Podcasts about alaska house

Brent Johnson is one of two candidates running to fill the District 6 seat in the Alaska House of Representatives. District 6 covers the Kenai Peninsula south of Tustumena Lake, including Kasilof, Anchor Point, Homer and Seldovia.

Photo: Soren White working at the Harry Race Pharmacy in Sitka, Alaska on July 10, 2026. (Katherine Rose / KCAW) Historically, pharmacists in Alaska have been limited in what they can do. Over the last decade they have advocated for and been granted expanded authority. Now, a new law goes further. Alaska Public Media health reporter Rachel Cassandra delved into the law, which will increase access to care by changing how pharmacists can work in the state. Soren White grew up in a pharmacy. “Both my parents are pharmacists here in Sitka.” As a young adult, he worked as a pharmacy tech, then went to school in Oregon to become a pharmacist. That included a four-year graduate program with clinical training, but when he returned to Sitka, Alaska for a job at his parents’ pharmacies, his daily work was much more limited. “Typically we’ve been really stuck behind the counter, counting pills.” A new state law expands what White and other pharmacists can do as part of their practice. Starting in next January, they will be able to test and treat certain ailments, like strep throat, urinary tract infections, or the flu. State Rep. Justin Ruffridge (R-AK) is a pharmacist who supported the bill. He says pharmacists in rural areas play a vital role. “We are the most highly accessible healthcare professional.” Data shows people see pharmacists up to twice as often as primary care providers. The law builds on other legislation that has helped increase pharmacists’ authority in recent years. The bill passed by wide margins in both the Alaska House and Senate. Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-AK) vetoed it, saying it would expand the scope of practice too much and too fast, but lawmakers had enough support to override his veto. Brandy Seignemartin is executive director for the Alaska Pharmacy Association. She helped write the legislation and says it will change healthcare in the state. “Patients are gonna be able to walk into community pharmacies and have access to care for minor ailments, test and treat.” She says that is really important in a rural state like Alaska and it will be easier for pharmacists to set up collaborative agreements where they work with a provider. With more training, that could include specialists. For example, she says initially a psychiatrist could diagnose the patient, but then work with a pharmacist to optimize their medication, so the patient does not need to see the psychiatrist every single visit. She says the new law also opens the door to pharmacists covering other healthcare gaps, especially for Alaska’s vulnerable populations, including HIV prevention medication like PrEP and PEP and medications for opioid use disorder. It also would create a pathway for pharmacists to be able to get a DEA license so they can prescribe those medications. She thinks that will be a major game changer for the ongoing opioid crisis in Alaska. Molly from Denali at a Heard Museum meet-and-greet on July 11, 2026. (Photo: Gabriel Pietrorazio) Molly of Denali made her groundbreaking debut on PBS Kids back in 2019. The animated Alaska Native girl is the first Indigenous lead of a nationally distributed children's series. And as KJZZ's Gabriel Pietrorazio reports, she made a stop in Phoenix, Ariz. If you visit the Heard Museum between now through August, you will come across an Alaskan village where you can tag along with Molly on all of her wild adventures – from flying a bush plane to riding a snowmobile, wearing snowshoes or smoking salmon. “We brought Alaska to Arizona” Patty Talahongva (Hopi) is the museum's chief programming and engagement officer. “…and therefore the Heard Museum is the coolest place in town.” Alison Nicolosi is director of the nonprofit AZ Husky Rescue. “You never know when you're going to find your best friend, and sometimes it might be at the museum.” AZ Husky Rescue co-founders Alison Nicolosi, left, and Veronica Reece with Marley, an adoptable dog, at the Heard Museum on July 12, 2026. (Photo: Gabriel Pietrorazio) Sadly for Heard employee Susan Taylor, Max the husky has already found a new home. “Oh my gosh, there's one that I'm trying to adopt. He claimed me like no other.” But there are still plenty more pups – maybe enough for a pack to pull a dog sled. Get National Native News delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up for our daily newsletter today. Download our NV1 Android or iOs App for breaking news alerts. Check out today’s Native America Calling episode Wednesday, July 15, 2026 – Native Playlist: Shub and Darksiderz

