Opinion

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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Tourists view Juneau’s downtown harbor in August 2015. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Is it time for a reset?

Perhaps it is time for the citizens of Juneau to rethink cruise ship tourism here.

  • Mar 27, 2021
  • Ray Preston
Tourists view Juneau’s downtown harbor in August 2015. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
half-staff flag

Opinion: This time, Boulder. Next time, anywhere, USA.

Just 15 minutes before the shooting started, I had driven through the King Sooper parking lot.

  • Mar 27, 2021
  • By Rich Moniak
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In this file photo from May 9, 2019, former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Ferries, federal funding could save state from being high and dry

If the rates are reasonable, the traffic will come.

  • Mar 26, 2021
  • By Frank Murkowski
In this file photo from May 9, 2019, former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: It’s not ‘us’ and ‘them.’ It’s we the people.

Change is needed.

  • Mar 25, 2021
  • By Deborah Craig
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Opinion: China’s economic progress is no laughing matter

Maher suggested America has lost an economic war with China, but hasn’t admitted it. He’s not wrong.

  • Mar 24, 2021
  • By Mike Clemens
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Opinion: Looking at the past could improve psychiatric patient care

“Issues that psychiatric patients consider important are not included in the ‘crisis now’ model…”

  • Mar 23, 2021
  • Faith Myers
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Opinion: White supremacy is the problem

It needs to stop now.

  • Mar 23, 2021
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