Advertise on podcast: The Must Read Alaska Show

Jim Minnery joins the Must Read Alaska Show and discusses the 2026 Alaska March For Life with Natalie Spaulding. They go through history of the March, the speakers that will be at the rally, and great ways to participate in the event. The March For Life begins at 12PM on Saturday with the rally starting at 1:30PM on the Delaney Park Strip, Downtown Anchorage.  Jim and Natalie discuss the events leading up to the march, you won't want to miss this conversation to learn more about how to support a culture of life in Alaska! The conversation is full of life and hope for all those that think they have no other choice. For more information about the March For Life and how you can participate go to:   2026 Alaska March For Life: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHDkTLGzYk/9QD1R2G8bK0pWAklRnwYfA/view?utlId=h31bc3bad03 https://www.akfamily.org/   Sponsors: Seven Weeks Coffee – mold- and glyphosate-free, organic, regenerative, and 10% of every sale (over 50% of profits) goes to pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide. Grab the world’s best coffee and support a great cause at the same time. Use promo code MRAK for 10% off your order at sevenweekscoffee.com.    Must Read Alaska - Exclusive discount for our podcast audience listeners, get 20% off one of the annual subscriptions. Support a conservative news outlet sharing great content that matters most to Alaskans. Use promo code mrakshow for 20% off the "All-In" or "In For News" annual subscriptions, https://mustreadalaska.com/subscriptions/  

Rick Whitbeck guest-hosts an energizing conversation with two of the four candidates for the Chugach Electric Association Board of Directors: mechanical engineer and oil & gas veteran Todd Lindley and power-generation expert Michael McManamon. This episode cuts through the noise on the issues that hit every Southcentral Alaska ratepayer’s wallet: protecting dispatchable Eklutna hydro while restoring salmon habitat, why the board’s aggressive 2030/2040 carbon-intensity targets are unrealistic and expensive, Cook Inlet gas shortfalls and the coming LNG imports, the proposed HVDC submarine cable from Bradley Lake, data-center demand, and the real path to affordable, reliable power for the next decade. Both candidates deliver clear, engineer-driven answers: prioritize affordability and reliability, maximize local resources, reject one-size-fits-all green mandates, and keep the lights. Ballots drop in your mailbox or inbox April 29. Voting runs through the annual meeting on May 29 at Change Point Church in Anchorage. This episode is required listening before you vote. *Note: Chugach's Annual Meeting begins @4PM, not 5PM as stated during the show. All information related to the election and the annual meeting can be found at the following site:  https://www.chugachelectric.com/your-cooperative/news-community/annual-meeting/annual-meeting-election     Candidate Info:  All Candidates https://www.chugachelectric.com/your-cooperative/news-community/annual-meeting/annual-meeting-election   Todd M Lindley https://www.toddforchugach.com/ https://www.chugachelectric.com/system/files/annual_meeting/2026/2026%20Todd%20Lindley%20candidate%20bio.pdf https://gumlet.tv/watch/69d6dddd15722ddd13942bf8/   Michael McManamon  https://www.chugachelectric.com/system/files/annual_meeting/2026/2026%20Michael%20McManamon%20candidate%20bio.pdf https://gumlet.tv/watch/69d6de4779cd218090ed4af0/   Listen now on Must Read Alaska – because Alaska’s energy future is on the ballot.     Sponsors: Sponsored by Seven Weeks Coffee – mold- and glyphosate-free, organic, regenerative, and 10% of every sale (over 50% of profits) goes to pro-life pregnancy centers nationwide. Grab the world’s best coffee and support a great cause at the same time. Use promo code MRAK for 10% off your order at sevenweekscoffee.com (link in show notes).  

