Opinion

Alaska Editorial: Shifting responsibility

The following editorial first appeared in the Ketchikan Daily News:It appears that the State of Alaska — once again — is quietly attempting to shift… Continue reading

  • Dec 8, 2015

My Turn: Taj MaHawker doesn’t pass the sniff test

Recently, newspaper articles have reported about the sole source contract negotiated by Rep. Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, to upgrade the Anchorage Legislative Information Office. These reports… Continue reading

  • Dec 8, 2015
  • By TARA JOLLIE

My Turn: Honesty is the only sound foundation for business and government

If government would just work like a business, it’s often said, then all its waste can be eliminated. But even the most profitable businesses in… Continue reading

  • Dec 6, 2015
  • By Rich Moniak

Empire Editorial: Drop the Glass Tower

On Friday, the Alaska Legislature’s Legislative Council could have saved the state of Alaska $30 million.Instead, they punted.The Legislative Council, which conducts the Legislature’s business… Continue reading

  • Dec 6, 2015

My Turn: Pivotal moment in Alaska’s history

This moment in Alaska’s history is pivotal in determining what our future as a state will look like. The sudden drop in oil prices and… Continue reading

  • Dec 6, 2015
  • By REPS. SCOTT KAWASAKI, SAM KITO, ANDY JOSEPHSON and HARRIET DRUMMOND

My Turn: Alaska’s foster children need help, homes

All children should have a loving home and the opportunity to succeed. That’s unfortunately not the case for many of Alaska’s foster youths. Today, 40… Continue reading

  • Dec 3, 2015
  • By LES GARA

Empire Editorial: Longing for what could have been

In time, Juneau residents will learn how Mayor Stephen “Greg” Fisk died.We will never learn what his tenure as mayor might have meant to Alaska’s… Continue reading

  • Dec 2, 2015

My Turn: Alaskan shines with pride: The Capitol Christmas Tree

On Wednesday, all Alaskans can shine with pride at the lighting of the 2015 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington D.C. This year, a 74-foot… Continue reading

  • Dec 1, 2015
  • By BETH PENDLETON

Working together

This editorial first appeared in the Ketchikan Daily News on Nov. 28:Neither Alaska nor British Columbia succeed by harming the other’s environment or economy.Given that,… Continue reading

  • Dec 1, 2015

My Turn: Walker’s first year as governor a disappointment

Reflecting on Gov. Bill Walker’s first year in office (today is his one-year anniversary), he has for the most part been a real breath of… Continue reading

  • Dec 1, 2015
  • By RICK STEINER

My Turn: Tongass reform anniversary is cause for celebration

It has been 25 years since the Tongass Timber Reform Act (TTRA) was signed into law. This legislation became the most significant piece of conservation… Continue reading

  • Nov 29, 2015
  • By BART KOEHLER

Moniak: The evolutionary path to Frankenfish

Rep. Don Young, Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan all responded to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of genetically engineered salmon with… Continue reading

  • Nov 29, 2015
  • By Rich Moniak

Empire Readers’ Council Editorial: Publishing of ‘Reckless Endangerment’ simply reckless

The editorial column “Reckless Endangerment” addressing the Syrian refugee situation which the Empire published last month, provoked a flood of comments from Juneau readers and… Continue reading

  • Nov 27, 2015

Alaska Editorial: Coffee on fish board menu

The following editorial first appeared in the Peninsula Clarion: After years of arguments about fairness, access and influence, it may finally be that what it… Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015

My Turn: Thank you, America

In the emotional and often heated debate regarding U.S. aid to Syrian refugees, it would be easy to forget America’s leadership in welcoming and helping… Continue reading

  • Nov 26, 2015
  • By WIN GRUENING

Alaska Editorial: Little by little, reduced services highlight the state’s serious budget problems

The following editorial first appeared in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: An unsettling notice arrived from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities just before… Continue reading

  • Nov 25, 2015

Welcome the Syrian refugees

“Lord, when did we see you a stranger and welcome you or naked and clothe you? … And the king will answer, ‘Amen, I say… Continue reading

  • Nov 23, 2015
  • By CHARLES ROHRBACHER

Empire Editorial: The cost of avoiding bad press

Alaska finds itself marred by its third major scandal in less than a decade. First was a VECO bribery scandal that ended the careers of… Continue reading

  • Nov 23, 2015

My Turn: Unified effort in congress protects Alaska’s seafood powerhouse

Alaska is our nation’s seafood powerhouse. With nine of our country’s top 20 fishing ports by volume, we understand the vital role our seafood industry… Continue reading

  • Nov 22, 2015
  • By SEN. LISA MURKOWSKI, SEN. DAN SULLIVAN and REP. DON YOUNG

Alaska Editorial: Body-worn cameras can help interactions between police, citizens

The following editorial first appeared in the Fairbanks Daily-News MinerEarlier this week, Fairbanks City Mayor John Eberhart and Police Chief Randall Aragon gave an update… Continue reading

  • Nov 22, 2015