Opinion

Win Gruening (courtesy)

My Turn: The millions add up. CBJ, get a grip on spending.

Ignoring essential basic services while spending money on projects and services that few want or need doesn’t make Juneau more affordable

 

Juneau Empire file photo

My Turn: At least you feel bad about the bill

Sen. Murkowski, you cannot say you voted with Alaskans in mind.

 

(Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Murkowski bought time for a new governor to do better

The senator said she added a provision that delays new federal penalties on Alaska for its high error rate in processing SNAP benefits.

  • Jul 9, 2025
  • By Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinel
  • Columns

 

Alexander B. Dolitsky

My Turn: When a writer’s courage against antisemitism shook a nation

Courage is doing what is necessary even when it’s difficult or scary.

  • Jul 9, 2025
  • By Alexander Dolitsky
  • Columns
Alexander B. Dolitsky
Cynthia Fancyboy (Courtesy photo)

My Turn: Cutting Medicaid hurts Alaska’s small villages and our children

Without Medicaid, I couldn’t afford the doctor visits, surgeries, medications, and hospital stays that have kept me healthy and working for Alaska’s kids over the years.

  • Jul 8, 2025
  • By Cynthia Fancyboy
Cynthia Fancyboy (Courtesy photo)
From left, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) head to the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025. Senate Republicans were racing on Tuesday morning to lock down the votes to pass their sweeping tax and domestic police bill, after an all-night session of voting and negotiating with holdouts left Trump’s agenda hanging in the balance. (Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times)

My Turn: Murkowski’s moment of shame

She has no excuse for not following the model Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., set when he killed Joe Biden’s biggest initiative in 2021.

From left, Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) head to the Senate chamber at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday morning, July 1, 2025. Senate Republicans were racing on Tuesday morning to lock down the votes to pass their sweeping tax and domestic police bill, after an all-night session of voting and negotiating with holdouts left Trump’s agenda hanging in the balance. (Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about his decision to veto House Bill 57 during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Governor deposits a veto to help predatory lenders

Thousands of Alaskans get so squeezed on their finances every year that they turn to high-interest payday loans to help cover their bills. That may… Continue reading

  • Jul 2, 2025
  • By Larry Persily
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks about his decision to veto House Bill 57 during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, May 19, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Deven Mitchell is the executive director and chief executive officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.)

Opinion: The key to a stronger fund: Diversification

Diversification is a means of stabilizing returns and mitigating risk

Deven Mitchell is the executive director and chief executive officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.)
The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Environmentalists without an honest cause

I took a little liberty with their statement because they took a lot of liberty with the facts.

The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A Juneau Police Department vehicle patrols a neighborhood near Juneau International Airport after warning a person camped along the side of the road they need to move their campsite on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Homeless, not helpless — Part 2

In January 2017, I penned a My Turn entitled “Homeless Not Helpless” for the Juneau Empire. In that column, I defended then-Mayor Koelsch’s sponsorship of… Continue reading

A Juneau Police Department vehicle patrols a neighborhood near Juneau International Airport after warning a person camped along the side of the road they need to move their campsite on Saturday, May 24, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
In this June 23, 2016, photo, the Alaska Marine Highway ferry Matanuska passes Eagle Glacier. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

More competitive wages will shore up AMHS workforce

The Alaska Marine Highway System provides transportation along thousands of miles of coastline, directly serving more than 30 communities from Bellingham, Washington, to Dutch Harbor… Continue reading

In this June 23, 2016, photo, the Alaska Marine Highway ferry Matanuska passes Eagle Glacier. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Life is harder when you outlive your support group

Mom was ready to die, knowing the world would be OK. Or so she thought.

  • Jun 26, 2025
  • By Larry Persily
  • Opinion
(Juneau Empire file photo)
Participants in “No Kings” protest walk down Egan Drive waving an American flag on Saturday, June 14, 2025 (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Why we protest

Along with more than a thousand other Juneauites, I attended the “No Kings” protest last Saturday. I didn’t agree with everything I heard from those… Continue reading

Participants in “No Kings” protest walk down Egan Drive waving an American flag on Saturday, June 14, 2025 (Natalie Buttner / Juneau Empire)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 24, 2025. (Tom Brenner / The New York Times)

My Turn: But wait a minute, if…

I thought it might be worthwhile to add some historical perspective to Rich Moniak’s My Turn of June 14, “The King of Hubris.” I should… Continue reading

  • Jun 18, 2025
  • By Donald Douglas
  • Opinion
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 24, 2025. (Tom Brenner / The New York Times)
Members of the Yées Ḵu.oo Dance Group perform at the Cancer Survivors Day walk on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Overstreet Park. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Thank you

Each June, people around the world commemorate National Cancer Survivors Day. Cancer Connection hosted a walk and celebration in Juneau on June 8th. We appreciate… Continue reading

Members of the Yées Ḵu.oo Dance Group perform at the Cancer Survivors Day walk on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Overstreet Park. (Ellie Ruel / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Public broadcasting is part of the fabric of Alaska’s rural communities

Public broadcasting forms an essential part of the fabric of Alaska’s rural communities. From emergency broadcasting to cultural programming to educational services, Alaska’s 27 public… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Noa Shkuri reacts after an Iranian missile struck her home in Rehovot, Israel, on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Israel and Iran exchanged more missile attacks on population centers on Sunday, brushing aside international calls to halt what has quickly become the fiercest clash in decades between the two sworn enemies. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv/The New York Times)

My Turn: The moral issue of our time

I’m an Alaskan citizen who’s resided in Juneau most of the last 50 years and through the course of a normal day, I find myself… Continue reading

Noa Shkuri reacts after an Iranian missile struck her home in Rehovot, Israel, on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Israel and Iran exchanged more missile attacks on population centers on Sunday, brushing aside international calls to halt what has quickly become the fiercest clash in decades between the two sworn enemies. (Avishag Shaar-Yashuv/The New York Times)
A Palestinian flag at a rally in Chicago, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Voices at the demonstrations are often a mix that includes calls for more explicit support for racial justice, Palestinian freedom and socialist politics. (Jamie Kelter Davis/The New York Times)

My Turn: Today’s pro-Palestinian rhetoric masks deep-rooted antisemitism

People can peacefully protest to express dissatisfaction with policies or actions, to raise awareness about a cause, to connect with like-minded individuals, and to push… Continue reading

A Palestinian flag at a rally in Chicago, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Voices at the demonstrations are often a mix that includes calls for more explicit support for racial justice, Palestinian freedom and socialist politics. (Jamie Kelter Davis/The New York Times)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Another poison pill for American democracy

Among the “remedies” in the drug store known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill” is Section 70302. It is a single sentence, but has the… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter: Don’t want to see Juneau turned into ‘Florida of the North’

I am beginning to notice that numerous very well-loved Juneau trails and beach access points are falling into disrepute. It appears to me that the… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)