
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


Hundreds of protesters oppose Anchorage Assembly and mayor’s COVID-19 actions
Several hundred energized protesters gathered outside the Anchorage Assembly chambers on Tuesday night, including former Mayor Dan Sullivan and several state legislators. Demonstrators expressed frustration and anger at Mayor Ethan Berkowitz and many of the


Eastman vs. Sumner for Alaska House: Here’s where they stand
In the race for the Alaska House seat in District 10 (Wasilla), the Alaska Watchman is not making any endorsements. In order to give voters a better idea of how the candidates differ, we sent questions to both incumbent Rep. David Eastman and his Republican


Rep. Gary Knopp and six others killed in mid-air plane crash
Alaska State Representative Gary Knopp and with six others were killed in a mid-air plane crash the morning of July 31 near Soldotna. According to the Dept. of Public Safety, Knopp, age 67, was the sole occupant of his plane. The other contained six people


Anchorage Mayor still hopes to get Assembly approval on controversial homeless shelters
The Anchorage Assembly voted July 22 to indefinitely postpone a decision on Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s request to let him purchase four building to establish homeless shelters in various neighborhoods that are not zoned for that purpose. After five long days


Assembly approves Anchorage mayor’s request to reward Catholic shelter for gender identity policy
The Brother Francis Shelter (BFS), which is run by Catholic Social Services (CSS) in Anchorage, received a $200,000 bump from the municipality because of its permissive gender identity policy and the fact that it provides services for the medically fragile,


Governor to join Alaska pastors prayer rally for racial reconciliation
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has agreed to join Alaskans in prayer to seek healing and racial reconciliation. The online prayer gathering will occur on July 16 and will be hosted by Alaska churches and ministries. “Let us mobilize all pastors, prayer warriors, and


Governor says Berkowitz’s facemask order doesn’t apply to state buildings
Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson has told all state employees that Anchorage’s new emergency order mandating face masks in public doesn’t impact those working at state facilities located in Anchorage. “The recent enactment by Mayor Ethan Berkowitz


Supreme Court ruling is déjà vu all over again for pro-lifers
The 5-4 Supreme Court June v. Russo decision to strike down a Louisiana law mandating basic medical safeguards in the event of abortion complications was utterly predictable. This column could have been written months ago when Alabama, Louisiana, Ohio and a


Palmer police chief retains job after criticizing Black Lives Matter
Palmer Police Chief Dwayne Shelton has returned to work following a full review by City Manager John Moosey. Shelton was placed on administrative leave last month after personal Facebook comments from 2018 were widely circulated in which he called the Black

