
Inspector General halts Anchorage mayor’s plan to spend COVID funds on homeless shelters
Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz might not be able to use federal CARES Act funds to purchase homeless shelters after all. On Aug. 12, just one day after the Anchorage Assembly voted to grant the mayor authority to buy four properties in Anchorage, the


Anchorage mayor calls critics ‘petty and vindictive’ then calls for ‘decency’
When Mayor Ethan Berkowitz was asked by the Assembly on Aug. 11 to give a defense of his emergency order which is crippling Anchorage’s bars and restaurants, he lashed out at his growing number of critics. Berkowitz began by claiming that emergency order 15


Hundreds of protesters oppose Anchorage Assembly and mayor’s COVID-19 actions
Several hundred energized protesters gathered outside the Anchorage Assembly chambers on Tuesday night, including former Mayor Dan Sullivan and several state legislators. Demonstrators expressed frustration and anger at Mayor Ethan Berkowitz and many of the


Anchorage must figure out details before buying homeless properties
The increase in homelessness in Anchorage and the corona virus pandemic have sparked two crises that, paradoxically, have also produced unprecedented offers of government and private funds to address the homeless problem. That’s the good news. The bad news


Mat-Su jamboree features rides, fair food, vendors, games
The Alaska State Fair may be closed this year, but Golden Wheel Amusements is using the traditional fairgrounds in Palmer to host a three-week event that includes many of the most popular rides, vendors and games. The “Hometown Jamboree” kicked off on


Anchorage residents set to protest outside Aug. 11 Assembly meeting
The Anchorage Assembly and Mayor Ethan Berkowitz will have to walk past an organized protest before they convene for what promises to be a contentious Aug. 11 Assembly meeting, and one that is closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns. A group called Save


Anchorage diner finally closes indoor dining to avoid mayor’s push for $15,000 daily fines
An Anchorage diner’s dogged refusal to comply with Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s order to shut down all indoor dining has driven city attorneys to urge a judge to find Kriner’s Diner owners and their attorney in contempt of court and to levy crippling fines


Family diners remained open Saturday despite Anchorage mayor’s fines, threats and lawsuits
Two Anchorage restaurants, Kriner’s Diner and Litter Dipper, both remained open on Saturday, Aug. 8, amid growing sanctions from Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s administration. The diners have become a rallying point for local residents who are fed up with


Kriner’s Diner plans to open on Saturday despite Anchorage judge’s order
A small family-owned diner’s battle to stay open in spite of Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s emergency order that bans all indoor dining is set to intensify this weekend. On Friday, Aug. 7, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth said the owners


8.7 > Reasonable Pushback
The Alaska Watchman aims to raise awareness of key issues affecting Alaskans. Coming from a broadly Judeo-Christian perspective, we are committed to the highest standards of journalism and ethical reporting. Our reports look to inform and equip Alaskans to