Alaska is proving that politics doesn't have to be a zero-sum game.In a lively BigTentUSA conversation held on June 25, independent congressional candidate Bill Hill and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins shared how Alaska's unique political culture is creating space for practical leadership, coalition-building, and solutions that put people ahead of party. They discussed the importance of protecting democracy, preserving Alaska's ranked-choice voting system, and working across political divides to rebuild trust in government.The conversation also highlighted the critical role of Alaska's fisheries, with both candidates calling for stronger protections against bycatch, greater local representation in fisheries management, and expanded opportunities for young Alaskans to remain in the industry. Throughout the discussion, both speakers emphasized that lasting progress comes from listening, collaboration, and staying focused on the needs of local communities rather than partisan agendas.Their message was clear: when leaders choose cooperation over division, democracy—and the people it serves—are stronger for it.Wanna help get out the vote? Write letters to voters through BigTentUSA:https://bigtentusa.org/act-now/Learn more about Bill's campaign:https://billhillforalaskans.com/Learn more about Jonathan's campaign:https://www.jktforak.com/ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:Bill Hill is running for Alaska's Congressional At-Large seat, and grew up in a small village in Bristol Bay, Alaska – the home of the largest salmon run in the world. He grew up subsistence fishing and hunting, trapping, and raising and racing sled dog teams with his family. Bill is first and foremost a commercial fisherman, joining his dad on the family fishing boat when he was 12 and fishing every fishing season in Bristol Bay since. Bill also worked in rural construction, from building houses, working on remote health clinics and canneries, environmental remediation, and on a crew that installed the sewer system in the Bristol Bay Borough. A son of two teachers, Bill spent nearly 25 years working as a teacher, a principal, and a superintendent, and was named Alaska Superintendent of the Year in 2023. He's a proud union guy, having been part of both the Laborers union and the NEA. Bill is a husband, dad of four, and Chada (grandpa) to 7. Bill and his family have lived in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Now he and his wife Diane are back in Naknek, population 470.Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins — known as JKT — is running for governor of Alaska in an open-seat election. Born and raised in the island community of Sitka in Southeast Alaska, JKT became interested in politics at a young age. At 13, he attracted national attention, leading Howard Dean's presidential campaign's Alaska efforts. During his senior year of college, he received recruitment calls to run against the powerful eight-year Republican incumbent for his home district. He mounted a scrappy underdog campaign in 2012, defeating him by 32 votes. At 23 years old, JKT was the third-youngest legislator elected in Alaska history, and served in the Alaska House of Representatives for 10 years. Four years in, in 2016, he worked across the aisle to help sweep into power a “bipartisan coalition” majority caucus of all House Democrats, as well as independents and moderate Republicans. That bipartisan coalition remains in power today. JKT is running for governor to bring a new generation of leadership to the governor's office — supporting schools, lowering the cost of energy, building new homes, and balancing the budget — so that the next generation will also call Alaska home. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bigtentnews.substack.com

In this newscast: A plan to build a $500 million cruise ship port on the backside of Douglas Island is taking shape, and tourism leaders and North Douglas residents have a lot of questions; The Alaska House passed a bill this afternoon tat would reduce taxes on the planned Alaska LNG project; A Juneau artist created a magazine where Indigenous artists and writers to share their perspectives without having to reduce or simplify them; Sport fishermen will be able to catch and keep king salmon in Haines for the first time in over a decade starting Monday

The Alaska House of Representatives voted Friday to approve a major property tax exemption bill for the proposed Alaska LNG pipeline — a measure that developer Glenfarne says is essential to making the $44.5-$54.5 billion project a reality. Downtown Palmer kicked off its 90th Colony Day festivities on Friday, bringing hundreds of people downtown for the annual early summer event. Residents of the City of Fairbanks will see the rate of levy on their property increase for 2026, after the Fairbanks City Council voted 5-1 to approve a property tax rate of 6.381 mills, up from 5.833 mills in 2025.  

