Alaska Landmine Radio

Chuck Kopp - Episode 350

Jeff was joined by former Republican Representative and current State House candidate Chuck Kopp. They discuss the homelessness problem facing Anchorage, Alaska's new voting system, why he is running against Representative Craig Johnson (R - Anchorage), his 2020 loss to now-Representative Tom McKay (R - Anchorage), how his district changed after redistricting, his time as rules chair in a previous House coalition, his thoughts on how the House might organize next year, and some of the craziness that happens in Juneau. 

John Sims - Episode 349

Jeff was joined by Enstar Natural Gas Company President John Sims. They discuss being neighbors on Crooked Lake after Jeff and his buddy Lee Baxter bought a lot on the lake, the looming shortage of Cook Inlet gas for Southcentral, the idea of importing LNG to fill the gap, the downsides of doing that, the reasons for the dwindling supply of gas in Cook Inlet, why some companies want state assistance to explore in Cook Inlet, how a gasline would solve the gas problem not only in Southcentral but also the Interior, his thoughts on energy delivery this winter, and what might happen during the legislative session. 

Kevin McCabe - Episode 348

Jeff was joined by Representative Kevin McCabe (R - Big Lake). They discuss his property near Big Lake, the logging industry, his time serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, his career as a commercial pilot, some infrastructure projects in the Mat-Su Valley, building an Alaska gasline, his time in Juneau since first being elected in 2020, some of the major issues facing Alaska, and the upcoming November general election. 

Dennis Young - Episode 347

Jeff was joined by Dennis Young, president of the ILWU Alaska Longshore Division. They discuss a ballot initiative in Juneau that aims to stop cruise ships on Saturday and the Fourth of July, why he thinks it's a bad idea for the Juneau economy, some economic statistics on what cruise ship passengers bring to Juneau and other Alaska communities, the effort to oppose the ballot initiative, a joint effort by the City and Borough of Juneau and the Cruise Lines International Association Alaska on cruise ships in Juneau, and the NIMBYs in Juneau who want to shut down tourism. 

Scott McMurren - Episode 346

Jeff was again joined by Scott McMurren from Alaska Travelgram. They discuss his airfare discount alert service, Airfare 911, some good deals currently on domestic and international air travel, why airfares have been higher this summer to and from Alaska, some updates on different mileage plans, some in state travel deals, and a wild bachelor party Scott had in Anchorage in the 80s. 

Aaron Saunders - Episode 345

Jeff was joined by Aaron Saunders, owner of Drumfire Public Affairs. They discuss his time working as a staffer for the late Senator Ted Stevens in Washington D.C., including during the bogus FBI/DOJ investigation into him, a bit of talk on sports betting, why he decided to move to Seward, Alaska after college, his time working at the Sea Life Center, how he ended up getting a job with Senator Stevens, and some of his thoughts and experiences with the investigation into Senator Stevens before the 2008 election.  

Clark Bickford - Episode 344

Jeff was joined by legislative staffer Clark Bickford. They discuss his work over the years as a legislative staffer in Juneau for Representative Jesse Sumner (R - Wasilla) and former Representative Gabrielle LeDoux, his father and brother who also work in politics, his thoughts on Jesse Sumner's decision to withdraw after the primary, how wild Juneau can get, how he got involved in poker years ago, and some poker stories about Anchorage and Vegas. 

Brandy Pennington - Episode 343

Jeff was joined by Republican House candidate Brandy Pennington, who is running for the open South Anchorage House seat. They discuss why she decided to run for office, her background in real estate and the housing problem in Anchorage, her three opponents, her thoughts on education, why Alaska needs more infrastructure built, the interesting dynamics of her race with three Republicans, and why she thinks the legislative session should be moved to Anchorage. 

Jacob Hersh - Episode 342

Jeff was joined by Jacob Hersh. They discuss his first year of law school at the University of Idaho, his internship this summer in Anchorage with the Department of Law, his upcoming second year of law school, his cousin Kristen Faulkner's two gold medals for cycling in the Paris Olympics, the challenges for young people moving to Alaska, the 2024 presidential election, and the upcoming Alaska primary. 

Tyler Vose - Episode 341

Jeff was joined by former FBI agent Tyler Vose. They discuss his educational background, why he decided to join the Army and his job in the Army, why he decided to join the FBI, the process he had to go through to become an FBI agent, his time working as an agent in Detroit, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, and Anchorage, why he became disillusioned with FBI leadership, and some of the actions of leadership that led him to resign from the FBI.