Talk of Alaska

The Alaska State Troopers face a dilemma. They take on some of Alaska's toughest cases and are seeing increased demand. But even as state budget shortfalls have forced  cuts, the agency is struggling to keep the troopers it already has. How are the troopers coping with staffing issues? Will public safety suffer? LISTEN HERE The post How are Alaska State Troopers coping with lower staffing? appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Alaska is on the front lines of climate change. A recent report found that we are living through the warmest period “in the history of modern civilization” - and in Alaska, we’re warming twice as fast as the global average. So what should we do about it? LISTEN HERE The post What should an Alaska climate change policy look like? appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Alaska is still in recession- and the state's economic engine is significantly smaller than it was three years ago. But job losses have slowed.  So is there an end in sight for the first state recession in three decades? And what will it take to stage a real recovery? LISTEN HERE The post State economy and recession. Is it time to start talking about economic recovery? appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Politicians on both sides say we need to tap into the Permanent Fund in order to close the state's multi-billion dollar budget gap. But how would that draw on the $66 billion dollar fund be structured? And how might it affect the longevity of the state's largest investment account? LISTEN HERE The post What would happen if we tap into the Permanent Fund? appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Thousands of Alaskans have been homeless, but the number would be much higher if organizations and individuals didn't work to prevent it. On the next Talk of Alaska we're discussing solutions for preventing homelessness, and why it affects everyone in the state, not just the families who experience it. LISTEN HERE The post Preventing homelessness and why it matters appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

It's an untold story almost 250 years old - what really happened during Captain Cook's contacts with indigenous people during his explorations in Alaska and the rest of the Pacific.  Two unpublished journals by Cook crew members have been found in an Australian store-room.  We'll learn more of the untold story of Captain Cook, and what happened after he died. LISTEN HERE The post Untold Capt. Cook stories appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

More than a dozen Alaskans are representing the U.S. in the winter Olympics that recently kicked off in South Korea. They're competing in traditional sports like ice skating and nordic skiing. And newer events, like snowboard cross- where snowboarders race down a mountain course that includes jumps. LISTEN HERE The post Alaskans at the Olympics appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Alaskans know about the 7.9 earthquake that shook the state Jan. 23, but just how did the scientists figure out the exact location of the quake — as they do for tremors around the world. What is the process for sharing that information? And, should major disaster strike, how could the federal government step in to help Alaskans recover? LISTEN HERE The post Earthquakes and tsunamis appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

About 100 cities and boroughs in Alaska levy a sales tax. Many also levy taxes on hotel accommodations, alcohol, tobacco, commercial fish harvests, car rentals and more. Combined, the taxes raised over $350 million for cities and boroughs in 2016. Join us as we discuss local taxes -- and the local debates about raising them. LISTEN HERE The post Local sales taxes appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

Alaska has a lot of nonprofit organizations that do a lot of good work. Community groups, social service organizations, advocacy groups. Alaskans are supportive and contribute a lot of money, but many nonprofits are struggling financially. The needs are there, but what’s the future for Alaska’s nonprofits? LISTEN HERE The post Nonprofits appeared first on Alaska Public Media.

The nearly 500-page federal tax bill is now law, but what does it mean to you? Will it help or hurt your checkbook? When will you see a difference in your paycheck? How much will it change your tax return next year? And what don't you know about the new tax laws? Join us as we talk taxes on the next Talk of Alaska. LISTEN HERE

People waiting for trial often sit in jail for days or weeks just because they can't make bail. Starting this month, that system is changing. The state is launching a new effort to reduce the amount of time people spend locked up before they've gone to trial. It's part of SB91, Alaska's criminal justice reform law. LISTEN HERE

The Alaska Legislature goes back to work in two weeks. The agenda will be full and likely include the use of Permanent Fund earnings to help pay for public services for the first time in the fund's history. Plus, it's an election year for governor and most of the Legislature. Listen Here

2017 is nearly gone. There were lots of big news stories in the past year. What was important, and what was just plain interesting. What were your local top stories of the past year? Listen Here

Alaskans are connected in so many different ways, and nothing shows that better than the special two-hour Holiday Greetings Edition of "Talk of Alaska," from the member stations of APRN.  Good wishes, greetings and holiday cheer fly back and forth from one end of the state to the other as people call in. You won't want to miss it. Listen Here