An Anchorage man facing murder charges was back in court Thursday for day two of his criminal trial. With the Alaska House set to debate a key tax exemption bill Friday, labor unions and the developer behind the proposed Alaska liquefied natural gas pipeline signed a non-binding pledge Thursday to prioritize Alaska workers — a show of momentum that not all lawmakers say changes their concerns about the bill. The U.S. Coast Guard announced it will homeport its first two Arctic Security Cutters in Kodiak, with a third to come in Seward Thursday.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed a bill that would reinstate pensions for public employees late last night as the Alaska House failed to advance a tax cut for the Alaska LNG project. Anchorage Police say they are in the final stages of their investigation into the death of Kelly Hunt. And House lawmakers voted Saturday to partially repeal a mandatory sick leave law approved by Alaska voters less than two years ago.Photo: A memorial to Kelly Hunt on Lois Drive in Spenard, just above the ravine where her remains were found. (Rhonda McBride)

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Lawmakers in the Alaska House unveiled their first draft of the state's capital budget on Monday. The temporary flood wall along the Mendenhall River will be less enhanced than was hoped. And a bill that aims to bring stability to the school budgeting process has made its way out of the House Finance Committee. Photo: Contractors position the recovery frame over a row of HESCO barriers on Riverside Drive to help them take apart and reuse the materials. (Alix Soliman/KTOO)

On-Location Interview with Donna Anthony 2026 Alaska House District Candidate, from the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Donna Anthony is the Chief of Police for the Chickaloon Tribal Police Department and has over 20 years of law enforcement and security experience that includes being a sworn Police Officer with the Palmer Police Department in Alaska, and a Deputy Sheriff in Ohio. She in 2026, is also running for the State Legislator position -State House District 26. SHOT Show (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show) is an annual event held in Las Vegas, primarily for professionals in the firearms, ammunition, and outdoor industries. The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) hosts this event, which is one of the largest trade shows of its kind, where manufacturers, dealers, and enthusiasts gather to showcase new products, network, and discuss industry trends. The show features everything from firearms and accessories to outdoor gear and survival tools, drawing thousands of attendees from around the world. Originally Aired 4.2.26

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Advocates of Alaska Native ivory carvers hope this is the year Congress finally passes the ARTIST Act. The Alaska House passed a bill that would update the state's corporate income tax to capture more revenue from companies that sell to Alaskans over the internet. And a labor union representing Ketchikan shipyard workers has filed three charges against the yard's new operator.Photo: Megan Onders, from Nome, is chief of the King Island Native Community and an advocate of her region's ivory carving traditions. She wore six bracelets made of walrus ivory and baleen when she testified at a U.S. House hearing March 26, 2026. ( Liz Ruskin/Alaska Public Media)

The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meets Tuesday, and on the agenda is a vote that would convert a union position at the Homer Landfill into a non-union management role; Alaska's Supreme Court is again considering whether the proposed Alaska gasline project violates the Constitutional rights of a group of young Alaskans; and the Alaska House passed a resolution Wednesday extending Gov. Dunleavy's disaster declaration related to the storms that wrought havoc in Western Alaska last fall.

Send a textEric Croft is the Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party. Erik was born to Chancey and Toni Croft in Anchorage, but he grew up with his two siblings traveling back and forth to Juneau where their father started in the House and later served in the Senate eventually serving as president. Chancey Croft was the Democratic candidate for governor in 1978. Eric would serve in the Alaska House representing west Anchorage from 1997 to 2006, at which point he too ran for governor, losing the Democratic nomination to former governor Tony Knowles. Eric served as Anchorage School Board President from 2013 to 2016 and served on the Anchorage Assembly from 2016 to 2019. He unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Anchorage in 2009 and 2021. While Eric was in the Alaska House, his minority leader was Ethan Berkowitz. Ethan Berkowitz would go on to be Anchorage mayor while Eric was on the Assembly -- that's the "Ethan" that you hear referenced several times in this episode. During our conversation we discuss the US military and President Trump's quelling of criticism of military operations. This interview was recorded before the United States invaded Iran.     

In this newscast: The City and Borough of Juneau announced early facilities closures today, since a snowstorm has affected road conditions; The Arctic Winter Games begin Sunday in Whitehorse, and half of Alaska's snowshoe team has been practicing in Juneau; The state has expanded a fishing closure for shrimp in Southeast Alaska to protect the species. Shrimping in Southeast is now closed to all harvesters through the end of April; State lawmakers had some sharp question on Monday for Alaska's Division of Elections about its decision to share the state's full, unredacted voter list with the Department of Justice; The Alaska House unanimously passed a prohibition on AI-generated child sexual abuse material on Friday. But lawmakers vastly expanded the scope of the bill just before passing it, including provisions that would severely limit children's access to social media

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game released its forecast today for the 2026 Lower Cook Inlet commercial salmon season; West Homer Elementary hosted a Science Activity Night on Thursday with several community organizations; and the Alaska House unanimously passed a prohibition on AI-generated child sexual abuse material on Friday.