In this must-listen episode, Todd Lindley sits down with Brian Flynn, the conservative private-sector candidate challenging incumbent Anna Brawley in the Anchorage Assembly District 3 West Anchorage rematch. Flynn pulls no punches on what residents are really seeing: 15-20 foot snow piles blocking cul-de-sacs while officials claim victory, skyrocketing property taxes, a homelessness system that “recycles” people from winter shelters to summer streets, and crime ordinances that exist on paper but never get enforced. Flynn lays out his bold, no-nonsense plan: a forensic spending audit before any new taxes, a centralized triage hub that actually matches people to the right help (not just the nearest bed), real accountability for APD, protection of the Eklutna Dam, and a push for the Railbelt gas line to keep energy affordable. He also shares his elevator pitch for why adventurous Alaskans should choose Anchorage — and why it’s time to bring private-sector discipline to City Hall. Plus: Flynn’s full slate of reform candidates and exactly how to vote before April 7 (in-person voting starts March 31 at City Hall and Loussac Library).   Links: Brian Flynn’s campaign: flynnforanchorage.com Follow on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube & TikTok   Sponsors: MRAK = Get 10% off Must Read Alaska’s Infor News & All In subscriptions with promo code AKLEG26 (through May 20) Seven Weeks Coffee = Fuel the pro-life movement and enjoy mold-free coffee: sevenweekscoffee.com — use code MRAK for 10% off Don’t miss this timely, straight-talking conversation about the future of Anchorage. Subscribe, share, and vote informed!

In this episode, the conversation centered on the launch of Thomas More Classical School in Anchorage, set to open in 2026. The guest, Headmaster Sarah Spaulding, explained the school’s mission to bring classical education to Alaska and described how the model emphasizes forming both intellect and character. The discussion highlighted what sets classical education apart: its grounding in the seven liberal arts, its reliance on teacher-led classrooms, and its emphasis on virtue, truth, and beauty. Spaulding explained that the school is supported by Hillsdale College’s K–12 Education Office, which provides training and curriculum guidance, while the school itself remains locally governed and tuition-funded. Listeners also heard about practical details, including the timeline for opening, the application process starting in October 2025, and the plan to begin with 120 students in kindergarten through sixth grade before expanding into a full K–12 program. Spaulding described how extracurricular activities will grow with enrollment and emphasized the school’s commitment to keeping tuition accessible with financial aid options. A portion of the conversation explored the history of Thomas More, the school’s namesake, and how his devotion to education, integrity, and faith mirrors the school’s mission. The episode closed with encouragement for Anchorage families to learn more, visit the school’s website, and consider whether classical education is the right fit for their children.

After the shocking loss of Charlie Kirk, Ben Carpenter explores what this moment means—and why it could define an entire generation.

Thought the teachers union was your only option? Think again. In this Must Read Alaska Show, host Ben Carpenter is joined by Kenai teacher Kim Bates, Anchorage teacher Aimee Sims, and Garry Sigle, Central Region Director for the Association of American Educators (AAE), to unpack what AAE is, who it serves, and how it stacks up against NEA-Alaska. If you’ve never heard of AAE, you’re not alone. While NEA-Alaska dues can run over $1,400 a year, AAE membership costs just $19.50 a month—about $234 a year. That’s a savings of more than $1,100 annually—money that stays in your pocket while still giving you day-one legal protection and $2 million in professional liability coverage, double what NEA provides. And because AAE is non-union and non-partisan, your dues go entirely to supporting you as a professional—not to political campaigns. You stay covered under your district’s negotiated contract, but without paying union prices. You’ll also hear how substitutes, paras, bus drivers, and other W-2 school employees can join AAE (with a low-cost option for retirees), and why—after the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision—membership is a choice, not a condition of employment. If you want options that align with your values and your wallet, this energetic conversation is your roadmap.

Is Alaska’s grand jury still the people’s tool for oversight, or has it become another lever of government control? In this episode of the Must Read Alaska Show, host Ben Carpenter presses Attorney General Treg Taylor on the Supreme Court’s controversial move to make him the “gatekeeper” for public access to grand juries. Taylor defends new procedures, acknowledges constitutional concerns, and reveals why he intends to be a “poor gatekeeper” in order to restore public trust. Together, Carpenter and Taylor debate the balance between secrecy and transparency, the risk of runaway grand juries versus weaponized complaints, and whether only a constitutional amendment can guarantee Alaskans’ right to use the grand jury to root out corruption. This hard-hitting conversation digs into whether the state’s justice system protects the people — or itself.

Alaska State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Shelley Hughes joins Ben Carpenter to share her remarkable journey from rural Alaska in the ’70s to the state legislature. She outlines her vision for fiscal reform, energy development, and protecting the PFD, while drawing on decades of experience across Alaska’s regions. Known for working across party lines without compromising her conservative principles, Hughes offers a grassroots, no-nonsense approach to leadership and governance.

