Landmine Radio

Jeff was joined by U.S. Attorney for District of Alaska Michael Heyman. They discuss his background as an attorney for the Department of Justice in Nepal and the Maldives, the challenges of working abroad, the drug problem in the United States including the fentanyl issue, how he came to be the U.S. Attorney for District of Alaska, how the U.S. Attorney's office functions, the criminal issues facing in Alaska, the differences between the Biden and Trump administrations, and the morale in his office following some drama the last few years.  

Jeff was joined by Democratic gubernational candidate Tom Begich. They discuss why he is running for governor, the dynamics of the crowded field and ranked choice voting, the challenges of running for office, some of the issues in Juneau including the current mess with the supplemental budget, his time serving in the State Senate and being the minority leader, the dynamics between the majority and the minority, his thoughts on solving Alaska's fiscal challenges, and his families long history in Alaska politics. 

Jeff was joined by Matt Schultz, Democratic candidate for U.S. House. They discuss his background as a Presbyterian minister, why he decided to become a minister, why he decided to challenge Representative Nick Begich (R - Alaska), his thoughts on the homelessness issue in Anchorage, what he would do if elected to Congress, the lack of new infrastructure projects in Alaska, his appearance on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" in 2010, his thoughts on education and healthcare, and the divisiveness in politics.  

Jeff was joined by Trent Hartill, vice president of fisheries and sustainability at American Seafoods. They discuss his family's background in the fishing industry, the ten years he spent working at Alaska Department Fish & Game, some of the challenges the fishing industry faces in Alaska, why fish is such a hot political issue, the opposition to trawling and why some gubernatorial candidates have latched on to it, some of the myths the anti-trawling crowd promotes, and why he has challenged them to a debate. 

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.

Jeff was joined by Department of Public Safety Deputy Commissioner Leon Morgan. They discuss his background in law enforcement in Alaska, problems with the bail schedule, how the Alaska State Troopers academy works, his thoughts on a pension verses a 401(k), and health insurance, for retirement, a ride along Jeff went on years ago, shifting attitudes in society about policing, the return of the Alaska State Troopers TV show, and the ongoing crime problems in Anchorage. 

Jeff was joined by Fairbanks resident Josh Church, who was recently chosen as the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate Dave Bronson. They discuss his family's background in Alaska, why he moved to the Philippines when he was a kid, why he decided to join the miliary, his time in the Marines, how he initially got into politics, what he's done in Fairbanks since getting out of the military, why he agreed to be Dave Bronson's running mate, and some of the issues facing the state and nation. 

(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 a video Secretary of War Pete Hegesth just released where he says the Dept. of War is going after the 8(a) program used by many Alaska Native Corporations, another progressive candidate that is likely to enter the U.S House race, as well as other political happenings in Alaska.

(This was previously recorded as a live stream, which can be found on our Facebook page, X account, or YouTube channel.) Watch Jeff talk what the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro could mean for Alaska's budget and why House Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I - Dillingham) still has not decided if he will run for the open Senate seat.

Jeff was joined by videographer Cale Green. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being self-employed, problems with the American healthcare system, some past projects he has worked on with Jeff, a trip to Adak they both went on this summer, the geostrategic importance of Adak, how ranked choice will impact the governor's race, his thoughts on how some of the campaigns are using social media, and the Anchorage Assembly's recent decision to replace the city seal. 

(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 a recent story he published that shows how thousands of police calls have been made from the Midtown Walmart and how the legislative session starts in just over three weeks.

(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 how Mayor Suzanne LaFrance recently appointed Tasha Boyer Dunbar - wife of Senator Forest Dunbar (D - Anchorage) - to the Anchorage Sister Cities Commission in spite of her wishing death on President Donald Trump and how Senator Mike Cronk (R - Tok) was recently chosen as the new Senate minority leader.

Jeff was joined Kenny Petersen, one of the owners of Allen and Petersen. They discuss his cooking and home appliance business, which has been in business 58 years, the time he spent in Moscow, Russia in 1990 and 1991 during the collapse of the Soviet Union, what it was like living in Russia at that time, why he started getting involved in trying to solve the homelessness problem in Anchorage, the Good Neighbor Fund he started and what it does, some of the successes he has had with it, and how his model could be scaled to help more people. 

