Anchorage Assemblywoman Amy Demboski will be hosting her own afternoon talk radio show starting later in April on Wasilla-based KVNT, the station announced Wednesday.
The announcement came hours after Demboski, who represents Chugiak-Eagle River, won a second term to the Assembly.
"The Valley and Anchorage are starving for true conservatives on talk radio in the afternoon," Demboski said in a statement Wednesday morning. "I can peel the curtain back and get down to business in coverage when policymakers don't walk the walk. It's all about accountability and transparency."
Demboski said in a phone interview that producers approached her about a month ago about the show. A member of the Assembly's conservative minority, Demboski said the show would focus on Anchorage politics but also happenings in the Mat-Su Valley, where she said talk radio coverage has been "lacking" for a long time.
"A mixture of Valley, Anchorage, community events, businesses ... it's going to be a fun show," Demboski said. "But it's definitely going to be candid."
Station manager Tom Steigleman said Demboski will be filling the afternoon commute slot vacated by Glen Biegel.
"She's awfully smart, she knows the political behind-the-scenes thing inside and out," said Steigleman, who is also the general manager of Christian Broadcasting Inc., which now owns KVNT. The station, also known as Valley News Talk, broadcasts on both AM and FM channels.
It's unusual for a sitting Alaska politician to host a daily talk radio show -- Demboski said she may be the only one at the moment. Steigleman said that was part of the idea.
"We just thought it would be a great look for people, to get that behind-the-scenes look from somebody who's actively serving," Steigleman said.
He said Demboski will be paid for the gig, but wouldn't say how much. Demboski currently works full-time as an assemblywoman and said the show will be her "second job," but added that she wasn't doing it for the money.
Demboski will host the show live from the station in Wasilla, Steigleman said. On nights when there are Anchorage Assembly meetings, a guest host will fill in, Demboski said.
The show will launch April 20. It will air on KVNT 1020 AM and 92.5 FM from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.