Opinion

This photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: I’m a longtime educator, and I’m supporting Walker/Drygas

The issues our state faces are significant with regard to education.

  • Jul 29, 2022
  • By Heather Batchelder
This photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast campus in Juneau. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: Congress could keep health insurance costs from rising, but it has to act fast

Some argue that the federal government paid out far too much money to too many people under the headline of “pandemic relief aid.” Up to… Continue reading

  • Jul 28, 2022
  • By Larry Persily
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Opinion: A conversation about mental health

All in all, we want you to know that you are not alone.

  • Jul 26, 2022
  • By Kiana Potter
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Anselm Staack (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Controlling women’s bodies — the coming tsunami

The Thomas Court wants to return us to the days before the 1960s, preferably to 1776.

  • Jul 25, 2022
  • By Anselm Staack
Anselm Staack (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: The autocratic decision making for Cascade Point

Sufficient information hasn’t been provided for Cascade Point.

  • Jul 22, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
This March 2020 photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall. Voters will be asked again this fall if they want to extend a 1% temporary sales tax for another five years and city leaders are in the process of making a priority list of how the money would be spent if approved. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Should Juneau’s Assembly take sides in a municipal election?

“This is an inappropriate use of public money.”

  • Jul 21, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
This March 2020 photo shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall. Voters will be asked again this fall if they want to extend a 1% temporary sales tax for another five years and city leaders are in the process of making a priority list of how the money would be spent if approved. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Longtime Alaska law enforcement official Jim Cockrell, seen here in an undated photo in his role as a colonel with the Alaska State Troopers, was appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy as Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Opinion: Historic investment in public safety will save lives

I would like to thank Governor Dunleavy and the Legislature

  • Jul 20, 2022
  • By James Cockrell
Longtime Alaska law enforcement official Jim Cockrell, seen here in an undated photo in his role as a colonel with the Alaska State Troopers, was appointed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy as Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Faith J. Myers stands at the doors of Alaska Psychiatric Institute. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Psychiatric patient care must be independently reviewed

It is time for the state to allocate funding for an independent research report.

  • Jul 19, 2022
  • By Faith J. Myers
Faith J. Myers stands at the doors of Alaska Psychiatric Institute. (Courtesy Photo)
Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Charity starts at home

Not Saudi Arabia.

  • Jul 18, 2022
  • By Frank Murkowski
Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A picture showing the Juneau road system ending at Cascade Point in Berners Bay in May 2006. The area from Echo Cove to Cascade Point is owned by Gold Belt Inc.,an Alaska Native corporation,  (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Cascade Point and the homework DOT hasn’t done

The board should insist that homework be done

  • Jul 15, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
A picture showing the Juneau road system ending at Cascade Point in Berners Bay in May 2006. The area from Echo Cove to Cascade Point is owned by Gold Belt Inc.,an Alaska Native corporation,  (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows former Gov. Bill Walker at a recent fundraising event. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Here’s why we support the Walker/Drygas campaign

Alaska needs that commitment, that dedication, that integrity, that strength of purpose…

  • Jul 12, 2022
  • By Sue and Larry Cotter
This photo shows former Gov. Bill Walker at a recent fundraising event. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
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)

Opinion: Nothing to lose?

Please consider your options.

  • Jul 11, 2022
  • By Dr. carolyn V. Brown
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)
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Opinion: America’s mentally unhealthy gun culture

Recent bill missed the collective mental deficiency of a culture which worships the power of guns…

  • Jul 8, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
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In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen File)

Opinion: Here’s how we move forward from COVID-19

COVID-19 is different in 2022.

  • Jul 7, 2022
  • By Dr. Anne Zink
In this March 12, 2020 file photo, Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s chief medical officer, addresses reporters at a news conference in Anchorage, (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen File)
This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Assembly kicks the can

Assembly members weren’t elected to procrastinate.

  • Jul 7, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Theater Alaska performers Bostin Christopher, left, and Erin Tripp perform a short play in front of an audience at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. Theater Alaska partnered with environmental group 350Juneau to put on a Climate Fair for a Cool Planet, which drew over 100 people. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: A cool planet? And what isa carbon bomb?

A cool planet is a memory of the recent past, a fading reality of the present, hope for the future.

  • Jul 6, 2022
  • By Mike Tobin
Theater Alaska performers Bostin Christopher, left, and Erin Tripp perform a short play in front of an audience at Mayor Bill Overstreet Park on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. Theater Alaska partnered with environmental group 350Juneau to put on a Climate Fair for a Cool Planet, which drew over 100 people. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Firework sales should be prohibited in Juneau

Loud fireworks make it unsafe for our families to use their private property during the holidays.

  • Jul 5, 2022
  • Lorraine Murray
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
In this September 2019 photo, Rosita Kaaháni Worl, president of Sealaska Heritage Institute, gives a presentation at the Sharing Our Knowledge conference, on blood quantum and how it relates to enrollment of shareholders in Native corporations. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Sealaska dropping blood quantum requirement is welcome news. Here’s why

I don’t know that people fully appreciate the significance of the vote.

  • Jul 5, 2022
  • By Rosita Kaaháni Worl
In this September 2019 photo, Rosita Kaaháni Worl, president of Sealaska Heritage Institute, gives a presentation at the Sharing Our Knowledge conference, on blood quantum and how it relates to enrollment of shareholders in Native corporations. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: Lessons learned from 1/6

Dismayed by disinformation.

  • Jul 4, 2022
  • By John Sonin
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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. Opposition to a constitutional convention, which could alter the Alaska State Constitution to allow for banning abortions was a frequent topic during the protest. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

A constitutional convention would be doomed to fail

Principled compromise has given way to the unyielding demands of performative politicians

  • Jul 1, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
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. Opposition to a constitutional convention, which could alter the Alaska State Constitution to allow for banning abortions was a frequent topic during the protest. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)