In this newscast: The Alaska House approved a fast-tracked spending bill totaling nearly half a billion dollars this afternoon. It's intended to cover higher-than-expected costs in the ongoing fiscal year, and it's a combination of several requests from Gov. Mike Dunleavy; Several Juneau boats sank in city harbors during the intense winter storms that started in late December. The city is still dealing with the aftermath; The Alaska Federation of Natives urged state lawmakers to fix Alaska's dual fish and wildlife management system; A state legislator's former chief of staff faces charges of child sexual exploitation and child sex trafficking

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: A measure to repeal Alaska's nonpartisan primaries and ranked choice general elections will be on the ballot this year, but exactly how it is worded remains a hot dispute. The Alaska House approved a fast-tracked spending bill totaling nearly half a billion dollars yesterday. And The Yukon Quest is over.Photo: Jason Mackey, left, and his son Patrick Mackey, right, recount their experiences on the trail. The younger Mackey took home this year's Red Lantern. (Patrick Gilchrist/KUAC)

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. 

A rally in downtown Ketchikan protests Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdowns around the country. Plus, the Alaska House of Representatives pass a bill that would tighten residency requirements for Alaskans buying hunting or fishing licenses, and new public art is coming to downtown Juneau.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Leaders of the North Slope village of Nuiqsut sued the U.S. Department of Interior last week for canceling a key subsistence protection for the Willow project. The Alaska House of Representatives passed a bill that would tighten residency requirements for Alaskans buying hunting or fishing licenses. Some storefront owners in Juneau are speaking out against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement by participating in the nationwide general strike on Friday. Alaska Robotics Gallery closed Jan. 30, 2026 as part of the nationwide general strike. (Photo by Alix Soliman/KTOO)

Kevin McCabe is a Representative in the Alaska House serving Big Lake and surrounding areas. He wrote an article recently in the Alaska Watchman about the Black Robed Regiment...those pastors during the founding of our nation whose words laid the foundations of our Declaration of Independence and ultimately who took of the clerical robes and carried muskets into battle. Excited to chew on this with a man who understands his place in history.Support the show

In today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Governor Mike Dunleavy announced Friday that John Crowther is his nominee to be Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Republicans in the Alaska House have a new leader. And a program celebrating Alaska's storytelling tradition will debut this afternoon on social media, YouTube and the PBS website.

(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.

Nearly six months after a legislative audit found Alaska’s foster care system was still failing the state’s most vulnerable children, the Alaska House judiciary chair is renewing his call for the state to follow the law and implement long-overdue reforms. The University of Alaska Fairbanks has unveiled a new, state-of-the-art structural testing facility, home to the only load frame of its size in the state and the entire Northwest United States. Stone Soup Cafe near downtown Fairbanks is scheduled to serve a breakfast meal for its clients on Thanksgiving Day as it continues to operate around its maximum capacity.  

Gretchen Guess is president and CEO of the Rasmuson Foundation in Alaska, where 80% of the population lives in remote areas without road access. Gretchen has lived there all her life and served terms in both the Alaska House of Representatives and Senate. She's brought her public service experience to Rasmuson Foundation, which is one of the largest funders in Alaska and centers the community in all of their grantmaking.

In this newscast: The Alaska House and Senate met today in Juneau but adjourned in less than a minute; A temporary levee in Juneau's Mendenhall Valley mostly held back record-breaking floodwaters during the glacial outburst last Wednesday, but some homes still flooded where parts of the barrier leaked; The president of the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska returned from personal leave following accusations of misconduct that circulated widely online earlier this month; Alaska Marine Lines will no longer ship electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles to Alaska or Hawaii; Petersburg is updating its emergency plans for the first time in 15 years.

Send us a textWill Stapp tells of his childhood being raised by his grandparents, going to war in Iraq and moving to Alaska to raise a family and ultimately become a member of the Alaska House of Representatives.

