Talk of Alaska: New Ideas for a New Economy
Tue, February 2, 2010
Electric vehicles from Solar Wind Alaska
A major part of the jobs initiative President Obama announced in his State of the Union Address is an effort to put people to work building what he calls the infrastructure of tomorrow – new mass transit and clean energy facilities.
Is it realistic to expect this transition to be made without penalizing economic growth?
Some economists say we need a new way of measuring economic growth that leads to sustainability.
- Solar Wind of Alaska
- Solutions – For a sustainable and desirable future
- Prosperity Without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet by Tim Jackson
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Talk of Alaska: What’s Next for the Arctic Ocean?
Mon, January 25, 2010
As the sea ice pulls back in the Arctic Ocean, the rush to develop it has already begun.
Russia used a submarine to plant a flag under the North Pole.
The US sent an icebreaker far out into the Chukchi Sea to survey a new maritime boundary. Canada is building a military port.
All the Arctic nations, including Denmark and Norway, are making plans. We’ll have an update, and an analysis, on the next “Talk of Alaska.’’
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Talk of Alaska: NEA President, Barb Angaiak
Tue, January 19, 2010
What attracts a teacher to a school in rural Alaska, and what does it take to keep a good teacher there?
Is Alaska offering what good teachers need? The new president of the state teacher’s union is a math teacher from the Lower
Kuskokwim School district.
Meet Barb Angaiak on the next Talk of Alaska.
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Talk of Alaska: NPR’s Ombudsman, Lisa Shepard
Fri, January 8, 2010
NPR Ombudsman Lisa Shepard joins host Steve Heimel to talk about journalism, transparency, fairness and her role as ombudsman at National Public Radio.
From NPR: Shepard was appointed NPR’s ombudsman in October 2007 seven years after NPR became the first U.S. broadcast news organization to create an Ombudsman position. In this role, Shepard serves as the public’s representative, and is responsible for bringing transparency to journalism decision-making processes. She responds to queries and comments from listeners, writes a blog, appears on NPR programs to discuss listener concerns and provides guidance on journalism practices to NPR Member stations. She sees her job as explaining NPR to listeners, and listeners to NPR.
So join the conversation this week when Steve Heimel and Lisa Shepard discuss the news business and journalism on the next Talk of Alaska.
- NPR Ombudsman.
- Contact Lisa Shepard.
- Call Lisa Shepard: 202-513-3245.
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Talk of Alaska: Governor Sean Parnell
Wed, December 30, 2009

Photo by Patrick Yack, ARPN – Anchorage
Gov. Sean Parnell joins Talk of Alaska host, Steve Heimel, January 5 to kick off a new season of the statewide program.
Armed with a new budget that is lower than projected state revenues, Alaska Governor Sean Parnell is about to face his first legislative session.
He has outlined priorities in education, law enforcement and prevention of sexual assault.
As the second session of the 26th Alaska Legislature approaches, Governor Parnell will be available to take your telephone questions, on the next “Talk of Alaska,’’
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Talk of Alaska: Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010
Wed, December 23, 2009
Well, it’s been quite a year.
Sarah Palin steps down as governor. Sean Parnell steps up.
Former senator, Ted Stevens, battled in court.
Oil was down to about $40 a barrel.
Obama and Biden win. McCain and Palin lose.
We will ring out the old and ring in the new on the next Talk of Alaska, December 29.
Please join us as we review the year.
Happy New Year from APRN and Talk of Alaska.
Talk of Alaska: Holiday Greetings
Mon, December 21, 2009
Long-time Alaskans know that in this state, even in the most remote places, you’re likely to run into somebody you know.
Our holiday program invites Alaskans to call the show and send greetings to friends and relatives in other communities around the state.
Happy Holidays from APRN and Talk of Alaska.
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Talk of Alaska: Politics and Moral Choices
Tue, December 15, 2009
Composed of familiar political themes, like the push to return to paper ballots and the fight against globalization, a new novel “The Army of the Republic,” forces its characters to make fundamental moral choices.
Juneau writer Stuart Archer Cohen’s themes may come from the headlines, but there is something timeless about his story. He’ll tell us more about his book, “The Army of the Republic.”
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HOST: Steve Heimel, APRN
GUESTS:
- Stuart Archer Cohen. Juneau author. “The Army of the Republic.”
