Alaska Landmine Radio

Ed King - Episode 75

Jeff was joined by Ed King, Chief Economist for the State of Alaska. They discuss his background working as an economist, his previous roles for the State and the Walker administration, the recent recession in Alaska, the State economy, the budget and deficit, how it is working for Donna Arduin, and his time in Alaska. 

Libby Bakalar - Episode 74

Jeff was again joined by the awesome Libby Bakalar. They discuss what she's been up to since the last podcast, the recent ACLU fundraiser she attended, some recent issues in the news, how social media has been changing, the effects social media is having on society, the outrage culture, how so many people have become dependent on social media, and the changing roles companies like Facebook and Twitter are playing when it comes to regulating speech. 

Frank Murkowski - Episode 73

Jeff was joined by former Alaska Senator and Governor Frank Murkowski. Murkowski served as one of Alaska's Senators from 1981-2002 and then served as Alaska's eighth governor from 2002-2006. They discuss the time he met Saddam Hussein in Iraq, the time President Reagan and Pope John Paul II came to Fairbanks, resource development in Alaska including timber and gas, and a great story about how he brought two children back from Vietnam to their mom in Fairbanks. 

Terria Walters Vandenhuerk - Episode 72

Jeff was joined by Terria Walters Vandenhuerk. She is a formerly incarcerated inmate who is now a criminal justice reform advocate. They discuss her criminal history, her time in prison, the recent case involving Kellsie Green, the murder of her son and how she has forgiven his murderer, the problems with the criminal justice system, and how she thinks it can be improved through restorative justice practices. 

Nils Andreassen - Episode 71

Jeff was joined by Nils Andreassen, the Executive Director of the Alaska Municipal League (AML). Before taking that job last year Andreassen served as the Executive Director of the Institute of the North for many years. They discuss his background in Alaska, how he got the job at AML, the role AML plays in Alaska, the State budget, and how the current State budget issues affect municipalities around the State.

Damian Bilbao - Episode 70

Jeff was joined by Damian Bilbao, the Vice President of Commercial Ventures at BP Alaska. He is originally from Venezuela. They discuss the current situation in Venezuela, how he came to the United States, how he first came to Alaska, other places in the world he has worked, his role at BP, the proposed gasline, what BP is currently working on in Alaska, and the oil and gas industry in general. 

Elvi Gray-Jackson - Episode 69

Jeff was joined by newly elected Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson (D - Anchorage). Gray-Jackson was elected to the Senate last November after former Senator Berta Gardner retired. She previously served three terms on the Anchorage Assembly. They discuss her background working for the Municipality of Anchorage, why she moved to Alaska, why she decided to run for the Assembly, her time interacting with community councils, why she decided to run for the Senate, and the budget. 

Dan Ortiz - Episode 68

Jeff was joined by Representative Dan Ortiz (I - Ketchikan). Ortiz was elected to the House in 2014 after former Representative Peggy Wilson retired. They discuss his history in Ketchikan, including being a teacher at Ketchikan High School, why he decided to run for the Legislature, the Marine Highway System, the shipyard in Ketchikan, the budget and his seat on the House Finance Committee, and other issues facing Alaska. 

Jason Grenn - Episode 67

Jeff was joined by former Representative Jason Grenn. Grenn was elected to represent West Anchorage in 2016 as in Independent. He was defeated by a Republican in 2018 in a weird three-way race. He was recently in Juneau for his new job with Unite America. They discuss his new job, his election loss last year, his time in the Legislature, the ethics bill he got passed while in the Legislature, his 2016 campaign, and some issues currently facing Alaska. 

Mike Dunleavy - Episode 66

Jeff was joined by newly elected Governor Michael J. Dunleavy (R - Alaska). Before being elected as Alaska's 12th governor, Dunleavy served five years in the Alaska Senate. They discuss his run for Senate in 2012, why he decided to run for governor, his campaign for governor, including what was said on the campaign compared to his proposed budget, his proposed crime bills, the permanent fund dividend, as well as a wild story about a prank call from people posing as the President, Prime Minister, and Ambassador of Ukraine.