Opinion

Opinion: Dunleavy’s complete fiscal irresponsibility

Governor shifts public attention to culture wars as he gives state’s resources to corporations

  • Apr 24, 2023
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Opinion: Wanted: Alaskans to help shape new bycatch rules

The public has a lot to say about bycatch in Alaska’s fisheries…

  • Apr 24, 2023
  • By Laine Welch
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A gate blocks off the entrance to West Douglas’ Pioneer Road Saturday afternoon. Monday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted to reject a proposal from a local company that sought to gain access to provide electric-assisted bicycle tours on the city-owned gravel road. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Let’s save the Pioneer Road for local users

This application is a prime example of an activity crying out for pre-planning…

  • Apr 21, 2023
  • By Linda Kruger
A gate blocks off the entrance to West Douglas’ Pioneer Road Saturday afternoon. Monday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted to reject a proposal from a local company that sought to gain access to provide electric-assisted bicycle tours on the city-owned gravel road. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This image shows the site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Opinion: Capital Civic Center concerns

Show us that the CCC will pay for itself, or ask us to vote to subsidize it.

  • Apr 19, 2023
  • By Murray Walsh
This image shows the site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Opinion: Enthusiastic about the Empire

Local news and opinion coverage surpassing larger cities elsewhere

  • Apr 19, 2023
  • By Gregg Erickson
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, speaks to reporters after giving an address to state lawmakers in Juneau on Feb. 17. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Opinion: Rep. Mary Peltola and the Second Amendment

Alaska congresswoman’s overly strict interpretation keeps her from supporting reasonable gun limits

  • Apr 17, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, speaks to reporters after giving an address to state lawmakers in Juneau on Feb. 17. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
Members of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee meet Wednesday as they hear department presentations about next year’s proposed budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Spending up, taxes up, population stagnant in Juneau

Last week, during a scheduled CBJ Assembly Finance Committee meeting, City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) staff introduced the FY2024 draft budget for consideration. This… Continue reading

  • Apr 15, 2023
  • By Win Gruening
Members of the Juneau Assembly’s Finance Committee meet Wednesday as they hear department presentations about next year’s proposed budget. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
This is a photo of the print edition of the City and Borough of Juneau’s budget book for the fiscal year 2024. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Will the CBJ Assembly ever draw the line?

And who actually pays for all this largesse?

  • Apr 12, 2023
  • By Win Gruening
This is a photo of the print edition of the City and Borough of Juneau’s budget book for the fiscal year 2024. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Guy Archibald collects clam shell specimens on Admiralty Island. Archibald was the lead author of a recently released study that linked a dramatic increase of lead levels in Hawk Inlet’s marine ecosystem and land surrounding it on Admiralty Island to tailings released from the nearby Hecla Greens Creek Mine. (Courtesy Photo / John Neary)

Opinion: Questions linger amid mine permitting process

How much pollution has already taken place and how damaging is it?

  • Apr 8, 2023
  • By John Neary
Guy Archibald collects clam shell specimens on Admiralty Island. Archibald was the lead author of a recently released study that linked a dramatic increase of lead levels in Hawk Inlet’s marine ecosystem and land surrounding it on Admiralty Island to tailings released from the nearby Hecla Greens Creek Mine. (Courtesy Photo / John Neary)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Dan Sullivan’s convenient amnesia

Here’s a history lesson that Sullivan’s public persona is desperate to forget.

  • Apr 7, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature at the Alaska State Capitol on Tuesday, April 19, 2022. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: In praise of the Augustus Brown Pool

Living out my life in Juneau, certain places prompt pleasant memories of departed friends.

  • Apr 6, 2023
  • By Peter Metcalfe
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Lawmakers must step up and increase school funding

There’s no excuse for depriving the funding needed to ensure our students’ learning.

  • Apr 6, 2023
  • By Luann McVey
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
State Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, inquires about election legislation during a committee hearing Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol. Carpenter, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, is sponsoring bills to decrease business taxes and implement a 2% statewide sales tax that were heard. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Proposal is a fiscal plan, but not a good one

The numbers don’t add up.

  • Apr 5, 2023
  • By Larry Persily
State Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, inquires about election legislation during a committee hearing Tuesday at the Alaska State Capitol. Carpenter, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, is sponsoring bills to decrease business taxes and implement a 2% statewide sales tax that were heard. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Building cross-border trust means cleaning up the Tulsequah Chief

Why does unacceptable toxic discharge into the Taku watershed continue?

  • Apr 3, 2023
  • By Chris Zimmer
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Alaska ferries take on more water

A satirical My Turn for April Fool’s Day.

  • Apr 1, 2023
  • By Gershon Cohen
(Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Dunleavy is punting tax hikes to his successor

It’s a rare thing in American politics when a Republican proposes new or increased taxes. But last week, Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, introduced legislation for… Continue reading

  • Mar 31, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Little chairs sit in stacks after the  temporary closure of downtown Gold Creek Child Development Center in mid-January, and another closure shortly followed, leaving dozens of families scrambling to find child care. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Alaska’s child care crisis is too costly to ignore

Alaskans see this impact daily.

  • Mar 30, 2023
  • By Charles L. Westmoreland and Blue Shibler
Little chairs sit in stacks after the  temporary closure of downtown Gold Creek Child Development Center in mid-January, and another closure shortly followed, leaving dozens of families scrambling to find child care. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The three-ring public service salary circus

Pay hike is an abuse of power by governor and lapse in integrity from senate president.

  • Mar 29, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
NASA

Opinion: Willow will only lead to further climate chaos

At a time when drought and climate change are causing alarmingly low freshwater levels in the West with city floods in the Eastern U.S., in… Continue reading

  • Mar 29, 2023
  • By John S. Sonin
NASA
Alaska Youth for Environmental Action fly-in students. (Courtesy Photo / AYEA)

Opinion: Our time in Juneau at the AYEA Conservation and Civics Summit

Gunalchéesh to Juneau and to those who made this summit possible.

  • Mar 29, 2023
  • By Suella Wendell
Alaska Youth for Environmental Action fly-in students. (Courtesy Photo / AYEA)