Capital Chat

This years July 4th parade Start: 11:00am beginning at 8th Street and Egan. The Juneau Fourth of July parade has a history rooted in the city's mining past and its celebration of Independence Day. The tradition began during the mining days when miners, only having Christmas and the Fourth of July off, would celebrate with a parade to avoid being tired for work the next day. The parade is a downtown event, starting at 11 a.m. from the Department of Labor building on West 8th Street. Following the parade, festivities continue in Douglas with another parade and a range of activities. 

Maggie Swanson, Sharon Kelly from the Douglas 4th of July Committee join Capital Chat along with Dave Behrends from Mosse Lodge 700 and 8 year old Callahan Shandley to talk about the events and the return of the Soap Box Derby!

Rick Driscoll joins us to share details about this weekend's Whales for Tails event.

Their Mission
To serve our community by promoting animal welfare and strengthening the animal-human bond.
To improve the lives of pets through education and protection.
To shelter stray, abandoned, and surrendered pets and find them loving homes.

To support JAR go to their website.

 On this episode of Capital Chat, host Justin Miller speaks with Wade Hoek, a key organizer of the upcoming Bitcoin Alaska Conference. Wade explains how Bitcoin can offer financial stability to Alaskans by enabling the monetization of excess energy through mining, making it an essential tool for combating inflation and monetary debasement. The conference, running from July 1-6 in Juneau, will feature notable speakers, including Senator Nick Begich, and offers unique events like outdoor activities and mixers with industry leaders. Learn more and get your tickets at bitcoinalaska.org. 

 On this episode of Capital Chat, host Justin Miller sits down with Ben Brown from the Juneau Chamber of Commerce to discuss upcoming events and initiatives. Ben highlights the Chamber's recent successful Juneteenth luncheon, upcoming speakers, and a special luncheon this Thursday with Southeast Conference. He also shares details about the Chamber's cash and travel raffle with prizes including $15,000 in cash and travel vouchers. For more information about the Chamber’s events and to get your raffle tickets, visit https://www.juneauchamber.com/

 Deputy Forest Supervisor Barb Miranda joins Justin Miller on Capital Chat to share summer updates from the U.S. Forest Service. From restoration work on Admiralty Island and bear safety at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to youth engagement programs across Southeast Alaska, the Forest Service is in full swing. Barb also previews the upcoming release of the Tongass Forest Plan Assessment and how community members can get involved. Learn how partnerships, education, and stewardship are shaping the future of the Tongass. 

Host Justin Miller speaks with Wade Hoek about the upcoming Bitcoin Alaska Conference in Juneau, aimed at educating Alaskans on financial empowerment through Bitcoin. Featuring global industry leaders, free student access, and interactive events from July 1–6, the conference offers hands-on learning—from buying Bitcoin to energy policy and self-custody. Hoek discusses Bitcoin’s role in long-term financial stability, national security, and economic opportunity across Southeast Alaska. Learn more at bitcoinalaska.org.

 Justin Miller hosts members of the Affordable Juneau Coalition, Angela Rowdell and Joe Geldhof, to discuss their petition efforts aimed at easing the cost of living in Juneau. Topics include proposed ballot initiatives to remove sales tax on groceries and utilities, cap the property tax mill rate, and roll back costly mail-in voting systems. With overwhelming community support and over 2,700 signatures nearly collected, the Coalition emphasizes the importance of civic action—and voter turnout this October to keep Juneau livable for all generations. Learn more at affordablejuneaucoalition.org. 

Duff Mitchell of Juneau Hydropower Inc. joins Cliff Dumas on KINY to discuss a major milestone—the company has been granted public utility status by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. Mitchell outlines the decade-long journey of the Sweetheart Lake hydroelectric project, what this means for unserved areas of Juneau, clean energy access, job creation, and long-term economic benefits. He also explains how this will bolster energy security, reduce diesel reliance, and open new development opportunities across the region.

In this episode of Captial Chat, Maggie McMillan and Bob Chernikoff discuss this years Gold Rush Days.

Juneau Gold Rush Days, Inc. was founded in the early 90s with a mission to educate the public about two major industries that shaped the Juneau community – mining and logging. To do this, the group hosts Juneau Gold Rush Days (JGRD) – a two-day event to celebrate the past, present, and future of Alaska’s resources.

JGRD is an action-packed celebration consisting of mining and logging events, local fair foods, booths of arts and crafts, and activities for children. Attendees can learn more about the mining and logging industries by watching or participating in competitions featuring mining-specific events such as jackleg drilling, spike driving, and hand mucking, and logging events, like axe throwing, speed climbing, hand bucking, and log rolling. There are skills competitions for kids, teens, and adults! 

Juneau Gold Rush Days, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. JGRD is free to the public and supported by the City and Borough of Juneau and generous donations from the community.