Jeff was joined by Dr. Matt Heilala, one of many Republicans running for governor. They discuss why he decided to become a podiatrist, why he moved back to Alaska after his residency, his career as a doctor in Alaska, the reasons for the high cost of healthcare in Alaska, his time serving on the State Medical Board, why he decided to run for governor, some of the challenges facing Alaska, some of the concerns with the rapid growth of AI, and the role money plays in campaigns. 

Jeff was joined by State Senate candidate Leo Schafer. They discuss why he decided to challenge Senator Cathy Giessel (R - Anchorage), his background growing up in the D.C. area, being in high school when Donald Trump ran for the first time in 2016, attending college during Covid, why he decided to move to Alaska, what he has done since moving to Alaska in 2023, and how he plans on running his campaign. 

Jeff was joined by Anchorage School Board member and current Anchorage Assembly candidate Dave Donley. They discuss why he's running the Assembly (open seat), his time on the Anchorage School Board, including many of the issues he's dealt with as the lone conservative, the problems with education in Alaska, his views on the public safety and vagrancy problems in Anchorage, and his time serving in the Legislature. 

(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 several recent developments that show just how fractured the Republican minority is in the Alaska House.

(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 how Dorene Lorenz recently filed a deranged and hilarious lawsuit against the Landmine (no one has been served but she posted about it on her five Facebook accounts). Her "lawsuit" and "affidavit" demonstrates she has lost grip of reality, if she ever had one. 

Jeff was joined by former senator and current Republican gubernatorial candidate Click Bishop. They discuss why he is running for governor, the crowded field, his time in the State Senate, his work background in Alaska including on the North Slope, the state budget, his thoughts on the Permanent Fund Dividend, the energy challenges in Alaska, and how his campaign for governor has been going. 

(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 another Republican vacancy in the State Senate now that Shelley Hughes has resigned and a recent state funded trip Dorene Lorenz enjoyed to Switzerland that has her angry at the Landmine!

Jeff was joined by Jonathan White, owner of Steam Dot. They discuss how President Donald Trump's tariffs on Brazilian coffee has impacted his business, how crucial coffee imports are for coffee in the United States, how other tariffs have impacted his business, the intricacies of the coffee business, the negative role social media has played in preventing younger people from forming relationships, and the impacts of higher prices of goods and services. 

Jeff was joined by Kassandra Taggart from Real Property Management. They discuss what her company does, why dues for homeowner associations (HOA) have been on the rise since Covid, what has been driving the cost increases, why many HOAs don't have enough reserves to meet their maintenance obligations, what buyers should be aware of when buying a condo or townhouse in an HOA, why some HOAs are better than others, and how bad board members can cause major problems for an HOA. 

(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 Senator Matt Claman's (D - Anchorage) entrance into the already crowded race for governor and a recent investigative story he did on a questionable woman APD hired as a mental health clinician that ended in a disaster.

Jeff was joined by former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson, who is a Republican candidate for governor. They discuss his campaign for governor, his thoughts on choosing a running mate, ranked choice voting, his relationship with one of his opponents, Bernadette Wilson, who supported him early in his run for mayor, what happened with his former municipal manager, Amy Demboski, his time as mayor, his thoughts on the Permanent Fund Dividend, and his time working as a B-1 pilot and later commercial airline pilot. 

Jeff was joined by videographer Cale Green. They discuss how his business and videography skills have evolved over time, the changing media landscape in Alaska, why Anchorage leaders are not taking the homelessness and vagrancy crisis seriously, the housing challenges in Anchorage, how the Permanent Fund Dividend has come to poison our political system, the issues with the cost of healthcare, and some talk about unique Alaska food. 

(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 Senator Mike Shower's (R - Wasilla) resignation and what it means, as well as how the First Alaskans Institute insulted a great Alaskan, John Shively, by giving him an award and then taking it away.

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 a now-deleted Facebook post from the Alaska State Parks about a friendly baby swan that was ultimately killed by the Dept. of Fish and Game as well as a story he recently published concerning leaked APD Internal Affairs tapes.

