Opinion

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Opinion: Build back a better Congress

The importance of reaching across the aisle.

  • Nov 5, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
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A ballot for the 2021 municipal election. On Wednesday, Will Muldoon entered the race for a seat on the Juneau Board of Public Education. He's joining the field of candidates as a write-in option, eight days after city officials mailed ballots to voters and 13 days before ballots are due back. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Opinion: There’s good reason to have mail-in voting

Here is the simple answer: it makes it much easier to vote.

  • Nov 4, 2021
  • By Stuart Cohen
A ballot for the 2021 municipal election. On Wednesday, Will Muldoon entered the race for a seat on the Juneau Board of Public Education. He's joining the field of candidates as a write-in option, eight days after city officials mailed ballots to voters and 13 days before ballots are due back. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
The Entrance to the University of Alaska Southeast. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The University of Alaska is the state’s most important resource

Together, let’s break the record for donor participation.

  • Nov 4, 2021
  • By Katie Bender, Cindy Wright and Robbie Stell
The Entrance to the University of Alaska Southeast. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
State Rep. Zack Fields

Alaska, more than any other state, needs COP26 to be successful

Make no mistake: We cannot “avoid” climate change.

  • Nov 3, 2021
  • By Zack Fields
State Rep. Zack Fields
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the virus that causes COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies may be a good treatment option for some people who test positive for the illness, according to state health officials. However, vaccination remains the best tool for limiting spread of COVID-19 and limiting hospitalizations. (NIAID-RML via AP, File)

US pandemic response has been a costly, divisive failure

With 4.2% of the world population, the U.S. has 19% of the total cases and 15% of the total deaths.

  • Nov 2, 2021
  • By Jeffrey G. Moebus
This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the virus that causes COVID-19. Monoclonal antibodies may be a good treatment option for some people who test positive for the illness, according to state health officials. However, vaccination remains the best tool for limiting spread of COVID-19 and limiting hospitalizations. (NIAID-RML via AP, File)
This November 2019 photo shows a line of shopper standing outside Centennial Hall while waiting to peruse the wares of Public Market vendors. That year's event featured more than 200 vendors. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: We can either follow the mitigation rules or cancel the Juneau Public Market

And the show will go on.

  • Nov 1, 2021
  • By Peter and Sandy Metcalfe
This November 2019 photo shows a line of shopper standing outside Centennial Hall while waiting to peruse the wares of Public Market vendors. That year's event featured more than 200 vendors. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Jason Brune is the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: DEC reflects on recently concluded cruise season

DEC would like to reflect on our oversight of these vessels and solicit your feedback.

  • Oct 29, 2021
  • By Jason Brune
Jason Brune is the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. (Courtesy Photo)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The glass house where Dunleavy lives

Let’s look at how Dunleavy has dishonored his own past statements.

  • Oct 29, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

New direction for the Tongass will help grow businesses, a sustainable economy

Now is the time to chart a new course for Southeast’s future.

  • Oct 28, 2021
  • By Dan Blanchard, Marsh Skeele, Dustin and Katie Craney, Mike and Sally Trotter, Eric Grundberg and Malena Marvin
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: Federal money should be spent on climate-friendly projects, not LNG

It’s back! I am referring to the colossally bad idea, the Alaska Liquified Natural Gas project.

  • Oct 28, 2021
  • By Mike Tobin
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(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Vote-by-mail doesn’t deliver – does the Juneau Assembly care?

By Win Gruening The City and Borough of Juneau seems to be exempt from the fundamental principle that “measurement improves performance,” because, by any objective… Continue reading

  • Oct 28, 2021
  • By Win Gruening
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This July photo shows the new Glory Hall, located near the airport. It will form a component of a growing social services campus. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: New Glory Hall has solved challenges, but community support remains key

Please consider getting involved.

  • Oct 27, 2021
  • By the Glory Hall Board of Directors
This July photo shows the new Glory Hall, located near the airport. It will form a component of a growing social services campus. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
A ballot for the 2021 municipal election. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: There are positives to vote-by-mail elections

Having ballots at home allows families to discuss issues and candidates together.

  • Oct 27, 2021
  • By Judy Crondahl
A ballot for the 2021 municipal election. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire File)
(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Future cruise seasons depend on assured public and environmental health

By Verner Wilson III and Varsha Mathrani Earlier this year, the United States Senate passed the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act, sponsored by Sens. Lisa Murkowski… Continue reading

  • Oct 27, 2021
  • By Verner Wilson III and Varsha Mathrani
(Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Kate Troll (Courtesy Photo / Kate Troll)

Key moment for dock electrification comes before the CBJ Assembly

Electrification will be a win-win-win for the community, the environment and the cruise industry.

  • Oct 26, 2021
  • By Kate Troll
Kate Troll (Courtesy Photo / Kate Troll)
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Opinion: The mobs widening America’s divisions

We’ve just been forced to deal with stark disagreements on a daily basis like never before.

  • Oct 22, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
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Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Private psychiatric facilities should have to provide patient stats

Patient rights must be added to state bills.

  • Oct 21, 2021
  • By Faith J. Myers
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)
Anselm Staack (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Dunleavy’s fiscally irresponsible and deceptive plan

Constitutions are about broad policy objectives and legal boundaries –not about the day-to-day

  • Oct 20, 2021
  • By Anselm Staack
Anselm Staack (Courtesy Photo)
A sign designates a vote center during the recent municipal election. The center offered a spot for voters to drop off ballots or fill a ballot out in person. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: How is mail-in voting an improvement?

Why are we doing it?

  • Oct 19, 2021
  • By Rick Currier
A sign designates a vote center during the recent municipal election. The center offered a spot for voters to drop off ballots or fill a ballot out in person. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Columbus and Western culture

By Albert Shaw This time of year people want to blame Columbus for everything that took place in what became North and South America and… Continue reading

  • Oct 18, 2021
  • By Albert Shaw
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