Anchorage mayor breaks with governor’s plan to reopen state on Friday
While Gov. Mike Dunleavy is set to remove all health mandates on businesses, churches and cultural entities by May 22, Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz does not plan to let Alaska’s largest city follow the same timeline. During the May 19 Anchorage Assembly
Governor: ‘Now is the time’ to reopen Alaska
The time has come to move away from fear and hiding from COVID-19 and towards widespread but careful opening of Alaska’s businesses, churches and cultural life, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced on May 19. Starting Friday, May 22, businesses and other entities
ACLU of Alaska keeps quiet on religious liberty restrictions
The ACLU, including the Alaska chapter, claims to be very busy protecting fundamental liberties during the COVID-19 crisis. A series of recent emails from the national group boasts that during the pandemic their attorneys have filed over 100 legal actions for
Alaska enters phase two of reopening: Theaters, bars, entertainment permitted
With extremely low infection and hospitalization rates from COVID-19, Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced plans for phase two of reopening segments of Alaska. This allows entertainment and cultural venues to incrementally open as well as bars and fitness centers.
Take caution, yes, but don’t trample religious liberty amid a pandemic
Last month, the mayor of Louisville, Kentucky, banned all religious services as part of the effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. The ban applied to a drive-in service planned by the On Fire Christian Center on Easter Sunday. On Holy Saturday, Federal
OPINION: Open Alaska now – the shutdown is devastating
With the breakdown of the national food supply chain, the imminent economic depression, healthcare facilities furloughing workers and losing millions, unemployment at record highs, children out of school, domestic abuse on the rise and the three pillars of
Defending religious rights during COVID-19
Alliance Defending Freedom has defended a number of churches across the country that had their constitutional rights violated by state and local mandates aimed at addressing the coronavirus outbreak. At issue in nearly all cases is the need for governments to
Catholic churches reopen in northern Alaska with health measures in place
Following updated health mandates released last week by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Catholic parishes across northern Alaska have begun to hold religious services, including distribution of communion. A letter published on April 28 by Fairbanks Bishop Chad Zielinski
Alaska eases health mandates on churches, religious services
Alaska’s churches are now freer to hold religious services, both indoors and out. On April 24, Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued further guidance on phase one of reopening Alaska. This includes an update addressing religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alaska begins loosening health mandates on certain sectors
Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Tuesday that the state is beginning the gradual process of reopening certain sectors of society, while tracking the health impact each step of the way. The first move, on April 14, was to let restaurants sell alcohol along with