Talk of Alaska

Vacations and books are wonderful companions. PBS is sponsoring the Great American Read this summer and people across the nation are voting on their favorite novels. But with the ease and portability of online reading, how important are books and the libraries that house them? What does the future look like for the places that care for literature, documents and other archives? LISTEN HERE The post Reading and the importance of libraries appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

It's the middle of summer but students seeking higher education are making plans for fall. The University's new Alaska College of Education aims to train more state residents to take teaching jobs here. The idea is to keep good teachers in rural Alaska communities. LISTEN HERE The post UA’s College of Education appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Sharks. Alaska's waters are full of them. But they aren't just predators to be featured in horror films. Sleeper sharks, spiny dogfish and flat sharks like skates play key roles in the state's marine ecosystem keeping it healthy for all species. LISTEN HERE The post Sharks in Alaska waters appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Rivers and streams across the state are closed to king salmon fishing and sockeye returns are shockingly low in parts of Southeast Alaska. Meanwhile, commercial fishermen in parts of Bristol Bay are netting millions of sockeye. What’s happening to salmon stocks around the state? Hear from salmon scientists about what’s affecting this year’s runs on the next Talk of Alaska. LISTEN HERE The post Salmon science appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Alaska has a lot of entrepreneurs. Small business owners do everything from walk dogs to design clothing. How has the small business climate evolved in the state and what's on the horizon? Where can people with big plans get support and capitalize on the interest in buying locally? LISTEN HERE The post Investing in small business appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Rural Alaska has long had a lack of adequate law enforcement. State budget cuts have exacerbated the problem and recent reporting reveals trouble with how or if some local law enforcement officers are screened before they're hired. What's being done to make rural Alaska safer? LISTEN HERE The post Public Safety in rural Alaska appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Working with families in crisis is stressful and social workers have a high burn out rate. A new program within the Office of Children's Services aims to help OCS field workers by providing mentors who can help them learn the skills they'll need to not only survive, but thrive in a challenging occupation. How will that ultimately help children and families? LISTEN HERE The post Social worker mentors and OCS funds appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

The state health care system has been stretched thin by rising rates of addiction, a growing need for more mental health treatment beds and Medicaid expansion. These needs were under the budget lens during the legislative session. How will health care providers meet the challenge of treating sick Alaskans during the funding crunch? LISTEN HERE The post Health care, addiction and budget cuts appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Alaska has the largest state park system in the nation. And with the summer season about to launch into high gear, Alaskans are preparing for state park adventures. On the next Talk of Alaska we'll hear from park managers on what they're doing to make even the most remote parks more accessible. And we'll discuss the future of the park system as the state continues to make budget cuts. LISTEN HERE The post The state park system appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Immigration has been in the news a lot this year. Most of the coverage involves undocumented immigrants. But what does it take to cross the border legally? The requirements for entry into the U.S. can vary widely from one country to the next and it can be surprisingly hard. LISTEN HERE The post What does it take to legally immigrate to America? appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Adoption involves more than connecting children and parents -- is about navigating new relationships between families. On the next Talk of Alaska we'll speak with birth moms and adoptive moms about their experiences with adoption, how its changed over time and misconceptions about the process. LISTEN HERE The post Adoption in Alaska appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Alaskan women are smart, hardworking, innovative and tough. They have helped build the state through dedicated service to education, medicine, business, the arts and much more. The Alaska Women's Hall of Fame inducts several of them each spring and this year marks the 10th anniversary. LISTEN HERE The post The Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame 10th anniversary appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Wilderness, pasture, human habitat, wildlife habitat -- what if we combined all those functions?  What if we called "invasive" species "successful" species instead? Scary? You bet! But doesn't climate warming and over-population already have us scared? On the next Talk of Alaska, we'll continue hearing controversial arguments for re-aligning how we think about the human-altered environment. LISTEN HERE The post Restoration Ecology appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Most people agree that we need to aim for more resilient infrastructure and communities to effectively respond to climate change.  But what are the first steps toward getting there?  Your chance to talk it over with two expert panelists is coming up on the next "Talk of Alaska:"  an ecologist who has documented what is actually happening with endangered species, and an experimenter who locked himself in a closed environment for two years. LISTEN HERE The post Responding to accelerating life systems on Planet Earth appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Marijuana has been legal in Alaska since a voter initiative passed in 2014. Retail businesses and commercial growers are operating and paying millions in taxes to the state, but one of only three testing facilities recently shut down and there's still no decision regarding on-site consumption. LISTEN HERE The post The marijuana industry in Alaska appeared first on Alaska Public Media.