
High court says recall effort against Dunleavy can proceed
The effort to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy from office may proceed after the Alaska Supreme Court ruled 4-1 on May 8 that grounds for the potential recall election were sufficient. Chief Justice Joel Bolger did not take part in the State Division of Elections v.


Powerful Alaska Judicial Council controls the bench – we merely offer suggestions
The Alaska Judicial Council – a small but powerful group that controls placement of all judges in Alaska – says it wants to hear from rank and file Alaskans regarding the suitability of 22 judges up for retention this year. After hearing from Alaskans and


25-year Alaska teacher raises key questions in dealing with controversial books
Editor’s note: The following testimony was delivered on May 6 to the Mat-Su Borough School Board during its deliberation on whether to rescind its April 22 vote to remove five controversial books from a list of recommended reading for an elective high


ACLU of Alaska keeps quiet on religious liberty restrictions
The ACLU, including the Alaska chapter, claims to be very busy protecting fundamental liberties during the COVID-19 crisis. A series of recent emails from the national group boasts that during the pandemic their attorneys have filed over 100 legal actions for


Mat-Su book clash reveals flaw with how schools tackle divisive topics
After three hours of call-in public testimony, including name-calling, half-truths and some thoughtful insights, the Mat-Su Borough School Board gaveled out of its May 6 meeting at 10 p.m. National interest in the meeting arose based on a false report that


Alaska enters phase two of reopening: Theaters, bars, entertainment permitted
With extremely low infection and hospitalization rates from COVID-19, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced plans for phase two of reopening segments of Alaska. This allows entertainment and cultural venues to incrementally open as well as bars and fitness centers.


Mat-Su School Board issues statement on book controversy
The following statement was issued by the Mat-Su School Board on May 6 to address controversy and misunderstanding surrounding its decision to remove five books from a “recommended” reading list in a high school English elective class. The school board


Mat-Su to announce finalists to replace school superintendent
Alaska’s second largest school district is about to announce the top finalists in its search for a new superintendent who will oversee 46 schools and the education of 19,000 students. The Mat-Su School Board hopes to announce their leading two or three


Take caution, yes, but don’t trample religious liberty amid a pandemic
Last month, the mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, banned all religious services as part of the effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. The ban applied to a drive-in service planned by the On Fire Christian Center on Easter Sunday. On Holy Saturday, Federal


Book controversy shows need to empower Mat-Su parents, school board president says
There’s nothing like national media coverage over a local controversy to liven up a school board meeting in Alaska. In the wake of the Mat-Su Borough School Board’s April 22 decision to pull five controversial books from the list of recommended reading in

