Opinion

Courtesy Photo

Opinion: A legislative path to accountability for schools

The last time families took the state to court for inadequate instruction, they lost. In Moore v. Alaska, from 2004 to 2012, Judge Sharon Gleason… Continue reading

  • Mar 1, 2023
  • By Mike Bronson
Courtesy Photo
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. The Biden administration is weighing approval of a major oil project on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope that supporters say represents an economic lifeline for Indigenous communities in the region but environmentalists say is counter to Biden’s climate goals. A decision on ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Willow project, in a federal oil reserve roughly the size of Indiana, could come by early March 2023. (ConocoPhillips via AP)

Opinion: It is time to draw the line on oil projects like Willow

We need support projects that build on renewable infrastructure.

  • Mar 1, 2023
  • By Michael Tobin
This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope. The Biden administration is weighing approval of a major oil project on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope that supporters say represents an economic lifeline for Indigenous communities in the region but environmentalists say is counter to Biden’s climate goals. A decision on ConocoPhillips Alaska’s Willow project, in a federal oil reserve roughly the size of Indiana, could come by early March 2023. (ConocoPhillips via AP)
This March 2020 photo shows Juneau's City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Limit entry for Juneau tours

I hope the Assembly takes this opportunity to do something for those of us they represent.

  • Feb 28, 2023
  • By Kimberly Metcalfe
This March 2020 photo shows Juneau's City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Sen. Sullivan’s misguided defense of Fox News

Sullivan was certainly combative in the hearing. But don’t mistake that for courage or strength.

  • Feb 24, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
(Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
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Alaskans respond to the increase in eating disorders

Eating Disorders Awareness Week is Feb. 27- March 5

  • Feb 23, 2023
  • By Beth Rose and Jenny Loudon
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A man walks past destroyed buildings in Antakya, southeastern Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Douglas Mertz writes that the disaster offers lessons for Alaska’s capital city. (AP Photo / Unal Cam)

Opinion: Lessons from Turkey for Juneau

There are two clear lessons here.

  • Feb 22, 2023
  • By Douglas Mertz
A man walks past destroyed buildings in Antakya, southeastern Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Douglas Mertz writes that the disaster offers lessons for Alaska’s capital city. (AP Photo / Unal Cam)
The Tazlina docks in Auke Bay. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The value of a Berners Bay ferry terminal

A year-round Berners Bay Ferry Terminal is needed to allow cost-effective Alaska Class Ferry service

  • Feb 21, 2023
  • By Andy Hughes
The Tazlina docks in Auke Bay. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)
Alexander B. Dolitsky

Opinion: Success at school begins at home

Studies show conservative moral values play an important role in educational achievement.

  • Feb 18, 2023
  • By Alexander B. Dolitsky
Alexander B. Dolitsky
The Alaska state flag is illuminated atop the Kennicott at night at Juneau's Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Losing ferries would be losing a piece of Alaska

The stars seemed aligned to make progress to save the AMHS and chart its course.

  • Feb 17, 2023
  • By Wanetta Ayers
The Alaska state flag is illuminated atop the Kennicott at night at Juneau's Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows Alaska State Troopers vehicles in Juneau. (Juneau Empire File)

A weak link in DPS’ proposed body cam policy

Proposed policy gives too much discretion for when officers can turn cams off.

  • Feb 17, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
This photo shows Alaska State Troopers vehicles in Juneau. (Juneau Empire File)
An Alaska Waste truck enters Waste Management's Capitol Disposal Landfill in Lemon Creek. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Escalating landfill fees are a wake-up call

There’s no silver bullet to fix this problem

  • Feb 16, 2023
  • By Win Gruening
An Alaska Waste truck enters Waste Management's Capitol Disposal Landfill in Lemon Creek. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: We need to repeal this regulation to stop rising health care costs

Our state has reached a critical junction in our fight against rising health care costs. The Alaska Division of Insurance is holding hearings to consider… Continue reading

  • Feb 16, 2023
  • By Jim Grazko
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The benefits of ranked choice voting

A recent My Turn struck a nerve.

  • Feb 14, 2023
  • Gary Miller
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows Mendenhall Lake.  (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The USFS did not listen regarding boats on Mendenhall Lake

My concerns from last May have not changed.

  • Feb 13, 2023
  • By Jim Sepel
This photo shows Mendenhall Lake.  (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
An array of stickers awaits voters on Election Day 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: One reason to abandon ranked choice elections

A disturbing feature of ranked choice that is easy to miss.

  • Feb 10, 2023
  • By Brian J. Gaines
An array of stickers awaits voters on Election Day 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
A picture showing the Juneau road system ending at Cascade Point in Berners Bay in May 2006.  (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Dunleavy’s mockery of the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board

Both the House and the Senate voted unanimously to create the AMHOB.

  • Feb 10, 2023
  • By Rich Moniak
A picture showing the Juneau road system ending at Cascade Point in Berners Bay in May 2006.  (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Lawmakers should meet school funding needs before determining PFD size

Schoolhouse rock and a hard place.

  • Feb 8, 2023
  • By Larry Persily
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A bald eagle looks toward the Mendenhall Glacier near the visitor center. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

Limiting commercial visitation is the only sensible response to overcrowding at MGRA

I was born and raised in the Valley, where our family could see the Mendenhall Glacier from our driveway. The glacier hosted many of our… Continue reading

  • Feb 7, 2023
  • By Sarah Aronson
A bald eagle looks toward the Mendenhall Glacier near the visitor center. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)
This image shows the site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. Thursday evening the city was given an update on the project’s concept design which is expected to cost up to $75 million and would include amenities like a theater, community hall, gallery, ballroom and business center. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Opinion: Keep an eye on the proposed civic center project

FTF will continue to monitor this issue and urge Juneau residents to do likewise.

  • Feb 6, 2023
  • By Don Habeger
This image shows the site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. Thursday evening the city was given an update on the project’s concept design which is expected to cost up to $75 million and would include amenities like a theater, community hall, gallery, ballroom and business center. (City and Borough of Juneau)
At Wednesday evening’s special Assembly meeting, the Assembly appropriated nearly $4 million toward funding a 5.5% wage increase for all CBJ employees along with a 5% increase to the employer health contribution. According to City Manager Rorie Watt, it doesn't necessarily fix a nearly two decade-long issue of employee retention concerns for the city. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Assessment needs additional oversight

A win in dealing with City and Borough of Juneau is when both sides feel they have been treated fairly. A loss is when both… Continue reading

  • Feb 3, 2023
  • By Greg Adler
At Wednesday evening’s special Assembly meeting, the Assembly appropriated nearly $4 million toward funding a 5.5% wage increase for all CBJ employees along with a 5% increase to the employer health contribution. According to City Manager Rorie Watt, it doesn't necessarily fix a nearly two decade-long issue of employee retention concerns for the city. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)