Halloween has come and gone. Snow should be on the ground in Southcentral any day. Senator Mike Shower (R – Wasilla) resigned his Senate seat to focus on his campaign as the running mate of Republican gubernatorial candidate Bernadette Wilson. Steve Wackowski was selected as the new president/CEO of the Alaska Oil & Gas Association. He replaces Kara Moriarty, who took a job with the Department of Interior in May. Vernon Edwardson, the chief administrative officer of the North Slope Borough, was arrested in September in Virginia for public intoxication. And a federal judge is finally close to being nominated by President Donald Trump after years of two vacancies.
A friendly message and reminder to all our readers. The Landmine is made possible by myself and a team of awesome Alaskans. I have been covering the legislative session in Juneau for the last seven years and returned from Juneau in May. I will be heading back this January. If you enjoy the content we provide, please consider making a one time or recurring monthly donation. You can click here to donate. We have a system that makes it super easy. We would really appreciate it. And thanks to everyone who has been supportive.
Week in Review
Senator Shower, the minority leader, resigned his Senate seat, effective November 3. This will trigger a political process where Governor Mike Dunleavy (R – Alaska) will select a replacement, who then needs to be confirmed by a majority of Republicans in the Senate. This Landmine article goes into more detail as well as the likely replacement, Representative George Rauscher (R – Sutton). If it is Rauscher and he’s confirmed, which is likely, then Dunleavy would need to appoint someone to his vacant House seat.
Steve Wackowski is the new president/CEO of AOGA. The board has been looking for a replacement since longtime president/CEO Kara Moriarty left in May to go work for the Department of Interior. The finalists were Wackowski, Rick Whitbeck, and Curtis Smith. Smith ultimately withdrew his name. Wackowski comes from the oil company Santos, where he was their senior communications manager. Wackowski will definitely have his work cut out for him next session if oil prices continue to fall.
This one is very loose! Vernon Edwardson is second in command at the North Slope Borough and sits on the UIC board. He was in Virginia for a UIC Foundation golf tournament when he was arrested for public intoxication. I can’t wait to find out what he did. We all know you don’t get arrested for just being drunk in public. I put in a records request with the Fredericksburg Police Department for the police report and bodycam footage. I have to say it was nice calling a police department and having someone answer the phone who was willing to help. I even got an email back the next day acknowledging my request. This is in stark contrast to the Anchorage Police Department, where getting anyone to answer the phone or get public records is like pulling teeth.
Damn. Vernon Edwardson, the chief administrative officer of the North Slope Borough (second in charge) was arrested in Virginia in September for being drunk in public. Very loose! We will try to get the police report. Strangely, they list his race as “white.” pic.twitter.com/WoBsqmgbor
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) October 28, 2025
While he’s not yet been appointed by President Trump, it is widely known that he plans on nominating attorney Aaron Peterson for one of two vacant federal judge spots in Alaska. This Alaska Beacon article has more information about Peterson. Two of the three federal judge spots have been vacant for just under four years and just over one year. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R – Alaska) and Dan Sullivan (R – Alaska) have been unable to agree on names to send to the president. It appears Peterson is a Sullivan pick. There is a long standing process where both senators have to agree on judicial nominations for their state in order to move forward in the Senate. It will be interesting how this, and the other appointment, play out with Murkowski.
BREAKING: The Alliance for Justice is saying Aaron Peterson has been nominated by @realDonaldTrump to fill one of the two federal vacant judge spots in Alaska. #akleg https://t.co/I4UYd9k3Vd
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) October 27, 2025
While this is different than what former Governor Bill Walker was trying to do with China and the gasline, it’s still amusing that we seem to be coming full circle.
.@realDonaldTrump posted on Truth Social about his meeting with President Xi, “In fact, a very large scale transaction may take place concerning the purchase of Oil and Gas from the Great State of Alaska.” Very interesting. #akleg pic.twitter.com/4WPwYzSgtw
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) October 31, 2025
The League of Women Voters should change their name to the League of NIMBY Voters. If I was the mayor or on the Assembly, I would do whatever I could to eliminate their funding. So-called “nonpartisan” groups like this who take public money should face consequences when they start taking political positions.
Looks like the League of Women Voters has become the League of NIMBY Voters. The League takes public money to operate, and is apparently using it to campaign against housing plans that have been in place in Anchorage for years. Because what says supporting women voters like… pic.twitter.com/ay9aitmqnq
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) October 30, 2025
Attorney General-designee Steve Cox announced that he created a new position of state solicitor general, as well as two deputy solicitors general. This could become an issue next session if the Legislature decides to not fund these new positions.
