Lori Townsend, Alaska Public Media
Lori Townsend is the news director and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452.
Veterans Speak of VA Struggles
During the AFN convention in Anchorage over the weekend, Alaska’s U.S. senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski brought together officials from both the federal and state Veterans Administration to conduct a Native Veteran’s listening session.
Journal of Commerce Investigates Executive Pay
Investigative reports usually get a lot of attention from the public and in the media. But an investigation of executive pay in the Community Development Quota program that was published in August 2010 in the Alaska Journal of Commerce seemed to slip under the radar.
AFN Panel Discusses Relationship With State Government
The AFN convention continued Friday in Anchorage. After Governor Sean Parnell and Representative Reggie Joule addressed the crowd, a panel discussion was convened on how Alaska Natives can strengthen their relationship with the state of Alaska.
AK: Newest Marian Call Album Funded by Fans
Anchorage Singer-Songwriter Marian Call doesn’t have any trouble writing material. She says the ideas spill out of her and shape into songs quickly. That’s fortunate, since Call has a hectic schedule working to make it as a musician far from the mainstream recording hotspots in the Lower 48.
AFN Convention Gets Underway in Anchorage
The Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention got under way today in Anchorage at the Dena’ina convention center. The event is billed as the largest annual gathering of Native people in the United States.
Kohring to Change Plea on One Count of Indictment
A former Alaska lawmaker facing retrial on federal corruption charges plans to plead guilty this week.
North Slope Finding Some Success in Fall Whaling Season
North Slope communities are having some success with fall whaling.
NSB Mayor Race Heading for Runoff Election
The North Slope Borough mayor’s race is heading for a run off election. Three candidates were vying for the position, Charlotte Brower, former borough mayor George Ahmaogak Sr and Fenton Rexford. Brower received 639 votes, Ahmaogak 601 and Rexford 583.
Over 200 ‘Occupy Anchorage’
More than 200 Alaskans spent a good part of their Saturday afternoon and early evening in downtown Anchorage’s Town Square, showing solidarity for the Occupy Wall street gatherings that are ongoing around the country.
Medicare in Alaska
Alaskan seniors are seeing changes to Medicare under the federal Affordable Care Act. Dates for enrolling in prescription drug plans or changing existing plans are now earlier. What else do Alaskans need to know about changes to Medicare? What is a Medical Home? How is the shortage of doctors who will take Medicare patients in Alaska being addressed?
KSKA & APRN: Tuesday 10/11 at 10:00 am
Dividend Checks Pay for Fuel in Rural Alaska
In rural Alaska, dividend checks do more than pay for new sofas. Meera Kohler is the President and CEO of the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative or AVEC. Kohler says, many people in village pre-pay their winter electric bills with their PFD. She says the day checks get deposited is the busiest day of the year for AVEC.
Survey Shows High Rate if Sexual Violence in Anchorage
A new survey shows more than 50 percent of women in Anchorage have been the victim of some type of sexual violence in their lifetime.
Trial Begins for Men Accused of Torturing, Killing Hooper Bay Man
A jury in the Western Alaska city of Bethel is hearing a high profile murder case today. Two men stand accused of torturing and killing 19-year-old Benjamin Kaiser of Hooper Bay last October. One is 47-year-old Jeffery Hout of Bethel, the other is 33-year-old Harry Williams of Bethel.
Denali Commission Returns $15 Million to Government
After seven months of uncertainty, the head of the Denali Commission says a long awaited answer about whether the commission would need to return $15 million has been settled.
Race for Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Crowded
On the Kenai Peninsula, the race for Borough Mayor is a crowded one this year, with a total of six candidates vying for the job.
Bypass Mail Targeted in US House Legislation
Alaska’s bypass mail subsidy is being targeted by a California lawmaker looking to trim costs and generate more revenue for the financially ailing U.S. Postal Service.
Anchorage Nonprofit Starts Text Giving Program
A non-profit in Anchorage is the first organization in Alaska that can receive donations by text message.
Native Organization Seeks Supreme Court Review on Contract Payment Disputes
The Arctic Slope Native Association is waiting to hear whether the U.S. Supreme court will review a case involving underfunded contract payments between tribally ran medical facilities and the Indian Health Service.
BOEMRE Splitting into Two Entities
After the Deepwater Horizon spill last year, the Minerals Management Service became the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement. Now the federal agency that oversees offshore drilling in the U.S. is undergoing another transition.
Second Controller Speaks About Korean Airliner Incident on 9/11
Another Air Traffic controller who says he worked with Korean flight 085 that was diverted to Whitehorse on Sept. 11, 2001 has come forward with additional details of the day’s events. APRN reported Friday that retired Air Traffic Controller Rick Wilder says the pilot was ordered to squawk that he had hijackers on board.