Alaska Landmine Radio

James Kaufman - Episode 235

Jeff was joined by Representative James Kaufman (R - Anchorage). They discuss his background working in oil and gas, why he decided to run for the House, how it was running against the co-chair of the House Finance Committee, some of the bills he has been working on, his idea about a strategic management plan for the state, his time in the Capitol since being elected in 2020 including how COVID-19 impacted his first session, and his upcoming re-election. 

Jim Cockrell - Episode 234

Jeff was joined by Alaska Department of Public Safety Commissioner Jim Cockrell. They discuss his background as an Alaska State Trooper, his time as head of the State Troopers and the Wildlife Troopers, why he decided to cancel the Alaska State Troopers TV show, public safety issues in Alaska, recruitment challenges in Alaska, this history of the State Troopers, how he became commissioner, and his goals with the Department of Public Safety. 

Calvin Schrage - Episode 233

Jeff was joined by Representative Calvin Schrage (I - Anchorage). They talk about why he decided to run for the Legislature in 2020, how COVID-19 impacted his race, how things are different in the Capitol this year now that it's open to the public, the challenges of having a job and being in the Legislature, what it's like being in a narrow majority, Alaska's fiscal challenges, unlimited campaign contributions and his bill to fix that, his upcoming re-election, and how Jeff and Calvin were on different sides of his first election. 

Mindy O’Neall - Episode 232

Jeff was joined by Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly member Mindy O'Neall. They discuss why she decided to move to Alaska from Iowa, some jobs she worked when she first moved to Anchorage, how she got a job working as a staffer in the Alaska Legislature, why she moved to Fairbanks, how she got on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly and became presiding officer, politics in Fairbanks, Alaska's new voting system, and the upcoming primary and general elections. 

Rashah McChesney - Episode 231

Jeff was joined by Juneau KTOO reporter Rashah McChesney. They discuss her work in journalism in Alaska, her time at KTOO in Juneau, how the media landscape has changed over the decades, the challenges facing the media, the different approaches to journalism and getting stories, the relationship between the press and the government, COVID mandates, and a new job she just accepted. 

Kara Moriarty and Sarah Erkmann Ward - Episode 230

Jeff was joined by Kara Moriarty from the Alaska Oil & Gas Association (AOGA) and Sarah Erkmann Ward from Blueprint Alaska. They discuss how things are in Juneau now that the Capitol is reopen, a reality show Kara's husband - an Alaska Airlines pilot - appeared in, Sarah leaving AOGA and staring her own PR firm, how Juneau has changed over the years, and Alaska's new voting system. 

Libby Bakalar - Episode 229

Jeff was joined by Juneau attorney Libby Bakalar. They discuss the recent decision in her case against Governor Mike Dunleavy (R - Alaska), how her case has been going the last three years, the press and the First Amendment, the situation involving Representative David Eastman (R - Wasilla), Alaska's new voting system, how contemporary life has changed since the early 20th century, and how technology is affecting children. 

Lisa Murkowski - Episode 228

Jeff was joined by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R - Alaska). This was first recorded as a video interview. They discuss the one-year anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot, former President Donald Trump's odd conditional endorsement of Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy (R - Alaska), the federal infrastructure bill, and what's happening in D.C.

Lance Pruitt - Episode 227

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 majority, how the fiscal situation has negatively impacted the ability of the Legislature to function, and if he plans on running for office again.  

Paul Johnson - Episode 226

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.