Suzanne Downing Resignation

By
Todd M Lindley
-
173

Dear Readers,

Our Board of Directors is saddened to announce the sudden resignation of our esteemed editor, Suzanne Downing, as she embarks on a new journey.

Suzanne has been an integral part of our organization, bringing unmatched passion and dedication to her role. Her commitment to delivering insightful coverage of Alaska’s news and issues has profoundly shaped our publication and earned the trust of our readers.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Suzanne for her tireless efforts and the lasting impact she has made on our team and the community. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

As we wish Suzanne every success in her next chapter, we remain committed to prioritizing the high-quality, independent journalism that our readers rely on. The Board of Directors at Must Read Alaska is dedicated to promoting and protecting a free press and to delivering comprehensive reporting on issues that affect Alaska and our communities.

Looking ahead, watch for new content sections that will focus on rural issues, faith, and family, alongside the stories we have consistently covered. This refined focus is a direct response to feedback from our readers, ensuring that we cover stories that resonate with our audience. As we strive to enhance our service, we invite our readers to share their suggestions and feedback by reaching out to us at [email protected].

Must Read Alaska is committed to providing in-depth reporting on issues that impact Alaska and our communities. We appreciate your ongoing trust and support as we continue our dedication to excellence.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Todd Lindley, Vice President

Alaska Gold Communications, Inc., publisher of Must Read Alaska

173 COMMENTS

  1. Best of everything to you Suzanne. This is my only trusted news source for Alaska and beyond. I hope the integrity of which this was built will remain.

  2. I feel like the day RUSH left us. Tomorrow won’t be the same without Suzanne. It will be like a piano with most the keys not working. This is the worst news I have ever read on MRAK. GOD BLESS YOU SUZANNE. YOU ARE GREATLY MISSED.

  5. From the middle of the Lower 48, I have thoroughly enjoyed your work since I stumbled on this column many years ago, and you will be severely missed Suzanne! This has given me a good dose of Alaska to keep me going during my lunch break almost every day, and I share the articles with my family often (some of them in AK). I still have hope to relocate to AK eventually. We can relate with many of the issues that challenge you all up there, just with a few degrees higher temperature (most of the time), sometimes even lower. You will be severely missed! Do we get to know what the future holds for you, and will you continue to be a contributing writer like many of the very talented ones we enjoy reading on MRAK? The best of luck to you, and may God Bless You!

  6. What a shame. I thought MRAK was wholly owned by Suzanne. I can’t help but wonder if this is another case of a board of directors booting the best of an organization. I’ve seen it happen before…usually to the detriment of the whole.

  8. Sad to see her go. Faith, rural issues, and family will be the focus? We’ll see how that goes, I hope this site isn’t getting watered down.

    • Looks that way Jim… just with what we have seen since 9/08/25. This article didn’t make it to my email feed.
      Having met several of the Board, I have confidence in their personal opinion – but none of them have the time or the energy or the information contacts that are part of Suzanne’s being, nor do they have her political instinct. I dare say none of them can type as fast… or can compose a story in their head before they start to type. Suzanne is the most productive and honest journalist I have ever read. It has been my pleasure to have made her acquaintance years ago, and she is every bit as impressive in person as she is in her writing.
      As my primary source of Alaska political news, I grieve deeply for this loss. Jon Faulkner, you cannot replace this diamond – but do the best you can to keep Suzanne’s vision going you MUST. I’m crying tonight.

  9. *As we wish Suzanne every success in her next chapter, we remain committed to prioritizing the high-quality, independent journalism that our readers rely on. The Board of Directors at Must Read Alaska is dedicated to promoting and protecting a free press and to delivering comprehensive reporting on issues that affect Alaska and our communities.*
    Not so much!
    Free press? Independent journalism?
    Not so much😶
    Of course the Landmine appears to be hosting exceptionally nasty comments, imho unfettered and unwarranted.

  10. Thank you for all of your work over the years Suzanne. You’ve given a voice to so many, I wish you health, wealth, happiness and peace.
    Mazel Tov.