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Monday was Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day. The Alaska House is scheduled to vote today on a change to corporate income taxes that could raise millions of dollars for the state. Anchorage officials are moving forward with a plan to free up space at the landfill by burning trash, and harnessing that power into electricity for the city.Photo: The facade of the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau on May 22, 2024. (Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media)

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines: Arctic research has not been spared as President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk seek to slash what they see as unnecessary government spending. The Alaska House has passed a budget. And the future of a federal program that supports rural Alaska schools remains grim.

In this newscast: An Alaska Native corporation's shareholders are questioning contracts that one of its subsidiaries has to run migrant detention facilities; In the month after the University of Alaska Board of Regents decided to scrub mentions of diversity, equity, and inclusion, critics of the decision are concerned about the lack of transparency in the process; Ketchikan is currently facing a controversial restructuring of its schools, and multiple school board members and the district superintendent have resigned. School district officials testified in front of the Alaska House and Senate on Monday to say tell lawmakers that the kids are not alright; Alaska's U.S. Senators have co-sponsored a resolution to keep the U.S. Postal Service as an independent agency and not privatize it

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:People living in the northern part of the state will have a chance to watch rockets soar through aurora-lit night skies for the next couple weeks. Friday was World Glacier Day. And the Alaska House of Representatives says it recognizes Canada's right to govern itself and opposes efforts to restrict cross-border trade.Photo: A NASA technician works on the payload of an AWESOME rocket. (UAF)

On this today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Sen. Lisa Murkowski says President Trump is testing the limits of his power. The Nanook Diversity and Action Center closing and having its website taken down. And the BLM released a draft feasibility study for public comment last week that evaluates whether the proposed Alaska Long Trail would be a suitable National Scenic Trail.Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, smiles on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, as she exits the Alaska House of Representatives following her annual address to the Alaska Legislature. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

In this newscast: The Alaska House narrowly approved a bill today that would substantially increase state funding for public schools on a long-term basis for the first time in nearly a decade; Dozens of Juneau residents protested as Congress considers drastic funding cuts to Medicaid; President Trump issued two executive orders on March 1 to expand logging in national forests. That's after he suspended the Roadless Road, which banned new road construction in national forests. Together, these orders could increase timber harvest in the Tongass National Forest; The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that all recently terminated employees will be rehired, with back pay; The likelihood of an Alaska volcano's eruption not far from the state's largest city has increased

In this newscast: Alaska House lawmakers made a few changes to a high-priority education bill during a marathon floor session on Monday; No one was hurt in a fire at the Dzantik'i Heeni campus in Juneau earlier today, but evacuated students huddled outside for hours; The state Department of Transportation is resurrecting the controversial idea to build a road between Juneau and the communities of Haines and Skagway; Congress is considering huge cuts to Medicaid and Alaska health care experts say that would have an outsized impact in the state; One of the teams in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is comprised mostly of shelter adoptees

In this newscast: Temporary cell service and internet connection has most Juneau residents back online after a damaged subsea cable caused a region-wide outage late last week; Former Alaska Congresswoman Mary Peltola and her former chief of staff are now working for Holland and Hart, a law and lobbying firm; Protestors took to the streets of Gustavus on Saturday, joining hundreds of demonstrations around the country in response to staffing cuts at national parks; A hydroelectric project in the remote Southeast Alaska community of Angoon is on pause following the federal grant freeze announced in late January by the Trump administration; Leaders in the Alaska House and Senate say they're deeply concerned about the impacts of federal staff cuts and a forthcoming congressional immigration and tax cuts bill; With changes to requirements by the Trump administration, it's an uncertain time for immigrants, but the new Philippine Honorary Consul for Alaska hopes she can be of service

On today's Midday Report with host Terry Haines:Leaders in the Alaska House and Senate say they're deeply concerned about the impacts of federal staff cuts and a forthcoming congressional immigration and tax cuts bill, and are imploring Alaska's all-Republican federal delegation to halt possible reductions in Medicaid coverage. Photo: Demonstrators gather outside the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau to protest the Trump administration's policies on Feb. 17, 2025. (Eric Stone/Alaska Public Media)

In this newscast: The Alaska House of Representatives offered a rebuke to President Donald Trump's move to rename North America's highest peak as Mount McKinley; The Alaska Legislature is getting to work on a bill that would boost state funding for public schools by more than $460 million; One of the more than 200 executive orders President Donald Trump signed in the first days of his new term was aimed at accessing more natural resources in Alaska, and seeks to roll back protections on millions of acres in the Tongass National Forest; The City of Delta Junction's privately-owned ambulance service announced it would dissolve, possibly leaving residents to provide their own emergency transportation to Fairbanks, almost a hundred miles away 

