![sex trafficking pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/sex-trafficking-pic.jpg)
Alaska lawmakers to debate bill on prostitution & sex trafficking
The House State Affairs Committee in Juneau is set to hear a bill on Thursday, Feb. 20 that deals with prostitution and sex trafficking. The bill will be heard at 3 p.m. and will be teleconferenced. No public testimony, however, will be taken. House Bill
![Flag and Cross](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Flag-and-Cross.jpg)
![Flag and Cross](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Flag-and-Cross.jpg)
Event aims to equip Mat-Su Christians to engage politics and culture
Mat-Su residents are meeting this Saturday, Feb. 15, In the first of what will be a monthly meeting to educate and mobilize area Christians to engage politics and culture. Organizer Candy Sunderland said inspiration for the event came on the heels of a past
![Bolger video photo](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bolger-video-photo.jpg)
![Bolger video photo](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bolger-video-photo.jpg)
Video raises questions about impartiality of Alaska’s chief justice
A video (watch below) on the Alaska Bar Association website shows what appears to be an attempt by the chief justice of Alaska’s Supreme Court to enlist lawyers in influencing public opinion on behalf of a lawsuit over which he may ultimately preside. The
![Justice Bolger](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Justice-Bolger.jpg)
![Justice Bolger](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Justice-Bolger.jpg)
Chief justice claims Alaska judges not moved by ‘political interests’
In his Feb. 12 address to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature, Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court Joel Bolger alluded to the court’s ongoing dispute with Gov. Mike Dunleavy regarding cuts to the judiciary’s budget following high court’s
![AK Supreme court pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AK-Supreme-court-pic.jpg)
![AK Supreme court pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AK-Supreme-court-pic.jpg)
Alaska’s chief justice to face Legislature amid battle with governor
It could get interesting when the Alaska Supreme Court’s Chief Justice Joel Bolger addresses the full Alaska Legislature this week. He’s set to deliver the “State of the Judiciary” on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 11 a.m. in the House Chamber in Juneau.
![Handcuff pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Handcuff-pic.jpg)
![Handcuff pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Handcuff-pic.jpg)
Push for stiffer hate crime laws seen as threat to religious liberty
Hate crime is back in the national and local spotlight following the recent introduction of legislation in both the Alaska Legislature and the U.S. Senate. Senator Lisa Murkowski introduced legislation last week to make it easier for federal prosecutors to
![Student lifts trophy pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Student-lifts-trophy-pic.jpg)
![Student lifts trophy pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Student-lifts-trophy-pic.jpg)
Alaska’s failing public schools need some stiff competition
In late 2019 Alaskans learned that, despite spending more than 1.6 billion dollars every year on education, our elementary and high school students ranked at the bottom in terms of national test scores, with only 39% proficient in reading and 36% proficient
![Abortion ban pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Abortion-ban-pic.jpg)
![Abortion ban pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Abortion-ban-pic.jpg)
Proposed constitutional amendment clarifies there is no right to abortion in Alaska
Sen. Shelley Hughes kicked off the legislative session on Jan. 21 with a pro-life resolution to amend Alaska’s Constitution by clarifying that “nothing in this constitution may be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the State to
![MLK image](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/MLK-image.jpg)
![MLK image](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/MLK-image.jpg)
MLK challenges Christians of every age to be non-conformists
As Alaskans join Americans across the country in setting aside a day to honor the work and vision of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is important to remember that he was a pastor formed and motivated by deep Judeo-Christian beliefs. King’s first principles
![Bord Student pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Bord-Student-pic.jpg)
![Bord Student pic](https://alaskawatchman.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Bord-Student-pic.jpg)
Despite opposition, radical LGBT classes still planned for Fairbanks schools
In the face of community resistance, the Fairbanks North Star School district remains undeterred in its push to introduce controversial LGBTQ curriculum into classrooms. A group working on the plan met Jan. 9 in Fairbanks to discuss a second draft of proposed