Lori Townsend

News Director and reporter for Alaska Public Media and the Alaska Public Radio Network. Avid gardener and old home owner.

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

@skierpage @NewsHour Thanks. I also dislike the abuse of the word impact

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

Just a local dude out for a Friday stroll past my office window.

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

At 10 on Talk of Alaska- what are the best methods to avoid fatalities when officers must stop dangerous behavior? Law enforcement officials and defense attorneys join us to answer questions about use of force and how cases are investigated. Join us on your local public station

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

This morning at 10 on Talk of Alaska- Alaska has seen spikes in respiratory illness in recent weeks. What do you need to know about viral variants and the vaccines that can prevent infection or lessen severity if you do get sick? Alaska’s top medical experts join us.

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

I love my co-workers. It’s been raining for days and one kind soul at the station found a way to put a happy spin on our sogginess. With donuts!

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

On Talk of Alaska at 10-best selling author Bill Streever joins us to discuss his new book.
It’s rare to see happy headlines related to climate change. But there are creative solutions at work. Join our discussion on your Alaska public radio station or stream Alaskapublic!

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

at 10 on Talk of Alaska- Quality, affordable housing helps lives in a lot more ways than just keeping you out of the weather. Good housing helps people lead safer, healthier lives. But increasingly, this basic need is financially out of reach. Join us through your local station

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

At 10 on Talk of Alaska-A big part of Alaska’s economic and cultural identity is tied to the bounty of the oceans. For decades Alaskans have depended on these resources to fill their freezers and bank accounts but multiple factors are challenging the future of fisheries. Join us

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

Talk of Alaska at 10- What does democracy mean to you? The nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2 years. Do you think of liberty as autonomy or as responsibility to others? Join us to discuss in the lead up to 4th of July

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

At 10 today on Talk of Alaska- What is the experience for a refugee in Alaska? There’s been a big increase in recent years of new arrivals to our state. Where are people coming from and who is here to help them when they arrive? Join us on your public radio station statewide

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

This morning at 10 on talk of Alaska- The U.S. Surgeon General called for warning labels on social media, similar to advising of the hazards of smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol. What else did the nation’s top doctor say and what should lawmakers and parents do in response?

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

At 10 on Talk of Alaska- therapeutic courts in Alaska.
Alaska had one of 3 in the nation 25 years ago and now there are 17 across the state. How do these specialized courts affect community safety, rates of recidivism and the health of participants? Join us!

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

At 10 on Talk of Alaska- In shops across Alaska, sales of cannabis flower and extracted products have been legal for a decade. How are growers and retailers faring? And what does a federal change to reclassify marijuana mean for the future of full legalization? Join us!

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

At 10 on Talk of Alaska- the Endangered Species Act, is 50 years old. The Act has helped species recover. How has a rapidly changing climate affected listing petitions and how plans are developed for recovery? What are the effects on the economy when species are listed? Join us!

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

Late lunch for one of our station pals

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

This morning at 10 on Talk of Alaska- An Anchorage Superior court judge recently threw out the laws supporting Alaska’s correspondence education program, ruling it unconstitutional. It affects more that 20,000 students. What’s the right fix?A legislative fix or the Supreme Court?

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

Today at 10 on Talk of Alaska. Governor Mike Dunleavy is our guest. The governor is approaching the halfway mark in his second term. What will the governor agree to for education spending and other budget priorities? Join us on your public radio station statewide.

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

At 10 on Talk of Alaska- Do you hang up when a pollster calls or do you answer the questions and then watch for results? How do polls affect public perception? We’ll hear from people who create polls and those who use them in different campaigns. AK public stations statewide

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

@nprscottsimon Yes. I have a rescue pup that came into my life right at the start of the pandemic. She rescued me from cracking up over the stress of covering it and today she is my constant pal on the urban trails of Anchorage every evening. She is sweet, cuddly and just the best!

[Lori Townsend @loritownsend]

At 10 on Talk of Alaska. The use of artificial intelligence or AI has been around since the 1950s, but even with rapid growth in the technology, there’s a lot many of us don’t understand. How can AI help streamline work and create efficiencies and what are the red flags? Join us