Court ruling may doom Anchorage’s ban on LGBTQ counseling
Last week, the 11th Circuit struck down a South Florida ban against counseling that help youth overcome unwanted same-sex attraction or gender confusion. The court ruled that the constitutionally guaranteed free speech rights of counselors were violated. The
Palmer mayor welcomes more public comment on controversial mask mandate proposal
If last week’s Palmer City Council meeting is any indication, local residents have strong opinions over a proposed citywide mask mandate. While the in-person public comment period concluded after nearly three hours on Nov. 18, Palmer Mayor Edna DeVries
Palmer delays mask mandate vote to next week after hearing massive opposition
Hundreds of Palmer area residents stood in bitter cold weather outside the Palmer City Council chambers on Nov. 18 for a chance to publicly oppose a proposed citywide mask mandate. After hearing nearly three hours of in-person testimony the Palmer City
Anchorage Assembly chair belittles public comments, votes to extend emergency declaration
After two hours of public testimony which overwhelmingly opposed extending the emergency declaration in Anchorage, the Assembly voted 7-3 to keep it until at least Jan. 15. The passage allows Anchorage’s unelected acting mayor, Austin Quinn-Davidson, to
Survey looks to see if residents will shop in Palmer under a mask mandate
A new survey been launched in the lead up to the Palmer City Council’s special meeting on Nov. 18 where it will vote on whether to issue a citywide mask mandate – both indoors and outside. The online survey is aimed at ascertaining the economic impact of
Opponents prep to resist Anchorage Assembly’s plan to extend COVID mandates
On Monday, Nov. 16, the Anchorage Assembly will hold a special meeting to extend its emergency COVID declaration for the fifth time – prolonging it to the end of the year. It won’t come, however, without considerable public outcry. Opponents have compiled
Palmer progressives want to wield newfound power to mandate masks
Following victories in the recent October election, progressives on the Palmer City Council now enjoy a narrow 4-3 majority, which they will try and use to reshape the historic farming town. This agenda begins in earnest on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m.
Attorney: Assembly dishonors the law by refusing to let Anchorage elect a mayor
On Oct. 27, Anchorage Assembly members Crystal Kennedy, Jamie Allard, and Kameron Perez-Verdia introduced a Resolution (AR 2020-386), which called for a special election to replace resigned Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz. The resolution cited municipal
Wrangell residents subject to fines if they resist new mask mandate
Wrangell Assembly members gathered on short notice Nov. 12 to pass a borough wide mask mandate with limited exceptions. Failure to comply can now result in a $25 fine. The meeting was announced via Facebook at 11:15 a.m. and held through Zoom less than five
Kenai resolution on ‘voluntary’ COVID vaccine doesn’t address coercion tactics
The Kenai Borough Assembly passed an amended resolution affirming that it supports residents receiving COVID-19 vaccinations on a “prioritized and optional basis,” while noting that forcing citizens to take a vaccine against their wishes “is likely to