
CORRECTION: Mat-Su Borough Assembly is not seeking to impose a mask mandate
On Nov. 19 the Watchman published an article which suggested that the Mat-Su Borough Assembly was seeking approval from Alaska’s attorney general’s office to impose a borough-wide mask mandate. This was not the case. The article reported on an exchange


Some Alaska recounts underway, but voters can request more
A number of Alaska contests were razor close in the recent general election, leading many to wonder whether the state will conduct recounts of certain races. Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer said he will do a full audit of the highly controversial Ballot Measure 2


‘Alaska is not broke.’ Let me say that again.
As a banker in Alaska for about 50 years prior to retirement, I have a time-consuming habit of reading lengthy financial statements, since the devil is always in the details. I was most pleased a dozen years ago when I discovered Alaska’s “Comprehensive


Mat-Su asks attorney general to clarify why he thinks 2nd-class boroughs can impose mask mandates
Editor’s note: This article has been changed to remove any suggestion that the Mat-Su Assembly was seeking approval from the State’s Attorney General Office to impose a borough mask mandate. This is not the case and we regret any confusion our


Palmer delays mask mandate vote to next week after hearing massive opposition
Hundreds of Palmer area residents stood in bitter cold weather outside the Palmer City Council chambers on Nov. 18 for a chance to publicly oppose a proposed citywide mask mandate. After hearing nearly three hours of in-person testimony the Palmer City


Seward considers mandatory face masks for indoors
Seward is the next in a series of local Alaska towns weighing or adopting mask mandates in recent dats. The Seward City Council will hold a public hearing on whether to enact an emergency regulation mandating that residents wear face masks inside buildings


A look at how Alaska’s red tide sunk into a blue lagoon
On election night it looked as if a red wave would increase Republican control of the Alaska House and Senate. Not only were conservative candidates winning, Ballot Measures 1 and 2, backed by millions of dollars from liberal outside sources, were also


Survey looks to see if residents will shop in Palmer under a mask mandate
A new survey been launched in the lead up to the Palmer City Council’s special meeting on Nov. 18 where it will vote on whether to issue a citywide mask mandate – both indoors and outside. The online survey is aimed at ascertaining the economic impact of


Opponents prep to resist Anchorage Assembly’s plan to extend COVID mandates
On Monday, Nov. 16, the Anchorage Assembly will hold a special meeting to extend its emergency COVID declaration for the fifth time – prolonging it to the end of the year. It won’t come, however, without considerable public outcry. Opponents have compiled


Palmer progressives want to wield newfound power to mandate masks
Following victories in the recent October election, progressives on the Palmer City Council now enjoy a narrow 4-3 majority, which they will try and use to reshape the historic farming town. This agenda begins in earnest on Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m.