Jeff was joined by David From, regional vice president for Americans for Prosperity. They discuss his role with Americans for Prosperity, what their mission is, the role money plays in Illinois politics because of Governor JB Pritzker (D - IL), how population movements are affecting the electoral map, why homeschooling is so popular in Illinois, the second repeal attempt of the open primary and ranked choice voting in Alaska, and some of his stories about Illinois and Chicago politics. 

Jeff was joined by Monte Bowen and Chris Stone from the Gun Owners (GOA) of America. They discuss why they are visiting Alaska, what the GOA is and their mission, the difference between the GOA and the NRA, their no compromise stance on the Second Amendment, their thoughts on red flag laws, the importance of firearm safety, why some areas have more gun violence than others, and the role mental health plays in the gun debate. 

(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 a new Democratic opponent U.S. Rep. Nick Begich (R) just picked up, who is a real doozy, and how two Democrats already filed to run for Rep. Andy Josephson (D) House seat. Josephson is not seeking re-election.

Jeff was joined by Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom (R - Alaska), who is also one of several Republican candidates for governor. They discuss the large field of Republicans in the governor's race, the recent typhoon that devastated Western Alaska, the housing problems facing Anchorage, her thoughts on the Permanent Fund Dividend issue that has plagued Alaska politics for the last decade, the dynamics of the open primary, and the complexities in Juneau next session in an election year. 

Jeff was joined by Paxson Woelber, owner of Ermine Skate and part owner of the Alaska Landmine! They discuss his business Ermine Skate, which manufactures and sell Nordic ice skates, the sport of Nordic skating, why he started the business, the growth of Nordic skating, why Alaska is such a good place for it, some of the challenges the sport faces, some of the things causing the housing problems in Anchorage, and why he moved back to Anchorage after being gone for many years.

(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 why he thinks it's time to finally end the Permanent Fund Dividend - which has plagued our political system for a decade - and former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson's campaign kickoff last week in the Valley.

(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 the delusion surrounding the Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) and a new ruling from the Department of the Interior that is bad news for the Native Village of Eklutna's casino in Birchwood.

(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 a car crash he just witnessed - where the driver at fault ultimately left - outside of his business and how it took the police 45 minutes to arrive.

(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 what will happen if Senators Shelley Hughes (R - Palmer) and Mike Shower (R - Wasilla) resign and discuss just what the hell former Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson is up to.

(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 yet another Republican candidate in the governor's race, how there are several open legislative seats in the Mat-Su Valley due to the governor's race, and why Anchorage is failing so bad at homelessness and vagrancy.

Jeff was joined by Representative Will Stapp (R - Fairbanks). They discuss an elections event he was in Anchorage for, some of the issues with elections in Alaska, some of the economic problems in our country, Alaska's complex net based oil tax system and how going to a gross tax is simpler, some of the challenges he deals with in Juneau, his thoughts on the pension bill the House passed during the last session, the Permanent Fund Corporation, and the 2026 election. 

Jeff was joined by State House candidate Nick Capozzi. They discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the rise of political violence in the United States, his time serving in the Army including in Afghanistan and Iraq, the U.S. pullout in Afghanistan, his time working for Senator Dan Sullivan (R - Alaska) and Governor Mike Dunleavy (R - Alaska), and why he is running against Representative Jamie Allard (R - Eagle River). 

Jeff was joined by travel coach Betsey Wilson. They discuss how she got into travel coaching, some of the travel tricks and tips she has including what the best credit cards are for travel and lounges, the new Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines Atmos program, how to get some great travel deals using points, how she used to operate heavy equipment on the North Slope and why she left that job after having her daughter, and general travel trips for Alaskans. 

Jeff was joined by Anchorage artist and UAA art teacher Christopher Judd. They discuss how Chris and Jeff met in 2013 when Jeff was looking for a commissioned painting, why he decided to start drawing and painting, how his art career has evolved over the years, the importance of work and dedication to perfecting a craft, teaching art at UAA, the history of art, and the art market. 

(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 some new candidates in the already crowded governor's race, including the first Democrat and another Republican who will soon be getting in.