Talk Of Alaska

A sign for a COVID-19 vaccine clinic adminstered by Visit Healthcare at Tikahtnu Commons in Anchorage on Aug. 2, 2021 (Lex Treinen/Alaska Public Media) The delta variant of COVID-19 is more contagious, is spreading rapidly among unvaccinated people, and breakthrough cases in vaccinated Alaskans are also adding fuel to a rise in positive testing rates. Mask wearing indoors is again recommended for everyone to slow the spread of the virus. With case counts numbering in the hundreds per day in Alaska, what are health officials preparing for? Listen here: HOST: Lori Townsend GUESTS: Jared Kosin President/CEO, Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home AssociationDr. Elizabeth Bates Director of Infection Control, Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation Highlights: Health officials continue to sound the alarm about the surge in COVID cases across the country and in Alaska. “The original COVID could infect two to three people. This version of the virus can infect between five and eight ind

Members of the Alaska House of Representatives prepare for a floor session on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire via AP, Pool) The state’s fiscal situation is growing more precarious every year, but partisan gridlock hasn’t allowed much progress. In August, legislators will meet yet again in Juneau to discuss lingering questions about this year’s permanent fund dividends and other budget issues. Will the bipartisan working group find a path forward? Legislators discuss what needs to happen to get Alaska’s finances stabilized. Listen here: HOST: Lori Townsend GUESTS: Sen. Shelley Hughes, R-WasillaSen. Scott Kawasaki, D-Fairbanks PARTICIPATE: Call 907-550-8422 (Anchorage) or 1-800-478-8255 (statewide) during the live broadcast. Send an email to talk@alaskapublic.org (Comments may be read on air). Post your comment during or after the live broadcast on social media (Comments may be read on air). LIVE Broadcast: Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 10 a.m. on APRN stati

President Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act on the South Lawn of the White House. (Photo courtesy of George Bush Presidential Library and Museum) It’s been 31 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed, and today accommodations for people with cognitive and physical disabilities are a normal part of life. To mark the anniversary of the ADA, July is Disability Pride month — a time to celebrate progress and raise awareness. We spoke to members of the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education about the virtual celebration and the work still to come. Listen here: HOST: Lori Townsend GUESTS: Jena Crafton, self advocate, Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special EducationRic Nelson, self advocate, Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special EducationHeidi Lieb-Williams, self advocate and chair, Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special EducationCorey Gilmore, self advocate and former chair, Governor’s Council