Talk of Alaska

Governor Mike Dunleavy is approaching the halfway mark in his second term as the 12th top government executive in Alaska. His recent veto of a bipartisan education bill and a failed override has left education funding in limbo while the legislature works on operating and capital budget plans. What does the governor think of those budgets and what would he agree to for an education spending plan? Governor Dunleavy joins us on this Talk of Alaska.

How do political campaigns know what issues resonate with the public? How do researchers learn about social and political beliefs? Often, that work is done through surveys or polling. What goes into building a poll to ensure a good reflection of differing beliefs? Well hear from people who create polls and those who use them in different campaigns, on this Talk of Alaska.

As state lawmakers begin the last two months of the session, there is a lot of work to get done. Lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan education bill, but failed to override the Governor’s veto of it, and now there is growing tension around trying to pass another bill that the Governor would accept. The perennial fight over the size of the Permanent Fund Dividend has yet to be settled, as has the state's budget. What is the current tone of debate at the capitol? We talk with reporters covering the legislative session on this Talk of Alaska.

Alaskans along the railbelt have relied on Cook Inlet gas for heat and power for decades, but the wells in the Cook Inlet basin, a long reliable source of natural gas for homes and businesses, are no longer so reliable with potential shortages looming in the next few years. Why isn’t more gas being developed in Cook Inlet, what’s the potential for renewable energy replacing gas, and what will it all mean for ratepayers if gas needs to be imported? We discuss the future energy needs for Southcentral Alaskans against diminishing supply on this Talk of Alaska.

The use of Artificial Intelligence or AI has been around since the 50s, but even with rapid growth in the technology for a wide range of applications, there’s still a lot that many of us don’t understand about AI’s benefits, its potential to help businesses, as well as the risks. How can computer learning technology help streamline work and create efficiencies for small businesses and what are the red flags? We learn about a new AI business center for Alaska on this Talk of Alaska.

In the past, Indigenous people were misrepresented in movies and other media when harmful stereotypes and racist tropes were too often the norm. Indigenous Americans were presented as one-dimensional characters, or played by non-native actors. But things are changing and the recent HBO season of the series True Detective is a good example. It employed Alaska Native actors, writers and casting directors. What changes when Indigenous people have influence over popular television content? We talk with actors from the Alaska-focused series True Detective: Night Country, on this Talk of Alaska.

There is plenty of research that backs up the importance of childcare. In order to work, parents need quality and affordable child care that is as much about learning as it is about keeping kids safe, but Alaska families are struggling to find and afford that type of care for their kids. What are elected leaders and businesses doing to address the need? We ask advocates on this Talk of Alaska.

What is the best way to support students, teachers and schools for Alaska’s future? There are many competing ideas for how to get the most impact out of education funding and how that funding should be prioritized. What do education leaders say is most needed and how can Alaskan families support their local schools when budgets are tight? We discuss best practices for educational outcomes on this Talk of Alaska. NOTE: Due to technical issue, this episode of Talk of Alaska is shorter than a typical program.

It’s been an especially snowy winter in many Alaska communities, and with heavy snowfall comes the yearly question, should I shovel my roof? And the follow-up question, how do I do that without getting injured or breaking the bank? We talk with engineers about what to look at when considering those questions, and whether you should do it yourself or hire someone else on this Talk of Alaska.

Rejoining the community after incarceration can be challenging. People have to rebuild connections, earn people’s trust, and secure basic needs, like housing and employment. They also have to be mentally ready for life outside of prison. On this Talk of Alaska, we’ll discuss how organizations and individuals can best support people as they reenter the community.

These are tense times for the U.S. military, with Middle East conflicts threatening to erupt in a regional war and Russia stepping up its assault on Ukraine. What could this mean for Alaska-based troops and defense installations? U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and retired Maj. Gen. Randy Kee, from the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies discuss rising global tensions, on this Talk of Alaska.

The Alaska Forum on the Environment has worked to get contaminants out of Alaska’s land, water and air for more than 30 years. Once a year, they bring representatives from the military, state, federal and tribal governments together with industry leaders to discuss new methods for removing marine debris, responding to oil spills, tackling legacy pollution, and addressing climate change. We talk with presenters about the latest ways to protect the health of Alaska’s ecosystem on this Talk of Alaska.

Alaska’s caribou are a vital source of food and are deeply connected to communities and culture, especially in rural parts of the state. But as climate change, resource development and other challenges affect herd numbers and migration patterns, what should be done to ensure the iconic animals are healthy and plentiful for future generations, and who should have a say in how management plans take shape? We discuss the future of Alaska’s caribou herds on this Talk of Alaska.

Are you stuck at home under a mountain of snow and chilly temperatures? Is Winter weather affecting your travel plans? Well you can connect with loved ones all over Alaska from the comfort of your own home during Talk of Alaska’s Holiday Greetings from Across the State! The yearly program returns again to connect Alaskans from Utqiagvik to Juneau, hear festive greetings, well wishes, and sentiments from those who call Alaska home.. Join hosts Steve Heimel and Wesley Early for this annual two-hour tradition of season’s greetings statewide.

It’s not easy starting a business in Alaska. The distance from lower 48 supply chains, customers, and investors can create barriers to growth that stop prospective companies from fully realizing their vision, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Alaska has been the birthplace of several successful startups, and experts say the state offers unique opportunities for funding, networking, research, and more. We discuss what it takes to launch a successful startup, and how to keep it growing, on this Talk of Alaska.

Natural disasters are frequent in Alaska. But is a changing climate increasing the number and severity of these events? What’s the latest science on monitoring mountain slopes to better calculate risk and provide early warning? We discuss the science of understanding landslide risk on this Talk of Alaska.

Few people have shaped Alaska as much as the late Senator Ted Stevens. He helped push through landmark laws to settle Native land claims, develop the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and establish federal fishing policy. He also sent billions of federal dollars to Alaska to build infrastructure. Stevens would have been 100 years old this month. We’ll discuss his legacy, how he worked across the aisle and his fall from politics on this Talk of Alaska.

Alaska has more military veterans per capita than any other state in the union. Alaska Native veterans were early defenders and have served in high numbers since territorial days. Many other Alaskans first came to the state with the military and decided to stay after they left active duty service. It adds up to a lot of veterans. That service can be rewarding but can also create trauma. Connection with other vets and professional therapy can help. Paths to healing and happiness for veterans is our discussion on this Talk of Alaska.

To enjoy winter in the North, or at least to get by with your faculties intact, you have to have a strategy for the darkness of winter. Some of us see it as a chance to nest; to spend more time reading on the couch or tackling indoor projects. For others, winter sports and bright snow provide seasonal thrills unavailable to much of the world. For some of us, it’s a time to drag out the therapeutic lamps to keep the gloom at bay. We discuss darkness, and finding ways to enjoy the short days of winter, on this Talk of Alaska.

Beginning last fall, thousands of Alaskans waited months to receive assistance from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps, run by the Alaska Division of Public Assistance. Some families are finally getting the help they need, but the problem isn’t solved. Getting through the old backlog created a new one with thousands of families who need help buying the most basic necessity: food. How is this current backlog being addressed and what are potential answers for long term stability for Alaskans who are food insecure? We’ll hear from people working on answers on this Talk of Alaska.