That’s interesting. #akleg pic.twitter.com/aHk0bRIETb
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) October 27, 2025
This is interesting. Attorney General-designee Steve Cox has delegated his authority to Deputy Attorney General Corri Mills on all matters related to Pebble Mine.
Hmm this is interesting. #akleg pic.twitter.com/iBguS8HeNH
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) November 1, 2025
I guess Crooked Adam Crum did not get the memo that President Trump and his crew were in Asia when Crum was supposedly having these “high level meetings.” Dude is taking photos by himself in public areas around the White House playing big shot. What a clown.
Crooked Adam Crum goes to D.C. 🤡 #akleg pic.twitter.com/2X3q8dos74
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) October 29, 2025
Just another day in Anchorage…
Just another day in a once great city that is now failing. pic.twitter.com/C9K1i9xGM4
— The Alaska Landmine (@alaskalandmine) November 2, 2025
This Week’s Loose Unit
Between Vernon Edwardson getting arrested for public intoxication, the League of NIMBY Voters, and Crooked Adam Crum having “meetings” in D.C. when everyone was gone, there were a lot of options this week. But one definitely stood out. This week’s Loose Unit is the First Alaskans Institute.
Earlier this week, the First Alaskans Institute announced several award winners for the annual Howard Rock & Ted Stevens Smokehouse Gala. But not long after, they took the award away from one of them. Classic Loose Unit behavior.
John Shively originally shared the Friends of First Alaskans Ted Stevens award with Bill Dann. But after anti-development activists in the Bristol Bay and Calista regions started throwing a tantrum, the First Alaskans Institute board caved. But they must have not known that you can see previous versions of Facebook posts that have been edited.
They then went fully loose and posted the most bizarre statement on their website about what they did. The statement included a big lie, that he volunteered to not take the award. The board voted to take it away. They took the statement off their website after this Landmine article came out! Maximum loose behavior. I got screenshots of the statement:
Shively serves as the president and CEO of the Pebble Partnership. The board knew this. They also were knew about his long career in Alaska helping to advocate for Alaska Native interests. His career in Alaska spans more than five decades. He came to Alaska in 1965 as a VISTA volunteer.
From the Landmine article:
In 1970, Shively helped secure a grant from the Office of Economic Opportunity to establish what eventually became the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation and the Norton Sound Health Corporation.
Shively later worked at RurALCAP and AFN. Ironically, Shively was the executive vice president of AFN from 1972-1975 when Willie Hensley was president. Hensley currently serves as board chair of the First Alaskans Institute.
Shively also overlapped with Hensley when they worked in the administration of former Governor Tony Knowles. Shively served as Knowles’ Natural Resources commissioner and Hensley served as his Commerce commissioner.
Shively also served as vice president and of COO of NANA, where he worked hard to promote the development of the Red Dog Mine – which funds nearly 90% of the Northwest Arctic Borough’s revenues and has employed thousands of people in the region since beginning operations in 1989.
Shively also served as former Governor Bill Sheffield’s chief of staff.
What kind of people do this to man like John Shively? The answer is weak people. Their bullshit statement – that they deleted – spoke of Native values and said they are committed to “strengthening relationships.” What kind of values does one hold to give an award to someone, take it away, and then lie about why it was taken away? The board members of the First Alaskans Institute should be ashamed of themselves.
If you have a nomination for this week’s Loose Unit, or if you have any political news, stories or gossip (or any old pics of politicians or public officials) please email me at jeff@alaskalandmine.com.
Landfield rarely passes an opportunity to slam his local policemen and policewomen.
Anchorage BEGAN as a tent city, it’s well-known and even celebrated.
Those tents in 1915-1925 were erected on land purchased from government at auction, not erected on public land and allowed to stand forever with intermittent free refuse disposal.
Respond to him on this Dan, we all would love to hear what your bleeding heart has to say about this!
Dan, are you legitimately one of the individuals in an encampment here in the city? I’m honestly being completely genuine in asking that, I’ll get you a hot meal anywhere here in town if that’s the case. I’ll help you out man, it’s getting colder each day now and no one deserves to be living out there like that.
At long last!
A kind soul who sincerely cares!
Yes.
Please help.
Please.
Club Paris’ baseball cut sirloin, medium rare.
Roquefort on the salad, and a baker, fully dressed.
I camp at Marston & Loussac.
I’ll buzz you in.
No need to come in, it’s a real hovel, you can turn around in the horseshoe driveway.
