Opinion

Helping victims redefine their worth: Taking a stand against human trafficking

Sex trafficking is a rapidly growing, very lucrative crime in our state. In fact, most trafficking victims were first exploited as children. A recent Loyola… Continue reading

  • Sep 21, 2017
  • By DONNA WALKER

Alaska’s economy depends on ocean science and technology

When considering the importance of our national maritime economy, it’s hard to miss the connections between Alaska and the ocean. Alaska has the longest coastline… Continue reading

  • Sep 21, 2017
  • By Jonathan W. White

Local elections matter

Amid all the turmoil surrounding national issues and candidates jockeying for statewide office, it’s sometimes difficult to take time to study and participate in our… Continue reading

  • Sep 21, 2017
  • By WIN GRUENING

On seniors, ‘political spin’ designed to distort facts

The Sept. 13 Letter to the Editor by Dean Guanelli and the Sept. 15 My Turn by Assembly member Debbie White on the senior tax-exempt… Continue reading

  • Sep 21, 2017
  • By RON SOMERVILLE

Wealth creation, not taxes, is the solution to fiscal woes

The rumors are swirling around about yet another special legislative session devoted to a broad-based tax is both troubling and wrong. This whole narrative, concept… Continue reading

  • Sep 20, 2017
  • By Curtis W. Thayer

The Vietnam War as seen from the river bank

“The Vietnam War,” a film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick premiered Sept. 17, 2017 on PBS. The film from our point of view was… Continue reading

  • Sep 20, 2017
  • By FAITH MYERS

Recent brown bear killing raises questions

The overly provocative Juneau Empire headline, “Trooper kills charging bear,” was distressing, and invites further discussion. Chicken coops and enclosures are bear attractants. The Alaska… Continue reading

  • Sep 20, 2017
  • By Joel Bennett

Seniors need to help maintain city services

We are Juneau seniors, and we emphatically disagree with the call to eliminate all sales tax for seniors. Basically, reduction or elimination of sales tax… Continue reading

  • Sep 19, 2017
  • By TOM RUTECKI

The 230-year-old experiment – Is it working?

September 17, 1787. Who would have thought it? The first Constitution of the United States didn’t last very long (1781-1787) and was considered a rather… Continue reading

  • Sep 18, 2017
  • By carolyn V Brown

Treatment of homeless a salient question for Assembly candidates

The sad truth is, the number of people living on Juneau’s streets is rising. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly’s move last winter to… Continue reading

  • Sep 16, 2017
  • By ROSITA WORL

The do-nothing politics of floods and climate change

Hurricanes Harvey and Irma dominated the news cycle during the past few weeks as they left a trail of devastation in their wake. But it… Continue reading

  • Sep 15, 2017
  • By Rich Moniak

Leave something for the next generation

Back in 2015, the Juneau Assembly tried to strike a balance between the struggles of our senior citizens and those of young families trying to… Continue reading

  • Sep 15, 2017
  • By DEBBIE WHITE

A response to recent columns on the Catholic Church

In the past 30 days there have been two “My Turn” opinion columns asserting the Catholic Church’s teachings, especially in the area of human sexuality,… Continue reading

  • Sep 13, 2017
  • By MIKE MONAGLE

Return Indian Point land to Alaska Native people of Juneau

The City and Borough of Juneau has the special opportunity to join with the Alaska Native community, Goldbelt Heritage Foundation, and the Auk Kwaan people… Continue reading

  • Sep 12, 2017
  • By Kate Troll and Randy Wanamaker

Walker: Achieving stable, affordable health care is important for Alaska

In Alaska, we pay more for health care than do most Americans. In much of the United States, a medical emergency typically means a $400… Continue reading

  • Sep 11, 2017
  • By GOV. BILL WALKER

Losing my religion

It’s too late for General Custer, too late for Robert E. Lee. Gotta get back on the highway, before it’s too late for me. —… Continue reading

  • Sep 10, 2017
  • By JIM HALE
A view of the West Douglas Pioneer Road. (Photo by Ben Brown)

Pioneer road peaceful, calming and important to Juneau

The west side of Douglas Island has been talked about for many years as an enticing place where Alaska’s capital city can expand and find… Continue reading

  • Sep 10, 2017
  • By Ben Brown
A view of the West Douglas Pioneer Road. (Photo by Ben Brown)

Do you know how your utility rates are set?

As a privately owned utility, AEL&P is overseen by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA). When AEL&P wants to change the price of electricity, they… Continue reading

  • Sep 10, 2017
  • By DANIELLE REDMOND

Single-payer health care can be a budget solution

Last week Gov. Bill Walker notified lawmakers that he’ll be calling a fourth special session in October. It’ll focus on new tax proposals to close… Continue reading

  • Sep 10, 2017
  • By Rich Moniak

Magic formula for transforming local schools into true centers for learning

This week thanks go to Hecla Mining, the operator of Greens Creek Mine on Admiralty Island, after the company made a significant contribution to the… Continue reading

  • Sep 6, 2017
  • By WIN GRUENING