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(Photo provided by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: Holy Week

Filipinos are known all over the world for their strong faith in God and for their deep love and reverence for our Holy Mother Mary,… Continue reading

 

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Opinion: Juneau taxpayers fight back

The right of the citizenry to directly petition their government is often seen primarily as a way for marginalized groups to air their grievances, potentially… Continue reading

 

(Juneau Empire File)

Community calendar of upcoming events

This is a calendar updated daily of upcoming local events during the coming days provided by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, and other contributors.… Continue reading

 

A queen bumblebee visits a blueberry flower. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On The Trails: Spring flowers and their pollinators

Spring flowers have co-evolved with insect pollinators for a long time. The flowers require pollen delivery to set seed. To entice insects to visit and… Continue reading

A queen bumblebee visits a blueberry flower. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
Angela Rodell is a member of the Affordable Juneau Coalition and a former Juneau mayoral candidate. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Juneau’s budget needs a common-sense makeover

For too long Juneau’s budgeting approach has started in the wrong place — asking how much revenue the city can raise, rather than how much… Continue reading

  • Apr 13, 2025
  • By Angela Rodell
  • Opinion
Angela Rodell is a member of the Affordable Juneau Coalition and a former Juneau mayoral candidate. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(First Things First Alaska Foundation photo)

My Turn: RIP Road Scholars for Juneau Access project

The latest version of the state’s capital budget reappropriates approximately $37 million from designated Juneau Access funds for use as federal match for transportation projects… Continue reading

  • Apr 13, 2025
  • By Paulette Simpson
  • Opinion
(First Things First Alaska Foundation photo)
Mary’s extreme bars, ready to slice. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking For Pleasure: Mary’s extreme bars

For at least 20 years, my sister Mary Watson has been making these cookies frequently, especially for her piano music recitals and music history classes.… Continue reading

Mary’s extreme bars, ready to slice. (Photo by Patty Schied)
President Donald Trump during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The administration says foreign governments are racing to the United States to negotiate, but exactly which countries might strike a deal — and over what — remains unclear. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

Opinion: Cheerleading the dumbest trade war ever

In 2018, Sen. Dan Sullivan co-sponsored the STOP Act that he said “focuses on stopping the killer drug fentanyl from coming from places like China… Continue reading

President Donald Trump during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The administration says foreign governments are racing to the United States to negotiate, but exactly which countries might strike a deal — and over what — remains unclear. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
The downtown Juneau cruise ship dock on a clear March day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: Seeking joy during times of great uncertainty

“This is the greatest act of power I have come to know: To be an activist of joy; a beacon of grace; a radiance of… Continue reading

The downtown Juneau cruise ship dock on a clear March day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature in the House Chambers on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Sen. Sullivan’s latest blabber — ‘Liberal Judges’

Two bedrock American values — equality under the law and fair elections — are under assault by vast private fortunes. Amplifying the talking points of… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature in the House Chambers on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A male red-winged blackbird shows off his colors in a good display. (Photo by Gina Vose)

On the Trails: Springtime

The last part of March seemed to pass slowly, at least for those of use impatient for spring. Each of us has their own sequence… Continue reading

A male red-winged blackbird shows off his colors in a good display. (Photo by Gina Vose)
Basketball official Fred Angerman Jr speaks in a Region V Tournament pregame captains meeting in 2008. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: Fast Freddy

There are two sounds I can never seem to forget. One is the winter snow shovel scraping along the concrete basketball court I trudged to… Continue reading

Basketball official Fred Angerman Jr speaks in a Region V Tournament pregame captains meeting in 2008. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Elon Musk boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, on Friday, March 21, 2025. Musk was traveling with President Donald Trump to Bedminster, N.J. The world’s richest man made inaccurate claims about entitlement fraud, how a government payment system works and government survey costs. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

My Turn: Is it time to impeach Elon Musk?

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery,… Continue reading

Elon Musk boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, on Friday, March 21, 2025. Musk was traveling with President Donald Trump to Bedminster, N.J. The world’s richest man made inaccurate claims about entitlement fraud, how a government payment system works and government survey costs. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
Sabrina Donnellan and her family attend a community luncheon for federal employees at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: Choose empathy during these difficult times

“It is your concern when your neighbor’s wall is on fire.” — Horace Recently, too many of our neighbors have lost their jobs through no… Continue reading

Sabrina Donnellan and her family attend a community luncheon for federal employees at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Multiple vehicles line up at the entrance of Waste Management’s Capitol Disposal Landfill in Lemon Creek on Jan. 30, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: CBJ budget challenges mount

Borough budget challenges just got bigger — and messier A recent news story warned residents that Juneau’s landfill will be at capacity in the next… Continue reading

Multiple vehicles line up at the entrance of Waste Management’s Capitol Disposal Landfill in Lemon Creek on Jan. 30, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
A pseudoscorpion contemplates a red mite for lunch. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On The Trails: Pseudoscorpions

Just before the spring equinox, a friend and I went out on the Fish Creek Trail one morning on a low tide. We saw five… Continue reading

A pseudoscorpion contemplates a red mite for lunch. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
Jane Hale is a longtime Juneau resident. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Fight fascism — shop local

There’s an uncommon sight on Seward Street these days: a bra shop with cajones. The owners of Bustin’ Out Boutique have put out a sandwich… Continue reading

Jane Hale is a longtime Juneau resident. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
KTOO’s public broadcasting building in Juneau. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Public broadcasting needs support as its elimination is considered by Trump administration

Like many of us I know that public broadcasting is in the sights of the Trump administration for massive cuts and perhaps elimination. This very… Continue reading

  • Mar 31, 2025
  • By Douglas Mertz
  • Opinion
KTOO’s public broadcasting building in Juneau. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
People tour the garden plots during the 30th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday, Aug 24, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Increasing food security without a state agriculture department

There is a path to increasing food security without an Alaska Department of Agriculture this legislative session. Gov. Mike Dunleavy should hire an aide in… Continue reading

  • Mar 31, 2025
  • By Rodger Painter
  • Opinion
People tour the garden plots during the 30th Annual Juneau Community Garden Harvest Fair on Saturday, Aug 24, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Charles VanKirk offers public testimony during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday, April 29, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Pay attention to the projects the Assembly is prioritizing

In the Assembly’s March 3, 2025, FY26 CBJ Capital Priorities List, our Assembly and manager requested from our state and federal funding partners $10 million… Continue reading

Charles VanKirk offers public testimony during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday, April 29, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)