Say 630P?
Fooled again!
Dang you Jon Bryant!
I only help those with good taste – a sirloin really? Ribeye’s or nothing else ma friend!
The Crum in front of the whitehouse photo looks photoshopped.
You should rename your blog, AlaskaNativesSuck
Any actual evidence that Jeff discriminates against Alaska Natives in his writings? Or are you part of the climate lunatic group he was referring to, that loved seeing someone trying to do good work for our state, get an award taken away from the basis of virtually nothing?
Anyone of any kind of group or organization can be worthy of criticism, based on their actions solely, and NOT having ANYTHING to do with their race, smdh… I’m a Tlingit Alaskan Native in Southeast writing this too.
There’s plenty of evidence for those with open eyes. Same goes for Native-hating legislators.
I have acknowledged the assertion that people on this comment thread think Jeff is racist towards Alaska Native people, two times now. And by cleaning my glasses and rubbing my face, I am also acknowledging that my eyes are open and functioning properly as well. Now, between you and the Reverend, can someone provide me ACTUAL examples of how Jeff has displayed his “clear bias” against Alaska’s First Peoples’ group in past writings?? Please, just one, is that too much to ask for?? I understand that stating things as fact and leaving it at that (with no concrete examples) is… Read more »
Kindly explain the news value of this sentence written by Landfield, above:
Reading that sentence told me nothing about the nature of Edwardson’s alleged crime.
But it told me a lot about the nature of Landfield’s reporting motivations.
You’re kidding right? He said that because Edwardson is Alaska Native and not white, it was an observation he noted in a published police report. If you can’t read the sentences preceding and following that one that clearly tell you “the nature of Edwardson’s alleged crime” that’s no ones fault but yours. Are you even trying anymore Dan? Because this is just sad now lol
So you, like Landfield, think that Edwardson’s race is relevant to this story.
You think, like Landfield does,that it somehow helps Landmine readers to know that Edwardson is NOT white, but is in fact ALASKA NATIVE.
And you think that matters. Somehow.
Congrats on sharing the same racial attitudes that Jeff Landfield shows! Way to go, Chad Taylor!
It’s an error that anyone with any common sense (not you) would notice. He’s clearly someone of Alaska Native descent, the police report listed him as white, Jeff pointed that out as a weird inconsistency. That doesn’t make him a racist.
That was the last of the crayons I had left for you Danny Boy, see you next week when I got a fresh box ready to use on ya, thanks for playing stupid games and winning stupid prizes!
Do you think history will look fondly on people who dishonestly pretend to be something they’re not just to defend obvious bigotry?
It’s so obvious yet you cannot for the life of you provide just ONE example of Jeff expressing “bigotry” as a blogger, other than this article’s pedestrian overview of what took place this last week of an organization (that happens to be an Alaska Native one), strangely taking away an award from someone it previously afforded it to.
I rest my case, good day to ya “JJ“
What’s obvious is that you would never concede the point regardless of the evidence presented. That’s exhibit B in your own bigotry. Exhibit A has already been exposed — your dishonest claim to being Native yourself. As stated earlier, Landfill’s bigotry is obvious to anyone with open eyes. Your ongoing denial and shameless willingness to defend him change nothing, least of all the total bogusness of your claim to “common sense.”
I legitimately am Alaska Native, I’m 25% Tlinigit, I hold a tribal ID with Tlingit and Haida here in Juneau and if that’s not enough I’m also a shareholder of a direct descendent from ANCSA, with shares in Goldbelt and Sealaska Native Corporations, if you’re ever in Juneau, I’ll buy you a coffee and show you to confirm as much. So, lets try this ONE MORE TIME – please provide to me examples other than this ambgious article as to how Jeff is racist towards Alaska Natives and expresses as much in his writings that are other than this particular… Read more »
I’d say you’re 100 percent lying assclown, and also a bigot.
Okay coward don’t believe me that’s not my problem you don’t want to accept the truth, a ture bigot would be unlikely to explain to you what I just did about the validity of my identity as an Alaska Native person. Are you Alaska Native yourself or just another angry white liberal?
Sounds like I touched a nerve, “Chad.” Any Alaskan with half a brain and a Google machine could have made the same story up. Regardless, honest people don’t need to try so hard to prove that a lie is the truth. Narcissistic bigots like you, who think they’re smarter than everyone else, never seem to learn that.
