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The Grand Jury: Constitutionally Based Power Retained by the People

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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The Grand Jury: Constitutionally Based Power Retained by the People

Part I: Is a Constitutional Showdown Coming?

By Jon Faulkner, Co-author and Bob Bird, Co-author

With regard to the hierarchy of constitutional authority, we all hear about the three co-equal branches of government. But a serious inquiry into our foundational documents informs us that actual equality exists neither in the U.S. constitution, nor in Alaska’s.

In Alaska’s constitution, Article 4 states, “The jurisdiction of the courts shall be prescribed by law.” Meaning, the judiciary’s scope is subordinate to the legislature. And we read in Article 3, Section 16, that the governor’s authority “shall not be construed to authorize any action or proceeding against the legislature.”

Does this make the legislative branch supreme? No, not quite, for all branches of government are subordinate to the citizens. One simple instrument that effectuates every citizen’s essential sovereignty, and their right to investigate potential infringements of it, is the grand jury.

Alaska citizens are re-asserting this fundamental right. Take a look at Article 1, Section 2:

§ 2. Source of Government

All political power is inherent in the people. All government originates with the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the people as a whole.

Alaska’s constitution may have flaws, but none question this foundational source of all power. The question becomes: “Who protects this power of the people?” Elections are one way, but hardly the only way. The constitutional power vested in our governor, among the most extensive grants of any state, is another avenue. This power is found in Article 3, Section 16:

§ 16. Governor’s Authority

The governor shall be responsible for the faithful execution of the laws. He may, by appropriate court action or proceeding brought in the name of the State, enforce compliance with any constitutional or legislative mandate, or restrain violation of any constitutional or legislative power, duty, or right by any officer, department, or agency of the State or any of its political subdivisions. This authority shall not be construed to authorize any action or proceeding against the legislature.

Thus, Governor Dunleavy has defined authorities over all branches of government and their respective bureaucracies, excepting only the legislature itself. On the narrow topic of enforcing citizen’s constitutional rights, it is not true that the judicial branch has exclusive purview. In Alaska, the Executive officer has supreme authority in matters of considerable consequence. The issue of constitutionally based duty and supreme authority to act in the people’s interest is about to explode.

Put plainly, if the judicial branch has—wittingly or not—prevented any Grand Jury from exercising its constitutionally mandated power, then the governor must intervene on behalf of the people to enforce the mandate. He may also restrain any violation of a constitutional power by any officer, agency or department of the state. This is not wishful thinking on the part of conservative activists; this is foundational compact law.

Many Alaskans believe that Supreme Court Order 1993 was corrupt—motivated to limit the rights of the grand jury in Alaska. Here is what our state constitution states about the purpose and power of the people’s grand jury:

§ 8. Grand Jury

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the armed forces in time of war or public danger. Indictment may be waived by the accused. In that case the prosecution shall be by information. The grand jury shall consist of at least twelve citizens, a majority of whom concurring may return an indictment. The power of grand juries to investigate and make recommendations concerning the public welfare or safety shall never be suspended.

Many Alaskans have come to believe the power of grand juries to investigate corruption and abuse of power within our government has been suspended by the judicial branch. When Alaska’s citizenry cannot reasonably understand or comply with the procedural complexities the judiciary has erected to process citizen complaints, then a “de-facto” denial of constitutional intent and due process is present.  Proof of this exists, and Alaskans are pressing their case.   

Their case is based on Supreme Court Order 1993 (SCO 1993) and the restrictive regulations issued since by the Department of Law to implement this order.  Protocols adopted by the AG that aggregate and impose strict “gatekeeping” powers serve to unreasonably hinder the grand jury’s power to perform their constitutional function.

