Hello Alaska! In this episode we sit down with Jacqueline Tupou, a member of Alaska’s Electoral College. This is a complicated year for electors and Jacqueline walks us through the difficult decision she faces on December 19th.
012 – General Discomfort
We unpack our squishy feelings about the general election and get warily optimistic about the bi-partisan coalition in the State House.
011 – Primary Narrative
The voters in the primary election have spoken, but what the heck did they say? We read the tea leaves and speculate wildly on the Alaska primary election shakeup.
010 – Candy Crane
In this episode we eat pizza and break the law.
Annie Zak reports: Legislature may tweak state law to make way for Dave & Buster’s at Anchorage mall
James Brooks reports: ‘Chuck-e-Cheese legislation’ passes Senate
009 – Iditarod Tails
Hello Alaska! In this episode we bring on a special guest to talk about mushing, dogs and “The Last Great Race on Earth” the Iditarod. There’s a little bit of history, a lot of dogs and one killer seal.
008 – Don’t Call it a Crisis
In this episode we take our first plunge into the state budget crisis and run through everything from right-sizing to revenue.
Alaska’s First Income Tax
The following opinion piece was originally published in the Alaska Dispatch News. Let’s pretend I was able to license this amazing photo of Ernest Gruening and include it with the commentary.
Income taxes are unpopular, but after reading up on our history, I am strongly in favor of one for us today. An income tax is important to our state’s social health and budgetary diversity, it’s a mark of ownership and a declaration of independence from outside influence.
007 – Marmot Day
Happy Marmot Day! In this episode we explore the origins of Marmot Day, debunk the no-groundhog myth and visit with naturalist and part-time bowler, Jen Karnik.
006 – Welcome to Juneau
Hello Alaska! It’s the first day of legislative session, let’s trudge up the hill to the capitol building press room and welcome Matt to the capital city.
005 – Fairbanks Four, Part 2
Hello Alaska! In this episode we wrap up our discussion on the Fairbanks Four, a group of young men who were recently released after 18 years in prison for a murder they said they didn’t commit. We’ll talk about the critical testimony that helped put them away, why it had its problems and how this case fits in with other recent notable innocence project efforts.