Lol I’m the only one in this thread being honest, I told you, and sincerely mean it, that if you come to Juneau, I’ll meet up with you at a coffee shop here in town (Heritage is the standard) and show you my Tribal ID card and ANC shareholder cards too, and buy you a cup of joe and we can be done with that part of it. As far as the accusation of “narcissistic bigot” goes – I have not said anything on this thread or lied about myself to shield that I am somehow a “racist” towards Alaska… Read more »
You are not honest. You are a racism-defending liar. You know it. I know it. Do you think you get to spin an obvious tale like the one you’re spinning while simultaneously demanding proof from me of something that’s equally obvious? There are exactly zero Chad Taylors who own property in Juneau. There are also exactly zero voters named Chad Taylor in Juneau. In fact, I could find zero evidence of any Chad Taylor having anything to do with Juneau. Run along, liar.
Wow you didn’t give up, props to you little JJ! I’m so proud of you, truly. If and when you arrive to Juneau, I’ll throw in a breakfast burrito with the coffee I intend to get you. I never said my name is truly who I am. I am not lying about the rest of what I’ve claimed pertaining my true race and nationality. I’ve only chosen (like you and everyone else on this comment thread) to approach this conversation under an anonymous name. If you come to Juneau I will honestly meet up with you and prove to you… Read more »
That’s rich. You’re caught lying about your name but claim to be telling the truth about everything else. Why would anyone believe a word you say? You have no way of knowing that “everyone” commenting here is doing so under a fake name. Regardless, it doesn’t change anything, least of all that you are a dishonest person and a racist. I’d bet heavily that you’re not even a Juneau resident.
I can’t be “caught” for something I was never trying to hide to begin with you idiot… and your fourth sentence literally makes zero sense, how is not obvious to you that everyone on this comment thread is not using their real name?? Common sense is how I have my way of knowing what everyone is doing on here. I don’t know how many times I must say this but I legitimately am an Alaska Native man who resides in Juneau Alaska, if you come here and let me know I will gladly show you my Tribal ID card and… Read more »
It is laughable for you to describe yourself as honest. Anyone with common sense can see through your obvious BS. Honest people who aren’t bigots don’t try so hard to deny and defend obvious bigotry.
There’s nothing I can say or do to change your mind and get you to believe the truth, share with me your email or say what your real name is and I’ll prove to you who I say I am, I have no reason to lie about it anyways. Your move next “JJ”.
Thanks for playing JJ!
I don’t think Jeff is necessarily racist as he is wholly ignorant of their cultures. The piece that he did from Utqiagvik was interesting, I’ll bet that’s been his sole exposure to their culture. Or any native culture, for that matter. He certainly has a hard-on for Richard Peterson, whether he deserves the scrutiny or not, I don’t know. I’ve yet to read anything outside of this blog that underscores what he’s written here. Look, I can speak from experience. Before I married into a native family, I too was quite ignorant of the many native cultures up here. What… Read more »
Interesting, I didn’t realize one has to have a degree in anthropology in order to make legitimate criticisms of persons (who by happenstance) are indigenous… Don’t think we’re gonna see eye to eye on Jeff but I do honestly appreciate you walking your position back to a much more reasonable “I think this guy is an insensitive ignorant bafoon and can’t stand him” position as opposed to the same sorry ol’ “hE iS A rAcIsT”… we have somewhat of a chance as a country to move forward together if we can keep things to the former and only use the… Read more »
-Chad Taylor
🪜 indeed.
“………I can speak from experience. Before I married into a native family, I too was quite ignorant of the many native cultures up here. What can I say ?………”
You’ve said enough, “Reverend”. Not all of us have to marry into an ethnicity or culture in order to catch a clue. Just a bit of anthropological study can go a long way. And intelligence is quite different than tolerance, both of which work both ways.
Chad. The Rev is referring to the Native gay community he frequents
It would fit the demo he’s obviously targeting of late.
Now that Downing’s wayward clods can’t find her.
Jeff also does not think Natives should be allowed to run their own casinos. Not only does he hate Natives, he thinks they’re dumb too.
I can’t run my own casino, either, and I’m not Native. Am I being discriminated against racially?
Quit whining, it’s not a good look
I have a friend who is a TikTok influencer and he told me about this warehouse in LA where you pay a $60 entry fee and they have different sets you can take phony pictures in front of for social media clout. One room looks like the inside of a private jet, another like an upscale apartment with the Eiffel tower in the window, etc. Anyway, I hope Crum had a nice time in DC.
Claiming that Anchorage is “failing” is wild when it is clear that state leadership is making it as hard as possible for Anchorage to thrive, and by all measures, Republican leadership is actually failing all of Alaska: worst economy in the nation, plummeting education ratings, state resources plundered by corporations, lowest PFDs on record, etc.
