
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


Catholic churches reopen in northern Alaska with health measures in place
Following updated health mandates released last week by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Catholic parishes across northern Alaska have begun to hold religious services, including distribution of communion. A letter published on April 28 by Fairbanks Bishop Chad Zielinski


As state begins reopening, governor trusts Alaskans to ‘rise to the occasion’
Alaska has entered phase one of reopening areas of the economy and society. Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued his 16th health mandate on April 22, which allows most businesses to open under strict health and safety conditions beginning today, April 24. The mandate is


Alaska’s new normal won’t look like the old, governor cautions
As Alaska begins to open up sectors of society, Gov. Mike Dunleavy asked residents to understand that the new normal won’t look like the old. “When we say, ‘getting back towards normal,’ we’re probably not going to get back to a hundred percent,”


Alaska begins loosening health mandates on certain sectors
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Tuesday that the state is beginning the gradual process of reopening certain sectors of society, while tracking the health impact each step of the way. The first move, on April 14, was to let restaurants sell alcohol along with


Coronavirus sheds light on our ‘essential’ values
COVID-19 is, among many other things, a conversation starter. It touches nearly every part of life and has shed some unexpected light on what we most value. Here are few observations from the past week. JUNK FOOD & SPIRITUAL SUSTENANCE Last month,


More Alaska churches restrict events amid fear of COVID-19
Alaska’s faith communities are a state of flux as pastors struggle with whether to keep churches open for Sunday worship and mid-week ministries. A growing number of churches are canceling religious services and providing online or televised options. Others


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


Dunleavy recall case exhibits ‘tyrannical power’ of the courts
Alaska Chief Justice Joel Bolger’s “State of the Judiciary” address, his recent AFN speech and the video posting where he asks for partisan letters, articles and columns, is a vanilla-flavored foray into raw, unvarnished lobbying, unworthy of judicial


Governor: Alaska parents have choices when educating kids
Governor Mike Dunleavy is highlighting the opportunities Alaskans have to send their children to private, public, charter, religious or home-schools. In observance of National School Choice Week the governor issued a proclamation in support of educational

