005 - Pig in a Poke

005 - Pig in a Poke

The session wrapped up last week, but what really happened? What passed? What failed? Matt and Pat explore the tricky task of following the final sprint through the lens of Matt's favorite time-waster: fantasy football. Meanwhile, the special session on the AKLNG pipeline is underway, and now that legislators are getting a better look at the project, they're not thrilled with what they're finding. Related Articles Solar power could soon be cheaper than natural gas power in Anchorage [https://alaskabeacon.com/briefs/solar-power-expected-to-soon-be-cheaper-than-natural-gas-power-in-anchorage/] Dunleavy's latest vetoes are a reminder that a lot will have to wait for a new governor [https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/05/27/dunleavys-latest-vetoes-are-a-reminder-that-a-lot-will-have-to-wait-for-a-new-governor/] Following bruising last-minute push for AKLNG subsidy, legislators slow it down for the special session [https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/05/23/following-bruising-last-minute-push-for-aklng-subsidy-legislators-slow-it-down-for-the-special-session/] Contact Info If you've got something you want to share, you can leave us a message by dialing FIND-A-PIZZA (that's 346-327-4992) or you can email us at heyguys@helloalaska.pizza [heyguys@helloalaska.pizza] Credits Hello Alaska with Matt & Pat is an Alaska Current podcast. This show was edited by Dave Waldron and our theme music is from I Wish I Were a Real Alaskan Girl [https://mariancall.bandcamp.com/track/i-wish-i-were-a-real-alaskan-girl-2] by Marian Call. Thanks for listening!

004 - What the Heck is Going ON?

Description The final days of Alaska's legislative session -- the time when things are most critical -- also happen to be when everyone is emerging from hibernation to recreate ... and host comic conventions. In this episode, Matt has an update for Pat on what's been happening with the session's final sprint, as well as an explainer on the AKLNG project that the governor is trying to get through under the buzzer.  Related Articles ‘We’re trying.’ Legislators warn AKLNG project may be too large a lift for session’s final days [https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/05/13/were-trying-legislators-warn-aklng-project-may-be-too-large-a-lift-for-sessions-final-days/] Amid shifting enrollment, House OKs bill to smooth funding roller coaster [https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/05/13/amid-shifting-enrollment-house-oks-bill-to-smooth-funding-roller-coaster/] Contact Info If you've got something you want to share, you can leave us a message by dialing FIND-A-PIZZA (that's 346-327-4992) or you can email us at heyguys@helloalaska.pizza [heyguys@helloalaska.pizza] Credits Hello Alaska with Matt & Pat is an Alaska Current podcast. This show was edited by Dave Waldron and our theme music is from I Wish I Were a Real Alaskan Girl [https://mariancall.bandcamp.com/track/i-wish-i-were-a-real-alaskan-girl-2] by Marian Call. Thanks for listening!

003 - Home Economics

Description How often have you heard that the state's budget problems are simple? Just treat it like a household budget and tighten your belt! Run it like a business! In this episode, Matt and Pat get into the nitty-gritty of budget metaphors to understand where they're helpful and where they're not.  Articles we mentioned Alaska House votes to ban Styrofoam food containers as most Republicans flip their lid [https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/04/22/alaska-house-votes-to-ban-styrofoam-food-containers-as-most-republicans-throw-a-fit/] Former Alaska legislator tries to revive lawsuit against airline for pandemic-era banning [https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/04/27/former-alaska-legislator-tries-to-revive-lawsuit-against-airline-for-pandemic-era-banning/]Public pension bill clears Senate, marking the first time it’s cleared both chambers [https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/04/29/public-pension-bill-clears-senate-marking-the-first-time-its-cleared-both-chambers/] The Citizen's Guide to the Alaska Constitution [https://akleg.gov/docs/pdf/citizens_guide.pdf] Matt's award-winning column on education systems [https://thealaskacurrent.com/2025/03/05/dunleavys-two-tier-education-system-is-based-on-shoddy-evidence/] Contact Info If you've got something you want to share, you can leave us a message by dialing FIND-A-PIZZA (that's 346-327-4992) or you can email us at heyguys@helloalaska.pizza [heyguys@helloalaska.pizza] Credits Hello Alaska with Matt & Pat is an Alaska Current podcast. This show was edited by Dave Waldron and our theme music is from I Wish I Were a Real Alaskan Girl [https://mariancall.bandcamp.com/track/i-wish-i-were-a-real-alaskan-girl-2] by Marian Call. Thanks for listening!

002 - The Fiscal Hill

Description Matt and Pat dive into budget amendments and peek over the edge of the fiscal cliff.  Related Article  ⁠SNAP work requirements don’t boost jobs, but drop participation, research finds [https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/04/14/repub/snap-work-requirements-dont-boost-jobs-but-drop-participation-research-finds/] Pat’s Video  ⁠The Alaska Permanent Fund & State Fiscal Crisis [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vd6ceC3mg8]   Contact Info If you've got something you want to share, you can leave us a message by dialing FIND-A-PIZZA (that's 346-327-4992) or you can email us at heyguys@helloalaska.pizza [heyguys@helloalaska.pizza] Credits Hello Alaska with Matt & Pat is an Alaska Current podcast. This show was edited by Dave Waldron and our theme music is from I Wish I Were a Real Alaskan Girl [https://mariancall.bandcamp.com/track/i-wish-i-were-a-real-alaskan-girl-2] by Marian Call. Thanks for listening!

001 - Hello Again

Matt and Pat talk about their connections to Alaska and why they stick around. Related Articles Opinion: We were honored as Alaska Teachers of the Year. Now we can no longer stay [https://www.adn.com/opinions/2026/02/26/opinion-alaska-is-losing-its-best-teachers-and-its-no-accident/⁠] Murkowski’s thrilled about drilling under Trump, everything else not so much [https://thealaskacurrent.com/2026/04/01/murkowskis-thrilled-about-drilling-under-trump-everything-else-not-so-much/] Here’s that Scranton article [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/535403770/] and Dave Reamer's post about it [https://bsky.app/profile/anchistorian.bsky.social/post/3mic7aaymxs24] Contact Info If you've got something you want to share, you can leave us a message by dialing FIND-A-PIZZA (that's 346-327-4992) or you can email us at heyguys@helloalaska.pizza [heyguys@helloalaska.pizza] Credits Hello Alaska with Matt & Pat is an Alaska Current podcast. This show was edited by Dave Waldron and our theme music is from I Wish I Were a Real Alaskan Girl by Marian Call. [https://mariancall.bandcamp.com/track/i-wish-i-were-a-real-alaskan-girl-2] Thanks for listening!