It is unnerving when our constitutional rights hinge on a single person’s vote.  Here’s what Supreme Court justices Compton and Burke wrote in their dissent of the Supreme Court ruling in 1991 that provides the foundation for today’s protocols:

 “This procedural rule is not the least bit deferential to the “anti-suspension” clause. Indeed, it mocks it. The Grand Jury, and not the courts, can choose matters on which it reports and recommends, and the manner in which to do so. Its constitutional power shall never be suspended by the overlay of cumbersome procedures which provide for private judicial adjudications and review of whether the report it is to publish adversely reflects on someone, or otherwise violates his or her constitutional rights.”

By a single vote, these high-court objections were dismissed and our modern protocols became law. The question today is: how can the people overcome this travesty of justice?

Governor Dunleavy, our elected Executive, must declare SCO 1993 null, void, and of no effect, since it is deemed by him, acting alone if necessary, to be unconstitutional. He has the power, the duty—and the proof– that compels this declaration.

Every candidate for governor will be asked to take a stand. Who among them will grasp and affirm the present injustice, then pledge to remedy it on behalf of Alaska citizens?  This great state belongs to the people. To be worthy of this responsibility, we must be informed and willing to act. The current restrictions placed on grand juries, just as Burke and Compton warned, suspend a constitutionally based power retained by the people.

Anchorage Republican Women’s Club Gives $1,000 to Turning Point USA-UAA 

Natalie Spaulding
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Anchorage Republican Women’s Club Gives $1,000 to Turning Point USA-UAA 

After attending the Charlie Kirk memorial put on by University of Alaska – Anchorage’s Turning Point USA chapter, Anchorage Republican Women’s Club (ARWC) President Judy Eledge realized the importance of Republicans mentoring and financially supporting young conservatives. To this end, ARWC donated $1,000 to the TPUSA chapter at the University of Alaska-Anchorage. 

Without a doubt, the assassination of Charlie Kirk has motivated numerous students across colleges in America to join Turning Point USA in its mission “to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government.”  

One such student, Jack Thompson, has stepped forward to lead the TPUSA-UAA chapter. Thompson announces his vision for the chapter: “My vision is for this group to serve as a way for our generation to begin to write our chapter in the history of Alaska, starting immediately with next year’s elections. It is not just about politics; it is about building an institution that will mobilize my generation into something that changes Alaska. It is about proving that young Alaskans are not just watching things happen, but we are the ones fundamentally shaping our future.”  

He also expresses gratitude to ARWC: “The donation from ARWC is an incomprehensibly generous asset that will give us the means necessary to begin our work immediately.” Charlie Kirk has inspired many young conservatives to bring civil discourse and conversative values back to America. Older conservatives must actively support the next generation of conservative leaders. 

Zack Gottshall: Finding Our Way Back to Courage and Conviction 

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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Zack Gottshall: Finding Our Way Back to Courage and Conviction 

By ZACK GOTTSHALL

When Region 2 Director Ryan Sheldon urged Republicans to “learn the game” after recent local election losses in Fairbanks, Palmer, and Ketchikan, he was not wrong — but he did not go far enough. The problem is not Ranked-Choice Voting or off-cycle elections. It is that the Alaska Republican Party has developed a crisis of courage. 

We face a growing unwillingness among elected officials and Party leadership alike to confront wrongdoing, to enforce standards, or to stand firm when it matters most. Too many Republican officeholders — city, state, and federal — have drifted from the values they campaigned on, and too often, Party leadership stays silent. 

When Representation Loses Its Backbone 

Across Alaska, voters who identify as conservative feel increasingly unrepresented. They watch Republicans campaign as fiscal conservatives, defenders of liberty, and advocates for resource development — then compromise those same values once elected. 

At the federal level, Senator Lisa Murkowski’s repeated breaks from core conservative positions have left voters disillusioned. At the state level, Republican legislators have joined coalitions that empower liberal leadership and increase state spending. And at the local level, some so-called conservatives have supported ordinances that expand bureaucracy or weaken law enforcement. 

Each of these choices distances us from the Party’s foundation: limited government, fiscal restraint, and individual freedom. And each time the Alaska Republican Party chooses not to speak up, it reinforces the perception that principles are negotiable. 

