Alaska Landmine Radio

Jeff was joined by former Representative Lance Pruitt, who served in the Alaska House from 2011-2021. They discuss what he's bee up to since losing his seat in 2020, what it was like serving in the Legislature for ten years, his 13 vote loss in 2020 to now-Representative Liz Snyder (D - Anchorage), how makeup of the Legislature has changed since 2016, the differences being in the minority and the...

Jeff was joined by UAA Economics Professor Paul Johnson. They discuss his background in economics, the causes of inflation and how it is impacting the economy, the difference between the Treasury and the Federal Reserve, what is happening with interest rates, the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy, the challenges of COVID-19 on teaching classes, and a discussion about what is happening in China. 

Jeff was joined in studio by former Representative Andrew Halcro. They discuss the history of the Alaska Landmine, Halcro's newest podcast "With All Due Respect," some of the big stories of 2021, next year's upcoming election, the relationship between the Anchorage Assembly and Mayor Dave Bronson, some stories about Halcro's time in the Legislature, and the cannabis industry in Alaska. 

Jeff was joined by Senator Josh Revak (R - Anchorage) and his wife Marta. They discuss Marta growing up in Poland and then moving to Germany, how Josh and Marta met in Germany when Josh was stationed there, Josh's battle injury in Iraq after they got married, moving back to the United States, why Josh decided to run for the Legislature and how that was not an easy decision, the COVID-19 pandemic,...

Jeff was joined by Lorali Simon, Vice President of External Affairs for Usibelli Coal Mine. They discuss her role at Usibelli Coal Mine, how she and Jeff were both in Las Vegas for the opening Monday Night Football Raiders game, her family's history in Palmer, her time working in the Alaska Legislature, and the mining industry in Alaska. 

Jeff was joined by former State Senator John Binkley. They talk about the history of his family's tug and barge business, how that business resulted in him moving to Western Alaska, how he was elected to a rural seat as a Republican, his time in the Legislature in the 1980s, why he decided to leave the Legislature move back to Fairbanks with his family, his time on the board of the Alaska Railroad...

Jeff was joined by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company President Brigham McCown. They discuss his upbringing in Ohio, his career as a Naval aviator, his career in Washington D.C. working for the Department of Transportation, infrastructure in the United States, his role in the Trump transition team, how he became the president of Alyeska Pipeline, the history and structure of Alyeska Pipeline, and so...

Jeff was joined by Anchorage Dr. Brian Sweeney. They discuss his educational background, why he decided to become a doctor, how the military brought him to Alaska, the cost of drugs, his views on the COVID-19 vaccine, wearing masks, medical misinformation, how medical boards are starting to look at doctors who are prescribing certain medicines for COVID-19, and the cost of healthcare in the United...

Jeff was joined by Alaska AFL-CIO President Joelle Hall. They discuss the final map adopted by the Alaska Redistricting Board, the impacts it will have on Alaska's political landscape, the history of redistricting in Alaska, the redistricting process that occurs every ten years, the controversy surrounding Senate pairings, potential legal challenges, and ranked-choice voting. 

Jeff was joined by photojournalist Ash Adams. They discuss how she met Jeff during the infamous Speedogate scandal, why she decided to become a photojournalist, the growing political divide in the United States, cancel culture, the recent chaos at the Anchorage Assembly meetings over the mask mandate, the role of the media, the problems associated with social media, and her work as a photojournali...

Jeff was joined by Mac McHale and Ariel Burr from Quintillion. They discuss the impacts of the recent infrastructure bill on broadband, the history of Quintillion, what the company is doing now, their plans for growth, how they overcame their former CEO being indicated and convicted of fraud, and their recent addition of a ground station on the North Slope to retrieve satellite data. 

Jeff was joined by Anchorage Superior Court Judge Greg Miller. They discuss his aviation and firefighting career before becoming a lawyer, how that affected attending college and law school, why he moved to Alaska to practice law, the process of applying to be a judge, being appointed by former Governor Sean Parnell in 2011, how COVID has affected the judicial system, and his recently announced re...

