Hello Alaska

By Pat Race & Matt Buxton

What's Hello Alaska about?

A podcast about Alaska with Matt Buxton and Pat Race. We talk about civics, politics, journalism, history and just about everything having to do with the 49th State. More at https://HelloAlaska.pizza

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Hello Alaska episodes:

03.27.2024
087 – Charter Schools
03.18.2024
086 – Veto
03.05.2024
085 – Hardball
A big week in the legislature as the governor threatens to veto education funding, taxes are on the table, and the House Majority takes steps to prioritize the PFD formula in the constitution.
02.21.2024
084 – High Energy
In this episode we turn our attention to the energy problems on the horizon for Anchorage and the bizarre Dunleavy press conference.
02.08.2024
083 – Sending Out an SoS
01.22.2024
082 – Education Funding Speed Run
01.18.2024
081 – It’s Just So Frustrating.
01.02.2024
080 – Where Are They Now?
Hi. Hello Alaska is back. Here are some of the items we talked about this episode:
03.29.2023
079 – Lumping and Lurching
03.16.2023
078 – The Just Right Gang
03.09.2023
077 – Root Problems
02.26.2023
076 – A Dime Among Nickels
An early session interview with Rep. Genevieve Mina.
02.13.2023
075 – State of the Pizza
02.01.2023
074 – Babies Babies Babies
01.30.2023
073 – Getting Organized
Recorded 1/22/2023 – Talking about the first week of legislative session.
01.12.2023
072 – New Fears
11.17.2022
071 – Moderate Success
09.12.2022
070 – A Field of Blue
Democrat Mary Peltola wins special U.S. House election, will be first Alaska Native elected to Congress Five takeaway lessons from Alaska’s first ranked choice election Podcast: ADN Politics Podcast Podcast: Tlél Wudakʼóodzi Ḵaa Lʼóotʼ (Tongue Unbroken) High Times Cannabis Cup...
08.17.2022
069 – Summer Daze
In this one we talk about the seasonal nature of Alaska and catch up after a busy summer. Primary elections are here and Anchorage is Anchorage. Election Finance: And the award goes to… Anchorage is Anchorage: Anchorage mayor says he’s...
06.17.2022
068 – Final Four
It’s down to the final four in the special primary election for U.S. Representative for all Alaska and we do some post primary unpacking. The top four candidates are Sarah Palin, Nick Begich, Al Gross, and Mary Peltola.
05.09.2022
067 – Light the Beacon
A chat with Andrew Kitchenman, editor of the Alaska Beacon, about this new publication and their promising crew of veteran journalists focused on becoming a trusted source for state government and politics news. The Alaska Beacon
05.02.2022
066 – Cyber Security & Tests of Impurity
Ballots start heading to Alaska voters this week in special US House primary election Court shortens window for new redistricting appeals in order to meet June 1 filing deadline Alaska Redistricting trial comes down to conflicting opinions of judge’s opinion...
04.27.2022
065 – The Blue Alaskan
In this episode we chat with The Blue Alaskan about anonymity, journalism, and the shop element of being a prominent anonymous blogger covering municipal government in Alaska’s biggest city. Our first interview with Blue took place on March 29th and...
04.14.2022
064 – Senate Pairs & Settlement Errors
Alaska Redistricting Board narrows options for Anchorage state senate maps GOP senators bash GOP-favored redistricting plan as ‘absolutely ridiculous’ The House’s rejection of settlement money is unprecedented, but so is the settlement Alaska House refuses to pay doctors illegally fired...
04.04.2022
063 – Santa vs. Sarah
50 candidates: A wild U.S. House race takes shape in Alaska (ADN) Friday in the Sun (April 1): The Everyone’s Running edition (MNS) Sarah Palin among 50 candidates running to fill remainder of Don Young’s term in US House (AK...
04.01.2022
062 – Season of Rage
Alaska Supreme Court finds Anchorage senate pairings are an unconstitutional gerrymander (MNS) Remembering Rep. Don Young of Alaska (WaPo) When the Oil Spilled (KBBI) Crews work to contain fuel spill after tugboat runs aground north of Sitka (AKPM) Array of...
03.24.2022
061 – Congressional Races & Redistricting Cases
After Young’s death, Alaska’s political world braces for a sea change and an elections marathon (ADN) Alaska Rep. Don Young to lie in state at US Capitol (AP) Alaska Supreme Court considers greater scrutiny on redistricting (MNS) Alaska lawmakers investigating...
03.17.2022
060 – Trans-Alaska Sportsline
Education committee considers bill banning transgender girls from female sports in Alaska Coaches, officials and athletes denounce proposed ban on transgender students playing girls’ school sports Hearing held for restrictive transgender sports bill Iowa becomes 11th state to enact a...
03.10.2022
059 – Fund Earmarks and Rental Car Parks
Alaska’s Constitution A Citizen’s Guide Alaska’s Constitutional Convention Ukraine nuclear power plant attack: scientists assess the risks Copper Valley Electric Association is considering a nuclear power plant Pitney talks nuclear energy, minerals, and drone education programs during Southeast Conference With...
03.01.2022
058 – Kyiv Ghosts and Resource Roads
Ghost of Kyiv – Wikipedia Biden administration moves to review Ambler Road plans ‘This is our time.’ Murkowski calls on legislators to maximize federal infrastructure bill The war in Ukraine isn’t working out the way Russia intended ‘Gut wrenching’: Alaskans...
02.24.2022
057 – Governor Pairs and Redistricting Errors