A Party Afraid of Its Own Reflection 

We have grown too comfortable with excuses. Every loss is blamed on ballot design, mail-in voting, or the election calendar. Those challenges are real, but they do not explain why our message no longer resonates. The harder truth is that our Party no longer reflects the people we claim to serve. 

The welder, the small-business owner, the working mom — they don’t see their values in a Party that tolerates complacency, indecision, or internal favoritism. We talk about accountability but rarely apply it where it counts. 

Grassroots Requires Grit 

We like to say we are a grassroots movement, but real grassroots work is not comfortable. It is cold, inconvenient, and personal. It is about showing up. 

My wife Heather lived that during her campaign — spending long hours in the community, knocking doors, listening to people who did not always agree. That is the kind of authentic connection Alaskans respect, and it is exactly what the Party needs to rebuild trust. 

Leadership Without Accountability 

The deeper problem is not strategy; it is culture. When Republican leaders break faith with their voters and still enjoy the Party’s protection, something is deeply wrong. 

We hide behind Reagan’s “Eleventh Commandment” — Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican — as if accountability were betrayal. But Reagan’s intent was not to protect misconduct; it was to prevent division while standing firm on values. We have twisted that principle into silence. 

True unity does not mean protecting those who fail the platform — it means restoring integrity, so voters can trust the Party again. 

Rebuilding with Integrity 

If Alaska Republicans want to win, we must earn back credibility. That means calling out our own when necessary — respectfully, but publicly. It means offering training, mentorship, and structure to new conservative candidates instead of recycling the same names every cycle. And it means measuring loyalty not by titles, but by performance. 

We don’t need more meetings or slogans. We need leaders willing to do the hard work — to tell the truth, make changes, and demand better. 

Time to Lead Again 

Ryan Sheldon is right that organization matters. But organization without integrity is motion without meaning. 

The Alaska Republican Party was built by men and women who believed in work, accountability, and moral conviction. Those values shaped this state’s independence and strength. If we cannot embody them inside our own ranks, we will not inspire anyone beyond them. 

This is not about blame — it is about courage. It is about finding our way back to the principles that made us who we are. Alaska’s future deserves leaders willing to stand for truth, uphold integrity, and lead with conviction. 

Zack Gottshall is a retired U.S. Army Intelligence Officer, former Vice Chairman of the Alaska Republican Party, a Commissioner on the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights, and a small business owner in Anchorage, Alaska. 

Palmer Mayor Chosen by Less than 10% of Registered Voters 

Natalie Spaulding
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Palmer Mayor Chosen by Less than 10% of Registered Voters 

Alaskans, like all Americans, enjoy the privilege to participate in political decisions and determine their own local, state, and national leadership. This privilege not only invests the people with power but also requires public responsibility. People’s choice of local leadership impacts their individual lives the most of any type of election. However, many Alaskans seem unwilling to cast their votes in local elections. Palmer is a significant example. 

According to Palmer’s 2025 unofficial election results, the people chose left-leaning former mayor Jim Cooper to lead their city. There are 5,114 registered voters in Palmer. Only 367 voiced their will. 92.82% of Palmer’s registered voters willingly abdicated their right and responsibility to the remaining 7.18%. In other words, the majority of registered voters in Palmer opted for an oligarchical structure where the few voice their will in government, and the many consent to the few.  

Palmer’s dismal election turnout is far from unique among Alaska’s cities. Even cities with the highest voter turnouts reflect a similar oligarchical attitude. Haines Borough comes in with one of the highest voter turnouts at 45%. Still, over half of Haines’ registered voters seem willing to trust a minority of voters with some of the most important political decisions for the city. 

In comparison, 55.8% of all registered Alaskan voters voiced their will in the 2024 national election. But only 44.38% of Alaskan voters spoke up in the 2022 statewide election. The majority of Alaskans recognize the need to exercise their right to vote when it comes to deciding national leadership. But state and local leadership? The majority’s refusal to vote democratically sanctions rule by the minority.  

