Opinion

(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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(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)
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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
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(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)