Alaska Landmine Radio

Neil Steininger - Episode 409

Jeff was joined by Juneau Assembly member Neil Steininger. They discuss the status of the operating budget in the House and the capital budget in the Senate, the ongoing fight surrounding the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD), the issue at Eaglecrest Ski Area with a gondola that was purchased from Austria, how the session is likely going to end, and what Juneau will be like next year with a new governor. 

Anchorage Election Predictions and a Juneau Update

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about the Landmine's prediction for the six Anchorage Assembly and two school board races as well as an update on how things are progressing in the Legislature.

Anthony Marnell - Episode 408

Jeff was joined by Anthony Marnell, CEO of Marnell Gaming. They discuss his background growing up in Las Vegas, a summer playing baseball for the Anchorage Bucs, his family business Marnell Gaming, the boom and bust nature of Las Vegas, how higher prices have driven some people away, why Vegas is so good at building, the sports teams in Vegas, his involvement in the Native Village of Eklutna's casino, some of the problems he has dealt with the casino, and why he thinks it will be a success. 

Michael Heyman - Episode 407

Jeff was joined by U.S. Attorney for District of Alaska Michael Heyman. They discuss his background as an attorney for the Department of Justice in Nepal and the Maldives, the challenges of working abroad, the drug problem in the United States including the fentanyl issue, how he came to be the U.S. Attorney for District of Alaska, how the U.S. Attorney's office functions, the criminal issues facing in Alaska, the differences between the Biden and Trump administrations, and the morale in his office following some drama the last few years.  

Tom Begich - Episode 406

Jeff was joined by Democratic gubernational candidate Tom Begich. They discuss why he is running for governor, the dynamics of the crowded field and ranked choice voting, the challenges of running for office, some of the issues in Juneau including the current mess with the supplemental budget, his time serving in the State Senate and being the minority leader, the dynamics between the majority and the minority, his thoughts on solving Alaska's fiscal challenges, and his families long history in Alaska politics. 

Matt Schultz - Episode 405

Jeff was joined by Matt Schultz, Democratic candidate for U.S. House. They discuss his background as a Presbyterian minister, why he decided to become a minister, why he decided to challenge Representative Nick Begich (R - Alaska), his thoughts on the homelessness issue in Anchorage, what he would do if elected to Congress, the lack of new infrastructure projects in Alaska, his appearance on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" in 2010, his thoughts on education and healthcare, and the divisiveness in politics.  

Trent Hartill - Episode 404

Jeff was joined by Trent Hartill, vice president of fisheries and sustainability at American Seafoods. They discuss his family's background in the fishing industry, the ten years he spent working at Alaska Department Fish & Game, some of the challenges the fishing industry faces in Alaska, why fish is such a hot political issue, the opposition to trawling and why some gubernatorial candidates have latched on to it, some of the myths the anti-trawling crowd promotes, and why he has challenged them to a debate. 

Nick Begich - Episode 403

Jeff was joined by Representative Nick Begich (R - Alaska). They discuss how his first term in the Congress has gone and what he has learned, the narrow Republican majority in the House of Representatives, how he's managed to get so many bills passed, resource development opportunities in Alaska, the lack of infrastructure projects in Alaska, the rising costs of healthcare and how he thinks costs can be lowered, the governor's race, his upcoming election, and an interesting bill he just introduced. 

Jillian Simpson - Episode 402

Jeff was joined by Jillian Simpson, president/CEO of the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA). They discuss the role ATIA plays in Alaska tourism, the importance of tourism for the Alaska economy, what other states are doing to promote tourism, the different kinds of visitors who come to Alaska, some of the issues tourism faces from NIMBYs, the kind of tourism marketing ATIA does domestically and internationally, and the fight they have had in recent years about their funding level. 

An Interesting Car Ride, the Price of Oil is on the Rise, and a Juneau Update

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk about an interesting car ride he took today with Assembly Chair Chris Constant and Mayor Suzanne LaFrance, the recent spike in oil prices due to the war in Iran, an update on what is happening in Juneau.