Opinion

My Turn: Renowned Juneau-based Alaska Native artist wins prestigious fellowship

As summer continues to unfold, there is more exciting news about Alaskan art, in particular an Alaskan artist who is being honored with the nation’s… Continue reading

  • Jul 4, 2016
  • By Ben Brown

Empire Editorial: Don’t be a Fourth of July jerk

With Fourth of July a day away, we’ve got a favor to ask: Don’t be a jerk. Of course, we’re not talking to you, our… Continue reading

  • Jul 3, 2016

My Turn: Brexit, secessionist movements and the allegiance to freedom

Brexit. Texit. Calexit. Proponents of these movements see themselves as evoking the highest allegiance to freedom — the soul of the American spirt we celebrate… Continue reading

  • Jul 3, 2016
  • By Rich Moniak

My Turn: Proposed city ordinance fails to protect religious liberties

A couple of weeks ago, there were two news stories that caught my attention. The first was the terrible terrorist attack in Orlando, and the… Continue reading

  • Jul 3, 2016
  • By MICHAEL MONAGLE

My Turn: Legislators, join other Alaskans on the rope

As governor, I enjoy shaking a lot of hands. But one handshake in particular stuck with me. At the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport last… Continue reading

  • Jul 3, 2016
  • By GOV. BILL WALKER

Empire Editorial: Not the time to mess with city sales taxes

When you’re not sure how much money payday will bring, it’s best not to start adding new expenses.The Assembly considered briefly ending sales taxes on… Continue reading

  • Jul 1, 2016

My Turn: Caring for the land and serving the people

This week, the Tongass Forest Plan amendment, final environmental impact statement and draft record of decision have been released. For the people and communities in… Continue reading

  • Jul 1, 2016
  • By BETH PENDLETON

My Turn: Cutting the dividend is wrong

You have probably heard the big news. Gov. Bill Walker is vetoing funding for the full Permanent Fund Dividend this year, which is expected to… Continue reading

  • Jul 1, 2016
  • By AARON LOJEWSKI

My turn: the University of Alaska is rising to the occasion

There was a time in Alaska when leadership was seized by those who had inexhaustible enthusiasm and strong motivation to address the challenges faced by… Continue reading

  • Jun 30, 2016
  • By JIM JOHNSEN

Empire Editorial: Our veto forecast came true: Legislature must now act

It’s in the Legislature’s hands now.Last week, the Empire warned you that Gov. Bill Walker was likely to veto some or all of this year’s… Continue reading

  • Jun 30, 2016

My Turn: On the PFD restructuring

When Gov. Bill Walker announced his plan to cut the Permanent Fund Dividend and restructure the permanent fund for government spending, I sought advice from… Continue reading

  • Jun 28, 2016
  • By JUANITA CASSELLIUS

Alaska Editorial: PFD divide a part of politics

The following editorial first appeared in the Ketchikan Daily News:It’s an election year.The state House — where all of the seats will be on the… Continue reading

  • Jun 28, 2016

Alaska Editorial: Survivor benefits bill dies through inaction

This editorial first appeared in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner:The law enforcement and firefighter survivor benefits bill, House Bill 4002, had a tortured life for a… Continue reading

  • Jun 28, 2016

My Turn: Why it’s still scary to be gay

Another senseless slaughter in the name of religion took place in Orlando two weeks ago. I mourn the victims who were simply out for an… Continue reading

  • Jun 27, 2016
  • By RICHARD COMPSON SATER

My Turn: Makers and takers

“Trickle-down” theories of wealth have always struck me as bogus. Now I have no doubt. I have a reading list (below), and my thinking is… Continue reading

  • Jun 27, 2016
  • By JERRY SMETZER

My Turn: The rule according to fundamentalist revisionism

As we’ve come to expect after every mass shooting, the U.S. Senate failed to consider any meaningful gun control measures. This display of impotence by… Continue reading

  • Jun 26, 2016
  • By Rich Moniak

Empire Editorial: Optional programs shouldn’t be forced

Private business and government can make for odd bedfellows, and even more so when government oversteps its role.But if they’re not careful, city leaders may… Continue reading

  • Jun 24, 2016

My Turn: City response to cruise industry complaint is myopic

After the City and Borough of Juneau was served with a lawsuit by the cruise industry in April, it seemed both sides would reach an… Continue reading

  • Jun 24, 2016
  • By WIN GRUENING

My Turn: On the Denali wolves

I would like to comment on the Letter to the Editor on Tuesday from Joel Bennett asking for the state to protect wolves crossing the… Continue reading

  • Jun 24, 2016
  • By RON SOMERVILLE

Empire Editorial: What if PFDs aren’t ‘permanent’?

Sometime in the next 10 days, you should expect Gov. Bill Walker to veto all or part of the funding for your Alaska Permanent Fund… Continue reading

  • Jun 23, 2016