Radio Free Palmer

Rachel and John discuss disappearing federal health insurance subsidies, disappearing federal atmospheric research, and disappearing manufacturing jobs. We also discuss the how the Constitution's ban on religious tests was intended to protect religion, not just the government, from hypocrisy.

Mikę Chmielewski interviews Lucas Cantor Santiago regarding his book UNFINISHED.

Host Ken Hoffman interviews Meg Bagetis from Alaska Farm Supply

Mikę Chmielewski talks with Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper about the Dec. 16 Palmer City Council meeting

Host Mike Chmielewski interviews Palmer Fire Chief John Prevost

It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Friday December 19, 2025. Chief Chad Cameron quickly made his presence felt when he arrived at Palmer Fire & Rescue. His focus was clear from the beginning: build stability, plan for the long term, and take care of people. He understood […]

Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper summarizes the actions taken by the City Council at the end of this week’s Council meeting.

Ken Hoffmann speaks with Big Dipper Ice Cream owner, Rob Brown. Rob and Lisa Brown opened the first Big Dipper Homemade Ice Cream location in downtown Palmer in May 2021. It has expanded to three locations in the Mat-Su Valley. Rob said that he knew he wanted to run a business with the whole family, but […]

Nelson Crone speaks with Mike Chmielewski to give the monthly update on the UAF Farm and more. Nelson recently visited Kodiak Island. He described Kodiak’s success in extending its growing season by the use of wind tunnels and hydroponics. He also discussed the many events planned at Matanuska Experiment Farm this month. Check out the […]

Mike Chmielewski flips the microphone on Ag Matters host Ken Hoffman to talk about the Mat-Su Farm Bureau and farming microgreens. Ken Hoffman wears many hats. He started Mat-Su Microgreens in a spare bedroom in 2022. He now has three employees and a 30X30 barn filled with 50 varieties. Ken says he loves working the […]

Dr Jill Valerius and Lee Henrikson begin a four-part discussion about sleep apnea. Part One Nov.10, 2025: Sleep Apnea is when breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, often with loud snoring and or gasping. Dr. Jill describes the three types of sleep apnea: obstructive, central, and combination. Dr. Jill lists the common symptoms for […]

Director of Finance for the City of Palmer, Gina Davis, joins Mike Chmielewski on Inside the City. Gina describes her job as collecting the city’s revenue and then spending it.

Mike Chmielewski talks with author and long-time Alaskan Bailey Berg about her latest book. Secret Alaska features stories of ghost towns, unique festivals, and the history of the state’s eccentric figures. Bailey explores the quirky, hidden, and unusual sides of Alaska. 

Two interviews in one this week, Ken Hoffman talks to both Max Lyons from the Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute & Valentina Romanovskaia of Northern Beauty Alaska. The Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute is a community-based, non-profit organization based in Kodiak, Alaska. Their mission is to support the long-term sustainability of our region's coastal communities of Alutiiq heritage. […]

Rachel Levitt and John Robertson discuss the new Coast Guard icebreakers and changes in federal homeless policies, play Public Policy Pursuit, and review the Constitution's Oath Clause.

Peter House from Deep Tree discusses current cybersecurity threats with Mike Chmielewski. Mike is traveling this holiday to Florida and asks Peter to look at threat actors in the news for Florida, Alaska, and the rest of the country. Peter’s big tip this week is to make sure that if you have Office 365, you […]

Scott Blair from My Favorite Realty shares an update with Mike Chmielewski on the real estate market in the Mat-Su Valley. Winter, especially around the holidays, is a slow time for buying and selling real estate. Buyers and renters want to be settled in the new place before having family and friends over for Thanksgiving […]

Emily Forstner talks with Mike Chmielewski about the Dec. 3, 2025 school board meeting. The school board meeting opened with student recognitions, including National Merit scholars, music and band groups, athletes and teams, and College Board AP and SAT awards. Emily explains the budget process and the timetable for the FY27 Preliminary Budget. Public comments […]

Rachel Levitt and John Robertson review federal actions that impact Alaska on Home to Roost. This week, we discuss what a less capable federal workforce might mean for Alaska, the craziest statements to come from the White House recently, and the meaning of the Constitution's Guarantee Clause.