- Live callers statewide
PARTICIPATE:
- Post your comment before, during or after the live broadcast (comments may be read on air)
- Send e-mail to talk [at] aprn [dot] org (comments may be read on air)
- Call 550-8422 in Anchorage or 1-800-478-8255 during the live broadcast
LIVE Broadcast: Tuesday, Dec. 15 2009 at 10:00 a.m. on APRN stations statewide
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Talk of Alaska: Endangered Species Act and Alaska
Mon, December 7, 2009
The state of Alaska is beefing up its legal team in preparation for lawsuits against the federal government over the Endangered Species Act.
The proposed critical habitat for the Cook Inlet beluga whale could spell trouble for economic development efforts, and even existing facilities – such as offshore platforms, ports, and waste-water discharges.
Alaskans talk about the Endangered Species Act on the next “Talk of Alaska.” Join the conversation.
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Talk of Alaska: World AIDS Day.
Tue, December 1, 2009
There are now an estimated 33 million people infected with the HIV virus that leads to AIDS. The majority of them live in poverty and have little access to the drugs that can stave off the disease.
This week, “Talk of Alaska” will get an update on AIDS.
Tuesday is World AIDS Day.
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Talk of Alaska: Higher Education Funding
Tue, November 24, 2009
The resignation of Professor Rick Steiner from the University of Alaska raises questions about the priorities of the higher educational system in Alaska.
Chris Hedges of the Nation Institute has written a new book that points to a major change that has hit our universities over the past few years – federal funding is dwindling, and states are not making up the difference.
Universities have increasingly turned to corporate funding. The question is: What policies do our universities have in place to keep corporate funding from controlling their research?
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Talk of Alaska: Alaska Energy
Mon, November 16, 2009
All over the state, local governments and tribes are coming up with energy innovations. Now, after 28 meetings across the state, The Alaska Energy Authority is ready to weigh in with a way to compare those innovations. Does a better diesel generator pay off better than a wood burner? What if the price of fuel doubles? Energy is the subject on the next Talk of Alaska, from APRN.
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Talk of Alaska: The Young Brain
Mon, November 9, 2009
If you think the cost of educating our children is high, wait ‘til you hear the cost of “not*” educating them.
Employers already know there’s a mismatch between their needs and the workforce that’s available to them.
Re-training is expensive. It turns out that education earlier in life is a better investment. The science of early childhood education is the subject on the next “Talk of Alaska.”
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Talk of Alaska: Beyond the Green Zone
Tue, November 3, 2009
Award-winning journalist Dahr Jamail is on his way back to Alaska and will be the guest on the next “Talk of Alaska.”
It’s a return appearance for Jamail, who wrote the book “Beyond the Green Zone,” about his experiences as an un-imbedded reporter in Iraq, and is now the author of “The Will to Resist.”
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Talk of Alaska: The Status of Pacific Walrus
Tue, October 27, 2009
In September, federal authorities announced there is reason to believe that
diminishing sea ice is endangering the Pacific Walrus. A 90-day public comment period began.
Alaskans who remember how walrus have changed or who have other observations that could help managers to make this decision are invited to call and put their remarks on the record, while the rest of us listen — on the next “Talk of Alaska.”
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Talk of Alaska: Energy Development and the World’s Poor
Tue, October 20, 2009
The effects of global warming are hitting some of the world’s poorest people the hardest. That’s a human rights issue. But how can it be reconciled with the right of poor countries to use more energy to develop their economies? Especially in the Arctic. The rights of developing countries and indigenous peoples will be the subject on the next “Talk of Alaska.”
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Talk of Alaska: Our Food Supply
Tue, October 13, 2009
The Bioneers Conference starts this weekend at UAA and our food supply will be a topic.
Is Alaska becoming a farm state? There was tremendous response to our show last winter about local food. And since then plenty more has happened. Mainly there’s more local food, and more effort to get more growing. Have you joined the bandwagon?
Let’s hear from you on the next “Talk of Alaska.”
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Talk of Alaska: Returning From a Tour of Duty
Mon, September 28, 2009
Our troops are coming back from Afghanistan and Iraq.
Many of them have a serious brain injury or many are suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.
What kind of treatment are these troops getting in Alaska? What kind of future is in store for these men and women who have served their country?
Find out and join the conversation on Talk of Alaska statewide.
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