We chat with a few community leaders who’ve been here for many of Alaska’s five decades and ask them to share what they think the future stills holds in store for the Last Frontier.
We also check in with Alaska’s youngest leaders for their thoughts and we consider the future of farming the Great Land. Finally, we look at the state’s demographic trends, including a more multicultural future and the truth about male and female ratios in the 49th State.
All that and more this week on AK, heard statewide on local APRN stations.
Download Audio (MP3, 60min)
Host: Steve Heimel
Looking to the Future
Lori Townsend, Johanna Eurich – interview clips
Some of the people who have influenced Alaska’s development ponder what the future holds: Eldon Gallear, Willie Hensley, Walt Parker and Arliss Sturgelewski.
Forum of Young Alaskans
Alaska Teen Media Institute’s Thomas Levine, Story
Today’s young people will become tomorrow’s leaders, so events like the Forum of Young Alaskans and January’s Conference of Young Alaskans are designed to get them involved – and thinking.
- Music Button: “Young Americans” by David Bowie
Military Future
Steve Heimel
With Ted Stevens out of office, and a new president less focused on missile defense, Alaska could see some cutbacks in the military presence here, according to Victoria Samson of the Center for Defense Information. But our strategic position and the Stryker brigade insure they’ll have some presence here.
- Break: “Star Wars Episode 5: The Empire Strikes Back” from Songs From Starwars Soundtrack
The Future of Oil
Johanna Eurich, Story
Oil industry veteran Jack Roderick predicts the oil industry will continue to have a strong role in Alaska – with more offshore and more smaller fields. New technology allows companies like Shell to follow the oil underground, sinking fewer wells, to extract more crude.
Energy Future
AK’s Scott Burton, Story
We may still have plenty of oil, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be using it as our primary energy source: Alaska has a lot of renewable alternatives, and more of those projects are being developed. Meera Kohler envisions power lines connecting rural Alaska villages so they can take advantage of renewable sources, and Alaska’s Energy Authority’s Peter Crimp says lots of projects are taking off.
- Music Button: “Do It” by Neil Diamond, from Neil Diamond Classic
The Future of Farming
AK’s Ellen Lockyer, Story
With transportation costs on the increase, figuring out how to grow more food in Alaska looks like it makes more sense. Veteran farmers Leroi Heaven and Arthur Keys of Glacier Valley Farms are excited about the possibilities.
- Break: “Get Up John” by Bill Monroe from Bluegrass 1950-1958, Bear Family Box Set
Demographic Predictions
AK’s Ellen Lockyer and Jessica Cochran
Economists predict modest population growth over the next 20 years, but state labor economist Neil Fried says the real change is even more diversity than we’ve already seen. The Anchorage School District is already seeing it, according to spokeswoman Heidi Embley.
Joe Senungetuk
Commentary
Inupiaq artist Joe Senungetuk says it’s too early to get rid of phrases like “institutional racism” despite what some say.
- Music Button: “Get Up, Stand Up” by Bob Marley from Legend (Deluxe Addition)
Gender Roles
Weld Royal, Story
While Alaska still has more men than women, it’s evening up – the odds aren’t even close to the old cliché. But for some reason that macho, all-guy image persists. Weld Royal tries to find out why.
Rougher in Alaska
Matt Lichtenstein and Joe Viechnicki, Humor
Let’s face it: much of Alaska’s image comes from stereotypes that aren’t really true, as the humorists at Crab Bait Radio so aptly demonstrate.
- Closing: “Star Trek: Main Theme” from The Ultimate Star Trek Soundtrack
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