Mike Chmielewski welcomes Ailis Vann, Parks and Facilities Manager for the City of Palmer. Ailis explains to Mike that the Parks and Facilities manager is responsible for the MTA Events Center and for planning and implementing long-term projects. Parks and Facilities works closely with Public Works, Ailis says. “Those guys know things.” Online booking is […]

Emily Forstner gives insight into the school board meeting on November 19th . The board welcomed two returning members, Brooks Pitcher and Kendall Kruse, and one new member, Lori Colee. Discussion included the replacement of the land acknowledgment at schools. There were presentations from proposed charter schools.

David Cheezem, Herb Bischoff, and Judy Donegan discuss the book Enshittification. There was a question of whether the FCC would allow that word to be aired, so they were looking for substitutes. Enpoopification, Enscatification, and Ensitification were considered. The book’s subtitle is “Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It, which seemed […]

Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper joins Mike Chmielewski in the studio to talk about his first month in office. Mike asks Mayor Cooper what he sees as the change from being a council member and being mayor. Mayor Cooper joked that it is easier to schedule meetings as the mayor. He went on to explain that […]

Peter House from Deep Tree talks with Mike Chmielewski about current cybersecurity threats and how they affect us here in Alaska. Today’s topic was router vulnerability. Routers have become a target for malicious actors and many older routers cannot be updated and are vulnerable. Credential theft is on the rise: they are using the puzzles […]

Mike Chmielewski talks with Meggy Abe from the Palmer Arts Council. Meggy explained the goal of the Palmer Arts Council’s goal – to bring more art opportunities to Palmer. They do this through education, workshops, performances, and literary events. The Arts Council is excited to host Parlor in the Round, Friday, November 23rd at 7:00 […]

Palmer Food Bank Executive Director Jennifer Brandt talks with Mike Chmielewski. The Palmer Food Bank opened in 1991 with the full name Palmer Emergency Food and Community Services. 25% of its food comes from the USDA; the other 75% is from community donations. Executive Director Jennifer Brandt started in September and is seeing significant growth […]

Mike Chmielewski and Mayor Jim Cooper discusses the November 18 Palmer City Council meeting. Penny Mosher was sworn in as a council member. Mayor Cooper is impressed with the council members and believes they will accomplish wonderful things together. Palmer City Manager Kolby Zerkel explained the issues surrounding the airport, golf course, and the FAA […]

Misty Vanderweele from All Dahlia’d Up visits with Ken Hoffman and talks about growing flowers in Alaska. Starting with one smushed dahlia brought home by Misty’s son, Luke. All Dahlia’d Up has grown to 2,000 dahlias and hundreds of other flowers in 13 years. The flower farm grows everything you could want in an Alaska-grown […]

It’s time for Page Two: news that might not make the front page for Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The Matanuska-Susitna Borough is updating the Government Peak Recreation Area (GPRA) plan as visits to the popular Hatcher Pass destination continue to climb. The Borough reports a 300% increase in daily use of GPRA since 2017, from […]

What's been landing in Alaska? SNAP chaos, shortened public comment periods, and ICE enforcement. Rachel and John also discuss the Constitution's Supremacy Clause and play public policy pursuit.

Dr Jill Valerius and Lee Henrikson begin a multipart discussion about sleep apnea.

Alaska Red Cross Regional Director of Communications Taylar Sausen talks about ongoing recovery efforts after immediate needs from Typhoon Halong have been met.

Palmer Fire and Rescue Chief John Prevost covers safety tips from smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to wood burning stoves to ice safety on ponds and lakes.

Alaska farm Bureau President Scott Mugrage discusses the ways the Farm Bureau positively influences agriculture in Alaska while describing his own Mugrage Hay and Cattle ranch located in Delta Junction.

MSRMC CEO Taylor Rudd introduces himself and updates listeners about the Medical Center and describes future developments.

Mike Chmielewski welcomes the new/old Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper. Mike and the Mayor discuss the City Council meeting of October 28th. The Palmer City Council approved a measure banning camping or sleeping on public property. Violators may be connected with resources and could face fines of up to $300.00. A separate proposal banning sleeping in […]

Ken Hoffman, President, and Amy Seitz, Policy Director, of the Alaska Farm Bureau, give us a peek at the 2025 Alaska Agriculture Conference and Grazing Lands Symposium to be held November 13 – 15 at the Sheraton Hotel in Anchorage. The conference is open to the public. Amy and Ken talked about the learning and […]

This week, we review weakening vaccine requirements, the legal arguments surrounding national guard deployments, RFK Jr.'s continued fascination with chemtrails, presidential term limits, and much more.

