Opinion

A voter fills out their ballot in the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov. 3. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Clearing up For the People Act misconceptions

The For the People Act can help modernize and safeguard our voting processes.

  • Apr 19, 2021
  • By Judy Andree
A voter fills out their ballot in the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov. 3. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Proposed surcharge increase for liveaboards is unfair

By Bill Lomax I’m a liveaboard in the Statter Harbor and am writing this in opposition to the city’s plan to double the residence surcharge… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2021
  • By Bill Lomax
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Allison Smith, a member of Juneau Nordic Ski Club, oasses another Nordic skiier on her way back toward the Montana Creek Trail trailhead on Dec. 29, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Proposed trail from Montana Creek Trail would create problems

“The current proposal would create safety concerns and displace existing non-motorized users.”

  • Apr 16, 2021
  • By Frankie Pillifant
Allison Smith, a member of Juneau Nordic Ski Club, oasses another Nordic skiier on her way back toward the Montana Creek Trail trailhead on Dec. 29, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: Voter suppression or election integrity?

Georgia’s recently passed voting law addresses perfectly rational concerns about election security.

  • Apr 15, 2021
  • By Win Gruening
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Opinion: We do not have another decade to waste without protecting every Alaskan

Let’s end the cruel, and inhumane legal discrimination against our fellow Alaskans

  • Apr 14, 2021
  • By Beth Kerttula
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(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: A campaign for Alaska

By Sheri Buretta and Cynthia Cartledge The University of Alaska is focused on taking charge of its destiny. On March 25, the university launched its… Continue reading

  • Apr 13, 2021
  • By Sheri Buretta and Cynthia Cartledge
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: When it comes to voting, easier isn’t always better

This is not for the people.

  • Apr 12, 2021
  • By Judy Ripley
A sign along Montana Creek Road encourages Juneau residents to wear face masks in public settings on Dec. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Motorized use would disturb Montana Creek area

By Mary F. Willson Montana Creek is a beautiful clear-water stream that originates near the Grandchild Peaks, gains a lot of water from McGinnis Creek… Continue reading

  • Apr 12, 2021
  • By Mary F. Willson
A sign along Montana Creek Road encourages Juneau residents to wear face masks in public settings on Dec. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
A role of "I Voted" stickers sit sanitizer. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: There’s a problem election reform efforts are ignoring

Campaigns should be shorter. But they aren’t.

  • Apr 10, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
A role of "I Voted" stickers sit sanitizer. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This screenshot of an Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation map of PFAS sites in Alaska shows that contamination from so-called “forever chemicals” is observable throughout the state. (Screenshot | Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation)

Opinion: Alaska needs to do more to ensure safe drinking water

Most of all, we need action at the local, state, and federal levels.

  • Apr 8, 2021
  • By Kelly McLaughlin
This screenshot of an Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation map of PFAS sites in Alaska shows that contamination from so-called “forever chemicals” is observable throughout the state. (Screenshot | Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation)
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Opinion: How satellites may lead to broadband service for rural Alaska

Low Earth orbiting satellites may soon help Alaska to achieve a task force goal.

  • Apr 7, 2021
  • By Alex Hills
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(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: An idea to limit length of legislative floor sessions

Here’s the plan to help move along the baseball games, I mean legislative work, at a faster pace.

  • Apr 6, 2021
  • By Larry Persily
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: Meeting a pioneer of glasnost in the former Soviet Union

These were my encounters and are my recollections regarding Vladimir Vysotsky.

  • Apr 6, 2021
  • By Alexander B. Dolitsky
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An election official lays out more “I voted” stickers on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Stickers for the 2020 general election featured designs by Alaskan artist Barbara Lavallee. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
An election official lays out more “I voted” stickers on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Stickers for the 2020 general election featured designs by Alaskan artist Barbara Lavallee. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Someone holds up an inflatable Alaska Marine Highway ferry at at a rally to support of the Alaska Marine Highway System on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Biden’s infrastructure plan and new ferries

Does Gov. Mike Dunleavy want new ferries that would require a long-term state subsidy to operate?

  • Apr 3, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
Someone holds up an inflatable Alaska Marine Highway ferry at at a rally to support of the Alaska Marine Highway System on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Basketball brouhaha highlights school board-parent divide

The key is two-way communication.

  • Apr 1, 2021
  • By Win Gruening
(Ben Hohenstatt / 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)

Opinion: Why are there still no cruise ships?

Can You spell P-V-S-A-E-x-e-m-p-t-i-o-n?

  • Mar 31, 2021
  • Jeffrey G. Moebus
Unless something changes at the federal level, Juneau's waterfront may be devoid of cruise ships for another summer. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: QAnon is the most successful April Fool’s joke I’ve ever seen

On March 31, years ago, someone put a note in announcements that the space shuttle would land on Elmendorf at 6 a.m. An estimated 6,000… Continue reading

  • Mar 31, 2021
  • By Ray Metcalfe
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Centennial Hall, left, and the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: This is the summer for FITS

We’re seeing glimmers of hope.

  • Mar 30, 2021
  • By Liz Perry
Centennial Hall, left, and the Juneau Arts and Culture Center on Tuesday, July 2, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: Fees shouldn’t rise for harbor residents

It might not stop with harbor residents.

  • Mar 29, 2021
  • Eric Antrim
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