Talk of Alaska

Recipes tell a story. That’s the core concept of a new project looking to examine the history of Alaska and the people who live here through the lens of cooking. From time-honored culinary traditions to modern cuisine and fusion restaurants, the food we make, and how we prepare it, can tell powerful stories about individuals and the ways people have moved through our state. We discuss the tales that hide within recipes on this Talk of Alaska.

Defining true equity, and Anchorage’s new Equity Center is our discussion on this Talk of Alaska.

What will funding cuts mean for the future of America’s global position as a leader in scientific research?

A new federal-state effort to stem the flow of illegal drugs and ramp up the punishment for those who sell them is underway across the nation, including in Alaska.

The bill signed by President Trump on July 4th rescinds a lot of funding and tax credits for renewable projects. What does it mean for Alaska?

As the 4th of July approaches, what’s the status of active fires across the state and the outlook for this season and the future?

The tax reductions that President Trump wants to continue are rolled into a large bill that requires big cuts to medicaid and food support programs.

Three longtime Alaska journalists are saying goodbye to the profession. What have they learned along the way, and how has their work evolved over the decades?

On this Talk of Alaska, we take a look at organized events around the state like live music, local food festivals and cultural celebrations.

Is geothermal energy safe? How does it work? And what areas of Alaska could most benefit from it?

What did lawmakers pass this year and what was left on the table for the second half of the 34th legislature?

We discuss the legal rights of people facing or worried about removal from our state and country on this Talk of Alaska.

We discuss what has changed and how Alaskans feel about it after three months of the second Trump Administration.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski joins us from Washington DC to answer your questions on this Talk of Alaska.

What can state leaders, local governments and housing authorities do to meet the extreme demand for affordable housing?

How will state leaders overcome division on perennial issues like state education spending, the permanent fund dividend and infrastructure needs across the state?

After five decades of the Limited Entry program, many rural communities have lost the majority of their local commercial fishing permits.

Alaska volcanoes are sometimes restless. In many cases, activity elevates and then dies back down, but Mount Spurr, near Anchorage appears to be waking up. Scientists now say an eruption near the state’s largest city is more likely than not in coming weeks or months. What could a big eruption mean for health, infrastructure and air travel? We hear from scientists and public health officials on this Talk of Alaska. HOST: Lori Townsend GUESTS: Dr. George Conway - Chief Medical Officer, Municipality of AnchorageKristi Wallace - Volcanologist, Alaska Volcano ObservatoryKari Wiederkehr - Disaster Recovery Coordinator, Anchorage Office of Emergency Management RELATED: What to know about Mount Spurr’s likely eruptionSpurr ashfall could divert flights to Fairbanks. Airport officials say they're ready.Anchorage Schools prepare for Mount Spurr eruptionResources for emergency preparedness | Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Spring yard work in March? Southcentral and other areas of Alaska saw very low snowfall throughout the winter.

Alaska imports the vast majority of food from other states and countries making our state vulnerable to supply line disruptions and driving up prices. The Alaska Food Policy Council aims to help support more in-state food production and distribution. What are the unique challenges and opportunities for Alaskans interested in boosting the annual harvest? What do food policy advocates think of the proposed Alaska Department of Agriculture? We discuss the ongoing work and AFPC's upcoming conference in Kodiak on this Talk of Alaska.