Opinion

Opinion: Take stock in the New Year

Opinion: Take stock in the New Year

Think about what kind of society you want to live in.

  • Jan 7, 2020
  • By Steve Ricci
Opinion: Take stock in the New Year
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Pebble misrepresents tribes

I just hope it’s not too late.

  • Jan 2, 2020
  • By Vicki Duggin
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Ruby Princess is escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard into Juneau downtown harbor on Monday, April 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: When tourism becomes overtourism

At times we have upwards of 15,000 tourists a day. That’s a lot.

  • Jan 2, 2020
  • By Ray Preston
The Ruby Princess is escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard into Juneau downtown harbor on Monday, April 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: How does Murkowski want to be remembered?

It’s the vote of her lifetime.

  • Jan 1, 2020
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism

Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism

We should also explore ways to gather more revenue from this industry.

Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism
Lisa Daugherty, owner of Juneau Composts!, uses a front-end loader to move wood chips to used in her business on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Juneau should join the Zero-Waste movement

The landfill stinks!

  • Dec 31, 2019
  • By Lisa Daugherty
Lisa Daugherty, owner of Juneau Composts!, uses a front-end loader to move wood chips to used in her business on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: The recall and our constitutional right to sign petitions

Opinion: The recall and our constitutional right to sign petitions

Signing a petition is really an extension of our voting rights.

  • Dec 29, 2019
  • By Rich Moniak
Opinion: The recall and our constitutional right to sign petitions
In this October 2015 photo, a momentary dash of sun creates a double rainbow over downtown Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Communitywide New Year’s resolutions – why not?

Make a resolution for the community.

  • Dec 27, 2019
In this October 2015 photo, a momentary dash of sun creates a double rainbow over downtown Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: The Case for the Whacky Mackie Plan

Opinion: The Case for the Whacky Mackie Plan

Is the Permanent Fund a rainy day account or entitlement?

  • Dec 27, 2019
  • By Joe Mehrkens
Opinion: The Case for the Whacky Mackie Plan
Opinion: Let Americans unwrap savings on prescription medicine

Opinion: Let Americans unwrap savings on prescription medicine

‘Let’s end the partisan bickering.’

  • Dec 26, 2019
  • By Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Chuck Grassley
Opinion: Let Americans unwrap savings on prescription medicine
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, and Fairweather at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file)

Opinion: Don’t leave rural communities stranded

When will the gridlock end, and when will we be reconnected?

  • Dec 25, 2019
  • By Burl Sheldon
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, and Fairweather at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file)
An e-cigarette device on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Until more is known about vaping and THC use, caution is the best advice

“This ain’t your mother’s marijuana.”

  • Dec 25, 2019
  • By Dr. Anne Zink
An e-cigarette device on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Auorora. (Courtesy photo | Ward S. Mace via the Alaska Department of Transportation)

Opinion: Repair the Aurora and restore her to service quickly

I’m writing as a concerned citizen and former Alaska Marine Highway System employee.

  • Dec 24, 2019
  • By Ricky Deising
The Auorora. (Courtesy photo | Ward S. Mace via the Alaska Department of Transportation)
Copper and silver engraved jewelry by Jennifer Younger at the SHI store in Juneau. (Courtesy file photo | Jennifer Younger)

Opinion: When is it OK to wear, display Northwest Coast designs?

On cultural appropriation.

  • Dec 24, 2019
  • By Rosita Worl
Copper and silver engraved jewelry by Jennifer Younger at the SHI store in Juneau. (Courtesy file photo | Jennifer Younger)
The Alaska State Capitol, seen in this August 2019 photo, will be where the state’s budge takes shape. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Dunleavy kicks some cans with budget plan

Were back to debating a 2015 fiscal plan.

  • Dec 20, 2019
The Alaska State Capitol, seen in this August 2019 photo, will be where the state’s budge takes shape. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Older custom license plates decorate the wall at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Juneau in this March 2015 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Instead of donations, what would be so bad about taxing Alaskans?

It’s come to this in Alaska. A state agency is asking for public donations to do its job. I don’t blame the Division of Motor… Continue reading

Older custom license plates decorate the wall at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Juneau in this March 2015 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The World Needs the Roadless Rule

The Tongass National Forest is globally significant. It is the world’s last intact temperate rainforest and our nation’s largest national forest and provides more long-term… Continue reading

  • Dec 17, 2019
  • By Lione Clare
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Juneau Empire File)

Opnion: Breathe Deep for Forest Service’s ‘crown jewel’ and say, ‘No Action on Roadless Rule’

The Tongass is one of the last remaining intact temperate rainforests producing an oxygen-rich, healthy environment countering Earth’s record high Carbon Dioxide atmosphere. Tongass is… Continue reading

The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Investigations without end

Opinion: Investigations without end

None of this going to end well.

  • Dec 15, 2019
Opinion: Investigations without end
Spruce boughs hang near a pond in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Past logging has disproportionately impacted the most valuable old-growth stands in Southeast Alaska

The Tongass is the only national forest that still clear-cuts old growth.

  • Dec 15, 2019
  • By John Schoen and Matt Kirchhoff
Spruce boughs hang near a pond in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)