Alaska Landmine Radio

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. 

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. 

(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.

Jeff was joined by Juneau attorney and politico Joe Geldhof. They discuss a Juneau lobbyist they both know well, the rise in the price of oil after the United States attack on Iran, former Attorney General Craig Richards and his role on the Permanent Fund board, the crowded field in the governor's race, some of the main candidates in the race, who he thinks will make the top four, the Permanent Fund Dividend, and living in Alaska. 

Jeff was joined by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. They discuss recent campaign finance reports filed by legislative and gubernatorial candidates, why he decided to run for governor, his ten years serving in the Alaska House, why he is against unlimited campaign contributions, the ongoing problem with the Permanent Fund Dividend fight and his thoughts on how to solve it, how his campaign has been going since he recently filed, and his thoughts on a running mate. 

Jeff was joined by Senator Dan Sullivan (R - Alaska). They discuss some protestors that were in the Capitol before his annual address to the Legislature, why some people are hesitant to run for office, the 2020 campaign incident where a woman stormed the stage with a caribou heart when he was giving a speech, why he thinks the gasline is closer than it has ever been, the culture in Alaska of not building things, why he feels so strongly about opening the military base on Adak, the contrast in the speech's that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance gave at the Munich Security Conference, and his thoughts about our relationship with Europe.  

Jeff was again joined by Scott McMurren from Alaska Travelgram. They talk about why he's in Juneau supporting tourism, the state money the Alaska Travel Industry Association uses for supporting tourism, the Alaska Airlines constituent fare, the rising cost of tickets between Anchorage and Juneau, some good deals on tickets to Europe, the new Atmos app, some issues Scott and Jeff have with bad travelers, and some good travel deals coming up this spring. 

Jeff was joined by independent U.S. House candidate Bill Hill. They discuss why he decided to run against Representative Nick Begich (R - Alaska), his background growing up in rural Alaska, his time working as a commercial fisherman, teacher, and eventually superintendent, the main reasons why he is running, why he has not said who he would caucus with if he won, the narrow margin in the U.S. House, the dynamic with he and Democrat Matt Schultz in the race against Begich, and how the campaign has gone since he filed to run in January. 

Jeff was joined by Loren Peterson, founder of Kusilvak Rising. They discuss his background in rural western Alaska, attending Mt. Edgcumbe, attending college out of state, why he came back to Alaska, his time working as a legislative staffer for Senator Donny Olson (D - Golovin), some of the challenges people living in rural Alaska face, his inspiration for founding Kusilvak Rising, what the mission of the group is, and what he hopes to accomplish for the 13 communities in his home region.  

(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 Gov. Mike Dunleavy's recently introduced fiscal plan and the reception its gotten from legislators as well as another Democrat who just entered the crowded field for governor.