Ketchikan mayor defends religious liberty, vows to veto gender identity ordinance
After an emotional and somewhat philosophical discussion about gender identity, religious freedom and discrimination, the Ketchikan Borough Assembly voted 6-1 in favor of a resolution asking the Alaska Legislature to pass a law that prohibits discrimination
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
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
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
Alaska AG joins brief asking U.S. Supreme Court to uphold 15-week abortion ban
Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson joined 17 other attorneys general from across the country in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Mississippi’s ban on so-called non-emergency abortions done after 15 weeks. Mississippi’s law prohibits abortions
Protests loom as Anchorage mayor imposes new round of COVID restrictions
As of Aug. 3, all indoor gatherings in Anchorage, including religious services, are restricted to 15 people or fewer. The new emergency order was imposed by Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz in response to COVID-19. The sweeping order imposes far greater
Alaskans scramble to save historic church from falling off cliff
One of the oldest churches in Alaska, and a spiritual treasure to Orthodox Alaska Natives, is on the verge of falling off a massive cliff on Kodiak Island. Built in 1888 by the Russian Orthodox, The Ascension of Our Lord Chapel located near the remote Village
Seward extends COVID restrictions despite zero hospitalizations or deaths
Seward residents will continue to live under an extensive list of COVID-19 mandates. On Monday, July 27, the Seward City Council voted unanimously to extend emergency regulations that restrict campgrounds to 50% capacity, prohibit gatherings of 20 or more
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