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
How a man survived a bear attack during a morning walk in Seward
Almost five years ago, Ronn Hemstock went for his regular 6 a.m. walk around the airport runway in Seward with his dog, Dax. It wasn't long until his morning stroll turned terrifying.
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, July 23, 2021
Cordova experiences its worst outbreak of COVID-19. And, a Seward resident tells the story of surviving a brown bear attack on the town runway. Plus, a new app allows fishermen to contribute their ocean observations to science.
“It’s the fabric of our culture coming apart”: Yukon River communities face chinook and chum closure
Ben Stevens, a tribal resources manager for Tanana Chiefs Conference says with both the chum and king salmon fisheries closed, Yukon River communities are scared of losing their protein source for the winter. They're also worried about losing their way of life if low runs continue.
Alaska News Nightly: Monday, July 19, 2021
A new lawsuit aims to protect funding for subsidized electricity in rural Alaska. Plus, new music celebrates the work of Indigenous Alaska musicians. Also today, Canada announced it will open the border to vaccinated travelers in August. But is it enough for struggling tourism businesses?
LISTEN: Why are Alaska’s parole numbers so low, and what awaits those who get out?
In the last five years, the rate of Alaskans granted parole dropped by 50%. The reasons are complicated. With fewer people being granted parole, we discuss the ripple effect on lives and the legal system.
LISTEN: What will it take for Alaska to return to normal after the pandemic?
Nearly 50 percent of Alaskans are now fully vaccinated. What does this mean for what people can do in public, while traveling and when visiting businesses? And what are the plans for convincing more Alaskans to get the shot to protect those with vulnerable immune systems?
Alaskans discuss Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month | Alaska Insight
Lori Townsend speaks with Lucy Hansen, president of the Polynesian Association of Alaska, Filipino Community, Inc. President Edric Carrillo and community organizer Kengo Nagaoka about the rich history of Asian and Pacific Islanders and their hopes for the future.
LISTEN: Summer reading recs from Alaska authors
Our state has dozens of accomplished and prolific writers and publishers. Who are your favorite homegrown authors and what are you looking forward to reading over the coming months?
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 much will standing, dead spruce affect it?
On...
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. On this episode of Alaska Insight, Lori Townsend...
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 communities, airlines had to pivot and adjust to...
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 are on the rise, and the need for...
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 a city under a dome and a freshwater...
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 it means to be an Alaskan in this...