Opinion

In this Oct. 8, 2019, file photo, protesters gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington where the Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the first case of LGBT rights since the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.  As vice president in 2012, Joe Biden endeared himself to many LGBTQ Americans by endorsing same-sex marriage even before his boss, President Barack Obama. Now, as president-elect, Biden is making sweeping promises to LGBTQ activists, proposing to carry out virtually every major proposal on their wish lists.   (AP Photo / Susan Walsh, File)

Opinion: Now is the time to pass the Equality Act

Equality is not a Democratic or Republican value, it’s an American value.

  • Dec 4, 2020
  • By Laura Carpenter
In this Oct. 8, 2019, file photo, protesters gather outside the Supreme Court in Washington where the Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the first case of LGBT rights since the retirement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.  As vice president in 2012, Joe Biden endeared himself to many LGBTQ Americans by endorsing same-sex marriage even before his boss, President Barack Obama. Now, as president-elect, Biden is making sweeping promises to LGBTQ activists, proposing to carry out virtually every major proposal on their wish lists.   (AP Photo / Susan Walsh, File)
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Opinion: Think local this holiday season

What comparisons can we find between our sweet town to NYC?

  • Dec 1, 2020
  • By Holly Johnson and Laura Martinson
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Oil sheen bleeds from the beach at Herring Bay on Knight Island on Dec. 7, 1989. (Courtesy Photo / ARLIS Reference)

Opinion: Exxon Valdez restoration must remain a government responsibility

Not the private sector.

  • Dec 1, 2020
  • By Rick Steiner
Oil sheen bleeds from the beach at Herring Bay on Knight Island on Dec. 7, 1989. (Courtesy Photo / ARLIS Reference)
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Opinion: Saying nothing helps fraud against our democracy

Silence effectively helps the president and his lawyers.

  • Nov 28, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
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face mask

Opinion: The problem with don’t tell me what to do

Doesn’t a state need a governor, like a ship needs a captain?

  • Nov 27, 2020
  • By John Pappenheim
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The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building in Juneau on Thursday, October 1, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: 5 lessons for sustaining the Permanent Fund

“…as the fund’s stewards, it is our job to equip the fund for success for decades to come.”

  • Nov 26, 2020
  • By Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation’s Board of Trustees
The Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation building in Juneau on Thursday, October 1, 2020. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
The Juneau School District building and Harborview Elementary School on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. Due to rising coronavirus the district announced late Thursday it would be delaying the start of Kindergarten class until after the New Year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: We can’t afford to wait any longer to open schools

Is anyone paying attention?

  • Nov 25, 2020
  • By Win Gruening
The Juneau School District building and Harborview Elementary School on Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. Due to rising coronavirus the district announced late Thursday it would be delaying the start of Kindergarten class until after the New Year. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
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Opinion: Exploring lessons of the Trump Era

There’s an opportunity here to discuss issues important to both sides of the political divide.

  • Nov 24, 2020
  • By Jamison Paul
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Common Ground. Super literal.

Opinion: It’s time to find common ground

We have families, jobs, hobbies and a desire for stability and calm.

  • Nov 24, 2020
  • By Deborah Craig
Common Ground. Super literal.
Corri A. Feige is commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. (Courtesy Photo / DNR)

Alaska Geospatial Council helps state really ‘know where it’s at’

“Geospatial” means “location on the earth.”

  • Nov 23, 2020
Corri A. Feige is commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. (Courtesy Photo / DNR)
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Opinion: Psychiatric patients need right to appeal

By Faith Myers The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, The Anchorage Daily News, the Juneau Empire News, and the Ketchikan Daily News are the major newspapers in… Continue reading

  • Nov 23, 2020
  • By Faith Myers
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Opinion: UBI is needed for all Alaskans

Biden should support a Universal Basic Income of $500 per month for each Alaskan adult.

  • Nov 22, 2020
  • By Chris Bush
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Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to local leaders at the Alaska Municipal League's legislative conference in this February 2020 photo. (Peter Segall/  Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Dunleavy needs to use his bully pulpit

For guidance, he can look to the Republican governors of Utah, North Dakota and Iowa.

  • Nov 21, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to local leaders at the Alaska Municipal League's legislative conference in this February 2020 photo. (Peter Segall/  Juneau Empire File)
This 2018 photo shows, then-Alaska Gov. Bill Walker addresses delegates at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen File)

Opinion: Now is the time for Alaska’s gasline

By Bill Walker I am pleased to be a founding member of the newly formed Alaska Gasline & LNG, LLC, alongside Alaska Laborers’ Local 341,… Continue reading

  • Nov 20, 2020
  • By Bill Walker
This 2018 photo shows, then-Alaska Gov. Bill Walker addresses delegates at the annual Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage. (AP Photo / Mark Thiessen File)
This photo taken Oct. 16 shows the in-progress site of the Sealaska Heritage Arts Campus. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: City investment in Arts Campus would provide economic and cultural returns

We humbly ask the people of Juneau to take this journey with us again

  • Nov 18, 2020
  • By Rosita Worl
This photo taken Oct. 16 shows the in-progress site of the Sealaska Heritage Arts Campus. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Jeremy Field is the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration Pacific Northwest Region which serves Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Shopping small can have a big impact

About 62% of small businesses reported they need consumer spending to return to pre-COVID levels.

  • Nov 17, 2020
Jeremy Field is the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration Pacific Northwest Region which serves Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. (Courtesy Photo)
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Opinion: Enough is enough, end the War on Drugs

Decriminalize every one of them, close prisons and open rehab centers.

  • Nov 16, 2020
  • By Linda A. Orr
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extend the olive branch

Opinion: Why we must decide to cooperate

The cooperative effort to understand each other forms the mutual respect necessary for compromise.

  • Nov 13, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
extend the olive branch
Flag.

Opinion: Helping Alaska’s veterans connect and heal

Americans should be concerned about the wellbeing of Alaska’s military veteran

  • Nov 12, 2020
  • By Frank Larkin
Flag.
This photos shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday. The City and Borough of Juneau passed an ordinance requiring the confidential disclosure to the city assessor’s office of the sales price of real estate transactions in the borough. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: CBJ Assembly needs to act now

Action must be taken to help local economy.

  • Nov 12, 2020
  • By Win Gruening
This photos shows Juneau City Hall on Tuesday. The City and Borough of Juneau passed an ordinance requiring the confidential disclosure to the city assessor’s office of the sales price of real estate transactions in the borough. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)