Opinion

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)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., walk on Capitol Hill, Tuesday in Washington. (AP Photo | Alex Brandon)

Opinion: Lisa Murkowski proves herself, the impeachment fiasco proves something else

While Murkowski is no fan of the president, she is true to herself.

  • Feb 7, 2020
  • By Win Gruening
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., walk on Capitol Hill, Tuesday in Washington. (AP Photo | Alex Brandon)
A sign posted to the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Petersburg, noting that all sailings are canceled. (Courtesy photo | Malena Marvin)

Opinion: Stedman should follow local consensus and put ferries first

As residents of the towns near the proposed Kake Road, we firmly oppose it. The $40 million raised for this “road to nowhere” should instead… Continue reading

A sign posted to the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Petersburg, noting that all sailings are canceled. (Courtesy photo | Malena Marvin)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left, arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. (AP Photo | Julio Cortez)

Opinion: The true art of democracy

It’s not as simple as sending a Democrat to the White House.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left, arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. (AP Photo | Julio Cortez)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks about oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Dec. 19, 2017 during debates about the GOP tax cut on the floor of the U.S. Senate. (C-SPAN)

Opinion: Spread the load, save the state’s budget

We can address the underlying condition that is plaguing Alaska.

  • Jan 29, 2020
  • By Ed King
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks about oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Dec. 19, 2017 during debates about the GOP tax cut on the floor of the U.S. Senate. (C-SPAN)
Alex Brandon | Associated Press                                President Donald Trump waves as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House before departing on Marine One, Thursday in Washington.

Opinion: Remove Trump from office

Everything that Trump has done shows he is not fit to serve as president.

Alex Brandon | Associated Press                                President Donald Trump waves as he walks on the South Lawn of the White House before departing on Marine One, Thursday in Washington.
Opinion: What the AMHS report got wrong

Opinion: What the AMHS report got wrong

This is the wrong way to define ferry subsidies.

Opinion: What the AMHS report got wrong
In this Sept. 9, 2014 photo, a fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Facts needed, not myths about cruise tourism

This is the trade-off we make.

  • Jan 24, 2020
In this Sept. 9, 2014 photo, a fishing vessel is dwarfed by the Norwegian Cruise Lines’ Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl in Juneau’s downtown harbor. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Tourists watch as one of two cubs crosses the path between groups of tourists visiting the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Opinion: No place remains special by accident

To make and keep cohesive neighborhoods, it takes planning and zoning.

Tourists watch as one of two cubs crosses the path between groups of tourists visiting the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
In this June 17, 2019 file photo, The Supreme Court is seen in Washington. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite)

Opinion: 10-year-old court case still mars Alaska’s campaign finance laws

The results of the Citizens United decision were immediate, spectacular and damaging.

In this June 17, 2019 file photo, The Supreme Court is seen in Washington. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite)
Tourists visit Nugget Falls in September 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: When seeking more translates to less

There’s never been a time when anything was “as it used to be.”

  • Jan 19, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
Tourists visit Nugget Falls in September 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska State Capitol reflects the sun in December 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The American Dream with an Alaskan twist

The Permanent Fund is being mismanaged.

  • Jan 17, 2020
  • By Jim Crawford
The Alaska State Capitol reflects the sun in December 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Kim Metcalfe walks her dog along Basin Road on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Rezone Basin Road to lessen tourist traffic

Locals can be free of the crush of cruise ship tourism.

  • Jan 15, 2020
  • By Kimberly Metcalfe
  • tourism
Kim Metcalfe walks her dog along Basin Road on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)