Palmer City Manager Kolby Zirkel reviews the complicated stories of FAA restrictions affecting the Palmer Airport and Palmer Golf Course. She also details various financing scenarios for the new library.

On this week’s show we review how the shutdown is affecting food stamps and heating subsidies, why the Constitution staggers the terms for Senators, and what bizarre statements federal officials now consider appropriate.

Join us this week as John and Rachel raise questions about the deployment of National Guard troops, the firing of federal attorneys, and the ending of SNAP benefits. We also discuss the preamble of the Constitution, and Rachel brings her wit to Public Policy Pursuit.

Palmer Experiment Farm co-manager Nelson Crone describes farm activities as we enter the winter season.

Ken Hoffman interviews former AG Matters host Cody Beus about his studies of Caribou and reindeer.

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 areas that block access to public spaces, such as private driveways and sidewalks, was delayed for legal review. The council unanimously approved a $12.08 million contract with Wasilla-based H5 Construction to build the new Palmer Library. Shane Auginaush was sworn in as Palmer Police Department’s newest officer.

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 networking opportunity it is for farmers and ranchers —established, new, or wannabe. While they both like the presentations, Ken looks forward to the networking and to meeting new farmers. On Saturday, the Alaska Farm Bureau will hold its annual business meeting to set priorities for next year,

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 knows where to get food. In 2023, the MatSu Food Bank distributed 56,389 pounds of food through their network of 32 partner food pantries. In the first five months of 2025, more families than every have need their support and they have already exceeded the total donations of 2023.

For more information, please check out the MatSu Food Bank website.

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 check all the lights on their cars and bikes. Mike asks about bicycles and walking around downtown Palmer and beyond. Sgt. White has some great tips for all of these. Be sure to listen in for more tips on what police look for in traffic stops.