
Ballot Measure 1 fails to address the root of our fiscal crisis
Alaskans are voting on important issues to determine our next steps in dealing with the budget, resource allocation, taxes, and citizens’ general welfare. I know where I stand, but nothing can replace hearing directly from you. It’s


State control over Alaska’s primary elections is a mess
The history of primary elections in Alaska is a “Mess with a Capital S.” Few would deny this. The first mistake is that since the early decades of statehood Alaska permitted the state government to run its primary elections. This put the private political


Murkowski tries to appease liberals but ultimately backs Justice Barrett for Supreme Court
After echoing a litany of liberal partisan objections for why she opposed seating a new U.S. Supreme Court justice weeks before a presidential election, Sen. Lisa Murkowski begrudgingly voted to confirm Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the nation’s highest


Judge orders governor to approve more money for Alaska’s courts
In a court case that highlights the system of checks and balances in the Alaska Constitution, Superior Court Judge Jennifer Henderson ordered Gov. Mike Dunleavy to restore $334,700 to the appellate court’s budget. Her ruling came on Oct. 16. Dunleavy had


One year of being on watch for Alaska
This past Friday marked one year since we took a leap of faith and launched the Alaska Watchman. Since the moment our website went live, it has been a whirlwind year. We expected to have our hands full reporting on the growing threats to the moral foundations


OPINION: Alaska Right to Life’s ‘all or nothing approach’ is ineffective
Editor’s note: In an effort to help clarify the ongoing disagreement about the direction of the pro-life movement in Alaska, we asked Jim Minnery, of Alaska Family Action, and Pat Martin, of Alaska Right to Life, to explain why their organizations are at


Kriner’s Diner plans to open on Saturday despite Anchorage judge’s order
A small family-owned diner’s battle to stay open in spite of Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s emergency order that bans all indoor dining is set to intensify this weekend. On Friday, Aug. 7, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth said the owners


Attorney warns that diner case could spark class action against Anchorage
In what is becoming a high-stakes court case in Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s effort to close down all restaurants to indoor dining, the initial presiding judge recused herself at the start of the opening hearing on Aug. 6. A few hours later the case


Red Chair Café plans to join Anchorage restaurants in bucking mayor’s mandate
Another Anchorage restaurant is planning to open for indoor dining soon, joining a growing movement of cafes and restaurants that are defying Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s ban on all indoor dining. “We can’t open right now because we just don’t have enough


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

