Alaska's Political Pipeline

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney interviews independent gubernatorial candidate Michael Gilbert. Gilbert speaks on why he's in the race for governor, how he plans to lead and what he thinks about the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney is joined by former Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Treg Taylor. Taylor speaks on why he's in the race for governor, how he plans to lead and what he thinks about the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney sits down with former Senate Minority Leader and gubernatorial candidate Tom Begich. Begich speaks on why he's in the race for governor, how he plans to lead and what he thinks about the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney is joined by former State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Shelley Hughes. Hughes speaks on why she's in the race for governor, how she plans to lead and what she thinks about the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney sits down with retired surgeon, businessman, and gubernatorial candidate Matt Heilala. Heilala speaks on why he's in the race for governor, how he plans to lead and what he thinks about the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney is joined by former state legislator and gubernatorial candidate Lesil McGuire. McGuire speaks on why she's in the race for governor, how she plans to lead and what she thinks about the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney interviews former state lawmaker and gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tompkins. Kreiss-Tompkins speaks on why he's in the race for governor, how he plans to lead and what he thinks about the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney connects with teacher, scientist, and gubernatorial candidate James Parkin. Parkin speaks on why he's in the race for governor, how he plans to lead and what he thinks about the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney is joined by Mat-Su Borough Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Edna DeVries. DeVries speaks on why she's in the race for governor, how she plans to lead and what she thinks about the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney talks with former State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Click Bishop. Bishop speaks on why he's in the race for governor, how he plans to lead and what he thinks about the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney sits down with former Governor and current candidate Bill Walker. Walker speaks on why he's in the race for governor for a second time, how he plans to lead and what he thinks about the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney interviews gubernatorial candidate and businesswoman Bernadette Wilson. Wilson speaks on why she's in the race for governor, how she plans to lead and what she thinks on the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney sits down with gubernatorial candidate and former Department of Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum. Crum speaks on why he's in the race for governor, how he plans to lead and what he thinks of the top policy issues going into the August primary.

In this episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, reporter Wil Courtney sits down with U.S. Senate candidate Mary Peltola. Peltola discusses her decision to enter the race, tackling runaway costs of groceries and fuel in rural Alaska, and her vision for bringing bipartisanship back to Washington, D.C.

Congressional candidate Bill Hill, an independent from Naknek challenging first-term Republican U.S. Rep. Nick Begich for Alaska’s lone congressional seat, sits down with political reporter Wil Courtney in a conversation ranging from why he wants to run, who he wants to caucus with and his stances on some key issues going into the election. 

Former Gov. Bill Walker and former Revenue Commissioner Randy Hoffbeck join Alaska’s Political Pipeline to explain why they’re jumping back into the race—and why they say Alaska can’t move forward without a clear, stable fiscal plan. They break down their approach to resource revenue, taxes, and the state’s long-debated LNG gasline, and they defend their headline-grabbing proposal: a one-time $10,000 Permanent Fund Dividend payout tied to ending the PFD program to “get the 600-pound gorilla out of the room.”

Reporter Joe Allgood sat down with Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski to discuss the recovery after Halong, how the war in Iran is impacting gas prices and how high those gas prices could go in rural Alaska. 

Kristen Durand sits down with former Chair of the Anchorage Assembly Chris Constant to talk about his time on the Assembly and how the city has changed in the 9 years he served on the body. 

Political Reporter Wil Courtney sits down with Senate Minority Leader Mike Cronk who talks about cutting energy costs, keeping the state's budget in check and life outside of Juneau.

JUNEAU, Alaska (KTUU) -- On this edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline: as lawmakers return from their Easter and Passover break, much waits for their return including the operating budget which has made it's way to the House Floor and includes a full statutory $3,800 PFD. That amount, though, may not be what Alaskans ultimately receive.  Join John Thompson and Wil Courtney as they break down the latest headlines in national, state and local politics.

It's Passover and Easter weekend, lawmakers are out of Juneau as the Legislature is roughly halfway through the session.Wil Courtney is in Alaska's capital city to highlight the week that was, including the firing of former United States Attorney General Pam Bondi. Education funding is discussed as Wil explains base student allocation, or BSA. The LNG impasse continues and a vetoed tax bill makes a return, passing the House via tight margin.

Pres. Donald Trump said the state of the union is strong - but what does Alaska's congressional delegation think? Investigative reporter Augusta McDonnell breaks down the statements from those leaders and interviews Sen. Dan Sullivan on what he thinks. Read more on this story: https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2026/02/26/sotu-sullivan-acknowledges-some-heart-wrenching-deportation-cases-praises-trump-admins-immigration-enforcement-efforts/

After a Soldotna woman and two of her children, the youngest five, were deported from the country, lawmakers in the House Judiciary Committee investigate ICE activity in Alaska. Political reporter Wil Courtney breaks down the situation and speaks to the committee chair and other lawmakers on what they want to see next.Read more at: ICE activity in Alaska: State lawmakers investigate after Soldotna family deportation

On this edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney speaks with House Speaker Bryce Edgmon the day before a resolution is introduced into the House focusing on the Rural Health Transportation Fund. In the conversation, he also comments on the recent temporary cut of the Permanent Fund Dividend by the House Finance committee and where former Typhoon Halong recovery stands. 

We are a little more than a month into the legislative session. We check in with Political Reporter Wil Courtney on what's happened so far and what's on the agenda for the busy week ahead.

