
Inspector General halts Anchorage mayor’s plan to spend COVID funds on homeless shelters
Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz might not be able to use federal CARES Act funds to purchase homeless shelters after all. On Aug. 12, just one day after the Anchorage Assembly voted to grant the mayor authority to buy four properties in Anchorage, the


Anchorage must figure out details before buying homeless properties
The increase in homelessness in Anchorage and the corona virus pandemic have sparked two crises that, paradoxically, have also produced unprecedented offers of government and private funds to address the homeless problem. That’s the good news. The bad news


Mat-Su jamboree features rides, fair food, vendors, games
The Alaska State Fair may be closed this year, but Golden Wheel Amusements is using the traditional fairgrounds in Palmer to host a three-week event that includes many of the most popular rides, vendors and games. The “Hometown Jamboree” kicked off on


Anchorage residents set to protest outside Aug. 11 Assembly meeting
The Anchorage Assembly and Mayor Ethan Berkowitz will have to walk past an organized protest before they convene for what promises to be a contentious Aug. 11 Assembly meeting, and one that is closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns. A group called Save


Momentum builds as more Anchorage restaurants defy mayor’s shutdown orders
At least two more Anchorage restaurants are open for business as of Aug. 6, joining Kriner’s Diner and Little Dipper Diner in making a stand against Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s order to shut down all indoor dining due to COVID-19 concerns. Jackie’s Place is


Palmer to hold public hearing on allowing pot shops in town
The Palmer City Council will hold a public hearing on Aug. 12 to debate whether to allow marijuana shops to open in the city limits. A proposed ordinance, introduced by City Council Members Jill Valerius and Julia Berberich, would repeal a prohibition on pot


Alaska AG joins brief asking U.S. Supreme Court to uphold 15-week abortion ban
Alaska Attorney General Kevin Clarkson joined 17 other attorneys general from across the country in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Mississippi’s ban on so-called non-emergency abortions done after 15 weeks. Mississippi’s law prohibits abortions


Rep. Young helps introduce emergency act to protect voting integrity
Rep. Don Young joined nine other U.S. House members in introduced emergency legislation to help states ensure that those who want to vote in person can do so safely while also making mail-in voting more secure by cleaning state voter rolls. The Emergency


Alaska LGBT activists showcase pronoun predicament
Identity is one of the leading LGBT activist groups in Alaska. They organize Drag Queen Story Hour for children at the Loussac Library in Anchorage and also occasionally instruct Anchorage School District teachers and staff on how to conform with liberal


Scrambling Anchorage parents ask school district for homeschool stipends
Parents are petitioning the Anchorage School District for financial help as they take on the task of homeschooling their children this year. The district notified parents last week that schools would not be reopening for at least the first quarter of the