Mike Chmielewski welcomes Fred Becker, Executive Director of the MatSu Food Bank. Fred shares a time when he and his wife needed help with food for their family. They had no idea what a food bank was or where they could get help. Inspired by that struggle, he wants to make sure everyone in need […]

Sgt. Nick White joins Mike Chmielewski to talk about Halloween safety and more. Sgt. White recommends reflective wear over light colors, as they are easier to see. You can also get costumes with LED lights, or DIY your own lights for the costume. Please be sure to bring a flashlight. Sgt. White suggested that everyone […]

Judy Gette and friends discuss “Etta and Otto and Russell and James” by Emma Hooper on Radio Book Club. Otto Vogel wakes before dawn on his farm in rural Saskatchewan, Canada, to find a letter from his wife, Etta. She will return if she can; she has never seen water and has gone in search […]

Dan Bigley, Chief Executive Officer/President of Denali Family Services, joins Mike Chmielewski on Valley Edition. Dan Bigley has spent sixteen years at Denali Family Services. Denali Family Services helps children living with serious emotional disturbance or trauma. Thier clients range in age three to twenty-one. The goal is to provide Alaska's youth and families the […]

Mayor Cooper and Mike Chmielewski discussed issues from the October 14th City Council meeting. Three actions were approved: authorizing the City Manager, Kolby Zerkel, to award the Airport Lighting Project to Granite Construction; awarding a contract to HDL Engineering Consultants for the Survey, Final Design, and Bidding Assistance for the Evergreen Avenue Improvements Project; and […]

Mike Chmielewski welcomes Herb Bischoff back from Bhutan. When asked about Bhutan, Herb said they don’t have a GNP; they have a Gross National Happiness Scale. This scale includes environmental conservation, cultural preservation, good government, and sustainable development. Bhutan has only been open to tourists since September 2022. Most of the population lives in Thimphu, […]

Mike Chmielewski visits with Carol Dorman, Director of Youth Arc-hive. Carol explained what Youth Arc-hive stands for: Youth Arc stands for Youth Amusement Recreation Center and Hive stands for Hope, Integrity, Veriitas, and Education. To join the children sign an insurance waiver and a conduct pledge. It is located in the basement of the Eagle […]

Scott Blair from My Favorite Realty talks with Mike Chmielweski about the real estate market. Scott notes there is a slight seller’s advantage this month. Mike and Scott compared Palmer’s market to Wasilla’s market. In Palmer, you get a bigger house but less land. In Wasilla, you get a smaller home with half an acre […]

Mike Chemielewski talked to Norman Woolworth about his second novel, The Bolden Cylinder. Norman talked about why he writes historical novels set in New Orleans and why he is fascinated by the city. Quirky New Orleans antiques dealer Bruneau Abellard is the protagonist in his two books. In The Bolden Cylinder, Bruneau listens to a […]

Airport Superintendent John Diumenti joins Mike Chmielewski on Inside the City Airport Superintendent John Diumenti describes the history of the purchase of the land for both the Palmer Airport and the golf course. Both entities have become bigger and more useful to the city. There is a potential collision in the near future that involves […]

Emily Forstner chats with School District Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani on Valley Edition. Emily and Dr. Trani discussed Mat-Su Central School and hybrid learning. Then noted that home school high school students tend to take core curriculum classes, such as math, while elementary students tend to take enrichment classes, such as music and art. Dr. […]

Lee Henrikson talks with Dr. Jill Valerius about Bell’s Palsy. Dr. Jill explained that Bell’s Palsy is a weakness of the muscles on one side of the face. It is caused by paralysis of the facial nerve on one side of the face. Bell’s Palsy usually begins improving in a couple of weeks. One in […]

Jude Bilafer talks with Mike Chmielewski about numerous ongoing projects and future projects. Jude told Mike that the crews are out working, clearing the leaves to facilitate drainage. He also reports that Public Works is ready for snow. The salt and sand have been mixed, and all the vehicles have been inspected. Jude asks for […]