Opinion

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Biden’s ‘30 x 30’ conservation plan falls short

Given the encouraging first 100 days of the Biden administration, the plan is disappointing.

  • May 14, 2021
  • By Rick Steiner
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Opinion: Dunleavy’s subservience to Trump continues

By Rich Moniak A few weeks ago, Facebook’s Oversight Board upheld the tech company’s decision to suspend Donald Trump’s account after the now former president… Continue reading

  • May 14, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
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The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Alaska Ocean Center opposes Cruise Ship Limitation Initiatives

Juneau is a special place. We all work to protect it.

  • May 13, 2021
  • By Alaska Ocean Center Board of Directors
The Norwegian Pearl cruise ship, right, pulls into the AJ Dock in Juneau in September 2018. (Michael Penn/Juneau Empire File)
Unless something changes at the federal level, Juneau's waterfront may be devoid of cruise ships for another summer. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: How the cruise ballot initiative process went wrong

Juneau voters should care enough not to sign on to this ill-conceived effort.

  • May 13, 2021
  • By Win Gruening
Unless something changes at the federal level, Juneau's waterfront may be devoid of cruise ships for another summer. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: Downtown Juneau needs a new baseball field

The economic benefits are so obvious.

  • May 12, 2021
  • By Larry Johansen
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(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Doing tourism better takes clear vision, not extremes

We risk creating a situation where it will be hard to meet in the middle.

  • May 12, 2021
  • By Cameron Byrnes
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: Why is CON Still in Alaska?

CON laws are little more than expensive and time-consuming barriers to care.

  • May 11, 2021
  • By Dr. Darcy Nikol Bryan and Matthew D. Mitchell
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(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Reject the cruise control initiatives

I write to express my opposition to the three initiatives now circulating…

  • May 11, 2021
  • By Bruce Botelho
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: Lost revenue is severely impacting local decisions

It’s a different kind of crisis.

  • May 10, 2021
  • Alaska mayors
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(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Cruise line talking points reinforce ballot initiatives’ purpose

In the Empire’s May 7 article, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Howard Sherman, executive vice-president onboard revenue and destination development, reinforced many of the points of the… Continue reading

  • May 10, 2021
  • By Karla Hart
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: I oppose the cruise ship initiatives. Here’s why

Voters need an independent assessment of the financial impact

  • May 7, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows George Bennett Sr. shortly after arriving in Vietnam in 1967. Bennett served in the 2/12th Infantry 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and was assigned to Dau Tieng Base Camp. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: It’s time to correct a Vietnam-era injustice

“We have the power to make this right.”

  • May 7, 2021
  • By Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Sen. Dan Sullivan
This photo shows George Bennett Sr. shortly after arriving in Vietnam in 1967. Bennett served in the 2/12th Infantry 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and was assigned to Dau Tieng Base Camp. (Courtesy Photo)
Alexander B. Dolitsky

Opinion: A moment that shaped my immigration story

“How lucky I am to be here—in America!”

  • May 6, 2021
  • By Alexander B. Dolitsky
Alexander B. Dolitsky
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Now is the time to improve psychiatric patient care

May is Mental Health Awareness month.

  • May 5, 2021
  • By Faith Myers
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Les Gara is a former state representative and former foster youth. Amanda Metivier is associate director of the Child Welfare Academy, Co-founder of Facing Foster Care in Alaska, a Social Worker, and also a former foster youth. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Alaska is in dire need of caring foster families

COVID has possibly made you more important to foster youth than ever.

  • May 4, 2021
  • Les Gara and Amanda Metivier
Les Gara is a former state representative and former foster youth. Amanda Metivier is associate director of the Child Welfare Academy, Co-founder of Facing Foster Care in Alaska, a Social Worker, and also a former foster youth. (Courtesy Photo)
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Reports show value of UA workforce development programs

The economic value of training and education is abundantly clear

  • May 4, 2021
  • By Teri Cothren
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(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Cruise initiatives are only way toward reasonable change

“It’s not going to happen any other way.”

  • May 4, 2021
  • By Kimberly Metcalfe
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Let’s continue the clean-energy conversation

We strongly agree that our energy security and delivering clean, low-cost power is a public interest

  • May 3, 2021
  • By Kriss Hart
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The MV Matanuska awaits repairs at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday as lawmakers at the state Capitol debated whether the Alaska Marine Highway System was actually a highway. A bill that would shape long-term planning for the system passed out of committee. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The feigning champions of the ferry system

Token improvements aren’t anything to brag about.

  • May 1, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
The MV Matanuska awaits repairs at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday as lawmakers at the state Capitol debated whether the Alaska Marine Highway System was actually a highway. A bill that would shape long-term planning for the system passed out of committee. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Please don’t sign tourism initiatives

What will happen to our economy if we lose say $200 million in tourism spending?

  • Apr 30, 2021
  • By Max Mertz and Linda Thomas
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