![Kriner talks](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Kriner-talks.jpg)
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
![Seward houses](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Seward-houses.jpg)
![Seward houses](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Seward-houses.jpg)
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
![Homeless cart](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Homeless-cart.jpg)
![Homeless cart](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Homeless-cart.jpg)
Despite outcry Anchorage mayor’s homeless-plan remains intact; vote set for Aug. 11
Mayor Ethan Berkowitz may have to wait a few more days, but the Anchorage Assembly kept in play all four of the properties he hopes to purchase for homeless shelters and services. At the July 27 special meeting the Assembly moved to delay taking a final
![Berkowiitz talks](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Berkowiitz-talks.jpg)
![Berkowiitz talks](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Berkowiitz-talks.jpg)
Despite public defiance, Berkowitz set to mandate masks across Anchorage
After the Anchorage Assembly twice refused to order residents to wear masks, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has decided to take matters into his own hands and use his ongoing emergency powers to demand mask wearing across the municipality. “There is disregard for
![Supreme Court pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Supreme-Court-pic.jpg)
![Supreme Court pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Supreme-Court-pic.jpg)
Alaska Supremes signal intention to better respect minorities
Four members of the Alaska Supreme Court issued a letter on June 5 claiming that minorities and people of color are not treated with the same respect as white people in Alaska, and that lawyers and judges should do more to change this. While slim on
![Dunleavy mug final](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dunleavy-mug-final.jpg)
![Dunleavy mug final](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dunleavy-mug-final.jpg)
Governor: ‘Now is the time’ to reopen Alaska
The time has come to move away from fear and hiding from COVID-19 and towards widespread but careful opening of Alaska’s businesses, churches and cultural life, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced on May 19. Starting Friday, May 22, businesses and other entities
![Statue of Liberty pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Statue-of-Liberty-pic.jpg)
![Statue of Liberty pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Statue-of-Liberty-pic.jpg)
OPINION: Open Alaska now – the shutdown is devastating
With the breakdown of the national food supply chain, the imminent economic depression, healthcare facilities furloughing workers and losing millions, unemployment at record highs, children out of school, domestic abuse on the rise and the three pillars of
![Political rally pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Political-rally-pic.jpg)
![Political rally pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Political-rally-pic.jpg)
Alaska conservatives look to gain political respect
Mike Widney admits he doesn’t have many politician friends, and that’s okay. “I don’t, but I’m not interested in gaining access to them,” the Big Lake resident said. “I’ve seen a lot of people get sucked in with politicians. I’ve seen
![Surgeon pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Surgeon-pic.jpg)
![Surgeon pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Surgeon-pic.jpg)
Despite Alaska health mandates, Planned Parenthood ‘operating as normal’
Despite city and state orders to postpone all non-emergency surgeries in Alaska during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Anchorage is “operating as normal,” according to clinic staff. In a March 23 phone call, a staffer at
![Ambulance pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Ambulance-pic.jpg)
![Ambulance pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Ambulance-pic.jpg)
Juneau 911 responders evaluating all COVID-19 cases for home quarantine
In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Juneau, emergency responders are implementing a temporary “quarantine at home” protocol for certain 911 calls. The first coronavirus case was confirmed in Juneau over the weekend – an adult patient who was