Opinion

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Opinion: The Biden administration’s betrayal of King Cove

The White House lack of compassion is just not acceptable to Alaskans.

  • Mar 28, 2023
  • By Frank H. Murkowski
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This photo shows downtown Juneau during cruise season as seen from Douglas. Demographic trends show Juneau experiencing a decline in people between the ages of 18 and 64. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Reverse the demographic death spiral

Changing our future requires local government and the private sector to work togethe…

  • Mar 23, 2023
  • By Angela Rodell and Susan Bell
This photo shows downtown Juneau during cruise season as seen from Douglas. Demographic trends show Juneau experiencing a decline in people between the ages of 18 and 64. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Want wetlands permits to better reflect Alaska?

Reinstate the Alaska Coastal Management Program.

  • Mar 22, 2023
  • By Bruce Botelho and Kate Troll
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This image available under the Creative Commons license shows the outline of the state of Alaska filled with the pattern of the state flag.

Opinion: Old models of development that are not sustainable for Alaska

Sustainability means investing in keeping Alaska as healthy as possible.

  • Mar 21, 2023
  • Adeline Raboff
This image available under the Creative Commons license shows the outline of the state of Alaska filled with the pattern of the state flag.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks in support of an agreement between the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Goldbelt Inc. to pursue engineering and design services to determine whether it’s feasible to build a new ferry terminal facility in Juneau at Cascade Point. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: What Cascade Point is not

This project is less about trying to improve transportation than serving political ideology.

  • Mar 17, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks in support of an agreement between the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and Goldbelt Inc. to pursue engineering and design services to determine whether it’s feasible to build a new ferry terminal facility in Juneau at Cascade Point. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils proposals to offer public school teachers annual retention bonuses and enact policies restricting discussion of sex and gender in education during a news conference in Anchorage. (Screenshot)

Opinion: As a father and a grandfather, I believe the governor’s proposed laws are anti-family

Now, the discrimination sword is pointing to our gay and transgender friends and families.

  • Mar 16, 2023
  • By Rick Bierman
Gov. Mike Dunleavy unveils proposals to offer public school teachers annual retention bonuses and enact policies restricting discussion of sex and gender in education during a news conference in Anchorage. (Screenshot)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: When is a road considered a trail?

The latest debate over a commercial use permit to use city land for a bike tour seems overblown.

  • Mar 16, 2023
  • By Win Gruening
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: If you are a veteran in crisis or concerned about someone who is, help is here

In January, the new COMPACT Act went into effect across the U.S. The COMPACT Act is the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care and Treatment… Continue reading

  • Mar 15, 2023
  • By Patrick Wilder
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Opinion: When the state values bigotry over the lives of queer kids

It has been a long, difficult week for queer and trans Alaskans like me.

  • Mar 14, 2023
  • By Amelia Hanrahan
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Unsplash / Louis Velazquez

Opinion: Fish, family and freedom… from Big Oil

“Ultimate investment in the status quo” is not what I voted for.

  • Mar 13, 2023
  • Zach Brown
Unsplash / Louis Velazquez
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The time has come to stop Eastman’s willful and wanton damage

God in the Bible makes it clear that we are to care for the vulnerable among us.

  • Mar 10, 2023
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Fund the schools, respect the voters, lower property taxes

The Assembly should reduce the actual amount of household property tax collection below last year’s.

  • Mar 9, 2023
  • Ken Koelsch
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Caribou graze on the greening tundra of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska in June, 2001. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: AIDEA’s $20 million-and-growing investment looks like a bad bet

Not producing in ANWR could probably generate a lot of money for Alaska.

  • Mar 8, 2023
  • By Larry Persily
Caribou graze on the greening tundra of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Alaska in June, 2001. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Alaska should not repeat mistakes in mental health care of 150 years ago

Newspapers have always had a positive role in improving mental health care in America. For over 100-years, investigative reporters have been willing to go where… Continue reading

  • Mar 7, 2023
  • By Faith J. Myers
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Southeast trollers appreciate support amid ‘misguided’ lawsuit

Alaska will not stand by quietly as WFC tries to wipe Alaska’s fishing families off the map.

  • Mar 7, 2023
  • By Casey Mapes
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Heavy metals run out of the Tulsequah Chief mine opening and down to holding ponds next to the Tulsequah River Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
Heavy metals run out of the Tulsequah Chief mine opening and down to holding ponds next to the Tulsequah River Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Fixing legislative salaries and per diem

The state Senate was right to unanimously reject giving a 20% pay raise to Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Not because he’s failed to deliver a sustainable… Continue reading

  • Mar 3, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Commercial e-bike tours conflict with current uses of the Pioneer Road

The road is a quiet place with diverse topography and scenery…

  • Mar 2, 2023
  • By Linda Kruger
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Wilder Dillingham of AYEA on the first day of the composting program with Juneau Composts! at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Courtesy Photo / Lauren Cusimano)

Opinion: AYEA and Juneau Composts! are a dream team

Look for AYEA students standing by Juneau Composts! bins in the commons…

  • Mar 2, 2023
  • By Hannah Brennell and Wilder Dillingham
Wilder Dillingham of AYEA on the first day of the composting program with Juneau Composts! at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Courtesy Photo / Lauren Cusimano)
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, asks Ajay Desai, director of the Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits, about the assumptions used to calculate pensions earned by state employees under a fixed-amount plan in effect until 2006 and a subsequent 401K-type plan during a Senate Finance Committee hearing Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Legislature dives into perilous waters with state workforce issues

We should not assume that what worked 20 years ago will work today.

  • Mar 2, 2023
  • By Win Gruening
State Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, right, asks Ajay Desai, director of the Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits, about the assumptions used to calculate pensions earned by state employees under a fixed-amount plan in effect until 2006 and a subsequent 401K-type plan during a Senate Finance Committee hearing Thursday at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)