Alaska Landmine Radio

Trevor Storrs and Jen Griffis - Episode 340

Jeff was joined by Trevor Storrs and Jen Griffis from the Alaska Children's Trust. They discuss the recent KIDS COUNT, which track the well-being of children, youth, and families and ranks each state, why Alaska continues to rank near the bottom, the problems in the state that contribute to that, why the state government has been unable to fix these problems, and what they think needs to be done to turn things around. 

Nick Begich - Episode 339

Jeff was joined by Republican U.S. House candidate Nick Begich. They discuss the race for Alaska's sole U.S. House seat, how the dynamics of this race are different from when he ran in 2022, why he doesn't like Alaska's new voting system, Donald Trump's endorsement of Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom (R - Alaska) in the race, President Joe Biden's abysmal debate performance, some of the issues facing our country, and the upcoming election. 

Nick Moe - Episode 338

Jeff was joined by House District 16 candidate Nick Moe. They discuss Nick and Jeff's long friendship, his 2013 write-in race for the Anchorage Assembly that he barely lost, why he decided to file at the last minute to run for the House, the dynamics of the race that include it being an open seat and just one other candidate, Democrat Carolyn Hall, his time working as a legislative staffer in Juneau, the problems facing Alaska, and his strategy for winning the race. 

Corey DeAngelis - Episode 337

Jeff was joined by Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the American Federation for Children and a visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. They discuss his new book "The Parent Revolution: Rescuing Your Kids from the Radicals Ruining Our Schools," why he supports school choice, the reasons education scores and outcomes are declining in America, some of the arguments against school choice, what happened to schools during Covid, and his upcoming trip to Anchorage. 

Lee Ellis - Episode 336

Jeff was joined by Republican House candidate Lee Ellis, who is running for the South Anchorage seat being vacated by Representative Laddie Shaw (R - Anchorage). They discuss how he got into the brewing business, the story of how he met his wife at the Haines Brew Fest, how he ended up moving to Alaska in 2007, the growing homelessness issue, the lack of big projects in Alaska, why he decided to run for the Legislature, how his campaign is going, and the dynamics of his race with four candidates running for an open seat. 

Nancy Dahlstrom - Episode 335

Jeff was joined by Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom (R - Alaska), who is one of several candidates challenging Representative Mary Peltola (D - Alaska). They discuss the end of the legislative session, the importance of Alaska's resources, why she is supporting Donald Trump for president, her time as Corrections commissioner, the crisis at the border, and the national debt. 

Teun Heldens - Episode 334

Jeff was joined by Heeze-Leende (town in Holland) Mayor Teun Heldens. Jeff met Teun in the Alaska State Capitol while he was in town on a cruise ship. They discuss how mayors are chosen in Holland, which involves being appointed by King of the Netherlands, his time serving as the equivalent of a state legislator in Holland, his role as mayor, the politics in Holland including the swing to the right in last November's election, the differences in politics between the United States and Europe, and his thoughts about American politics. 

Nick Tomboulides and Constantine Querard - Episode 333

Jeff was joined by Nick Tomboulides and Constantine Querard from U.S. Term Limits. They discuss why their group supports congressional term limits, the different ways term limits could be implemented, the arguments for and against term limits, why so many incumbents get re-elected in our system, and why it takes so long to get power in Congress. 

Jennie Armstrong - Episode 332

Jeff was joined by Representative Jennie Armstrong (D - Anchorage). They discuss a recent joke she told on the House floor, a bill she has to form a task force for psychedelics, the benefits of psychedelic medical treatment for addiction,  how her time has been this session compared to her first one last year, a recent House Resources Committee hearing that went off the rails, her thoughts on how the state can support more energy, and why she decided not to run for re-election. 

Michael Parker - Episode 331

Jeff was joined by Michael Parker from the independent oil company Narwhal. They discuss an explosive House Resources Committee hearing that he and his co-worker presented at about some leases they hold in West Harrison Bay on the North Slope, his background and how he got into the oil business, the issues they are having with Shell and the Department of Natural Resources in the West Harrison Bay Unit, why he thinks Shell is not holding up to the terms of their leases, why he believes the area has big potential, and their plans for the development of their leases.