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 constitution to potential change.

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, nationally more than 300 people are still dying every day from Covid. So how have Alaskans coped with mandates, anxiety, vaccines and illness? We’ll discuss pandemic lessons and stories on this Talk of 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 global demand for them mean for mining in the state? We'll discuss the future of critical minerals on the next Talk of Alaska.

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 discuss new paths forward for Native education on Talk of Alaska.

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 leaders doing to help?

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 Talk of Alaska.

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 might it reveal for November? Alaska reporters join us for a campaign discussion on the next Talk of Alaska.

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 children safe. We’ll discuss how Fentanyl is getting to Alaska and what’s being done to stop it.

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 children safe. We’ll discuss how Fentanyl is getting to Alaska and what’s being done to stop it.

Ready or not, school season is upon us. After two years of pandemic interruptions, many districts are hopeful for consistent in-person instruction. But a shortage of teachers, bus drivers and other staff is creating a stressful start to the school year for administrators and parents alike. Some districts are looking outside the country for help, and others hope new legislation will attract more teachers to Alaska schools.

Thousands of people move in and out of Alaska every year. But people who moved to Alaska in recent years are not staying as long as they used to. There are plenty of available jobs, so what are the factors that contribute to higher rates of outmigration and what might it indicate for Alaska’s future?

Whether you’re excited or dismayed with the change, Alaskans will have their first experience with the state’s new ranked choice voting method on August 16 for the special U.S. House race to fill the term ending in January. Voters will also decide on a wide range of other primary candidates. Confused? Election officials and voter advocates answer your questions.

Salmon hang to dry on a rack at Lake Clark National Park in 2018. Lake Clark is part of the Bristol Bay region. (National Park Service) Food connected to one’s culture does more than nourish the body, it also provides emotional and spiritual support. For Indigenous chefs, reviving traditional harvest and preparation techniques is a mission to both create healthier bodies and healthier, more vibrant connections to family and community. We’ll discuss new ways to use culinary traditions for more sustainable growing and harvesting for the kitchen with North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NĀTIFS)’s Sean Sherman and Rob Kinneen. LISTEN: HOST: Lori Townsend GUESTS: Rob Kinneen, chef & outreach director, NATIFSSean Sherman, chef & co-founder, NATIFS & The Sioux ChefDana Thompson, co-founder, NATIFS & The Sioux Chef PARTICIPATE: Call 907-550-8422 (Anchorage) or 1-800-478-8255 (statewide) during the live broadcast. Send an email to talk@alaskapublic.org

Zolian Tacang of Myanmar poses for a portrait with the bok choy he’s just harvested to sell at Grow North Farm’s first farm stand of the season on June 24, 2021, in Mountain View. The farm gives refugees and other recent arrivals to Anchorage the opportunity to grow and sell produce. (Jeff Chen/Alaska Public Media) When conflict breaks out in other countries and people are displaced, Alaska is not often where they expect to end up. But every year, people from all over the world arrive here for that reason. Many of them have language barriers, and need assistance to find housing and jobs to build a new life. We’ll hear from Catholic Social Services’ Refugee Assistance & Immigration Services, the agency that helps refugees and other new arrivals to our state. LISTEN: HOST: Adelyn Baxter GUESTS: Issa Spatrisano, Director, Refugee Assistance & Immigration Services (RAIS)Divine Nganga, asylee from CameroonHope Gasana, refugee from Democratic Republic of the Congo RES

Items inside the Mountain View community fridge include canned goods and produce as well as menstrual pads and baby formula. (Wesley Early/Alaska POublic Media) High prices at the gas pump and the grocery store are putting pressure on Alaskans just as federal COVID relief programs are coming to an end. In rural communities, reduced subsistence opportunities make it harder and more expensive to harvest local food. How are community, tribal and state advocates trying to fill the gaps? LISTEN: HOST: Lori Townsend GUESTS: Ziona Brownlow, Founder and Development Coordinator, Food for Thought Alaska Cara Durr, Chief of Advocacy and Public Policy, Food Bank of Alaska Brooke Woods, Chair, Yukon River Intertribal Fish Commission 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

The Arctic’s strategic location and energy assets are drawing more U.S. military interest than ever before. A new Department of Defense regional center for security studies based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage will track the region’s shifting priorities and changing climate. LISTEN: HOST: Lori Townsend GUESTS: Randy “Church” Kee, Maj Gen, USAF (Ret), Senior Advisor, Arctic Security Affairs at the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security StudiesCraig L Fleener, Deputy Advisor, Arctic Security Affairs at the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies 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, June 28, 2022 at 10 a.m. on APRN stations statewide.LIVE Web stream: Click here to stream. ]]>

Secure vestibules require visitors to go through multiple locked doors and walk through the front office before entering the rest of the school. (Katie Anastas/Alaska Public Media) School security is on every parent and educator’s mind right now. The disturbing trend of gun violence in schools continues to force school districts to look for ways to protect students and staff, and to prepare for the worst case scenario. Anchorage School District administrators and security experts discuss coordination and resources for keeping schools safe. LISTEN: HOST: Lori Townsend GUESTS: Ashley Lally, director of security and emergency preparedness, Anchorage School District Rob Holland, senior director of maintenance and operations, Anchorage School District Tom Koloski, State of Alaska Protective Security Advisor, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency LINKS & RESOURCES: Anchorage School District officials prioritize security upgrades at elementary schools schoolsafety.go

Participants in Celebration 2014’s grand entrance walk through downtown Juneau. (Photo by Heather Bryant/KTOO) Indigenous groups gather every other year in Juneau for Celebration, arriving by plane, ferry and dugout canoe. It’s a chance for Tlingit, Haida, Tsimshian and others to dance and share their cultures. Due to the pandemic, this year’s Celebration is the first held in-person since 2018. Celebration planners and culture bearers share the significance of coming together once again on a special Juneau edition of Talk of Alaska. LISTEN: WATCH: Or watch the recorded show on Facebook HOST: Lori Townsend GUESTS: Rosita Worl, President, Sealaska Heritage InstituteX̱’unei Lance Twitchell, Associate Professor of Alaska Native Languages, University of Alaska Southeast 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 du

Solar and wind projects are providing increasing amounts of energy to Alaskan communities. Improved efficiencies, less pollution and independence from relying on expensive fuel shipments are making renewable systems attractive to urban and rural Alaskans. What’s been done so far and what’s on the horizon for the summer building season?  Listen: HOST: Lori Townsend GUESTS: Garrett Boyle, Fed Co-Chair, Denali CommissionEdwin Bifelt, Founder, Alaska Native Renewable IndustriesGivey Kochanowski, Senior Advisor, U.S. Department of Energy Arctic Energy OfficeBill Stamm, CEO & President, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative 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, May 31, 2022 at 10 a.m. on APRN stations statewide.LIVE Web stream: Cl