Natalie Spaulding, a 2025 Hillsdale college graduate, recently joined the Must Read Alaska team. 

Greg Sarber: Distrust of the Mainstream Media Narrative

Greg Sarber
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Greg Sarber: Distrust of the Mainstream Media Narrative

The recent suspension of Jimmy Kimmel and the resignations of journalists from local newspapers are examples of the media distorting the truth and getting caught. Despite their pious claims of censorship, these two events are just the most recent examples of how the public is constantly being fed a distorted narrative by the mainstream media in an attempt to influence us. 

Google and Facebook Censorship During Pandemic

The issues of censorship and propaganda in this country are real. Google and Facebook have both come forward, admitting they censored people during the covid pandemic and after the fraudulent election of 2020 at the request of the Biden administration. In contrast to the protests the liberals made after the Kimmel and Homer News events, there was actual censorship being conducted by the government against conservatives, and the press was complicit, most likely because the censorship favored the policies of a Democrat president. 

What Google and Facebook did is out in the open, but what is not so clear is the constant daily propaganda that we are fed by the media. Here are a few examples. 

The Palisades Wildfire

Wildfires have devastated California over the past decade. When one broke out on January 1, 2025, it resulted in the devastation of the Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles. The LA Fire Department said they suspected the ignition source was fireworks shot off to celebrate New Year’s, and the large extent of the fire was caused by climate change and exacerbated by high winds. 

That is a convenient narrative, but the truth of this event has now come out, and it paints a very different picture, one critical of Democrat leadership in the state. The fire was actually caused by a depressed Uber driver, by the name of Jonathan Rinderknecht, who was arrested two days ago. Inconveniently for the Democrat narrative, Rinderknecht was both an immigrant and had donated to the Joe Biden election campaign. However, even those facts don’t tell the whole story. 

An investigation revealed that after two days, the fire was contained by the Los Angeles Fire Department, but after stopping the initial fire, they failed to monitor the area for flare-ups, which is a standard wildfire practice, especially when the weather forecast is for high winds. The fire smoldered in dense underbrush for a week until it rekindled later because of the winds. It destroyed over 6000 homes and killed 12 people. The underbrush that trapped the initial fire and where it reignited was the result of 50 years of vegetation growth in Topanga State Park, where brush clearance to proactively prevent fires was not permitted by the state of California. 

In this example, the devastation appears to be a result of failures on the part of city and state governance. That is a very different story from what we were initially told about fireworks and global warming. You have to wonder if this was an intentional effort to cover up Democrat incompetence? 

James Comey and Leticia James Indictments

Another example of a false narrative supporting Democrats is the indictments of James Comey and Leticia James this week. Both of these individuals lied in very public ways. Comey perjured himself in Congressional testimony, and James lied on a mortgage application, which has been made public. The lies are obvious, but the press is telling us these prosecutions are examples of Donald Trump weaponizing the justice system against his opponents. They conveniently forget to mention that indictments like these cannot be made at the will of the President alone. Before any indictment, the cases must first be presented to a grand jury, which reviews the evidence and must find probable cause to indict. Both indictments were made by grand juries in Virginia, a blue state. If a group of Democrats in Virginia has concluded that Comey and James should be prosecuted, the cases have merit and are not the product of malicious prosecution. Not quite the story you are being told by the media. 

New York Gubernatorial Race

The media can also influence us based on how they present information, which can be seen in news coverage of the upcoming New York gubernatorial election. Yesterday, it was reported that the Democrat incumbent governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, has a 5-point lead over her Republican opponent in the election to be held in just over three weeks. This is accurate, but less widely reported is the fact that the Republican is quickly closing the gap and may soon lead the polling. By highlighting that it is the Democrat who is leading the race, it could discourage Republicans from turning out on election day and influence the election results. Even if only a small percentage of conservative voters believe the story, it could change the election outcome. The press may be trying to support a Democrat who they align with politically. 

