First Things First

 In this episode of First Things First, AEL&P President and CEO Alec Mesdag joins the conversation to discuss Juneau's unique hydroelectric system, the history and safety of the Salmon Creek Dam, and how energy infrastructure factors into the community's future growth. The discussion explores the proposed second crossing, Juneau's capacity for economic expansion, major utility investments, rat...

 This episode of the First Things First podcast takes listeners inside the world of modern mining with leaders from Coeur Mining’s Kensington Mine near Juneau. Guests discuss the decades-long process of exploration and mine development, the advanced technology used in underground mining today, and the significant economic impact mining has across Southeast Alaska. The conversation also highlights...

 On this episode of the First Things First podcast, guests from McKinley Research Group, Southeast Conference, and the Alaska mariculture industry discuss the economic importance and future of Southeast Alaska’s seafood economy. The conversation explores the history and challenges facing commercial fisheries, the rapid growth of kelp and oyster farming, workforce development opportunities for youn...

 In this episode of the First Things First podcast, host Dano sits down with board director Mac Miners and executive director Don Habiger to discuss the long-debated second crossing for Juneau. The conversation explores why the project matters for economic growth, traffic relief, housing development, and community resiliency. They break down where the project currently stands in the planning proce...

The first First Things First episode of 2026 kicks off with a deep dive into the Cascade Point Ferry Terminal and why it’s poised to be a game-changer for Southeast Alaska transportation. Host Dano is joined by First Things First Executive Director Don Habiger, former Juneau Chamber president Bruce Abel, and former Planning Commission member Matt Bell to explore how the project could improve regio...

 First Things First launches Season 2 with a deep dive into Juneau affordability and a high-stakes city procurement: the Maritime Industrial Zone (MIZ) public Wi-Fi project. Guests Chris Rushman and Mark Luchini (Snow Cloud Services) detail why they protested the winning bid—citing unanswered RFP questions, non-responsiveness, and a far higher five-year cost (≈$4M vs. ≈$1.6M). A citizen Bidding Re...

First Things First executive director Don Habeger , board member Denny DeWitt , and longtime resident Tom Williams to unpack CBJ’s three ballot measures through the lens of affordability. They back Prop 1 (cap the operating mill rate at 9; voter-approved bond debt still allowed) and Prop 2 (extend the current senior exemption on food and non-commercial utilities to everyone), arguing both modestly...

 Host Dano sits down with Don Habeger (Exec Dir, First Things First), Frank Bergstrom (President, FTF), and Meadow Lane residents Cindy & Mike Dow to unpack this year’s Suicide Basin jökulhlaup: what they lived, what the data shows, why HESCO barriers aren’t enough, and the community push for a permanent, engineered fix.  Key Takeaways Records keep falling. Reported Mendenhall Lake crests: 202...

In this episode of First Things First, we discuss the increasingly urgent question: Is Juneau affordable anymore? With rising property taxes, a limited housing supply, and ballooning city spending, the conversation dives deep into the real pressures facing families, young professionals, and seasonal workers. From housing policy to tax reform and city priorities, this frank roundtable explores whet...

 In this episode of First Things First , host Dano is joined by Don Habiger, Scott Bergman (owner of the Alaskan Fudge Company), and Ben Brown (President of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce) for a deep dive into the evolving impact of tourism in Juneau. From its early roots to modern-day regulation, the group explores how cruise ships, retail, small businesses, and city infrastructure all intersect....