
Like or not, Berkowitz’s mask mandate begins June 29
Despite considerable community opposition, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz is undaunted in his decision to use the emergency powers granted to him by the Anchorage Assembly to mandate the wearing of face coverings in most indoor public setting across Anchorage. The


Beware of those who twist constitutions to advance even a good cause
Properly understanding constitutions and charters is not hard. They are kept simple because the people ought to be able to comprehend them and, at least in a virtuous culture, sound the alarm if and when they might be violated. The trouble is we have


Alaska among 10 states failing to enact religious exemptions during pandemic
Alaska is among just 10 states that failed to provide religious exemptions to protect First Amendment liberties of churches during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every state in the union implemented guidelines and mandates limiting social gatherings but some took


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


State nixes emergency reg allowing weed shipments to rural Alaska
Citing a conflict with federal law, the State of Alaska reversed its emergency regulation allowing for commercial transport of marijuana to rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The state initially issued two “emergency” regulations on April 17


Mandates raise legal questions regarding treatment of Alaska churches
Last week U.S. Attorney General William Barr instructed the Department of Justice to be on the lookout for state and local laws that violate the religious liberties of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barr directed the DOJ to take action to correct


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


Defending religious rights during COVID-19
Alliance Defending Freedom has defended a number of churches across the country that had their constitutional rights violated by state and local mandates aimed at addressing the coronavirus outbreak. At issue in nearly all cases is the need for governments to


Rep. LeDoux denies criminal charges of voter misconduct
Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, and two others have been charged with voter misconduct by the State of Alaska. Attorney General Kevin G. Clarkson announced March 13 that criminal charges were filed against Rep. LeDoux, Lisa (Vaught) Simpson, and Caden


Is the Republican Party a pro-life champion?
In 1980 Ronald Reagan got my vote and that of many Alaskans because he was pro-life. His sweeping victory had Democrats, feminists and abortionists figuring it was all over for them. Reagan Democrats were essentially pro-life anti-communists. Both enemies and