On this week's edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, host Wil Courtney breaks down the latest developments that 1,500 members of Alaska's 11th Airborne Division have been told to stand down from a deployment to Minneapolis, and speaks with co-chairs of the Joint Armed Services Committee after they were told the division's commander turned down the chance to testify before the committee.

Emergency officials told committee members Tuesday they’re prioritizing infrastructure repairs and cleanup over relocation efforts in the aftermath of ex-Typhoon Halong, the October storm that devastated two villages in Western Alaska: Kipnuk and Kwigillingok.

Political reporter Wil Courtney speaks with Alaska lawmakers in Juneau on what could happen with Alaskan troops regarding deployment to Minnesota following immigration raids that have resulted in American deaths.

Tuesday marks the first day of the current legislative session in Juneau. Political Reporter Wil Courtney, on his way to the Capital, takes a few moments to talk about what to expect in the months ahead. 

New House Minority Leader DeLena Johnson's rise to power wasn't an uncontroversial one, but days before the legislative session begins, she explains that rise in her own view and the work the party needs to do in order to be united. This podcast was recorded Jan. 9, 2026. 

As the race for U.S. Senate ramps up, Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, R, says he's leaning on his record over the past two terms while Peltola says D.C. is broken. 

After months of rumor and speculation, former U.S. Congresswoman Mary Peltola is re-entering the political arena - this time taking on Sen. Dan Sullivan's seat. Political reporter Wil Courtney breaks down the latest.

On the latest edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney breaks down the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the congressional delegation's thoughts on it's legality. 

Two Republicans from the Matanuska-Susitna Valley are poised to step into seats left vacant as a potentially substantive legislative session sits just on the horizon. Steve St. Clair of Wasilla and Garrett Nelson of Sutton are set to fill in the now-vacant House seats of newly confirmed Senators George Rauscher, R-Sutton, and Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla. Both Rauscher and Tilton are members of the Republican minority.  Political reporter Wil Courtney sits down with the new St. Clair and Nelson

Political reporter Wil Courtney sat down with Sen. Lisa Murkowski on her thoughts on the Epstein files and many other topics, including the American economy and how it's affecting Alaskans, the issue of healthcare and the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, and what her future looks like in politics.

On the latest edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney catches you up to speed on the latest in the governor's race and turns back the clock to August after he spoke with former Senate Minority Leader and current gubernatorial candidate Tom Begich.

On the latest episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney speaks with the Alaska Beacon's James Brooks on the public infighting after Rep. DeLena Johnson's selection and House Minority Leader, and what role that position plays with a little more than a month until the legislative session begins. 

In this extra edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney takes you into the middle of a media scrum where Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks on her support for extension of expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, though not necessarily the Democratic-led plan and how she says it's not yet clear whether the "double tap" boat strike was legal. 

With his belief that Alaska is a purple state, Anchorage Reverend Matt Schultz sits down with political reporter Wil Courtney to discuss his policy stances, his campaign and why he believes he'll be Alaska's next U.S. Representative.

In an Extra edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, NA-Dillingham, and Rep. Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, speak on the presentation they received from Glenfarne and GaffneyCline over whether legislation will be needed for the proposed Liquified Natural Gas pipeline. Read more on this story: https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/11/26/house-speaker-legislative-session-be-dominated-by-lng-related-bills/ Connect with Alaska's News Source: Visit AlaskasNewsSource.com: https://bit.ly/3gFwn5u Find Alaska's News Source on Facebook: https://bit.ly/35AetLk Follow Alaska's News Source on Twitter: https://bit.ly/35zxgGD Follow Alaska's News Source on Instagram: https://bit.ly/2SNi7i1

Following his remarks at the "Make It Monday" forum, Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks with Wil Courtney on where Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, tax credits lie.

On the latest episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, discusses the upcoming House vote related to the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, whether state and federal governments should focus on rebuilding or relocating villages affected by former Typhoon Halong and the lasting impacts of a historic government shutdown - and how Alaska moves forward. 

Sen. Susan Collins thanked Alaska's Senator Lisa Murkowski for helping negotiate a deal to bring enough Democrats to vote and break through the filibuster. Now, the senator tells Alaska's News Source on an extra edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, the Senate is dealing with a "deficit of trust."

With the U.S. Senate securing enough votes to overcome the filibuster, political reporter Wil Courtney breaks down Monday's developments, including the timeline for ending shutdown and the ongoing impacts Alaskans should expect until then.

On an Extra edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, Sen. Dan Sullivan speaks with political reporter Wil Courtney from Washington D.C., explaining how flight reductions impact Alaska, his stances on the filibuster after the President encouraged Republicans to kill it and his response to the arguments Democrats make as the shutdown becomes the longest in history. 

Political reporter Wil Courtney speaks with Alaska Beacon reporter James Brooks about the state of the race for Alaska's next governor, what role Mary Peltola plays in the election and what's next for the Alaska Legislature months before it reconvenes. 

Tracy Sinclare speaks with our Washington D. C. Correspondent about the appointments of Pres-Elect Trump and what the House and Senate will look like in January. Plus we look at some key races in Alaska's election.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Palsha and Lori Townsend moderate Debate for the State between Rep. Mary Peltola and challenger Nick Begich.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, Joe Cadotte spoke with Mike Wenstrup, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party, about his reaction to the announcement from President Joe Biden that he was withdrawing from the 2024 Presidential race. This is the extended version of that conversation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebecca Palsha talks with Anchorage Mayor-Elect Suzanne LaFrance a little more than 2 weeks from her inauguration. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Mayor Dave Bronson prepares to leave office, Rebecca Palsha sits down with him to talk about his tenure and his legacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.