In this one, I talk to Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins. Ever since he was a kid he's been interested in politics and sports. Electoral politics and baseball, to be specific. But when it came to politics, he was a prodigy. He could recite groups of politicians — the 50 state attorneys general and all 100 U.S. senators, for example. He was interviewed on NPR at 14, and at 23 he dropped out of Yale, moved back home to Sitka and ran as a Democratic candidate for the state House of Representatives. He would go on to represent Sitka and 21 other rural Southeast Alaska communities in the Alaska House of Representatives, until leaving politics in 2022. His self-proclaimed fanaticism toward sports is what drew him to politics. Like sports, politics is statistical, numeric, and there are winners and there are losers. But with politics, unlike sports, the stakes are higher. They shape the world we live in.  Jonthan credits the Sitka High School Debate Team for giving him the intellectual and ideological versatility that he still relies on today. He says that in debate, it's common to flip a coin and on the basis of the coin flip you have to argue diametrically opposite sides of the same issue. So, you not only have to understand both sides of an argument, you have to be able to clearly communicate it. In 2014, House Bill 216 was signed into law. It made the twenty Native languages in Alaska official languages of the state. Jonathan sponsored that bill and his efforts were, in part, aided by what he had learned in debate. He says that, like all things in politics, it was accomplished through compromise and teamwork. 

Ever since Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins was a kid he's been interested in politics and sports. Electoral politics and baseball, to be specific. But when it came to politics, he was a prodigy. He could recite groups of politicians — the 50 state attorneys general and all 100 U.S. senators, for example. He was interviewed on NPR at 14, and at 23 he dropped out of Yale, moved back home to Sitka and ran as a Democratic candidate for the state House of Representatives. He would go on to represent Sitka and 21 other rural Southeast Alaska communities in the Alaska House of Representatives, until leaving politics in 2022. His self-proclaimed fanaticism toward sports is what drew him to politics. Like sports, politics is statistical, numeric, and there are winners and there are losers. But with politics, unlike sports, the stakes are higher. They shape the world we live in.  Jonthan credits the Sitka High School Debate Team for giving him the intellectual and ideological versatility that he still relies on today. He says that in debate, it's common to flip a coin and on the basis of the coin flip you have to argue diametrically opposite sides of the same issue. So, you not only have to understand both sides of an argument, you have to be able to clearly communicate it. In 2014, House Bill 216 was signed into law. It made the twenty Native languages in Alaska official languages of the state. Jonathan sponsored that bill and his efforts were, in part, aided by what he had learned in debate. He says that, like all things in politics, it was accomplished through compromise and teamwork.

In this newscast: The way tourism companies in Juneau can take advantage of city-owned trails and parks is getting an update.A new city analysis recommends changes that, if approved, would allow companies to operate on some popular trails they haven't been able to before — while others would stay off limits; As Kenai Peninsula school board members mull the best way to restrict student cellphone use, three schools offered reflections on the policies they've already implemented; Republicans in the Alaska House have formed a 19-member minority caucus, and elected Anchorage Representative-elect Mia Costello as their leader. The outgoing House speaker, Wasilla Republican Cathy Tilton, will serve as minority whip.

In this newscast: Ketchikan's city manager is resigning; The bipartisan caucuses who will control the Alaska House and Senate have announced their committee chairs; Alaska's commercial harvests plummeted this year: pounds harvested were the lowest on record; People can now view a livestream feed of Cook Inlet beluga whales swimming in the Kenai River

