Alaska Landmine Radio

Jonny Lieberman - Episode 296

Jeff was joined by Jonny Lieberman, senior features editor for Motor Trend and Jeff's first cousin! They discuss his first trip to Alaska, how he got into writing about cars and into the car business, what his job entails, the car shortage problem that resulted from Covid, his thoughts on different car manufactures, the growth of electric vehicles, some great stories about his career, and what vehicles he would buy if he lived in Alaska. 

Dave Bronson - Episode 295

Jeff was joined by Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson. They discuss the new dynamics between the Anchorage Assembly with the five new members who were elected in April, the growing homelessness problem in Anchorage and how it can be improved, some of his reflections after two years of being mayor, the snow plowing issues Anchorage experienced this winter, the high costs of housing in Anchorage, the Port of Alaska, and what is happening in Downtown Anchorage. 

Chris Constant - Episode 294

Jeff was joined by Anchorage Assembly member Chris Constant. They discuss the April Assembly election, the five new members who recently joined the 12-member Assembly, his new position as Assembly chair, the housing issue in Anchorage, the Knik Arm Bridge and the highway-to-highway plan, and the homelessness issue that continues to plague our city. 

Rick Whitbeck - Episode 293

Jeff was joined by Rick Whitbeck from Power the Future. They discuss his past working for Alaska telecom companies, his past work on political campaigns, how he got the job at Power the Future, what they do, the decision by the Biden administration to approve the Willow project, the recent Chugach Electric board race, renewable energy, the importance of energy to the economy, and some issues facing the state and country. 

Scott McMurren - Episode 292

Jeff was again joined by Scott McMurren from Alaska Travelgram. They discuss the new airline Northern Pacific Airways, his text message service called Airfare911, the high airline ticket prices this summer, when prices might be going down, some airfare deals starting in August, and some in state travel opportunities this summer. 

Rob Cupples - Episode 291

Jeff was joined by Rob Cupples, owner of Cupples Cottages in Downtown Anchorage. They discuss the homelessness problem on 3rd Avenue, how it has negatively impacted his family business, how the problem improved with Covid and the opening of the Sullivan Arena as a mass shelter, how it worsened this year after the Sullivan Arena kicked out the majority of people staying there, the sheer number of tents and people that are now staying on 3rd Avenue, and the problems that businesses in the area are dealing with. 

Jennie Armstrong - Episode 290

Jeff was joined by newly-elected Representative Jennie Armstrong (D - Anchorage). They discuss why she decided to run for the House, how the organization process went after the election, how she felt about her first session in Juneau, some of the challenges being in Juneau as a new parent, the controversial pay raise that happened this year, the high cost of childcare, some of the bills she tried to get passed this year, some of the odd dynamics in the House, the freshman caucus, and what she plans to do in the interim. 

Halting Holtan Hills: What Really Went Down - Episode 289

Jeff and Paxson from the Alaska Landmine break down what transpired over the last five months with the proposed Holtan Hills housing development in Girdwood. It started with a proposal from the Heritage Land Bank in 2021 to build housing in Girdwood. It heated up when many Girdwood residents opposed the development at an Anchorage Assembly meeting in December 2022. In February, the Assembly voted to table the development, preventing it from moving forward. Since, Paxson uncovered how a small group of wealthy Girdwood residents manipulated Anchorage community councils with misinformation related to the project. The situation is a case study in how rich and powerful people abuse the public process to stop new housing from being built. 

Julie Coulombe and Justin Ruffridge - Episode 288

Jeff was joined by Representatives Julie Coulombe (R - Anchorage) and Justin Ruffridge (R - Soldotna). They discuss how their first session as legislators has gone, their roles in the House majority this session, the concurrence vote the House took to agree with the Senate's turducken budget, some of their frustrations with the budget process, why the both voted against agreeing with the Senate's budget, some of the problems within their majority, and how next year's session might play out. 

Jacob Hersh - Episode 287

Jeff was joined by Alaska Landmine columnist Jacob Hersh. They discuss his time in Juneau during the start of session compared to the end of session, some political members of his family, his observations of the political process in Juneau, issues with Alaska fisheries, his plans for law school, some problems at the Driftwood hotel in Juneau, the state budget, and his thoughts on other issues facing Alaska.