Culture

Public art pic

Bill aims to nix state funded art in Alaska

Senate Bill 97 takes up the issue of whether Alaska should continue state funding of public art projects, especially given the current budget crisis. The public art program has a controversial history, as many of the pieces are incomprehensible or fail to
Alaska Flag pic

Effort to change state song on the move

House Bill 193, which alters Alaska’s state song by adding a second verse suggesting there are “bars among our cultures,” while pledging allegiance to “Nature’s” flag sailed through the House Community & Regional Affairs Committee with little
Empty swings pic

Losing our children: A snapshot of Alaska’s population loss

School-age children now account for just 18% of Alaskans, down from a peak of 29.2% in 1970. The population of 5 to 17-year-olds has dropped drastically since 2000 after 50 years of strong growth. The March issue of Trends, published by the State of Alaska,
Alaska least religious

Democratic candidates not seen as very religious

Americans don’t believe that the Democratic candidates for president are a particularly religious group, according to a new Pew Research Center survey of the top contenders: Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg (who has since
Separation of Church State pic

‘Separation of church and state’ isn’t what you think

A growing percentage of people believe it’s a good thing if church and church people steer clear from anything resembling politics. They believe that the separation of church and state dictates that people of faith should keep their beliefs to themselves.
Hobbit homes

Saturday symphony celebrates ‘The Lord of the Rings’

J.R.R. Tolkien once said that “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy was a “fundamentally religious” work that explores fundamental Christian truths. His renown story has reached millions of readers with unforgettable characters. On Saturday, Feb. 29, the