On today's Episode (Tuesday 1 of 2) of the Steak for Breakfast Podcast, we are covering:    Donald Trump completes the nominations for his incoming Cabinet with a flurry of Friday night announcements     Weekend polling confirms that a majority of the nation approves of President Trump and his transition teams work ahead of the holidays and following the election   Guests: In Order of Appearance    All profile handles are for X (formerly Twitter)    Congresswoman-Elect Nick Begich: (@NickforAlaska) incoming U.S. Representative, Alaska House seat    Website: https://www.alaskansfornickbegich.com/   Jim Pfaff: (@jpfaff) President, The Conservative Caucus   Website: https://www.theconservativecaucus.org/   Subscribe to the show and rate it, don't forget to leave a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. And find everything Steak for Breakfast at https://linktr.ee/steakforbreakfastpodcast Be sure to listen, like, follow and SHARE our Steak for Breakfast content!   Steak for Breakfast:    SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/steak-for-breakfast-podcast/id1498791684   SUBSCRIBE on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3MXIB2s8IWLoT4tnBMAH9n?si=izN0KShBSAytW5JBBsKEwQ   email the show: steakforbreakfastpodcast@protonmail.com    Steak for Substack: https://steakforbreakfastpodcast.substack.com   linktree: https://linktr.ee/steakforbreakfastpodcast   MyPillow: Promo Code: STEAK at checkout  Website: https://mystore.com/steak Website: https://www.mypillow.com/steak  Via the Phone: http://mypatriotcigars.com/usa/steak   Man Rubs Enter Promo Code: STEAK15 and save 15% https://manrubs.com   Beard Vet Coffee Enter Promo Code: STEAK and save 10%  https://www.beardvet.com/   BattleBorn Coffee Roasters enter promo code: STEAK and save 20% off your first order  https://www.battleborn.coffee   New Hope Wellness use this link or enter promo code: STEAK during intake for free consultation and $100 off your first order https://www.newhopewellness.com/steak Call: 1-800-527-2150

  Begich edges out Peltola in historic Alaska House race   Native artists in Wyoming struggle to be sustainable  

In this newscast: A ballot measure that would repeal ranked choice voting in Alaska has narrowly failed. That's according to final unofficial results the Division of Elections released last night; A plan to extend Juneau's downtown waterfront walking path, also known as the seawalk, crossed a major hurdle earlier this week; Alaska's transgender community is worried that a second Donald Trump presidency might threaten their access to gender-affirming care, or healthcare that allows people to transition medically -- and providers in the state are worried too; There will be more women than men in the Alaska House of Representatives for the first time in its history when the Legislature convenes in January. That's according to final unofficial election results released Wednesday

  Siletz Tribe reacquires 27 acres of ancestral territory in Oregon   Tribes, allies plan to sue if rare snail not protected from lithium mine   Peltola opponent declares victory, but AP has yet to call Alaska House race  

Jeff was joined by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R - Alaska). They discuss the upcoming changes to the U.S. Senate after Republicans took back the majority, the filibuster issue, her policy goals going forward, some of the problems Alaska has faced over the last decade, how the Alaska House and Senate organized so quickly, the possibility of Governor Mike Dunleavy (R- Alaska) taking a job in the Trump administration, and her thoughts on Donald Trump's big comeback win.  

In this newscast: Some key races across Alaska remain too close to call with tens of thousands of votes yet to be counted. Ballot Measure 2, repealing ranked choice voting and open primaries, leads by less than two percentage points. A Fairbanks state Senate race and an Anchorage House race are each on a knife's edge; Next week marks the beginning of wolf-trapping season on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska. But on the island – and the smaller islands surrounding it – getting an accurate count of the local wolf population has been a huge challenge. Now, managers are trying some interesting new counting techniques. Last summer, they hired a dog named Barley to sniff out an important source of data for tracking and understanding wolves - their poop; Bipartisan majorities will control both the Alaska House and Senate following the election, lawmakers said Wednesday evening.

On this episode: A brief overview of the 15 races we're watching including races for U.S. Senate, House, governors, other state executives, state supreme court judgeships, and state legislatures. Our  editorial department selected these elections based on past election results, unique election-specific circumstances, and election race ratings. The final selections include a mix of federal, state, and local races. Briana Ryan, Ethan Sorell, and Lara Bonatesta of our elections team join the show for a lightning round preview of the races that stick out most to them.  Explore our report here: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Top_15_Elections_to_Watch,_2024  Our full list of the 15 elections we're watching includes:  U.S. Senate election in Michigan U.S. Senate election in Ohio California's 13th Congressional District election New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District election New York's 17th Congressional District election Oregon's 5th Congressional District election Washington's 3rd Congressional District election New Hampshire gubernatorial election Attorney General of North Carolina election Alaska House of Representatives elections Arizona State Legislature elections Michigan House of Representatives elections New Hampshire State Senate elections Michigan Supreme Court elections Ohio Supreme Court elections Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates  *On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.

