Opinion

Lawmakers wrongly blame justice reform for crime uptick

Some Alaska politicians are trying to roll back sensible, money-saving reforms that improve the criminal-justice system and promote other conservative values, because of an increase… Continue reading

  • Oct 17, 2017
  • By Steven Greenhut
Todd Smoldon.

Record-breaking fourth special session could be criminal

When Gov. Bill Walker announced another special session several weeks ago, it was no surprise to those watching the train wreck that is Alaska politics.… Continue reading

  • Oct 16, 2017
  • By Todd Smoldon
Todd Smoldon.

Empire reinstates editorial board

If you use social media, you’re familiar with the process: Person A makes a spurious claim using a meme circulated by a fake news website.… Continue reading

  • Oct 15, 2017

Meet the irrational reality of economics

For more than three decades, Grover Norquist has been pushing his Taxpayer Protection Pledge as if it’s the answer to every financial headache the nation… Continue reading

  • Oct 15, 2017
  • By Rich Moniak

Arbitration rules should stay unchanged

In a recent class action lawsuit against Ticketmaster, the court ordered the company to pay out $42 million over four years, and no less than… Continue reading

  • Oct 13, 2017
  • By Dan McCue

Setting the record straight on Indian Point

About a month ago I wrote a My Turn for the Empire, along with former Assembly member Randy Wanamaker, proposing that the city return the… Continue reading

  • Oct 11, 2017
  • By Kate Troll

Absenteeism doesn’t tell the full story

On Sep 18, Charles Wohlforth posted an opinion piece in the Alaska Dispatch News with a headline that read: “A fourth of Alaska students are… Continue reading

  • Oct 10, 2017
  • By Bob Griffin

Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority needs to catch up to best practices

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is proposing to amend its by-laws. The public is encouraged to comment on the proposed changes prior to or… Continue reading

  • Oct 10, 2017
  • By FAITH MYERS

Clarifications on AEL&P

In a recent My Turn column, Ms. Waring made statements and assumptions about Hydro One’s acquisition of Avista, and implications of this to AEL&P, that… Continue reading

  • Oct 9, 2017
  • By Connie Hulbert

Abuse by prison guards proves need for oversight

Recently, the Ombudsman of the State of Alaska released a report that upheld the allegations of an Alaskan prison inmate at the Spring Creek Correctional… Continue reading

  • Oct 9, 2017
  • By MIGUEL ROHRBACHER

Misplaced priorities are a political disease

Almost immediately, they gave the microphone to a Navy SEAL veteran to state their patriotic position. “We’re the National Rifle Association of America and we… Continue reading

  • Oct 8, 2017
  • By Rich Moniak

Why we haven’t agreed on health care

There are a lot of smart people in America we’d expect could address our health care debacle and show us a way forward. But, like… Continue reading

  • Oct 5, 2017
  • By WIN GRUENING

Pebble Mine should clean up its mess

I submitted, and in early August the Juneau Empire printed, a My Turn column regarding the EPA’s position in the Pebble Mine controversy. The mine… Continue reading

  • Oct 5, 2017
  • By ERIC FORRER

Alaska youths are still fighting for a healthy climate future

On Aug. 28, Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) and 15 youths from across Alaska delivered a rulemaking petition to the Alaska Department of Environmental… Continue reading

  • Oct 5, 2017
  • By Jode Sparks

We are continuing to protect Alaska’s transboundary waters

One of the best parts of my job, and one of the most challenging, is to keep working toward Alaska goals that are not easily… Continue reading

  • Oct 4, 2017
  • By BYRON MALLOTT

Senate Bill 54 is necessary for public safety

Crime is on the rise. We’ve been hearing a lot from Alaskans about their cabins, cars, shops, and homes being broken into. People feel scared… Continue reading

  • Oct 4, 2017
  • By JAHNA LINDEMUTH

Our election endorsements: Keep the ship steady

When your boat is solid and its crew is firm, the biggest threat in a hurricane is the person behind the wheel. A steady hand… Continue reading

  • Oct 3, 2017
  • By THE JUNEAU EMPIRE EDITORIAL BOARD

AEL&P buyer will spike prices

In 2014, Alaska Electric Light &Power was bought by Avista. Now Avista is in the process of being bought by Hydro One, a Canadian company… Continue reading

  • Oct 2, 2017
  • By MARGO WARING

Proposition 2, explained

Chances are pretty good that most Juneau residents, even those who plan on going to the polls on Tuesday, might not understand what Proposition 2… Continue reading

  • Oct 2, 2017
  • By John MacKinnon

Alaskans say ‘yes’ to ANWR drilling

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is the largest wildlife refuge in America. Spanning more than 19 million acres, it’s an area larger than 10… Continue reading

  • Oct 1, 2017
  • By Matthew Rexford