Alaska's Political Pipeline

Former Gov. Bill Walker and former Revenue Commissioner Randy Hoffbeck join Alaska’s Political Pipeline to explain why they’re jumping back into the race—and why they say Alaska can’t move forward without a clear, stable fiscal plan. They break down their approach to resource revenue, taxes, and the state’s long-debated LNG gasline, and they defend their headline-grabbing proposal: a one-time $10,000 Permanent Fund Dividend payout tied to ending the PFD program to “get the 600-pound gorilla out of the room.”

Reporter Joe Allgood sat down with Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski to discuss the recovery after Halong, how the war in Iran is impacting gas prices and how high those gas prices could go in rural Alaska. 

Kristen Durand sits down with former Chair of the Anchorage Assembly Chris Constant to talk about his time on the Assembly and how the city has changed in the 9 years he served on the body. 

Political Reporter Wil Courtney sits down with Senate Minority Leader Mike Cronk who talks about cutting energy costs, keeping the state's budget in check and life outside of Juneau.

JUNEAU, Alaska (KTUU) -- On this edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline: as lawmakers return from their Easter and Passover break, much waits for their return including the operating budget which has made it's way to the House Floor and includes a full statutory $3,800 PFD. That amount, though, may not be what Alaskans ultimately receive.  Join John Thompson and Wil Courtney as they break down the latest headlines in national, state and local politics.

It's Passover and Easter weekend, lawmakers are out of Juneau as the Legislature is roughly halfway through the session.

Wil Courtney is in Alaska's capital city to highlight the week that was, including the firing of former United States Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Education funding is discussed as Wil explains base student allocation, or BSA.

The LNG impasse continues and a vetoed tax bill makes a return, passing the House via tight margin.

On this edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney speaks with House Speaker Bryce Edgmon the day before a resolution is introduced into the House focusing on the Rural Health Transportation Fund. In the conversation, he also comments on the recent temporary cut of the Permanent Fund Dividend by the House Finance committee and where former Typhoon Halong recovery stands. 

We are a little more than a month into the legislative session. We check in with Political Reporter Wil Courtney on what's happened so far and what's on the agenda for the busy week ahead.

On this week's edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, host Wil Courtney breaks down the latest developments that 1,500 members of Alaska's 11th Airborne Division have been told to stand down from a deployment to Minneapolis, and speaks with co-chairs of the Joint Armed Services Committee after they were told the division's commander turned down the chance to testify before the committee.

Emergency officials told committee members Tuesday they’re prioritizing infrastructure repairs and cleanup over relocation efforts in the aftermath of ex-Typhoon Halong, the October storm that devastated two villages in Western Alaska: Kipnuk and Kwigillingok.

Political reporter Wil Courtney speaks with Alaska lawmakers in Juneau on what could happen with Alaskan troops regarding deployment to Minnesota following immigration raids that have resulted in American deaths.

Tuesday marks the first day of the current legislative session in Juneau. Political Reporter Wil Courtney, on his way to the Capital, takes a few moments to talk about what to expect in the months ahead. 

New House Minority Leader DeLena Johnson's rise to power wasn't an uncontroversial one, but days before the legislative session begins, she explains that rise in her own view and the work the party needs to do in order to be united. 

This podcast was recorded Jan. 9, 2026. 

As the race for U.S. Senate ramps up, Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, R, says he's leaning on his record over the past two terms while Peltola says D.C. is broken. 

After months of rumor and speculation, former U.S. Congresswoman Mary Peltola is re-entering the political arena - this time taking on Sen. Dan Sullivan's seat. Political reporter Wil Courtney breaks down the latest.

On the latest edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney breaks down the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the congressional delegation's thoughts on it's legality. 

Two Republicans from the Matanuska-Susitna Valley are poised to step into seats left vacant as a potentially substantive legislative session sits just on the horizon.

Steve St. Clair of Wasilla and Garrett Nelson of Sutton are set to fill in the now-vacant House seats of newly confirmed Senators George Rauscher, R-Sutton, and Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla. Both Rauscher and Tilton are members of the Republican minority. 

Political reporter Wil Courtney sits down with the new St. Clair and Nelson

Political reporter Wil Courtney sat down with Sen. Lisa Murkowski on her thoughts on the Epstein files and many other topics, including the American economy and how it's affecting Alaskans, the issue of healthcare and the expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, and what her future looks like in politics.

On the latest edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney catches you up to speed on the latest in the governor's race and turns back the clock to August after he spoke with former Senate Minority Leader and current gubernatorial candidate Tom Begich.

On the latest episode of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney speaks with the Alaska Beacon's James Brooks on the public infighting after Rep. DeLena Johnson's selection and House Minority Leader, and what role that position plays with a little more than a month until the legislative session begins. 

In this extra edition of Alaska's Political Pipeline, political reporter Wil Courtney takes you into the middle of a media scrum where Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks on her support for extension of expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, though not necessarily the Democratic-led plan and how she says it's not yet clear whether the "double tap" boat strike was legal. 

With his belief that Alaska is a purple state, Anchorage Reverend Matt Schultz sits down with political reporter Wil Courtney to discuss his policy stances, his campaign and why he believes he'll be Alaska's next U.S. Representative.