Opinion

FID, the most influential underground GI newspaper in Alaska, was published by Navy and Coast Guard personnel in Kodiak in 1971. (Courtesy Image)

Opinion: On Veterans Day, let’s thank GIs in Alaska for their dissent

The University of Alaska Southeast and Veterans For Peace chapter 100 will host the Waging Peace in Vietnam exhibit Nov. 11-Dec. 15, 2022. As a… Continue reading

  • Nov 9, 2022
  • By John Kent
FID, the most influential underground GI newspaper in Alaska, was published by Navy and Coast Guard personnel in Kodiak in 1971. (Courtesy Image)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Referendum on the Assembly

People voted against a new City Hall as an expression of displeasure…

  • Nov 8, 2022
  • By Ray Preston
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Let’s protect Alaska’s constitution, vote no on Prop 1

A constitutional convention would encourage horse-trading with Alaska’s foundation and futur

  • Nov 7, 2022
  • By Mike Hostina
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: A vote for a constitutional convention is a vote for justice

In 1956, Alaska’s Founders expected that subsequent constitutional conventions would be necessary. Fairbanks delegate Warren Taylor said, “I think the next constitutional convention will possibly… Continue reading

  • Nov 7, 2022
  • By David Ignell
Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Sarah Palin speaks at a July 11 Save America Rally featuring former President Donald Trump at Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The realities of Palin’s political demise

If Rep. Mary Peltola holds onto the congressional seat she won in August, I expect Sarah Palin to accept the outcome. But publicly she’ll blame… Continue reading

  • Nov 4, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
Sarah Palin speaks at a July 11 Save America Rally featuring former President Donald Trump at Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)
Former Democratic state Rep. Beth Kerttula holds up a sign reading “Vote No Con Con,” during a recent rally at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza in Juneau. Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: What can a liberal and conservative agree on? Voting against a constitutional convention

“We disagree on many issues. But we… urge Alaskans to vote against Proposition 1.”

  • Nov 4, 2022
  • By Beth Kerttula and Jeffery Troutt
Former Democratic state Rep. Beth Kerttula holds up a sign reading “Vote No Con Con,” during a recent rally at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza in Juneau. Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Alexander B. Dolitsky

Opinion: World at War —a lesson from the Siberian Yupik tale

The world’s political leaders, including main actors such as Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, European Union, United Kingdom, United States and Canada, failed a trust giving to… Continue reading

  • Nov 3, 2022
  • By Alexander B. Dolitsky
Alexander B. Dolitsky
Les Gara smiles outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: A few of the reasons I’m voting for Les Gara for governor

We have an opportunity to elect a candidate for governor who cares about women’s rights

  • Nov 3, 2022
  • By Kimberly Metcalfe
Les Gara smiles outside of the Juneau Empire’s offices following an interview. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Alaska’s judiciary — our founder’s got it right

We are writing in response to politically motivated attacks on our state judiciary…

  • Nov 2, 2022
  • By Alaskans for Fair Courts
Gavel (Courtesy photo)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Congrats to the anti-ConCon coalition

They’ve run a brilliant campaign.

  • Nov 1, 2022
  • By J.H. Snider
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution were available outside the Lt. Governor’s office on Monday, Dec. 13, 2021. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Former Democratic state Rep. Beth Kerttula holds up a sign reading “Vote No Con Con,” during a rally at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Answer the constitutional convention question with a resounding no

Alaska’s Constitution is the fundamental document which sets basic legal parameters for life in the Great Land. Among the newest state constitutions in our nation,… Continue reading

  • Oct 31, 2022
  • By Benjamin Brown
Former Democratic state Rep. Beth Kerttula holds up a sign reading “Vote No Con Con,” during a rally at the Dimond Courthouse Plaza in Juneau. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, talks with then-Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka Tuesday morning following a House Administration Committee Finance Subcommittee meeting in 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The real Tshibaka sows division and discord

Kelly Tshibaka wants Alaskans to believe that Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a lifelong Republican, has “been complicit with the left’s agenda” for 20 years. Senate Minority… Continue reading

  • Oct 28, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
Rep. Andi Story, D-Juneau, talks with then-Department of Administration Commissioner Kelly Tshibaka Tuesday morning following a House Administration Committee Finance Subcommittee meeting in 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: School boards must also learn to adapt

One need not look too far back in history to realize this isn’t new.

  • Oct 27, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
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This photo shows the Harrison family. (Courtesy Photo)

Living Growing: Blessed are the those who work for peace

Peace. Speak the word and let it echo in your mind.

  • Oct 27, 2022
  • By Tim Harrison
This photo shows the Harrison family. (Courtesy Photo)
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Failure of Alaska’s mental health care system contributes to homelessness

Closing the inhumane psychiatric facilities in the 1960s was the right thing to do but there was no well-thought-out plan in place before releasing the… Continue reading

  • Oct 25, 2022
  • By Faith Myers
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)
A patters down on construction equipment scattered in the parking lot of the Riverview Senior Living, which is currently under construction and slated to open in early to mid-2023, according to the company. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: There’s more to know about Riverview Senior Living

We are sharing that information in this letter for a more complete description.

  • Oct 24, 2022
  • By Daniel Powell
A patters down on construction equipment scattered in the parking lot of the Riverview Senior Living, which is currently under construction and slated to open in early to mid-2023, according to the company. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: In defense of free speech for all

Selective defense of free speech shreds vital connection to Equal Protection Clause.

  • Oct 21, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
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U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks during a meet-and-greet Oct. 12 at Louie’s Douglas Inn. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Murkowski understands and prioritizes the seafood industry and coastal Alaska

Around here, the blue economy is not just a trendy phrase.

  • Oct 19, 2022
  • By Julie Decker
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks during a meet-and-greet Oct. 12 at Louie’s Douglas Inn. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
This public domain images shows former House Majority Leader Hale Boggs. Boggs was traveling in an airplane with Alaska Rep. Nick Begich in 1972 that went missing and has never been found.

Opinion: On 50th anniversary of disappearance, time to search for missing Boggs-Begich plane

Hale Boggs was my grandfather.

  • Oct 18, 2022
  • By Stephen Sigmund
This public domain images shows former House Majority Leader Hale Boggs. Boggs was traveling in an airplane with Alaska Rep. Nick Begich in 1972 that went missing and has never been found.
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Opinion: It’s time for the PUMP Act to become law

We urge you to keep fighting for us to get the bill over the finish line this year.

  • Oct 17, 2022
  • By Jasmine Esmay
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