In this eye-opening episode of the Must Read Alaska Show, host Ben Carpenter sits down with forensic journalist and author David Ignell for a deep dive into the constitutional role of grand juries in Alaska—and how that role is being undermined by the Department of Law and the judiciary. At the heart of their conversation is the case of former Ketchikan Police Chief Jeffrey Walls, who was targeted with felony charges by three different prosecutors across three grand juries in two different jurisdictions. Each attempt was thrown out by the court, culminating in a judge dismissing the third indictment with prejudice and expressing a loss of confidence in the Department of Law's integrity. Ignell draws on historical and legal precedent—from the English roots of grand juries to U.S. Supreme Court rulings—to argue that today’s grand juries are being deliberately disempowered. He shares insights from his 131-page book and first-hand accounts of how grand jurors, witnesses, and even foremen have been silenced or threatened when attempting to investigate government misconduct. This episode explores troubling patterns of institutional resistance to transparency, including a sealed grand jury report currently locked away in a judge’s desk and the state’s redefinition of "investigative grand juries" as a means to control outcomes. Carpenter and Ignell make the case for urgent reform—and potentially federal intervention—to restore the public’s trust in Alaska’s justice system.

In this episode of the Must Read Alaska Show podcast, host Ben Carpenter sits down with Adam Hendrix, Anchorage native and world-renowned poker professional, to unpack his extraordinary journey to a sixth-place finish at the 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event—netting him a $1.9 million prize and recognition as Alaska’s all-time top tournament earner. Adam shares the intense mental and physical preparation behind the nine-day tournament, the evolving nature of professional poker—from napkin math to AI-based solvers—and how success in the game depends not just on theory, but also on reading people and adapting to unpredictable stress. He reveals how growing up in Alaska and early exposure to poker on ESPN sparked his passion, and discusses the role of family, discipline, and lifestyle in sustaining a career built on calculated risk. The conversation also explores his aspirations beyond the poker table, including a potential foray into fashion and entrepreneurship. Adam offers candid advice to aspiring players and voices concern over a pending federal tax policy that could undermine the future of professional poker. This wide-ranging conversation offers insight not just into the world of high-stakes competition, but into resilience, character, and the American entrepreneurial spirit.

In this compelling episode of the Must Read Alaska Show, host Ben Carpenter sits down with Phil Izon, the driving force behind the effort to repeal ranked choice voting (RCV) in Alaska during the 2024 election. Izon recounts the intensive grassroots campaign that gathered far more than the required signatures across 33 of Alaska’s 40 House districts, relying entirely on volunteers and innovative technology—without the use of paid signature gathering firms. He details the legal challenges that followed, including aggressive lawsuits led by political operatives that accused him and his campaign of fraud. These efforts resulted in significant financial and emotional strain, including six hours of deposition and substantial legal fees, although Izon ultimately prevailed in both Superior and Supreme Court decisions. The conversation exposes the intense opposition Izon faced from well-funded, out-of-state interests allegedly aligned with maintaining RCV, and highlights what he describes as political lawfare—legal intimidation designed to suppress citizen-led reform. Izon also critiques the lack of support from Alaska's Republican Party leadership and state officials, despite acknowledgment from national conservative circles. With $15 million spent to defend RCV and millions more invested in promoting it nationwide, Izon raises critical questions about who benefits from Alaska's election system and why. He closes by cautioning the new "Repeal Now" effort and emphasizing the importance of strategic collaboration, insider knowledge, and persistence in future repeal attempts. This episode offers a rare insider’s view into the mechanics of election reform efforts, the high stakes of ballot initiatives, and the personal toll such battles can exact.