These examples show how mainstream media distorts the news to achieve a political objective. Whether it is shielding Democrats in power or helping them to win elected office, the lesson from these examples is to distrust what the mainstream media tells you. Don’t believe the first story you hear as gospel. Seek alternate sources of information for confirmation. The reality is often quite different from what we are being told. 

Greg Sarber is a lifelong Alaskan. He is a petroleum engineer who spent his career working on Alaska’s North Slope. Now retired, he lives with his family in Homer, Alaska. Greg serves as a board member of Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., the publisher of Must Read Alaska.

Alaska Evaluates its Mental Health Outlook 

Natalie Spaulding
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Alaska Evaluates its Mental Health Outlook 

Today is World Mental Health Day. So, how is Alaska doing with mental health? According to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Association’s most recent scorecard, the answer is far from simple. The scorecard lists numerous factors that impact mental health such as early childhood development, healthcare access, home life, finances, employment, and substance use. Much of the data reveals both good news and bad news regarding these different factors. 

Bad News for Early Childhood Development; Good News for Children’s Homelife

The Trust’s data shows a decrease in Alaskan children who can enter kindergarten or first grade with the ability to “regulate their feelings and impulses 80% of the time or more.” On the bright side, the data also shows that the rate of child maltreatment has decreased! 

Thumbs Down for Homelessness; Thumbs Up for Employment and Financial Status

The rate of chronic homelessness in AK has spiked from 34.8 per 100,000 to 99.5 per 100,000. This is nearly double the national rate of chronic homelessness (42.7 per 100,000). However, the data also shows that the employment of Alaskans with disabilities has increased, and the percentage of Alaskans living above 125% of the federal poverty level has also increased. Not only have both rates increased for Alaska, but they are now higher than the respective national rates! These positive changes stand in harsh contrast to the near tripling of homelessness in Alaska. 

Prayers for Alcoholics; Hooray for Access to Mental Health Services

The rate of alcohol-induced mortality has gone up (23.4 per 100,000 to 32.9 per 100,000) and exceeded the national rate of 12.3 per 100,000. At the same time, the “percentage of Alaskans who received mental health services in the past year” increased from 14.7% to 21.4%. 

Cling to Hope, Make Each Tomorrow Better

Similarly, the scorecard shows mixed results regarding self-harm/ suicide rates. The “rate of intentional self-harm/suicide attempt emergency department visits” as well as the rate of intentional self-harm/suicide deaths for ages 15-24 have decreased. Although the recent decrease is great news for Alaska, the rates remain approximately double the national rates and the overall rate of intentional self-harm/suicide deaths (age adjusted) shows an increase in recent years. 

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, PLEASE CALL 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) OR 911 IMMEDIATELY. The author of this article wants you to know you are not alone, you are valuable, and you can get through this!

You can read the full scorecard below plus the Trust’s detailed explanation of different factors affecting mental health (which they call “indicators”) and various solutions and “strategies to mitigate the challenges the indicator highlights.”

2024-alaska-scorecard-v12Download

Natalie Spaulding, a 2025 Hillsdale College graduate, recently joined the Must Read Alaska Team. 

Ryan Sheldon: Republicans Stand Up!

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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Ryan Sheldon: Republicans Stand Up!

In light of the recent election results in Fairbanks, Palmer and Ketchikan, three Conservative strongholds, in which republicans lost both mayoral and assembly seats to Democrats, we, the Alaska Republican Party must reflect on what we are fighting for. Are we fighting for the values of grassroots Alaskans that need our help the most at the local level? I have heard complaints about Ranked Choice Voting, local elections not being on the first Tuesday of November, local elections being held in “off years”, and more. I want to remind everyone that these facts are not excuses, but rather parts of the game we play. Certainly, we can change the game in the future, but what we face now is how the game is set: a game with ranked choice voting, with local elections in off years, with local elections not on the first Tuesday of November, etc. We must learn the game well, organize well, and play to win. 

