Alaska Landmine Radio

Rob Yundt - Episode 276

Jeff was joined by Mat-Su Borough Assembly member and Vice-Mayor Rob Yundt. They discuss the good and bad of social media, his time working on the North Slope, why he left the slope to go into the building business, building in Anchorage compared to the Mat-Su Valley, why he decided to run for the Assembly, why he ran for the State House in 2020 but decided to withdraw, voting issues, the upcoming legislative session, the Permanent Fund Dividend, and his ideas about what makes an effective elected official. 

Bob Griffin - Episode 275

Jeff was joined by Bob Griffin, an Alaska Airlines pilot and member of the Alaska State Board of Education. They discuss his time in the military flying the Cobra, the A-10, and the F-15, his work as an Alaska Airlines pilot, the deficit the Anchorage School District is facing and why they are proposing closing six schools, why Alaska faces so many challenges with education, how he thinks the reading bill recently passed by the Legislature will improve reading scores, some of the ways he thinks education can be improved, and the process to choose the next Education commissioner. 

Anne Zink - Episode 274

Jeff was joined by Alaska's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink. They discuss her job as an emergency room doctor in the Mat-Su, her high approval rating during COVID, how her friend Heidi Hedberg was just been appointed Health commissioner by Governor Mike Dunleavy (R - Alaska), the importance of getting a yearly physical, the medical equipment that every business should have, the rise in overdoes deaths, how a mini stroke she had years ago led to the discovery of a heart condition, the opioid issue in medicine, and what has been known as the tripledemic. 

Nancy Dahlstrom - Episode 273

Jeff was joined by Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom (R - Alaska). They discuss her recent swearing in as lieutenant governor, the recounts of two legislative races, her time as a legislator and Corrections commissioner, how she came to be Governor Mike Dunleavy's (R - Alaska) running mate, the ups and downs of Alaska's budget, who she plans on choosing as the new Division of Elections director, and some of the election reform bills that will likely be introduced during session. 

Jacob Hersh - Episode 272

Jeff was joined by Landmine contributor Jacob Hersh. They discuss how he worked as a remote correspondent for the Landmine's election coverage, how he got connected with the Landmine, his time in college in Washington state, the role of alternative media, how technology has changed society, his plans for going to law school, the war in Ukraine, and the conflict between China and Taiwan. 

Bill Wielechowski - Episode 271

Jeff was again joined by Senator Bill Wielechowski (D - Anchorage). Note: This podcast was recorded before the Senate announced their new organization. They discuss the big turnover in the Senate next year and how that will affect the Legislature, how he has come to view things after serving 16 years in the Senate, some of the ways he's learned to maneuver in the minority, the recent proposal by the Anchorage School Board to close six schools, how there may be ulterior motives to that decision, and his thoughts on the recent election. 

Jonathan Helton - Episode 270

Jeff was joined by Jonathan Helton, a policy researcher at the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii. They discuss the history of the Jones Act and Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA), what exactly they both do, how they impact goods, cargo, and people traveling on ships in the United States, how Covid impacted the PVSA, their impact on Alaska and Hawaii, why there is a strong lobby to keep them in place, and why some policy makers want to change or repeal these laws. 

Les Gara - Episode 269

Jeff was joined by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Les Gara. They discuss his plans to the lead up to Election Day, how the campaign has gone, his time in the Legislature, the never ending dividend issue, his ideas for a fiscal plan, how he thinks we can improve education and homelessness, the importance of the governor having a good relationship with the Legislature, his issues with GOP Gov. Mike Dunleavy, the issue of abortion, and what he thinks will happen on election night. 

Lisa Murkowski - Episode 268

Jeff was joined by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R - Alaska). They discuss why she doesn't do many interviews with national media, the chances of Republicans taking control of the House and Senate after the midterms, how issues like abortion, inflation, and the economy are factoring into the election, her thoughts about how her race will go, the 2024 presidential election, the problem with so many people not accepting election results, and the possibility of a gasline. 

Bill Walker and Heidi Drygas - Episode 267

Jeff was joined by Bill Walker and Heidi Drygas, who are running as an independent ticket for governor and lieutenant governor. They discuss the dynamics of ranked choice voting, how unlimited campaign donations are affecting the election, how Juneau is going to look next year, the ongoing pursuit of a gasline, the labor shortage in Alaska, Walker's idea to lower gas prices in Alaska, how high oil prices changed the dynamics of the last session, and their plans for the end of the campaign.