The Sam And Derik Show

We're back with three fun topics on Alaska politics, including a surprise (spoilers for that in the article sources below). Our audio got a little messed up in our opening segment, but it gets better. We cover the ongoing flood prevention issue from the melting Mendenhall Glacier. The Army Corps of Engineers is spending $4.45 million not on a feasibility study, but on a technical report to inf...

The news from Alaska is starting to make us sound like Florida. We give our takes on some local issues, such as some exotic pets, a crocodile and an alligator, being tossed out in the snow up in the Mat-Su, someone in Juneau taking a dump truck for a joyride, and the governor using AI to make pictures of Alaska rather than, well, a picture of Alaska. Then we discuss the governor's proposal to...

We're back and this time, we're in the news! We've got a quick update on the PFAS firefighting foam issue and then we give you the inside scoop about the glacial flooding that swept through Juneau. Your intrepid co-hosts even made the local paper over it. Next, we discuss the announced plans for new cruise ship docks in Juneau. Our next story takes us to Anchorage, where hundreds of criminal cases...

We're on a break, but that doesn't mean we can't get you one more surprise episode while you wait for our triumphant return. We cover a devious plot by Alaskans to smuggle snow machines to Russia, China editing the Holy Bible to their liking, the funeral industry faces scrutiny for their lack of regulation, and the Supreme Court narrows the ability to prosecute corruption. Sources used...

We discuss a list of new state laws taking effect across the country: California requires drink test kits. Kansas abortion providers must ask why. Iowa restricts hemp consumables. Georgia increases swatting penalties. Florida allows killing bears. California dumps junk fees. Tennessee protects musicians from AI. Sources used in this episode: https://www.npr.org/2024/07/01/nx-s1-5025098/laws-july-c...

We catch up on our lives and discuss our travels both past and planned, as well as other things happening in our lives. We touch on everything from nationalism to ordering a pair of headphones.

We're back with another enticing episode of the Sam and Derik Show. We start with an update on the 1882 shelling of the village of Angoon, Alaska. Next, we cover a rare win for environmentalists given by... Ron DeSantis? Then it's a discussion on whether "Influencers" should be treated like media which somehow strays into AI bullet vending machines. What a ride. Sources used in t...

In part 3 of this episode, we do a deep dive into the history and politics surrounding the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. This episode was recorded across two days, April 21st and 24th, 2024, so any events beyond those dates in the evolving conflict are not factored into the discussion. This episode is intended to provide context about the conflict for anyone unfamiliar with its history, but it is...

It's part 2 of episode 12, and we do a deep dive into an incident that happened at an event called the "Stronger Men's Christian Conference." The event was criticized by a pastor, who was then kicked out. We also discuss masculinity, LGBTQ+ issues, and Chuck Norris riding on a tank crushing cars. Sources used in this episode: The main one discussed: https://baptistnews.com/articl...

We're back with a three-part episode 12, releasing weekly. In this part, we cover a few fun stories, with deeper conversations on more personal topics in the next two parts to come. First in part 1, we do a quick follow-up to an early segment we did on our show about the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine a year ago, and their agreed settlement. Then it's a discussion on a...

It's our final segment of episode 11, and we dive deep into El Salvador and its crackdown on gangs and criminals. They massively reduced their crime rate through mass incarceration, but is this the best solution for fighting crime, or only the opening move of an authoritarian power grab? Sources used in this episode: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/el-salvador-says-murders-fell-70-2023-...

It's episode 11 part 3, and we get serious with a discussion on the ongoing fentanyl crisis. Oregon declared a state of emergency after legalizing drug possession, and we dig into what we think the approach should be when it comes to drug addiction. After that, we catch up on how our lives have been and what we've been up to. Sources used in this episode: https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/31/us/...

We're back with Episode 11 Part 2. We each brought a story we thought was hugely important that the other was apathetic about. It goes great. First, we discuss the finding that last year more people who became billionaires did so through inheritance than through earnings. Next, we dive into an abuse scandal that rocked the Charismatic Christian movement. Sources used in this episode: New Billi...

