Putting on a touring Broadway Musical in the Lower 48 is an expensive, complicated, and difficult process. When bringing one to Alaska though, it starts to cross the line from difficult, to logistical nightmare. However, over the last year not one, but four Broadway shows, counting hundreds among their cast and crew, came to Alaska to perform. How is it that shows like Hamilton and Six brought not just their people, but their massive, complicated sets, up to the 49th state? We answer that question and more about Broadway Alaska’s very first season on this Talk of Alaska ..read more

Governor Mike Dunleavy is approaching the halfway mark in his second term as the 12th top government executive in Alaska. His recent veto of a bipartisan education bill and a failed override has left education funding in limbo while the legislature works on operating and capital budget plans. What does the governor think of those budgets and what would he agree to for an education spending plan? Governor Dunleavy joins us on this Talk of Alaska ..read more

How do political campaigns know what issues resonate with the public? How do researchers learn about social and political beliefs? Often, that work is done through surveys or polling. What goes into building a poll to ensure a good reflection of differing beliefs? Well hear from people who create polls and those who use them in different campaigns, on this Talk of Alaska ..read more

Alaskans along the railbelt have relied on Cook Inlet gas for heat and power for decades, but the wells in the Cook Inlet basin, a long reliable source of natural gas for homes and businesses, are no longer so reliable with potential shortages looming in the next few years. Why isn’t more gas being developed in Cook Inlet, what’s the potential for renewable energy replacing gas, and what will it all mean for ratepayers if gas needs to be imported? We discuss the future energy needs for Southcentral Alaskans against diminishing supply on this Talk of Alaska ..read more

The use of Artificial Intelligence or AI has been around since the 50s, but even with rapid growth in the technology for a wide range of applications, there’s still a lot that many of us don’t understand about AI’s benefits, its potential to help businesses, as well as the risks. How can computer learning technology help streamline work and create efficiencies for small businesses and what are the red flags? We learn about a new AI business center for Alaska on this Talk of Alaska ..read more

In the past, Indigenous people were misrepresented in movies and other media when harmful stereotypes and racist tropes were too often the norm. Indigenous Americans were presented as one-dimensional characters, or played by non-native actors. But things are changing and the recent HBO season of the series True Detective is a good example. It employed Alaska Native actors, writers and casting directors. What changes when Indigenous people have influence over popular television content? We talk with actors from the Alaska-focused series True Detective: Night Country, on this Talk of Alaska ..read more

There is plenty of research that backs up the importance of childcare. In order to work, parents need quality and affordable child care that is as much about learning as it is about keeping kids safe, but Alaska families are struggling to find and afford that type of care for their kids. What are elected leaders and businesses doing to address the need? We ask advocates on this Talk of Alaska ..read more

What is the best way to support students, teachers and schools for Alaska’s future? There are many competing ideas for how to get the most impact out of education funding and how that funding should be prioritized. What do education leaders say is most needed and how can Alaskan families support their local schools when budgets are tight? We discuss best practices for educational outcomes on this Talk of Alaska. NOTE: Due to technical issue, this episode of Talk of Alaska is shorter than a typical program ..read more

It’s been an especially snowy winter in many Alaska communities, and with heavy snowfall comes the yearly question, should I shovel my roof? And the follow-up question, how do I do that without getting injured or breaking the bank? We talk with engineers about what to look at when considering those questions, and whether you should do it yourself or hire someone else on this Talk of Alaska ..read more

Rejoining the community after incarceration can be challenging. People have to rebuild connections, earn people’s trust, and secure basic needs, like housing and employment. They also have to be mentally ready for life outside of prison. On this Talk of Alaska, we’ll discuss how organizations and individuals can best support people as they reenter the community ..read more