Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media
Lori Townsend is the News Director for Alaska Public Media. She has worked in print and broadcast journalism for nearly 30 years. Radio brought her to Alaska, where she worked as a broadcast trainer for Native fellowship students at Koahnic Broadcasting before accepting a reporting/host position with APRN in 2003. APRN merged with Alaska Public Media a year later. Through her freelance work, she has produced news and feature stories nationally and internationally for Independent Native News, National Native News, NPR , Pacifica, Monitor Radio, Radio Netherlands and AIROS. Townsend is the recipient of numerous awards for her work from the Alaska Press Club, the Native American Journalists Association and a gold and a silver reel award from the National Federation of Community Broadcasters.Â
LISTEN: Future sustainability of the permanent fund
Lawmakers are still grappling with how to settle on a budget plan for Alaska's future and permanent fund earnings are at the center of the debate. What's the best way forward to ensure the sustainability of the fund and a dividend, while also providing vital state services?
Fire officials talk preparedness amid a changing landscape | Alaska Insight
https://youtu.be/k4c3qUffya8
Spring is finally here and as the snowpack recedes, wildfire becomes a concern, especially before greenup. What’s the outlook for this year’s fire season and how...
LISTEN: Fire season is getting longer. How can Alaskans better prepare?
Better coordination between state and federal agencies can not only help with responding to fires, but preventing them too. How are the experts planning for the coming summer?
Farm advocates discuss agriculture resources and sustainability | Alaska Insight
https://youtu.be/H6TbUgQRBGA
Farming in Alaska has changed and expanded in recent years. As seasons lengthen and innovations in farming techniques advance, advocates for eco-friendly farming see big potential....
LISTEN: Former foster youth in Alaska push for repayment of benefits
An investigation by NPR has highlighted that many states, including Alaska, take the dependent child’s social security benefits, often leaving them with no money to help them when they turn 18 and age out of foster care.
LISTEN: How are school districts planning to support students this summer?
School districts have worked hard to piece together in-person and distance learning curriculum for students. Now that the end of the regular school year is fast approaching, what are the plans for summer school to help students catch up?
Here’s how small airlines in Alaska are surviving the pandemic travel slow-down | Alaska Insight
https://youtu.be/I6QdijNawtY
Air travel came to a halt last year as the pandemic caused closures across the country. In rural Alaska, where planes are a lifeline for many...
LISTEN: Alaskans asked to weigh in on Arctic Research Plan
Researchers are planning out what the next five years of scientific investigation in the Arctic will look like, and they want Alaskans to weigh in.
How the pandemic has further strained recovery resources | Alaska Insight
https://youtu.be/q_bf9W7LDPA
Surviving the covid-19 pandemic has consumed the attention of many of us over the past year, but another killer has continued to claim lives. Overdose deaths...
LISTEN: The other epidemic
Overdose deaths are on the rise, and the need for resources in Alaska is pressing. How have recovery programs around the state adjusted their services to meet the demand amid the pandemic?
Alaskans discuss some of the state’s biggest boondoggles | Alaska Insight
https://youtu.be/8GsvzcdAvws
Alaskans have dreamed and schemed some big tourism and economic ideas for the 49th state through the decades. Everything from a giant styrofoam igloo lodge, to...
PBS American Portrait on Alaska Insight | Special LIVE Episode
https://youtu.be/6KDT0KwaJOE
Alaskans have a lot of can-do spirit and a deep sense of connection to Alaska. In this episode of Alaska Insight we explore some of what...
LISTEN: Medical professionals answer Alaskans’ questions about the COVID-19 vaccine
Alaska is leading the nation in COVID-19 vaccination rates, bringing us closer to the herd immunity needed to return to normal life. But some people still have concerns about getting the shot and other questions.
LISTEN: Alaskans discuss the power of storytelling
What do you love about living and working in Alaska? The PBS American Portrait series invites people to submit videos and narratives on a range of issues, and Alaskans responded.
Alaskans address violence against Asian Americans and racial bias in tech | Alaska Insight
https://youtu.be/PrnY6aHNirU
Racial bias permeates government policy and justice systems. It's also ubiquitous in the technology that we engage with on a daily basis. Artificial intelligence uses data...
Sexual assault survivors advocate for change in Nome and statewide | Alaska Insight
https://youtu.be/mO6gXVhTn7w
The high rates of sexual assault and violence against women in Alaska are long-standing problems. In Nome, survivors have been speaking out about how law enforcement...
LISTEN: Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses pandemic recovery
Economic recovery from the pandemic and long term budget stability are some of the big tasks in front of state leaders during the current legislative session. How closely aligned are the Governor’s priorities with state lawmakers?
LISTEN: As Alaska grapples with high rates of sexual assault, what can we learn from Nome?
High rates of sexual assault and violence against women have plagued Alaska for decades. The collective damage affects entire communities. Survivor advocates and journalists have helped uncover how widespread the problems are. In Nome, some advocates are working to raise awareness and push for change.
Recognizing women’s contributions in Alaska | Alaska Insight
https://youtu.be/t-d0XNPfcl0
The accomplishments of Alaska women are as varied as they are wide ranging. From CEOs running major corporations to vessel captains to community leaders.
Alaska businesses look for relief to make it through another dry tourism season | Alaska Insight
https://youtu.be/oguUTuFv1O8
Business owners, workers and communities reliant on tourism are facing another summer without cruise ships. Will the latest federal relief package be enough to keep them...