for the future stability and security of the Arctic. As Russia and...

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 clarify their positions on the next Talk of Alaska

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 the foundational laws of the state.

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 Alaska, we’ll air a recent debate that was held in Anchorage on the pros and cons of reopening the entire c...

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 never experienced. Even though President Joe Biden said in September that the pandemic is over, nationall...

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 global demand for them mean for mining in the state? We'll discuss the future of critical minerals on...

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 the wellbeing of all. What does it mean to decolonize education? And who is doing the work? We’ll disc...

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 be difficult and winter is approaching. How are communities coping and what are state and federal lead...

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 both diets and cultural tradition. What are the factors behind the low runs? We’ll discuss it on the next...

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. Senate and state legislative races. What have we learned from this first ranked choice experience and what...

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 even small amounts of fentanyl means everyone should know what to watch for to help keep themselves and...