
Only 6% of COVID fatalities list virus as ‘only cause’ of death
Of the widely reported COVID related fatalities in the United States, only 6% list COVID as the “only cause” of death. In the remaining 94% of cases, COVID is just one of up to two or three other causes or conditions that lead to death. These figures were


Berkowitz warns Anchorage bars & restaurants that ignore his orders
Mayor Ethan Berkowitz issued a strong warning to restaurant and bar owners that if they don’t follow a series of health suggestions, he may shut them down again. He had Sarah Oats CEO of the Alaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant & Retailers Association lay


Governor tackles mask controversy, emphasizes advisories & personal freedom
Gov. Mike Dunleavy waded into the mask mandate controversy during his June 30 press conference. Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz imposed a mask mandate across Alaska’s largest city, which prompted the governor to exempt state employees working in state


Juneau nixes July 4th fireworks show just weeks after massive BLM protest
A week after announcing the city would hold its annual 4th of July fireworks show, the Juneau Assembly reversed course and put a stop to the Independence Day celebration. On June 29, the Assembly voted 5-4 to reject an emergency ordinance that authorized the


Despite public defiance, Berkowitz set to mandate masks across Anchorage
After the Anchorage Assembly twice refused to order residents to wear masks, Mayor Ethan Berkowitz has decided to take matters into his own hands and use his ongoing emergency powers to demand mask wearing across the municipality. “There is disregard for


Overall Alaska deaths lower in 2020 despite COVID
Despite initial widespread fears over COVID-19, Alaska deaths between the months of January and April are actually lower in 2020 than the average over the past three years over the same time span. These findings are contained in a new report from the


Anchorage Assembly narrowly votes down face mask mandate for businesses
Anchorage business owners will not be forced to require face masks for all employees. The Assembly narrowly defeated the proposal by Assembly Member Forest Dunbar at its June 2 meeting. Dunbar argued that mandatory masks at all businesses were needed to slow


Mayor allowed to keep emergency powers in Anchorage
The Anchorage Assembly voted 9-2 on June 2 to extend Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s ability to enact and enforce emergency orders as they pertain to COVID-19. With the extension, Berkowitz can continue to punish residents who violate his orders regarding the


27 new COVID cases are no cause for Alaska to panic, says governor
Gov. Mike Dunleavy held a special press conference on Sunday to address the report that there were 27 new cases of COVID-19 in Alaska reported on May 30. While the number was the largest single day jump in positive test results, Dunleavy said the new figures


Alaska Supreme Court orders all quarantine cases to be confidential
The Chief Justice of Alaska’s Supreme Court ordered that all court cases in which the state forces people into mandatory isolation due to COVID-19 be sealed from the public. Chief Justice Joel Bolger issued the order on May 26 to comply with a law passed by