Anchorage mayor breaks with governor’s plan to reopen state on Friday
While Gov. Mike Dunleavy is set to remove all health mandates on businesses, churches and cultural entities by May 22, Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz does not plan to let Alaska’s largest city follow the same timeline. During the May 19 Anchorage Assembly
Governor: Alaska ‘headed towards a much bigger opening’
Governor Mike Dunleavy indicated that most health mandates will be lifted and/or substantially eased this week as the number of COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations remain extremely low in Alaska. “We will probably end up retaining just a few things that
Alaska right to reject vulnerable mail-in-only voting
Lieutenant Gov. Kevin Meyer is right to reject pressure to enact a mail-in-only voting system for Alaska during COVID-19. Despite assurances that widespread mail-in voting is secure, the data simply does not bear this out. A new detailed report on mail-in
Alaska parents fear dangers of increased screen time amid COVID-19
Despite many more hours of free time, warming spring temperatures and increased sunshine, Alaska kids are getting less physical activity and spending more time with video games, smart phones and streaming movies. Alaska’s not alone. Nationally parent
OPINION: Of Hoaxes – both innocent and nefarious
As a boy I enjoyed a good hoax. The best one involved thawing out frozen game fish we had kept from a northwoods vacation, putting them on a stringer and then going down to our muddy, carp-infested prairie lake, sitting on the dock and announcing, “Boy are
25-year Alaska teacher raises key questions in dealing with controversial books
Editor’s note: The following testimony was delivered on May 6 to the Mat-Su Borough School Board during its deliberation on whether to rescind its April 22 vote to remove five controversial books from a list of recommended reading for an elective high
More Alaska churches reopen as COVID numbers remain low
More churches across Alaska are beginning to reopen under updated health guidelines released on May 8 as part of phase two of reopening the state. As of May 11, Alaska had just 53 active cases of COVID-19. The new guidelines allow for up to 50 people in
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
25-year Alaska teacher raises key questions in dealing with controversial books
Editor’s note: The following testimony was delivered on May 6 to the Mat-Su Borough School Board during its deliberation on whether to rescind its April 22 vote to remove five controversial books from a list of recommended reading for an elective high
Mat-Su book clash reveals flaw with how schools tackle divisive topics
After three hours of call-in public testimony, including name-calling, half-truths and some thoughtful insights, the Mat-Su Borough School Board gaveled out of its May 6 meeting at 10 p.m. National interest in the meeting arose based on a false report that
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