Deafening silence of Alaska congressional delegation on Trump's unprecedented corruption

At the very least, every Alaska news organization should have had a story saying that the delegation refused to comment or explain their refusal to comment on Trump’s unprecedented, historic corruption.

Dermot ColeJuly 11, 2020 Comments

Space Force Moondoggle: 26 states volunteer to spend lots more federal money

Not satisfied with a 2019 decision to base the operation in Alabama, Colorado or California, the Trump administration is looking for political points with what one Congressman has labeled a Moondoggle, making it worse than a boondoggle.

Dermot ColeJuly 9, 2020 Comments

Alaskans deserve thoughtful discussion on school opening, not a Dunleavy soliloquy

Left unsaid was whether state officials and school district officials have reason to believe that children, teachers, other staff members can be safe in schools this fall and whether families will be safe when kids come home from school. This warrants real discussion.

Dermot ColeJuly 8, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy special session delay puts $200 million for small businesses at risk

Most of the $290 million available for COVID-19 grants to small businesses will have to be refunded to the federal government if the Dunleavy administration does not get the program straightened out soon. The governor needs to call a special session now.

Dermot ColeJuly 7, 2020 Comments

1,653 Alaska enterprises, including churches and nonprofits, receive federal loans/grants of at least $150K

A total of 1,653 Alaska enterprises ranging from the Anchorage Baptist Temple to the Arctic Slope Native Association received at least $150,000 in government assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to federal documents released Monday.

Dermot ColeJuly 6, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy won't discuss preemption of Anchorage mask mandate

The reporter asked a simple question at Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s state-managed publicity event Tuesday: “You and Dr. Zink have both continually advocated for masks as an effective way to reduce the spread of the virus. Could you walk me through the intent behind preempting Anchorage’s mask order for state buildings?”

Dermot ColeJuly 1, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy’s ‘have a great weekend’ memo conceals origins of attack on Anchorage mask mandate

The news coverage of the Dunleavy decree did not examine why the governor kept his role in the attack on the Anchorage mask mandate secret, acting as if it was all the work of Attorney General Kevin Clarkson.

Dermot ColeJune 30, 2020 Comments

Dunleavy takes political shot at Berkowitz, opposing Anchorage mask mandate

Dunleavy passed along the memo to all state employees without comment, playing the part of Gov. Noncommittal. But that’s not how this works. This is a Dunleavy decision, not a Clarkson decision.

Dermot ColeJune 27, 2020 Comments

Alaska needs to send absentee ballot applications to all voters to limit COVID risks

Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer says sending absentee ballot applications to those 65 and older is a way to “avoid inserting politics into this decision.” That’s not right. The way to avoid inserting politics is to send absentee applications to every Alaska voter.

Dermot ColeJune 25, 2020 Comments

Sullivan's silence on Trump's divisiveness goes unexamined in Alaska

Sen. Dan Sullivan controls the flow of information from his office. His refusal to either attack or defend the divisive actions and statements of President Trump are not going to be examined in Alaska unless news organizations stop treating Sullivan’s silence as the deciding factor in what gets covered or ignored.

Dermot ColeJune 24, 2020 Comments