In this episode of the Must Read Alaska Show, host Ben Carpenter sits down with Lynn McCabe and Mikaela Emswiler, of the Repeal Now initiative, to explore the close, contentious fight to roll back ranked choice voting in Alaska. Together, they share firsthand accounts of signature-gathering on the ground, the fierce lawfare tactics deployed by outside interests, and the surprising challenges volunteers face—from strict chain-of-custody rules to ensuring every signer’s information matches the voter database. Lynn recounts the overwhelming public frustration with ranked choice voting and how just 743 votes decided Alaska’s fate last November. Michaela lays out why she sees RCV as a threat to election integrity, empowering dark-money groups and confusing everyday voters. You’ll learn: Why 34,000 valid signatures (across 30 of 40 legislative districts) are needed by January 20, 2026 How to sign correctly—using the exact name on your voter registration and providing a valid voter ID number What pitfalls to avoid—never sharing a petition “book,” keeping it under lock and key, and notarizing when possible Where to get involved—volunteer opportunities, signature-gathering locations, and digital action If you’re ready to make your voice heard, visit RepealNowAK.com, email [email protected], or follow Repeal Now AK on Facebook and X. Every signature counts—help bring transparency back to Alaska’s elections.

In this in-depth episode, host Ben Carpenter tackles the long-anticipated and often controversial Alaska LNG pipeline project—offering listeners an insider’s look at recent developments and reasons for renewed optimism. Drawing from his attendance at the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference, Carpenter presents a compelling overview of a conversation between Governor Mike Dunleavy and Brendan Duvall, CEO of Glenfarne, the private company now spearheading the project. The episode outlines Glenfarne's phased development plan for the pipeline, which includes: Phase 1: A domestic gas pipeline from the North Slope to Anchorage. Phase 2: Construction of a liquefaction plant in Nikiski. Phase 3: A gas conditioning and carbon capture facility at Prudhoe Bay. Duvall explains why the project is now seen as financially viable, citing advantages like lower shipping costs to Asia, abundant and cheap feed gas, engineering preparedness, and strong bipartisan political support. He also addresses concerns about cost overruns, emphasizing project finance discipline and extensive pre-construction planning to keep expenses under control. Listeners will hear insights into the project’s ambitious timeline, with a final investment decision (FID) on the pipeline expected by the end of 2025 and on the liquefaction plant by the end of 2026. Full construction is projected to begin in 2027, with gas delivery targeted for 2029 and LNG exports by 2031. Governor Dunleavy and Duvall also highlight the economic benefits for Alaska, including thousands of construction jobs and long-term energy security. Duvall closes with a high level of confidence in the project’s feasibility, backed by Glenfarne’s private capital commitment and global LNG experience. The show offers a mix of technical detail, political context, and economic promise, painting a picture of a transformative infrastructure project finally nearing reality after decades of stalled dreams.  

In this episode, Must Read Alaska Show host Ben Carpenter delivers a robust, real-time debrief from the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference, hosted by Governor Mike Dunleavy in Anchorage. Carpenter walks the audience through the key takeaways, the tone of the event, and the overarching vision shared by political and industry leaders, particularly from the Trump administration, about Alaska’s pivotal role in national energy policy, security, and economic revival. With hundreds of attendees from around the globe, the conference presented Alaska not as a remote outpost, but as a strategic energy powerhouse whose development is critical not only for the state but for national and global security. Carpenter closes the episode with a rallying cry for Alaskans to take ownership of their future: Energy is the starting point of economic renewal. Alaska has resources, public support, and geopolitical necessity on its side. It’s time to structure policy and fiscal mechanisms to reward growth and self-reliance, not government expansion.

In this episode of the Must Read Alaska Show, host Ben Carpenter welcomes Bernadette Wilson of Repeal Now Alaska to discuss the second effort to overturn Alaska’s ranked choice voting (RCV) system. They begin by defining RCV—how it replaced traditional closed primaries with an open “jungle primary” advancing the top four candidates and then allowing voters to rank their top four choices in a multi-round count—and critiquing its complexity and disenfranchisement of voters. Wilson explains the legal and logistical steps required for repeal: gathering just under 35,000 valid signatures from at least 35 of Alaska’s 40 house districts and submitting them by mid-January 2026 to qualify for the 2026 election. She outlines the statewide network of regional signature gatherers, the need for financial contributions to cover mailing and reporting costs, and the importance of correctly matching petition signatures and addresses to voter registration records. The conversation closes with a call to action for listeners to visit Repeal Now Alaska’s website: repealnowak.com or Facebook page to sign the petition, volunteer as signature gatherers, and donate—even small amounts help cover the cost of mailing petition books. The episode underscores the coalition’s commitment to a clear, straightforward voting process and encourages Alaskans—and interested non-residents—to get involved.