Yep. Conoco is laying off half their workforce in Alaska – open for business my butt
$50 per barrel makes profitability difficult, regardless of how “open” Alaska might be.
With the near constant whining about fake republicans, you’d think more state funding would pop out the other end of the political machine.
“……… state leadership is making it as hard as possible for Anchorage to thrive……..”
Hmmmm……..I hope you realize that close to half of all legislators elected since statehood represent Anchorage neighborhoods……………
Don’t be disparaging KVB. It does your argument no good to persuade while you ignore the irresponsibility also coming from Democrat community leaders
For this country and for Alaska there are two dominate political parties whom through the years they have made unwise and irresponsible decisions that have stripped away piece by piece our health, wealth, education, and freedom from us that we deserved
If you follow the Muni budget. Taxpayers have been contributing far more than enough money that the last ten years if the muni cut programs, cut muni jobs, negotiated harder to keep union employee pay and benefits affordable to the taxpayer, cut non profits out There is a lot of ways the Assembly and Mayor can budget the taxpayers money to give us what we deserve. the municipal neighborhood streets wouldn’t look as it does today making neighbors cars go bumpity bump over cracked, poorly filled pot holes, uneven surfaces that significantly lowers cars’ life expectancy of its wheels shocks,… Read more »
Great piece on John Shively, Jeff. I cannot think of any Alaskan whose positive efforts have resulted in thousands of high paying jobs, with the vast majority being Alaska Native. How he had the foresight to develop Red Dog Mine is beyond comprehension.
Jeff’s screed reads like a petulant 6th grader wrote it, compared to the version that Northern Journal published this week. I’d provide a link but the Landmine gatekeeper won’t let me, it’s in the ADN or you can subscribe to Northern Journal to read it.
This is the “Barrow Native Corp” the smaller village corporation for the city of Barrow as opposed to the bigger regional Corp ….. Arctic Slope Regional (ASRC)
AND they have a “golf tournament” in Washington DC?
Well they know how to plat the game! (& I don’t mean the game of golf)
Maybe Mister Edwardson didnt disclose to the Virginia police that his heritage is Native Alaskan or Native American? By his photo he can pass off as white by his light skin I know that when I’m asked that Ethnicity affirmative action question on application I don’t reveal my ethnicity. I leave it unanswered For one it’s none of their business Two i don’t want to be treated differently because I had noticed depending on who is reading it they’ll either pander or flatter you or treat you stupid or judge you after knowing your response according to their own personal… Read more »
It is very important to Landfield that we know that Edwardson is Alaska Native.
Landfield noted Edwardson’s race in his initial tweet, and then again when he posted this article.
Landfield didn’t tell us if Edwardson is Christian.
Or if he’s married.
Or a veteran.
Or deaf.
Or straight.
But he made sure we knew Edwardson is Alaska Native.
There is a reason.
“…….There is a reason……….”
Dude, the Virginia authorities listed his race as “white”. Landsfield noted that and corrected it. Why are you not condemning Virginia for even noting race in arrest records? Why are you not rising in indignation that they would call this distinguished Alaska Native leader a dirty white man? Why WOULDN’T Landsfield note that outrage in his reporting? I suppose the Virginians can call him “anything but a white man” and you’d be good with it? But Landsfield? No way!
You make my points for me.
Thank you.
(“Landsfield”?)
“……..You make my points for me……….”
I asked questions on your “points”, none of which were answered.
You’re welcome.
Another take on Shively: I respect his career. And, I think he is a good and very competent man. But he was front and center for the Pebble Mine, which was obviously very controversial and ultimately rejected as a route we wanted to go. Renewable resource (wild salmon, a watershed) versus a non-renewable resource (minerals, gold), which essentially provides a boom and an industry for decades, and then vanishes, leaving pollution, tail pilings, a local collapse. The two weren’t compatible. He championed the wrong side, and politics and making plays is personal. I’m not surprised they wanted partial payback. It’s… Read more »
John Shively is a divisive figure with decades of controversies behind him, including, lately, the extremely controversial Pebble Mine. Since that project has bitterly divided the Native community in the Bristol Bay region, it could be anticipated that giving the go-getter behind it an award would be protested. It looks like the First Alaskans Institute did not do their due diligence in selecting an award recipient who is less divisive. And by the way, Jeff Landfield, just because a development project is objected to does not make the objector “anti-development” or the project one we should all support without question.… Read more »