Precinct leaders, district executive members, regional representatives, and all other party leadership must look at our local elections as the bread and butter of what we have set out to accomplish: republican majorities statewide at all levels. Being elected to these party positions is a means to start the brush fire that captures the grassroots voters and brings them to the polls to influence elections. State and national elections are undoubtedly important, but we need a bench of Republicans locally ready to run and serve in higher office when the calling arises. 

If you are a member of any party elected seat (precinct, district, regional, etc.) I boldly ask you to prepare and plan for the next election cycle with your fellow district and regional members. 

Without a proper plan, there can be no action and no victory. That’s why I am calling an emergency meeting of all Mat-Su and Region 2 district committees to convene and discuss what our plan is for a get-out-the-vote effort in our local election beginning October 20. We must now put our money where our mouths are and elect the people we want to represent us, and who are reflective of our values, at the most fundamental level of government. If you are a Mat-Su/Region 2 district committee member, please look for an email from me. Together we can, and do win. It is time to get to work. 

Ryan Sheldon is the Region 2 Director of the Alaska Republican Party.

Range Renovations Funded by Federal Sales Tax on Guns, Ammo, and Archery 

Natalie Spaulding
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Range Renovations Funded by Federal Sales Tax on Guns, Ammo, and Archery 

The Hank Harmon Public Range in Juneau received a much-needed makeover this summer. Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game (ADF & G) gave the range almost a million dollars out of its Pittman-Robertson Hunter Access Grant, and the City of Juneau contributed about $100,000 as well. The federal government allocates money raised by federal sales tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.  

At the ribbon-shooting ceremony opening the renovated range on Sept 26 this year, Ryan Scott, the director of ADF & G’s Division of Wildlife Conservation, announced: “Everybody who buys firearms or ammunition or hunts, you made this happen.” 

Renovations included repairs and updates to the range’s seating accommodations, parking lot, restrooms, and safety equipment. The City of Juneau’s Parks & Recreation/ Public Works served as the project lead. The City hired the engineering firm ProHNS LLC to complete permitting, design, and construction management and hired Juneau-based Island Contractors to do the groundwork.  

Throughout America, 861 public ranges are supported by federal tax monies gathered from the shooting and hunting industry. Alaska’s Fish and Game funds three ranges in addition to Hank Harmon and operates three state ranges: the Rabbit Creek Shooting Park in Anchorage, Fairbanks Hunter Education Indoor Shooting Range, and Juneau Hunter Education Shooting Complex. 

Many Alaskans have fun family memories from our state’s great ranges. Share yours in the comments below! 

Natalie, a 2025 Hillsdale College graduate, recently joined the Must Read Alaska team. 

Municipality of Anchorage Creates Fun Way to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

Natalie Spaulding
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Municipality of Anchorage Creates Fun Way to Celebrate 50th Anniversary

This September, the Municipality of Anchorage turned 50! To celebrate this milestone, MOA invites residents and visitors to participate in a scavenger hunt for hidden gems throughout the city.

Allie Hartman, the Communications Director for the Anchorage Assembly, comments on coming up with the celebratory activity: “And [we] thought to ourselves, ‘Wow, I think that there’s probably a lot of cool pockets and places that mean a lot to people all throughout the community.’ And so, we decided that, as part of the 50th, we would open up the call for folks to share their hidden gems.”

After collecting responses from Anchorage residents about their favorite places, the MOA team picked the top 10 for the scavenger hunt. You can find the top 10 hidden gems here. MOA invites participants to send a selfie from your favorite place to @thankorage on Instagram or Facebook for a chance to win an official MOA50 t-shirt! You can also sign up​ to receive the Hidden Gems Scavenger Hunt straight to your inbox. 

While the scavenger hunt highlights often overlooked public spaces, MOA also provides a full list of all the recommendations they received, including small businesses, local eateries, and more. Check out the full list here.

In this wild world of political chaos, sometimes one needs to simply have some good ol’ fun. MOA offers a creative way to explore, compete, and most importantly, to express gratitude for the bounteous recreational resources we have available to us.

Natalie Spaulding, a 2025 Hillsdale graduate, recently joined the Must Read Alaska team.

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