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Alaska university claims admission tests are racist, won’t use them in 2021
Alaska Pacific University (APU) has joined a small but growing number of schools that no longer consider standardized SAT and ACT test scores when determining undergraduate admissions or merit-based scholarships. The school announced earlier this month that
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Graduation requirement nixed but new bill still aims to fix Alaska’s erratic civics education
A proposed mandatory civics test for Alaska students to graduate high school has been nixed. It would have required students to be able to pass the civics test administered to all U.S. immigrants. Sponsored by Sen. Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak) and Sen. Tom
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Alaska pastors urged to mobilize against religious liberty threats posed by Equality Act
Roughly 30 religious and political leaders gathered in Anchorage on March 18 to address concerns about the Equality Act and what they see as its grave threat to religious liberty, children and the unborn. Hours before the meeting, the U.S. Senate began
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ASAA tables plan to punish Alaska student athletes for ‘hate speech’
The Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) postponed action to impose severe penalties on any student athlete who uses certain words deemed “hate speech.” The item was up for discussion at the Feb. 22 ASAA board meeting but it was tabled until board
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Some thoughts on those Nazi-themed Alaska license plates
Recent revelation of two personalized Alaska license plates reading “3REICH” and “FUHRER” suggest several profound problems in our culture. First the facts. Alaska’s Division of Motor Vehicles issued the two controversial plates over the past decade
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Mat-Su School Board set to vote on policy clarifying parental rights in education
A proposed policy update by the Mat-Su School Board would make it abundantly clear that parents have ultimate authority over the education of their children in public schools. On Jan. 20, the board is scheduled to vote on a proposed update clarifying parental
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As censorship police close in, we must redouble the defense of freedom
A liberal-minded person was once understood to be someone who invited vigorous debate over controversial ideas, someone who listened to opposing arguments and calmly followed the logic wherever it led – even if that meant rethinking one’s core
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Fairbanks School Board candidates divided on abortion, LGBT policies
Fairbanks School Board candidates hold widely differing views when it comes to abortion, LGBT issues and parental rights. The Watchman sent a survey to each candidate. Their responses to some of the most hot-button social issues are published below.
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Book controversy shows need to empower Mat-Su parents, school board president says
There’s nothing like national media coverage over a local controversy to liven up a school board meeting in Alaska. In the wake of the Mat-Su Borough School Board’s April 22 decision to pull five controversial books from the list of recommended reading in
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Fairbanks school board to vote on radical shift in education
After months of opposition, hundreds of emails and many hours of public testimony, the Fairbanks School Board will finally vote on whether to approve a fundamental shift in education, which includes adding controversial LGBTQ courses in area schools. The