Talk of Alaska

The price of oil has gone down so far that it’s likely state revenues this fiscal year will be less than the forecast. And the forecast was already down more than $7 billion from the year before. The question the Governor and the Legislature are asking now is not whether there will be a deficit but just how big will it be and where will the money come from to fill it. APRN: Tuesday, 1/6 at 10:00am Download Audio

From the Pebble mine order to the election to the sale of our largest newspaper to a website, 2014’s news had a lot of unexpected developments. What do you think was the big news of the year gone by? Was it the National Guard scandal? The death of the HAARP (harp) Project? The beginning of same-sex marriage? Or something else? APRN: Tuesday, 12/30 at 10:00am Download Audio

It’s not to be missed! The annual state-wide holiday greeting edition of Talk of Alaska is on its way. Good wishes will be flying across the great state of Alaska, re-connecting friends and families and extended families in a two-hour wave of greetings. So make your list and get ready to call on the next Talk of Alaska. APRN: Tuesday, 12/23 at 10:00am Download Audio

These days agencies in charge of public lands and wildlife are trying to consider the whole eco-system in their management decisions, and how natural diversity can be harmed by invasive species. But it turns out that eco-systems sometimes have ideas of their own. APRN: Tuesday, 12/16 at 10:00am Download Audio

If you live in a high-crime neighborhood, even if you’re just visiting, you’re under increased risk of encountering a scared police officer if your skin is dark. Does urban Alaska have a chance to avoid the problems other cities are having that involve police and deadly force? APRN: Tuesday, 12/9 at 10:00am Download Audio

Even before the announcement was made about the Grand Jury in Ferguson, Missouri, the Governor had declared an emergency for the area, buildings were boarded up and schools were closed in anticipation of a violent reaction. Police were ready in full military gear. In the aftermath, protests continue and questions arise. What do Alaskans think about Ferguson and the militarization of the police? APRN: Tuesday, 12/2 at 10:00am Download Audio

It is estimated that one of every three families in village Alaska still do not have a sanitary means of sewage disposal, in spite of hundreds of million dollars poured into rural sanitation. Systems have been installed in 77 percent of villages, but the smaller the village the higher the cost per person. What is the answer to this puzzle? APRN: Tuesday, 11/25 at 10:00am Download Audio

In the dead of winter, film makers from far distant lands come to Alaska because we have a festival. It’s been around for 13 years, and it shows more motion pictures in a week than it is possible for any one human being to see. A look ahead at the program for this year’s Anchorage International Film Festival is just ahead on the next Talk of Alaska. APRN: Tuesday, 11/18 at 10:00am Download Audio

Libertarians believe citizens should be free to engage in any activity that does not violate the rights of others. Their party wants government out of the way so people can pursue liberty and freedom. How would this translate to elected positions? APRN: Tuesday, 10/28 at 10:00am Download Audio

Lifelong Alaskan and political newcomer Forrest Dunbar is young and determined. This Yale Law grad wants to be Alaska's next Congressman. Dunbar is running as a Democrat. His social policy fits with that party, but he says he is more in line with Republicans on resource development. APRN: Wednesday, 10/29 at 10:00am Download Audio

Sean Parnell is in a close race to keep his position as Alaska's top executive. The state is facing tough issues. Revenue shortfalls mean hard budget questions in the future, and reform is needed in the troubled National Guard. But gasline development may also be on the horizon. APRN: Tuesday, 10/21 at 10:00am Download Audio

Bill Walker wants to be the next Governor of Alaska. Whoever wins will take the job in a tough fiscal environment. Walker is running in a tight race without a party after running as a Republican in the past. APRN: Wednesday, 10/22 at 10:00am Download Audio

Six years ago, Mark Begich narrowly won his position as a U.S. Senator for Alaska. Now Senator Begich is in a fight to keep that seat with a strong challenge from former Attorney General and DNR Commissioner Dan Sullivan. APRN: Tuesday, 10/14 at 10:00am Download Audio

What do Alaskans need to know about the first case of Ebola in America and the risk to children from Enterovirus 68? Neither disease is in Alaska, but public health officials are preparing just in case. APRN: Tuesday, 10/7 at 10:00am Download Audio

Alaska will spend more than $700 million on Medicaid this year. State officials say Medicaid costs are increasing at an unsustainable rate. What would reforming the program look like to keep costs under control? APRN: Tuesday, 9/30 at 10:00am Download Audio