  14. Without Suzanne and her many contacts, her guest contributors and financial supporters MRAK will have enormous challenges. Regrettably, it will likely fail and we may no longer have the conservative voices that Suzanne has provided for many years.
    But, I am not counting her out just yet. Her work ethic, talent and skills may emerge in a new and different way. I would not be surprised if that happens.

  18. Thank you, Suzanne, for your hard work and dedication in building this trusted news source for Alaska. I cannot imagine how much time and effort it took to put this together day after day. I wish you well.

  22. BOOOOOOOOOOOOO WE THE PEOPLE BACK YOU MA’AM SUZANNE OF INTEGRITY. PLEASE LETS US KNOW WHAT IS NEXT & PLEASE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE FUN TIMES MA’AM. MARK 11:15 TAKE OUR STATE BACK. MAGA

  24. So sad to hear Suzanne is resigning!! Hopefully, we can still follow her stories in her next endeavor! She was and is a top-notch reporter! Godspeed Suzanne!

  25. If I were to write a eulogy of Suzanne it would include both Up side & Down side which defines us all ….Good try Todd . What is deserving is the TRUTH as my Dad would say. Liberty Ed

  27. Alaska Landmine is reporting that this had something to do with reporting related to Treg Taylor. If that’s true, then it validates my feeling about Suzanne Downing. She has many positive qualities, but lack of bias is certainly not one of them. Her obvious personal commitment to Bernadette Wilson’s run for Governor is not any less repugnant to me than when NPR went “all in” for Hilary Clinton in 2015/2016.

    It might be true that Treg Taylor has some issues (I felt that the series of complaints about his involvement with a certain Ketchikan Cop was a sordid and never ending whine-fest of he-said/she-said), but at the end of the day, it just looks all too much like she’ll throw in to destroy any contender that goes against her previous Bernie-Girl.

    I have enough personal experience with both Taylor and Wilson to say that I’m not in love with either of them. However, it’s the responsibility of a news reporter to report the news, not be a loudspeaker for a political campaign.

    It would be great to see the Alaska GOP do its job and step in to narrow the field. As it stands, a Democrat in that seat is nearly a perfect certainty. And we, conservative Alaskans, are STILL quagmired in our own infighting. Suzanne Downing led the charge on that condition. I am glad she is gone.

  28. Suzanne, thank you so much for all you have done over the years at MRA. In addition to your excellent reporting, your tireless work ethic has been simply astounding! You and your contributions to trustworthy journalism will be missed. Here’s wishing you all the best in your next chapter in life!
    Best regards, David

  29. Ever sense Jon Faulkner bought MRA it’s like having another KY poster boy from the Anchorage Assembly with a news platform. Sadly a great thing has come to an end. Thank you SD for the many great years . You are missed !!! and Jon GFY

  32. It is unlikely you will find a replacement for Suzanne who works as hard as she does. I am certain readership and support will decline over the next several days/weeks/months.

  33. Suzanne is THE best writer to ever grace Alaska.
    Her words flow like the waters. And her truth in reporting. WOW!
    Thank you from the bottom of my heart,
    Suzanne. Enjoy your new journey.

  37. How to say “Thank you and Farewell” to someone you actually only met once, but who is a daily part of your life?

    Suzanne thank you!
    Thank you for your tireless effort bringing us the news we wouldn’t hear otherwise, the Herculean task of wading through hundreds of thousands of comments, some funny and insightful other not so much and always having your finger on the pulse of politics in this state!
    Thank you for providing a forum, where different viewpoints could argue and hash it out without descending into futile name calling.

    I bet city halls around the state and state legislators are breathing a sigh of relief, hoping to avoid more of those emails, phone calls and letters they received following some of your articles.

    Suzanne, be well! I will miss you greatly!

    Thank you!

  38. Good-bye, good luck and God bless you Suzanne! You have been the best thing that ever happened to journalism in this state, and we will all suffer from the loss of you.

  40. The worst news I have heard in a while! Please don’t be a stranger and know that you will be missed for what you have started here. The only place I know of for trust in reporting. You did that!

  43. We’ll see. It won’t be the same. In the mean time, Amy at the Mat-Su Sentinel does an excellent job of providing unbiased in depth coverage of important issues and events in Mat-Su.

  44. I’m very grateful to Suzanne Downing for all her years of investigative reporting and insightful articles. I am thankful that Alaska has had such a hard-working champion of freedom keeping us Alaskans informed about many topics. She seems to me to be like a human dynamo and super heroine. I don’t mean to sound too gushy here, but I’m just very grateful for all that Must Read Alaska has done over the years. Suzanne deserves a medal or vacation or whatever she desires for service above and beyond the call of duty.

  45. Wow! Big news! Suzanne, your efforts over all these years are hugely appreciated! I imagine doing all this must not be easy; thank you for ALL you’ve done! Just as Superman (formerly!) would fight for ‘Truth, justice, and the American way,’ your efforts made a great difference! You WILL be missed! Please do let us know your future plans, if possible? Thank YOU!

  46. MRAK feels like a family where we don’t always agree. That’s good because this is where I come to see both sides of issues debated. One thing we all can agree on is that Suzanne will be greatly missed. Wishing you all the best, Suzanne!

  51. When Humphrey Bogart died, director Walter Huston said, “He is quite irreplaceable.”

    Suzanne has not died, but — “She is quite irreplaceable.” I have great confidence in Todd Lindley and with God’s Grace, MRAK will continue in its vital mission of Truth Telling.

  57. If Suzanne left because of an editorial disagreement with the owners, that means MRAK is headed in a different direction. It also means I probably will not renew my subscription.

  59. Sad day in news programming!
    Suzanne has no idea how many people she impacts with her news source.
    Alaska watchman is a good Alaska source.

  60. What I don’t get is the FB page says “resigns from post amid differences but independent…” and ends there and this article here has no mention of those particular words spoken, what fives?

  61. Soldier on, Suzanne! Thank you very much for what you have provided to our community. I hope MRA will maintain it’s great reporting.

  62. I strongly suspect there is an underlying reason Suzanne is gone from here and know her decision is based on integrity and the right move.

  63. Enjoy some nicer weather, Suzanne. Sounds like this might turn into a handful of stodgy old dorks spouting Focus on the Family religious nonsense blended with an updated version of Ruben Gaines’ bush radio banter. Bummer about the religious stuff as us serpent handlers always get overlooked. Thanks for keeping it objective since its dawn.

    You’re the coolest.

  64. Good Luck and God Bless SD. Stick to your position on transparency and justice. Unfortunately, the new owners (BOD) of MRA have joined the ranks of the ‘mockingbird’ MSM, covering for political corruption, and now they have been revealed for the public to see. It will be considered part of the BOD’s profile going forward. Syphophants sucking up to the political elites.

    SD, let us all know when and Where you eventually start writing again. A Good Journalistic Platform is rare in today’s America.

    • Suzanne is already up and running on her eponymous dot com site, and has posted more national interest stories than appear here. MRAK will have to step up their game to stay relevant. I didn’t always agree with Suzanne, especially her shabby undeserved treatment of David Eastman, but she was timely on the issues and generally accurate. Regaining her independent voice will improve things until she retires.

    • John, there is an immense, evil, political corruption in this State that was on the verge of being outed by Suzanne – it lies just beneath the surface of her writings about AG taylor, No one on AGCI Board has her courage. I fear that a GREAT voice has been silenced, at least for a time. MRAK is finished.

  65. Many of us our saddened by this news. Almost like the loss of a very good friend. There are so many memories to recount with MRAK and Suzanne. We all wish Suzanne many, many good years with her new adventure. And best of luck to the new editorial staff.

  66. The last nail in the coffin of Must Read Alaska which since she has stepped backward before this MRAK has been descending into more big government sentiment stories by contributors and podcast guests and liberal
    It had a strong short run but after this just as every liberal organization, MRAKs better days are behind it. Liberals don’t know how to run organizations and government which they should just stick to running their small businesses, hiking, gardening, and bird watching

  67. Nooooooo!!!! I am deeply saddened as have so enjoyed all these years reading Suzanne. So amazingly talented and what a producer. I am always amazed at the number of articles she can pull together. Truly if we could
    jusr clone her….. 😁 I am thankful you have steadily added some more talent but hers will be big shoes to fill for sure. I will pray for you Suzanne that your next adventure is greatly blessed!

  68. While this comes as a shock, I knew it was inevitable. I wish Suzanne the very best. We should all be grateful for her very significant contribution to public discourse in Alaska over many decades. She had made Alaska more functional, more factual and more fun.

    Some background: Suzanne and I are friends. Each of us have a half-century or more of experience in Alaska. We have both seen public happenings up-close. Alaska has changed a lot over this period of time. The history is important and much happened before Alaska had money. Print media is on life support and the electronic media invites involvement from many who have much larger and louder opinions than are supported by facts or judgment. Sadly, Alaska attracts grifters of many stripes. There are a lot of them on the left. (A few even wear Republican/conservative hats.) Suzanne was well positioned to call out nonsense. Our future is now more uncertain.

    The new leadership at MRA assumes a big responsibility. We should all hope that a part of Suzanne Downing’s role can be filled going forward.

  69. I’m saddened. She IS the best writer and political reporter in Alaska. She is like a mentor to me. Like a high ranking professor who is teaching me new skills daily as her dutiful undergraduate student.

      • With Suzanne now out of the way, Dermutt and I can get back to stealing minds through our progressive propoganda and utterly blind, liberal Marxist tales. Between ADN bs and Dermutt’s active consuming, we can flood the bandwidth with pure left-wing terror. Sorry it took so long, folks

    • Until Dermutt gets a leash on life and quits his raging by drink, I’ll have to do this on my own. Can’t trust a complete alkey to do the kind of investigating that produces real results. I’m on it, now that Suzanne is gone.

  72. The way I heard it you went back on your word to Suzanne. Might make my trust low light start to flicker. We’ll see. Really gonna miss her.

  75. Of course one cannot know what the future will hold at MRAK but I for one am glad to see SD go. While it was her right and privilege to pen whatever stories she chose, and that includes doing so from a Conservative viewpoint, she never hesitated to promulgate ad hominem attacks on people whom she disliked. One recalls the endless stories about Dr. Anne Zink, Rep. Mary Peltola, Sen. Murkowski, Mayor LaFrance, and many others where (apparent) personal resentments and/or angry grievances were repeatedly hung out to dry. Furthermore, the level of hatred and bigotry she often allowed to fester in the Comments section was breathtaking and reprehensible. Well-known for practicing cancel culture, she routinely silenced or excommunicated those with whom she disagreed. And finally, in spite of occasional calls by some to practice reconciliation and rapprochement, these sentiments were perennially absent on the site. And this in spite of her purported Christian beliefs.

    I would urge the new management at MRAK to now move towards the political center. For sure, Far Right or Far Left agitation can be thrilling and titillating, and it definitely drives engagement. But such a mindset brings out the worst in people and it sets us against each other. Ordinary citizens are TIRED OF ENDLESS POLITICAL WAR, waged solely for the entertainment of politicians and for the benefit of media barons. People are coming to see that their sentiments and political viewpoints have been hijacked by the extreme media in the interest of eyeballs, clicks, and profits. We understand that we are being used as pawns in a game of political power acquisition, and we are pushing back.

    I ask you, and I ask all Alaskans: Was the Alaska you love created in a spirit of divisiveness and animosity, or was it borne of cooperation and amity? Is the Alaska you want for your children to be one of endless anger, political war, and hostility? If so, well then keep up the work started here and watch the State burn to the ground. Otherwise, maybe give it all a rethink, try to apply some of your Sunday Morning aspirations, and work together to find solutions for State’s problems. There is no future in owning the Libs, nor is there in owning the MAGA crowd.

    For sure, SD will pop up again somewhere, but for now it can be said, and with a measure of satisfaction, that Whidbey Thedog has outlasted her.

  78. Regarding the article that supposedly broke the camels back:

    “State law currently requires public officials to disclose all sources of income over $1,000. This includes not only the disclosure of the fact that rental income is received, but also the names of tenants, the exact amount of rent paid, and the name of the property manager (if not the official or a family member).”

    While intended as a transparency measure, this requirement crosses into the personal privacy of tenants—individuals who have no role in public office. Tenants should not have their names, payment histories, or financial arrangements made public simply because their landlord chose to run for office.

    As a tenant, knowing that my name, rental amount, and financial relationship with my landlord could be published in a government disclosure would feel like a serious invasion of privacy. It exposes personal financial details without my consent and places me in the public record for reasons entirely outside of my control.

    That is the core issue—so why isn’t this the focus from both parties? Instead of protecting the privacy of ordinary Alaskans, the conversation has been sidetracked.

    Treg’s exemption request ignores this issue and should be the chief concern, especially as AG. Suzanne Downing’s article completely ignored the invasion of tenant privacy as a fundamental concern. Rather than highlighting the invasion of privacy that tenants face, she chose to publish what amounts to a biased hit piece designed only to smear Treg. Arguably the real public interest issue is ignored here, loaded terms and the setup of a speculative motive are the hallmarks of a biased hit piece. Since when are biased political motives journalism we want to protect?

    The article was never taken down, and maybe that’s for the best.

  79. Always thought this was a one person blog in a land dominated by leftist paywalls… So maybe someone is about to to strike out on their own… ***

  81. Suzanne Downing’s resignation is a huge loss for Must Read Alaska. I doubt it will ever be the same without her. I’m sure her reasons for leaving abruptly were justified. She will be missed.

  82. I have enjoyed this site for many years and contributed to it. I too think Suzanne was probably pushed out because of publishing the truth and not watering it down. Whoever runs the site now just keep in mind Cracker Barrel. As of this time I will withhold my annual donation until I see what you produce.

  83. God closes a door and opens a window stuff best said here……Sometimes it’s good to step back and gain a new perspective like President Trump basically had to do during the four disaster years of Biden. He certainly came back stronger and much more aware.
    When purveyors of news become very influential it can be both a good and bad thing. I still think we wouldn’t have had the Peltola years if some of our media personalities didn’t interfere and malign Palin because ‘they’ wanted Begich. Eventually we got him in, but those sad years were wasted and conservative talking heads played a crucial role in diluting the ticket knowing full well ranked choice voting would prevail for the socialist leaning left candidate. ALL conservative media should be laser focused on Soros $$$$$ infiltrating our state and unite to bring our ONE candidate forward even if it means holding your nose. Which makes me really, really wish Suzanne would consider running for some kind of office as I know she would be fantastic.

  84. They need to revisit the laws in Alaska. Ineffective law, bs journalism… if the only people who own the media are state or tribal actors there is no private media, its the or department for the state and ancsa. FO

  85. Nothing better than Suzanne
    Top of the line professional, honest as the day is long and committed to giving the best effort the First Time with the TRUTH.

    SD will be missed in many ways. We sincerely hope her next penned effort will be thankful for her product.
    Alaksa news reporting will never be the same
    Respectfully,
    Jim Weber
    Sterling

  87. The truth comes from ADN article and now we find out the new owner has bent his knee to the former attorney general. Sounds logical, he must be something special.

    Bye Must Read Alaska.

  88. Suzanne, thank you for your constant pulse on what is happening in, for and to Alaska! Always ready to read the next thing. Lord Bless your next steps!!!

  89. From Critical Thinking Skills Needed and Whidbey Thedog two top of the line SD critics who could never show the balls to at least write their own name to their penned articles.
    A couple of tough fellows with low testosterone levels
    What are you hiding behind, Bucko?

  92. Nancy and I sure are going to miss Suzanne Downing. She has become like family to us. In fact, Nancy and I often discuss adopting her and letting her stay in our luxury villa in Palm Desert.
    MRAK will never be the same without her.

    • That’s true. While Frankie and I stay in mourning over Suzanne’s departure, Lisa and House Husband are getting bolder and now taking reservations for their Democrat friends at “our” villa in Palm Desert. The nerve of them.

  93. “Esteemed”?
    Definitely eye of the beholder, as the Alaska legislature had an opportunity to “esteem” but rather held their nose.

  95. I only ask because that’s not cool. If it’s true. I have no idea who Kevin Clarkson is, but do appreciate the pressure Susan was putting on the Anchorage Muni to house the homeless.

    • Wrong Alaska Attorney General
      It was not former AK Attorney General Kevin Clarkson, it was just resigned AG Treg Taylor.
      Taylor is running for Governor, but SD likes B Wilson and it shows.

  97. SD did some very good work. I know she worked hard. I have doubts that MRA will continue on as a publication worth reading. I hope I am wrong.

  98. Well good luck replacing our beloved workaholic Suzanne Downing Mr. Faulkner.
    May have to hire a team of people to replace her.
    Just sayin.

  100. Only time will tell! I will be very vigilant the next few weeks, watching what happens at MRA. Since Suzanne has gone, I doubt things that she covered will be addressed in a truthful manner. She was one in a million! She was fair and honest.

  101. Best wishes Suzanne. Not hard to figure out who will follow you and who will remain here. I will be waiting for your new feed. Thanks for all you do

  102. Thanks Suzanne – You will be missed. Thank you for being a conservative voice when we didn’t have many. If you publish again I will be there to read what you write.

  103. Can’t say I miss Suzanne just yet. But Nicholas is weeping. His best advocate in Alaska is gone, and Uncle Tom is now “coming out” of his log cabin.

    • I am not a log cabin Republican. Those are closet homosexuals. If I was going to be gay, I would come out and admit it. As a gubernatorial candidate, I know it would energize my Democrat base. Democrats just love all things LGBTQ ….and sometimes Y.

  105. I heard a rumor she was fired.
    MRA will go into the dustbin of history just like Project Veritas without James O’Keefe. Probably by design.

    • According to an interview she gave to another local news outlet she was told to alter or take down a story she did because the board didn’t like it. She refused, and said that if they wanted to do things like that then maybe they need to figure out where to go from here without her. Not saying she hasn’t been bias in her articles in the past, but no more than any other major Alaska news media has been, and frankly a good bit less at times. However, the fact that she writes with a conservative bent and they didn’t like her reporting strongly implies to me that the MRAK board is likely not a news source I’m going to be trusting nearly as much. Sad to see it end like this.

  107. Suzanne Downing’s coverage of issues over the years has been intelligent, sensitive and gutsy. Her stories during the pandemic scare were outstanding, She gave information about travel both road and air that Alaskans gratefully relied upon. She wrote stories from a conservative perspective on local governance and political news. The dedication to her scheduling was remarkable. I loved when she went to Italy and found stories of importance in Alaska. She remained reasonable in moderation if any in the comment section. We made it through the tough times without as much squelching as the left publications during the elections. She deserves a Pulitzer! I love that she stays true to her own priorities. Everyone should be so balanced. I will enjoy her next endeavors. On the Anchor!

  108. Suzanne will be greatly missed. I’ve followed her since the beginning of MRAK and was a big supporter of a new source and angle on what’s happening in our State. I wish her the best as she moves to the next chapter of life.

    • Old Whidbey once came here to play,
      ‘Fact he did so almost every day.
      With Dear Editor gone,
      There’s no need to go on.
      So this ol’ Dog’s now going away.

      Dona Nobis Pacem.

  114. Very sorry to see her leave! She did a great job!. I wondered how long it would last when the site was sold.Sorry to see MRAK has chosen the MSM path. Its a huge loss not having a solid source of info anymore. I hope she does come back with her site of some sort.

  117. Suzanne, I liked your take on almost everything, Alaska First. Sorry to hear you’re ‘moving on’.
    Hoping those who continue to print the news possess the hard-working and integrity attributes. If they’re just a bunch of every day back stabbers we will all know soon enough.

  118. bwahahaha I can only the imagine the infighting. There’s no way she left her own rag on her own accord. Thank god she doesn’t have a platform any more to spew her hateful content.

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