‘So what?’ How arrogance sank the Alaska Redistricting Board’s Republicans Celebrating Elizabeth Peratrovich Day National Republican group sidesteps new disclosure law with $3 million donation in Alaska governor’s race Les Gara picks teacher Jessica Cook as running mate in Alaska...
02.14.2022
056 – Distillery Hours and Separation of Powers
Bill aimed at refining state alcohol laws passes Senate Alaska Senate approves alcohol-reform law boosting breweries and distilleries Johnny Ellis, longtime Anchorage state senator, dies at age 61 Watch: 2022 State of the Judiciary Address Dunleavy’s court system vetoes because...
02.07.2022
055 – Eastman Noise and Truck Convoys
This past week Matt was still deep in the redistricting trial. Rep. Eastman came under fire for his ties to the Oathkeepers. Several legislators were out with covid exposure. Gov. Dunleavy rang up another big bill in court. And Sarah...
02.01.2022
054 – Much Ado and Just Week Two
A recap of the second week of legislative session. Matt is up to his eyeballs in the redistricting trial and we talk about economics, legislative pay and the State of the State address. Even Gov. Dunleavy is tired of the...
01.25.2022
053 – Session Starts & Question Marks
It’s the start of the legislative session and it was also a big week for court cases ranging from redistricting and ranked choice voting to constitutionally protected freedom of speech. Abridge Too Far Alaska governor unlawfully fired state lawyer critical...
01.02.2022
052 – Past, Present, Future
In this episode we reflect on the high and low notes of 2021 and look to the year ahead in 2022. Lydia Jacoby of Seward captures Olympic gold medal “I designed a stamp for USPS” by Rico Worl Michaela Goade...
11.29.2021
051 – Redistricting
Redistricting board met with skepticism during first public hearing in Juneau Alaska Redistricting Board approves new maps (that aren’t that terrible) As legal challenges to Alaska’s redistricting plan take shape, past rulings offer key insight Alaska Redistricting Board chooses final...
11.11.2021
050 – Pizza and Positivity
It’s Episode 50! This was recorded around the time the Anchorage assembly was mid swing on their big mask mandate battle. A big thanks to all the folks who called in and lent their voices to this episode! NOTE: Uploaded...
08.30.2021
049 – Feels Bad
In this one we talk about the Anchorage library flap, the candidates for governor and the third special session. There’s a lot happening and nothing happening all at once. Jeff Landfield Interview w/ Bill Walker & Heidi Drygas Nat Herz...
07.28.2021
048 – Board Games
In this episode we crack open the rulebook and get way off into the weeds on the constitutional intent of the effective date. Ruling expected next week in Alaska lawsuit over state budget effective date Court case may decide whether...
05.03.2021
047 – Tripp
In this episode Matt and Pat get together with Tripp Crouse. Tripp is a journalist who formerly worked at KTOO in Juneau and is now the News Director at KNBA in Anchorage. Tripp covers Alaska Native and indigenous issues and...
04.12.2021
046 – Ping Pong
In this episode we talk about the big ping pong party, Anchorage elections, and the new senate candidate. Alaska legislators apologize after breaking COVID rules by bringing friends for ping-pong, basketball at Capitol gym Anchorage Elections Marketplace: Black business leaders...
03.31.2021
045 – Out of Order
We’re over halfway through session! This was recorded on day 62 of what will likely be a 121 day session. We look at the work in the legislature up to the midway point and dig into the discussions around the...
01.29.2021
044 – Grousing
This episode is mostly complaining. Why hateful speech matters: An open letter to Jamie Allard Free Speech Doesn’t Cover Nazi-themed License Plates Alaska DMV says it’s investigating how Nazi-themed vanity license plates were issued Inaugural Address by President Joseph R....
01.16.2021
043 – In With the New
We recorded this episode on New Year’s Day 2021 as a reflection on 2020 and a look ahead at 2021. Interest in Anchorage’s mystery sound grows, but the cause remains elusive Cruise ship will arrive early in Juneau after canceled...
11.03.2020
042 – The People’s Choice
Pizza, pineapple and politics with our guest, Carole Triem. Alex Lee’s op-ed: The Case Against Pineapple Pizza… Papa Bear’s Pizza in Petersburg Little Louie’s in Kotzebue
09.21.2020
041 – Alaska’s Fall Legislative Outlook
In this episode we do a post-primary rundown of the tight elections in Alaska and how they might shape the Alaska State House and Senate coalitions in 2021. Here’s the Equal Rights Moose Pat mentioned in the show: Anchorage’s Snazzy...
04.20.2020
040 – 1918 Flu
Almost 100 years ago Alaska faced a devastating pandemic. In this episode we dive deep into the newspaper archives and handwritten journal of the Territorial Governor at the time, Thomas Riggs Jr.
03.30.2020
039 – A New Deal
SB 241 Fact Sheet Alaska New Deal Projects Third Alaskan dies of COVID-19 as case count rises to 114 Alaska has about 200 ventilators and 160 ICU beds statewide, state says DHSS – Covid-19 Count Page
03.23.2020
038 – Hunker Down
What a time. We’re all muddling through it. Good luck friends. Corona Virus Act Now – Modeling a speedy response. City officials mandate many travelers to Juneau quarantine themselves for 14 days Portraits from the front line of coronavirus detection...

