Opinion

The MV Matanuska tied up at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Roads don’t rust

“A boat is a hole in the water into which you throw money.”

The MV Matanuska tied up at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau’s City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Cruise ship decision should be tabled by the Assembly

Prudence and levelheadedness are called for.

  • Mar 5, 2020
  • By Jack Fargnoli
Juneau’s City Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to local leaders at the Alaska Municipal League’s legislative conference at the Baranoff Hotel on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Dunleavy is the sanity that needed to happen

We need to get spending under control.

  • Mar 3, 2020
  • By Larry Wood
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to local leaders at the Alaska Municipal League’s legislative conference at the Baranoff Hotel on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Nordic Ski Team members Erin Wallace, front, leads Aaron Blust and Anna Iverson in a pole-less skiing drill through fresh snow on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at the Mendenhall Campgrounds. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It makes sense to develop outdoor recreation

Alaska leads the nation in outdoor participation.

  • Mar 2, 2020
Juneau Nordic Ski Team members Erin Wallace, front, leads Aaron Blust and Anna Iverson in a pole-less skiing drill through fresh snow on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at the Mendenhall Campgrounds. (Nolin Ainsworth | 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)

Opinion: Incompetence turns inefficiency into failure for ferries and Real IDs

Welcome to the Gov. Mike Dunleavy era of efficient government.

  • Feb 29, 2020
  • 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)
Sonia Nagorski, assistant professor of Geology Arts and Sciences at the University of Alaska Southeast, investigates the broken oxbow along the Mendenhall River in this October 2018 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It should be easier to protect Alaskan water

Our waters are routinely used as cheap sewers for industry whose only goal is to maximizing profits.

  • Feb 26, 2020
  • Guy Archibald
Sonia Nagorski, assistant professor of Geology Arts and Sciences at the University of Alaska Southeast, investigates the broken oxbow along the Mendenhall River in this October 2018 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: We still need the visitor industry

Opinion: We still need the visitor industry

We’re lucky to live where people want to visit.

  • Feb 25, 2020
  • By Ben Brown
Opinion: We still need the visitor industry
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Direct democracy won’t fix the budget

Not knowing isn’t a matter of ignorance of apathy. It’s not our job.

  • Feb 23, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Open minds can open mines

Opinion: Open minds can open mines

No more short-term band aids — we need long-term solutions.

  • Feb 21, 2020
  • By Win Gruening
Opinion: Open minds can open mines

Opinion: Let’s learn from Australia

My Turn.

  • Feb 20, 2020
  • By Steve Bowhay
Opinion: The salmon way is worth fighting for

Opinion: The salmon way is worth fighting for

Alaska is our country’s last salmon state.

Opinion: The salmon way is worth fighting for
This Toxics Release Inventory map included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual TRI analysis shows facilities throughout the state that reported the release of toxic chemicals to the EPA. Releases include permitted releases and movement of waste rock. (Courtesy Photo | Environmental Protection Agency)

Opinion: Red Dog has strong environmental track record

Every year the EPA issues its annual Toxic Release (TRI) Inventory, and every year it creates confusion and misinformation regarding the Red Dog zinc mine… Continue reading

This Toxics Release Inventory map included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual TRI analysis shows facilities throughout the state that reported the release of toxic chemicals to the EPA. Releases include permitted releases and movement of waste rock. (Courtesy Photo | Environmental Protection Agency)
The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: How Dunleavy burned an essential state service

The way I see it, Dunleavy has two choices.

  • Feb 16, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
  • Ferry
The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)
In this file photo from May 2017, survivors, friends and family visit the Funter Bay internment camp where of hundreds of Aleutian and Pribiloff Island Alaska Natives were held during WWII. The group commemorated the 75th anniversary of the internment by installing a “healing cross” at the grave site of those who perished during their years of internment. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Sacred histories in war’s cemeteries

We study history to avoid the mistakes of the past.

In this file photo from May 2017, survivors, friends and family visit the Funter Bay internment camp where of hundreds of Aleutian and Pribiloff Island Alaska Natives were held during WWII. The group commemorated the 75th anniversary of the internment by installing a “healing cross” at the grave site of those who perished during their years of internment. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Support the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019

Opinion: Support the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019

The VRAA has not yet been brought to the Senate floor for debate.

  • Feb 16, 2020
  • By Judy Andree
  • voting
Opinion: Support the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday in Washington. (AP Photo | Evan Vucci)

Opinion: Disintegration of America’s democracy

Trump is oblivious to the consequences of any of his statements or actions.

  • Feb 14, 2020
  • By Alexander Hoke
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday in Washington. (AP Photo | Evan Vucci)
Opinion: We need to talk and listen

Opinion: We need to talk and listen

Like the crew of the Titanic, I see a dangerous iceberg straight ahead.

  • Feb 14, 2020
  • By Rob Welton
Opinion: We need to talk and listen
Opinion: Climate change is worth worrying about

Opinion: Climate change is worth worrying about

Here’s why.

  • Feb 12, 2020
  • John Welsh
Opinion: Climate change is worth worrying about
Harrison Holt takes a picture of the New Alaska Marine Highway ferry Tazlina at the Juneau terminal on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: AMHS deserves ‘steady and stable’ funding

The buck stops with Dunleavy

  • Feb 12, 2020
  • By Nancy Berland
Harrison Holt takes a picture of the New Alaska Marine Highway ferry Tazlina at the Juneau terminal on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The subport land along Juneau downtown waterfront that Norwegian Cruise Line purchased last year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: What the Alaska Ocean Center will mean to Juneau

Alaska is the right place for a world-class marine center.

The subport land along Juneau downtown waterfront that Norwegian Cruise Line purchased last year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)