Opinion

(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Dunleavy’s first act as governor was unconstitutional

That’s according to a ruling by Senior U.S. District Judge John Sedwick.

  • Oct 15, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows a ballot for the City and Borough of Juneau’s 2021 municipal election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Does Vote-by-mail come with voter’s remorse, buyer’s remorse —or both

By Win Gruening A curious thing happened leading up to the recent Juneau vote-by-mail municipal election. City Clerk Beth McEwen reported that many people who… Continue reading

  • Oct 14, 2021
  • By Win Gruening
This photo shows a ballot for the City and Borough of Juneau’s 2021 municipal election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
This Aug. 3, 2021, photo shows Juneau International Airport.  The Federal Aviation Administration shared recommendations on Thursday for improving aviation safety in the state. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: How the FAA will improve the margin of aviation safety in Alaska

Alaska depends on aviation more than any other state…

  • Oct 14, 2021
  • By Steve Dickson
This Aug. 3, 2021, photo shows Juneau International Airport.  The Federal Aviation Administration shared recommendations on Thursday for improving aviation safety in the state. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
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: The best use of $25M Southeast Alaska Sustainable Strategy Fund

The entire $25 million should be provided to Alaska Marine Highway System.

  • Oct 13, 2021
  • By Frank H. 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)
Alexander B. Dolitsky

Opinion: Acculturation, assimilation and behavior

By Alexander B. Dolitsky I was a presenter at the Juneau–Gastineau Rotary Club in January 2020, speaking on “Several sanctioned avenues for immigration to the… Continue reading

  • Oct 12, 2021
  • By Alexander B. Dolitsky
Alexander B. Dolitsky
This photo shows a City and Borough of Juneau ballot mailed to a local resident in September. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Expansion of voting rights, including voting by mail, should have bipartisan support

Anything else is unAmerican.

  • Oct 11, 2021
  • By Kimberly Metcalfe
This photo shows a City and Borough of Juneau ballot mailed to a local resident in September. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A voter places a ballot in the drop box at the Mendenhall Public Library vote center on Tuesday, Oct. 5. Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Remember the good old voting days?

I remember the good old days of two years ago and before.

  • Oct 7, 2021
  • By Cathy Boutin
A voter places a ballot in the drop box at the Mendenhall Public Library vote center on Tuesday, Oct. 5. Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Lawmakers  havereturned  to the Alaska State Capitol for a fourth special session. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Revenues should be determined before more PFD spending

The governor believes the dividend drives the entire calculation. Sadly, he has it backwards

  • Oct 7, 2021
  • By Larry Persily
Lawmakers  havereturned  to the Alaska State Capitol for a fourth special session. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
A sign designates a vote center at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Oct. 5, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The lost joys of in-person voting

For the second year in a row, voting was an anti-climactic, diminished experience.

  • Oct 6, 2021
  • By Paulette Simpson
A sign designates a vote center at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library on Oct. 5, 2021. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
(Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Will your vote count?

The integrity of our vote cannot be jeopardized in pursuit of participation.

  • Oct 6, 2021
  • By Cathy Munoz
(Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)
teaser

Opinion: A new era of family policy in Alaska

We are at a moment in the nation – and in Alaska.

  • Oct 5, 2021
  • By Anne Mosle and Marjorie Sims
teaser
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: A decent proposal for the oversight of the Alaska Marine Highway System

Who needs the ferries? We all do.

  • Oct 5, 2021
  • By Bridget Smith
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)

Police calls for Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

  • Oct 5, 2021
  • Juneau Empire
  • Crime
It's a police car until you look closely and see the details don't quite match. (Juneau Empire File / Michael Penn)
A king salmon is laid out for inspection by Alaska Department of Fish and Game at the Mike Pusich Douglas Harbor officials at the Golden North Salmon Derby on Aug. 25, 2019. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s time to stand up for king salmon in our transboundary rivers

By Eric Jordan I was born in Wrangell in 1949, at the mouth of one of Southeast Alaska’s most productive salmon rivers — the Stikine.… Continue reading

  • Oct 4, 2021
  • By Eric Jordan
A king salmon is laid out for inspection by Alaska Department of Fish and Game at the Mike Pusich Douglas Harbor officials at the Golden North Salmon Derby on Aug. 25, 2019. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: We need less anger and division

Media sound bites and snippets can be misleading and downright false at times.

  • Oct 4, 2021
  • By Christian Jacobsen
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Rep. Don Young talks during a June 2021 interview with the Empire. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion:Where’s Don Young when America needs him?

By Rich Moniak When Rep. Don Young voted against impeaching then-President Donald Trump, he called the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol “an act… Continue reading

  • Oct 1, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
Rep. Don Young talks during a June 2021 interview with the Empire. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
(Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Siddon and Muldoon offer a ballot to feel proud of

As I sit down to fill out my municipal ballot for the upcoming election, I’m pausing for just a moment to feel extra proud of… Continue reading

  • Oct 1, 2021
(Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire File)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: I have found a 3rd school board candidate by writing in Will Muldoon

By Nona Dimond As the election loomed closer, candidate forums and news articles revealed more about the folks vying for the three available seats on… Continue reading

  • Oct 1, 2021
  • By Nona Dimond
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Les Gara, who represented Anchorage in the Alaska House of Representatives from 2003-2018, is running as a Democrat to unseat Gov. Mike Dunleavy in the 2022 general election. He told the Empire in an interview he wanted to ensure oppportunities were available in Alaska in the future. (Courtesy photo / Les Gara)

Opinion: Les Gara should be your No.1 choice under the new voting system. Here’s why

I have watched him beat down barriers few people could overcome.

  • Sep 30, 2021
  • By Karen Compton
Les Gara, who represented Anchorage in the Alaska House of Representatives from 2003-2018, is running as a Democrat to unseat Gov. Mike Dunleavy in the 2022 general election. He told the Empire in an interview he wanted to ensure oppportunities were available in Alaska in the future. (Courtesy photo / Les Gara)
This October photo shows the MV Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: What will it take to get a reliable, efficient ferry system?

It’s time to try something different.

  • Sep 30, 2021
  • By Win Gruening
This October photo shows the MV Kennicott at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)