What's Hello Alaska about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Hello Alaska episodes:

087 – Charter Schools

086 – Veto

085 – Hardball

084 – High Energy

083 – Sending Out an SoS

082 – Education Funding Speed Run

081 – It’s Just So Frustrating.

080 – Where Are They Now?

079 – Lumping and Lurching

078 – The Just Right Gang

077 – Root Problems

076 – A Dime Among Nickels

075 – State of the Pizza

074 – Babies Babies Babies

073 – Getting Organized

072 – New Fears

071 – Moderate Success

070 – A Field of Blue

069 – Summer Daze

068 – Final Four

067 – Light the Beacon

066 – Cyber Security & Tests of Impurity

065 – The Blue Alaskan

064 – Senate Pairs & Settlement Errors

063 – Santa vs. Sarah

062 – Season of Rage

061 – Congressional Races & Redistricting Cases

060 – Trans-Alaska Sportsline

059 – Fund Earmarks and Rental Car Parks

058 – Kyiv Ghosts and Resource Roads

057 – Governor Pairs and Redistricting Errors

056 – Distillery Hours and Separation of Powers

055 – Eastman Noise and Truck Convoys

054 – Much Ado and Just Week Two

053 – Session Starts & Question Marks

052 – Past, Present, Future

051 – Redistricting

050 – Pizza and Positivity

049 – Feels Bad

048 – Board Games

047 – Tripp

046 – Ping Pong

045 – Out of Order

044 – Grousing

043 – In With the New

042 – The People’s Choice

041 – Alaska’s Fall Legislative Outlook

040 – 1918 Flu

039 – A New Deal

038 – Hunker Down