Talk of Alaska

Alaska’s commercial fisheries have, for decades, been an international symbol of prosperity, abundance and healthy eating, providing a good living for generations of fishermen and their crews. But a combination of factors are endangering the economy of many coastal communities and transforming the lives of Alaskans who depend on commercial fishing. We discuss the future outlook for Alaska’s iconic fisheries on this Talk of Alaska.

Co-parenting is an often-overlooked aspect of separation or divorce. The charged emotions that surround divorce often leave children caught in the middle of an unhealthy relationship dynamic. When parents work together after separation to keep their children’s best interests in mind, it leads to better outcomes for everyone involved. Host Prentiss Pemberton speaks with parenting coordinator and mediator Bettsie Wild on this Line One.

Disability Pride Month is a time for celebration and reflection. Advocates take the month of July to recognize the progress that’s been made since the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. And to reflect on how to further empower people with disabilities to shape the services they receive. We speak with disability advocates about their top priorities, and the celebrations ahead, on this Talk of Alaska.

The Fourth of July often brings thoughts of festive celebrations like parades, picnics and fireworks, but what does honoring the nation’s independence mean? What are our rights, but also our responsibilities to a healthy democracy? How do you reflect on what freedom means, and what’s the best way for us all to move forward as a united nation? We discuss historical and philosophical context on our democracy and what freedom requires of us all on this next Talk of Alaska.

Refugees seeking safety from conflicts and international problems have been coming to Alaska for decades, but in recent years, the number of people resettling in the state has jumped significantly, bringing families and individuals to new communities all across Alaska. What is the refugee experience like here, and how can local communities best prepare for and welcome those who have been displaced from their home countries? We discuss welcoming new neighbors, and celebrating World Refugee Day on this Talk of Alaska.

Social media can be fun. But it can also be dangerous, especially for children and teenagers. A U.S. surgeon general report found significant links between teen social media use, eating disorders and body dissatisfaction, especially for teen girls. But a bill that would have banned Alaskans under the age of 14 from social media stalled in the legislature. What controls are appropriate for parents and what do young people think about it? We’ll ask on the next Talk of Alaska.

Alaskans like to pack in as much fun as possible during our gloriously long summer days and extended bouts of backyard, beach, boat and campsite time is made all the better when you have a great book to relax with. Readers know how books create magical doorways into other worlds and other worldviews that enhance your imagination in ways that scrolling online will never match. If you want to stick to home grown books, Alaska has many great authors and a wide range of selections from thrillers to romance to science. On this Talk of Alaska, we revisit our 2023 conversation with Alaskan authors and librarians to discuss book recommendations for Summer reading.

Summer is here in Alaska. The days are longer, the snow is melting and the weather is at least a little warmer. That means Alaskans are spending a lot of time outside, hiking, biking, boating and hunting, just to name a few activities. Whatever your Summer adventure is, there’s always the chance that something can go wrong. So what can you do to keep yourself safe? We gathered your best advice and talked with outdoor safety experts to hear their tips on this Talk of Alaska.

The Alaska Court System is honoring 25 years of therapeutic courts in the state this month. These alternative paths to justice and rehabilitation bring together a broad partnership of law enforcement, corrections and health professionals to work on a plan of treatment rather than incarceration for Alaskans who struggle with mental health challenges, past trauma or addictions. The idea is to prevent recidivism, reduce crime and promote public safety. How well have the courts performed in the last 25 years and what will the next 25 look like? We discuss therapeutic courts on this Talk of Alaska.

In shops across Alaska, sales of cannabis flower and extracted products have been legal for nearly a decade. How are growers and retailers faring in a heavily-taxed and competitive industry? A bill advocates hoped would lower tax rates didn’t pass the legislature, so what does that mean for the industry? And what does a federal change to reclassify marijuana mean for the future of full legalization? We discuss legal cannabis sales and the outlook for the future on this Talk of Alaska.