Jeff was again joined by travel guru Scott McMurren from Alaska Travelgram. They discuss how COVID is still impacting air travel and the tourism industry, the reward and mileage programs for different airlines, the best way to use miles, and some amazing upcoming deals on airline tickets. 

Jeff was joined by Kai Binkley Sims. They discuss how she grew up in Alaska, working for her family company, including obtaining her boat captain license at the age of 18, attending the Colorado School of Mines, how she met her husband, how she got involved with the Anchorage Wolverines hockey team, how they got into the league, how COVID-19 affected the team, and the ongoing challenges with the h...

Jeff was joined by Chief Justice Daniel Winfree. They discuss how he grew up in Fairbanks, his time working on the pipeline when he was in college, why he decided to become a lawyer, how he came to be appointed to the Alaska Supreme Court by former Governor Sarah Palin, how the Supreme Court works, the role of the chief justice, how COVID-19 has impacted the court system, the increasing politiciza...

Jeff was joined via Zoom by author Ben Sheehan. They discuss his recent book, "OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say?: A Non-Boring Guide to How Our Democracy is Supposed to Work," why civics education has declined in the United States, some history of the Constitution, statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington D.C., why history forgot about James Madison, and some interesting constitutional t...

Jeff was joined by Anchorage attorney Robin Brena. They discuss a recent decision by the Ninth Circuit that ruled Alaska's candidate campaign contribution limits unconstitutional. Brena was one of the attorneys that sued over the limits. They discuss how the case came about, the history of candidate campaign contribution limits in Alaska, how this decision relates to Citizens United, money in poli...

Jeff was joined by Anchorage attorney Scott Kendall. They discuss the Recall Dunleavy campaign, how much we should pay legislators, the idea of a constitutional convention passing on the ballot next year, and how ranked-choice voting will impact next year's election.  

Jeff was joined by former State Senator Cathy Giessel. They discuss the Legislature's new fiscal plan working group, Governor Mike Dunleavy's (R - Alaska) proposed constitutional amendments, the redistricting process, Alaska's new single primary and ranked choice voting system, her primary loss last year, how the political climate has changed since she was first elected in 2010, and next year's el...

Jeff was joined by John and Michaella Anderson. They discuss their farm in Fairbanks, how John ended up in Fairbanks from New Jersey and how they met, the Munson Creek Fire in Fairbanks, the story of how their house burned down, and some Alaska politics. 

Jeff was joined by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R - Alaska). They discuss the recent deal with President Biden on an infrastructure bill, the Alaska Marine Highway, the filibuster in the Senate, Alaska's fiscal situation, Alaska's tourism industry, what she experienced at the January 6 Capitol insurrection, and her plans for 2022. 

Jeff was joined by Anchorage immigration attorney Margaret Stock. They discuss her recent testimony before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, why the military is facing a huge recruiting problem, a program she started that allowed foreigners to join the military, the status of a Bethel wife and mother who the government is trying to deport, and the Afghan...

Jeff was again joined by Alaska travel guru Scott McMurren. They discuss a recent trip he took to the North Slope, some upcoming deals on flights out of Alaska, competition in the aviation industry, the best ways to get status on airlines, wearing masks on airplanes, how COVID has impacted the travel industry, and Alaska Airlines' pivot to California. 

Jeff was joined by newly elected Representative Ken McCarty (R - Eagle River). They discuss why he applied for the open House seat in 2018, why he traveled to Costa Rica for a medical procedure, healthcare in the United States, why he ran for the House last year, his work as a mental health counselor, and issues facing Alaska. 

Jeff was joined by Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (D - Sitka). They discuss why he decided to run for the legislature in 2012, his time in the legislature since then, a fellowship program and university he started, critical issues facing Alaska, and the looming government shutdown.