Ben Carpenter is a peony farmer and former soldier on the Kenai Peninsula who has served several terms in the Alaska House. He's fed up with how the Alaska State Senate can't organize around conservative principles of developing our natural resources and managing how much we spend as a Government. Tune in today to hear more.Support the show

Today we cap out our week (I'm on vacay tomorrow) with two different interviews. In hour one we'll talk to Savannah Fletcher from the Fairbanks area about her run for State Senate Dist R and her proposed solutions to bring the state back on track. In hour two we'll head south down to Homer and talk to Rep Sarah Vance who's running for reelection to the Alaska House and get her take on the state of the State.

Ivy Spohnholz is the Alaska State Director at The Nature Conservancy, where she leads the organization's critical work around climate solutions, sustainable fisheries, and resilient communities. Given its size, location, climate, demographics, and economics, Alaska presents a very unique blend of conservation challenges– challenges that can directly affect massive, landscape-scale ecosystems and the communities within them. We've rarely if ever dug into the details of conservation in Alaska on this podcast, so I was thrilled to have Ivy join me for such an in-depth conversation. - Ivy was born in a dry log cabin in the remote Wrangell Mountains, in what is now Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve. Her entire career has revolved around public service– she's held leadership roles at the Salvation Army, University of Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Conservation Foundation, and Abused Women's Aid in Crisis. She also served for more than six years in the Alaska House of Representatives, where she honed her skills as a pragmatic and effective problem solver. In the fall of 2022, she took the reins as TNC's Alaska State Director and has been applying her skills as a leader and problem solver toward Alaska's distinctive conservation challenges. - I've been lucky enough to visit Alaska on two separate occasions, and I've had some of the most formative experiences of my life in the Alaska Range. The size and scale of the mountains, valleys, and wildlife are so staggering that it's impossible to visit Alaska without gaining a deep respect for both the landscapes and the people who live there. So I was excited to have the opportunity to chat with Ivy about her adventurous upbringing in Alaska and her service-oriented career. We talk in detail about her unexpected entrance into politics, and how she quickly learned to lead and navigate the law-making process as an elected official. We discuss TNC's focus areas in Alaska, and we talk a lot about Bristol Bay and its ecological and economic significance in the world. As you've probably come to expect, we talk about the all-important power of relationships, and we also discuss the need to be practical and optimistic. - A big thank you to Ivy for taking the time to talk with me– I greatly appreciate all of the important work being done by TNC Alaska. Enjoy! --- Ivy Sponholtz The Alaska Chapter of the Nature Conservancy -- This episode is brought to you in partnership with the Colorado chapter of The Nature Conservancy and TNC chapters throughout the Western United States. Guided by science and grounded by decades of collaborative partnerships, The Nature Conservancy has a long-standing legacy of achieving lasting results to create a world where nature and people thrive. On the last Tuesday of every month throughout 2024, Mountain & Prairie will be delving into conversations with a wide range of The Nature Conservancy's leaders, partners, collaborators, and stakeholders, highlighting the myriad of conservation challenges, opportunities, and solutions here in the American West and beyond. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy's impactful work in the West and around the world, visit www.nature.org -- TOPICS DISCUSSED: 3:30 - Ivy's birth in a dry log cabin in the Wrangell Mountains 7:15 - Ivy's childhood 10:15 - When Ivy left Alaska, and what brought her back 12:00 - How serving others became a core part of Ivy 17:00 - When Ivy became an elected official 24:00 - Discussing the political landscape of Alaska 28:15 - How Ivy became involved with TNC 34:45 - Discussing TNC's work in Alaska 41:00 - How Ivy balances working urgently with the often slower pace of building relationships  46:30 - The importance of Bristol Bay 52:00 - Potential future threats to Bristol Bay 57:00 - The biggest surprise for Ivy in her work with TNC 59:30 - Discussing “practical optimism” 1:01:30 - Ivy's book recommendations 1:03:45 - Ivy's parting words of wisdom ABOUT MOUNTAIN & PRAIRIE: Mountain & Prairie - All Episodes Mountain & Prairie Shop Mountain & Prairie on Instagram Upcoming Events About Ed Roberson Support Mountain & Prairie Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts