ALASKA NEWS

Alaskans to join April 23 nationwide protest against Planned Parenthood

On April 23, nationally coordinated protests will be held at more than 200 Planned Parenthood centers throughout the United States, including the center at 4001 Lake Otis Parkway (Suite 101) in Anchorage.

These protests are being organized by the #ProtestPP coalition, formed in response to the undercover videos released last year showing Planned Parenthood officials discussing the harvesting and selling of body parts from aborted children.

April 12 public testimony on abortion, parental rights in Alaska

With only days left before the end of the current Alaska Legislature session, Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Alaska are applying pressure on Alaska lawmakers to reject a bill aimed at giving Alaskan parents greater freedom in directing the education of their children, including the right to opt out of standardized tests and controversial sex instruction classes. The bill would also prohibit organizations that perform abortions from teaching in public schools.

EDITORIAL: Churches must welcome out-of-wedlock pregnancies

Churches have a particular challenge regarding the issue of out-of-wedlock pregnancies. On the one hand, the teachings of Christ and his church affirm that sex is to be reserved for the bond of faithful, lifelong marriage. Many churches have effective youth and young adult outreaches to help parishioners strengthen moral resolve in this area. And yet, a percentage of young people fall short. In some cases, this leads to a pregnancy. This is impossible to hide from public view — especially if mothers choose life for their unborn child and carry her to term.

Reported abortions at record low in Alaska

Alaska saw a record low number of reported abortions last year. According to the state’s Bureau of Vital Statistics 1,334 abortions were performed in 2015, the fewest since 2003 when Alaska began recording data. Last year’s figures represent a 12 percent drop over 2014 and a nearly 32 percent reduction from a decade ago when 1,956 abortions were reported.

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