Crime Archives - Alaska Watchman

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Crime PoliticsChief justice claims Alaska judges not moved by ‘political interests’

4 days ago1459 min

In his Feb. 12 address to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Joel Bolger alluded to the court’s ongoing dispute with Gov. Mike Dunleavy regarding cuts to the judiciary’s budget following high court’s order that Alaska fund elective abortions. He closed his speech saying the courts “must continue to decide cases in accordance with the facts determined by impartial judges and the rule of law based on...

by Joel Davidson

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Crime Politics ReligionPush for stiffer hate crime laws seen as threat to religious liberty

1 week ago2447 min

Hate crime is back in the national and local spotlight following the recent introduction of legislation in both the Alaska Legislature and the U.S. Senate. Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced legislation last week to make it easier for federal prosecutors to prove hate crimes under the 2009 Hate Crimes Prevention Act even when hate is not the sole motivation for a crime. With her proposed “Justice for Victims of Hate Crimes Act” prosecutors would only need...

by Joel Davidson

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Crime PoliticsAlaska Legislature to consider LGBT ‘hate crime’ bill on Feb. 6

2 weeks ago2023 min

A bill aimed at adding “sexual orientation and gender identity” to categories like race, sex, religion, national origin when determining sentencing for hate crimes is set for public testimony on Feb. 6, in the Alaska Legislature. Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage is the sponsor of House Bill 198. In a statement in favor of his bill he said it was needed because of a “hate crime” which may have occurred last year on the Kenai Peninsula....

by Joel Davidson

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Crime Politics ReligionKenai City Council to vote on support of statewide LGBT hate crimes bill

2 weeks ago1896 min

City council members in Kenai and Soldotna are pushing for the expansion of statewide hate crimes legislation to include “sexual orientation and gender identity.” Last month the Soldotna City Council voted 5-1 in favor of a resolution urging state legislators to pass House Bill 198. Sponsored by Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage the bill would add “sexual orientation and gender identity” to categories like race, sex, religion, national origin and others when determining sentencing for hate...

by Joel Davidson

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Abortion Crime Culture Education Life Politics Public School Sex educationInside scoop: Planned Parenthood’s 2020 strategy for Alaska

1 month ago90810 min

Planned Parenthood, Alaska’s largest provider of abortions, held a strategic planning session on Jan. 7 in Anchorage. The event took place at Writer’s Block Café where a “We Support Planned Parenthood” sign stood in the window. About 30 people came, including Anchorage Rep. Andy Josephson, Anchorage School Board candidate James Smallwood and Alaska House candidate Janice Park who is running for Anchorage seat 25. Also on hand were several Alaska Watchman allies. Here’s what they...

by Alexandra Braunlich

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Crime Life Religion SuicideWomen fight Alaska sex trafficking with faith, personal mentorship

2 months ago37211 min

While it is hard to quantify the number of human sex trafficking victims because the crime is inherently underground, the International Labor Organization estimates there are 4.8 million sex trafficking victims globally – 99% are women and girls. Alaska is no exception. “There’s not an area of our state where trafficking does not exist. This is happening around us. If there’s a situation that doesn’t seem right, that could be trafficking – it’s better to report it.” “We...

by Joel Davidson

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Crime Culture FamilyVital signs: Alaskans marry less as childhood population plummets

2 months ago4828 min

The number of marriages, babies and children are plummeting across Alaska according to the state’s Vital Statistics report released on Dec. 6. The annual publication contains key information about life, death, marriage, separations, declining birth rates and the notable loss of school-age children. Some highlights from the 2018 figures are listed below. POPULATION FACTS Alaska’s population grew to 736,239 in 2018, compared to 697,828 in 2009. Demographically the state breaks down to 68.9% white (507,304),...

by Joel Davidson

Crime CultureSeven hate crimes reported in Alaska last year

3 months ago3482 min

While hate crimes in Alaska are extremely rare, the number increased slightly from 2017 to 2018 according to the FBI’s latest Hate Crimes Statistics released this month. Nationally, however, the number of hate crimes decreased – from 7,175 in 2017 to 7,120 in 2018. More than 16,000 law enforcement agencies provided data for the study. In 2018 Alaska reported no hate crimes that were motivated by bias against a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or...

by Bob Bird

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Abortion Crime Culture Life OpinionWhy are there so many angry young men?

4 months ago6678 min

The recent trial that just convicted the third young Alaskan in the 2016 murder of Palmer teen David Grundwald is evidence of a larger phenomenon wreaking havoc across our country. Nationwide 21 deadly mass shootings killed a total of 124 people in the first nine months of 2019. In the wake of these tragic murders the familiar calls for stricter gun controls, more money for education, institutions, psychiatric treatments, drug control and prison reform filled...

HomeCategoryCrime Archives - Alaska Watchman

Crime PoliticsChief justice claims Alaska judges not moved by ‘political interests’

Crime Politics ReligionPush for stiffer hate crime laws seen as threat to religious liberty

Crime PoliticsAlaska Legislature to consider LGBT ‘hate crime’ bill on Feb. 6

Crime Politics ReligionKenai City Council to vote on support of statewide LGBT hate crimes bill

Abortion Crime Culture Education Life Politics Public School Sex educationInside scoop: Planned Parenthood’s 2020 strategy for Alaska

Crime Life Religion SuicideWomen fight Alaska sex trafficking with faith, personal mentorship

Crime Culture FamilyVital signs: Alaskans marry less as childhood population plummets

Crime CultureSeven hate crimes reported in Alaska last year

Abortion Crime Culture Life OpinionWhy are there so many angry young men?

PoliticsWATCH: Sen. Murkowski to address Alaska Legislature Tuesday

Abortion Life PoliticsFour more senators co-sponsor bill clarifying there's no right to abortion in Alaska

Education Public SchoolReport: Increased spending hasn't helped Alaska’s students

PoliticsRecall Dunleavy activists can begin collecting signatures

PoliticsSenate bills would free Alaska legislators from binding caucus votes