We're back with a new format! The Sam and Derik Show is going weekly! How you may ask? I wouldn't ask that. But since you did, we've split our episodes into 4 weekly easily consumable parts. The nutrition value of which has not been certified. Join us for Episode 11 Part 1 of 4 in which we bring you updates on a couple of stories we previously covered, the ongoing saga of the mythical...

We're back after an extended break! And they didn't change the locks to the recording booth on us. We keep things light and fun in this episode with a variety of mostly local stories we felt deserved more attention. We've got an update on the local APC owned by the Juneau police, discuss some prime downtown real estate under consideration for development, and how expensive even a destr...

We do deep dives into three topics in this episode. First up, the proposed Kroger Albertsons supermarket chain merger would leave us with fewer local options. We debate what that does to the economy and if it's the role of government to step in. Next, we review a survey done on Christian 'cornerstone beliefs' of American children and how many are rejecting the core tenets of the religi...

We get into several deep discussions on a wide range of topics in this episode! We start with an update on the bill to ban PFAS in Alaska, then move on to a proposal to ban cashless businesses in LA. We discuss Massachuesett's new law that taxes millionaires to fund school lunches. Then it's all things Alaska ballot measures. A rejected measure would have ensured open primaries if the curr...

We discuss all things Alaska! We cover a few news stories you might have missed from our home state, starting with a new electric vehicle called an "Alaska." Next, our local police department bought an armored vehicle, what does that mean for the rest of us? A nonprofit is trying to do a music census of the state. We try to figure out the impact of music, economically that is. A gift sho...

We're back in the recording booth with a range of topics this week, and strangely, we agreed on some? The Alaska Governor vetoed a bill defining Ebikes and we discuss if that was the right call. The mayor of Anchorage suggests buying unhoused people plane tickets out of town and we give our takes. Next, we talk about the country song everyone's been debating, "Try That In a Small Town...

We do a deep dive into the Supreme Court, and it's our best episode ever. And by best, we mean longest. But first, Wisconsin's governor gets creative with a line-item veto to increase education funding for the next 400 years. Angoon Students launch a war canoe for the first time since 1882 (A note about an event mentioned in the discussion, the burning of the native village in Juneau happe...

Part 2 of our episode. Starting with a debate on the Southern Baptist Convention banning women as pastors, we get into a deep discussion about what good and evil means, the bible, and if there is a difference between the truth that people understand and "God's Truth." Resources used in this episode: https://www.npr.org/2023/06/11/1181547661/southern-baptist-leaders-will-decide-the-fa...

Our discussions went so long, we're breaking this episode up into two parts. We start with some headlines you might have missed, including Connecticut pardoning those convicted of witchcraft, Chinese spies trying to sneak into military bases in Alaska, and the first rabid moose in Alaska. Then we discuss an amendment to move IRS funding to the military. Next, we go over some messaging bills ab...

It's episode 3 and the debates are hot as ever, plus a few surprising agreements! After a few updates on what those Russians are up to, we get right into a debate about a new Alaska law to ban PFAS, or "forever chemicals" in firefighting foam. Next, we discuss the Biden administration's new actions to combat antisemitism. We catch up on what we've been up to since our last po...

We're back for our second episode! Due to the complex logistics of celebrating Mother's Day while we recorded, this episode was recorded "on the road" in Derik's garage instead of our usual recording booth at Juneau Makerspace. We share our thoughts on the Writers Strike, a bill before the Alaska legislature to allow gun stores to stay open during declared emergencies, a rece...

It's our first episode so buckle up! First up, we discuss events in the Tenessee House of Representatives that led to house members being ejected and the aftermath. Next, there were some local happenings here in Juneau Alaska that led to someone being charged with "Terroristic Threatening." Then we catch up with each other, which involves Derik doing martial arts and Sam shooting las...