
So far, state says Ballot Measure 2 audit shows ‘nothing significant’
Two days into an audit, which includes hand counting more than 300,000 ballots from the recent general election, there are no significant changes with regard to the outcome of Ballot Measure 2. “What we’re finding so far is nothing significant


Anchorage residents to protest latest shutdown at Dec. 8 Assembly meeting
With much of Anchorage back in lockdown mode after the latest emergency order issued by Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidson, area residents are planning to voice their opposition at the upcoming Anchorage Assembly meeting. A notice of the Dec. 8 protest is


Anchorage Assembly uses double standard when interpreting the word ‘shall’
Editor’s note: The following letter was submitted to Anchorage Assembly members by Beth Abisror in response to their refusal to hold a special election to let residents vote on a replacement for former Mayor Ethan Berkowitz who resigned on Oct. 23. Dear


Governor reflects on a year dominated by COVID fallout
Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s second year at Alaska’s helm was utterly preoccupied with COVID-19. His ruminations on what he’s accomplished in 2020 reflect this. The governor’s Dec. 7 statement about his 2020 accomplishments opens by saying he hopes to get


Dunleavy hails ‘bravery and final sacrifice’ of Pearl Harbor heroes
Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a proclamation to mark the 79th anniversary of the surprise attack on the United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941. The aerial assault by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service, claimed the lives of 2,403 soldiers and


‘Why are masks so political? What’s the big deal?’
A good friend recently asked, “Why are masks so political? What’s so controversial about wearing a little face covering?” The answer to the first question is straight forward. Masks are political because local and state governments have passed laws


Palmer mask mandate defeated after overwhelming public outcry
After listening to 20 hours of public testimony from more than 700 Mat-Su residents over a three day period, the Palmer City Council voted down a citywide mask mandate, 4-3, on Dec. 4. Nearly 70% of comments – both in-person and written – opposed the idea


RECOUNT: Lance Pruitt loses House race by 11 votes to Liz Snyder
The conclusion of a hand recount on Dec. 4 shows that incumbent Republican Rep. Lance Pruitt has lost his State House seat to liberal Democratic challenger Liz Snyder by 11 votes. Pruitt, who represents Anchorage House District 27, held a solid lead on


8,600 sign petition citing concerns about Anchorage mask mandate for athletes
A petition against Anchorage’s mandate that athletes wear face masks during practices and competitions has now been signed by nearly 9,000 people who say the order “defies a growing body of scientific data about significant negative health effects of


Judge asked to block Anchorage Assembly from holding closed-door meetings
Superior Court Judge Una Sonia Gandbhir heard oral arguments, Dec. 4, in a lawsuit claiming the Anchorage Assembly violated Alaska’s Open Meetings Act by barring the public from attending Assembly meetings in August of this year. Mike Corey, representing

