
Prominent Alaska church defies mayor’s order restricting religious services
Anchorage Baptist Temple is standing up to Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s latest emergency order that bans churches from having more than 15 people in attendance. On Sunday, Aug. 9, Pastor Ron Hoffman gave an inspired sermon to a large gathering inside


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


Attorney warns that diner case could spark class action against Anchorage
In what is becoming a high-stakes court case in Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s effort to close down all restaurants to indoor dining, the initial presiding judge recused herself at the start of the opening hearing on Aug. 6. A few hours later the case


Eastman vs. Sumner for Alaska House: Here’s where they stand
In the race for the Alaska House seat in District 10 (Wasilla), the Alaska Watchman is not making any endorsements. In order to give voters a better idea of how the candidates differ, we sent questions to both incumbent Rep. David Eastman and his Republican


Momentum builds as more Anchorage restaurants defy mayor’s shutdown orders
At least two more Anchorage restaurants are open for business as of Aug. 6, joining Kriner’s Diner and Little Dipper Diner in making a stand against Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s order to shut down all indoor dining due to COVID-19 concerns. Jackie’s Place is


Open defiance: Anchorage restaurants packed despite mayor’s order
Kriner’s Diner has become ground zero for those who oppose increasingly stringent health mandates imposed on Anchorage by Mayor Ethan Berkowitz. Jason Woscek went out of his way to eat at Kriner’s on Aug. 5, bringing his family and out-of-state relatives


Palmer to hold public hearing on allowing pot shops in town
The Palmer City Council will hold a public hearing on Aug. 12 to debate whether to allow marijuana shops to open in the city limits. A proposed ordinance, introduced by City Council Members Jill Valerius and Julia Berberich, would repeal a prohibition on pot


Rep. Young helps introduce emergency act to protect voting integrity
Rep. Don Young joined nine other U.S. House members in introduced emergency legislation to help states ensure that those who want to vote in person can do so safely while also making mail-in voting more secure by cleaning state voter rolls. The Emergency


Alaska LGBT activists showcase pronoun predicament
Identity is one of the leading LGBT activist groups in Alaska. They organize Drag Queen Story Hour for children at the Loussac Library in Anchorage and also occasionally instruct Anchorage School District teachers and staff on how to conform with liberal

