Opinion

Spruce boughs hang near a pond in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: A tale of two forests

Old-growth forests differ from second-growth in terms of wildlife habitat.

  • Dec 13, 2019
  • By Mary F. Willson and Katherine M. Hocker
Spruce boughs hang near a pond in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Residents walk Seward Street during Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Give the gift of commerce

Shop local this holiday season.

  • Dec 13, 2019
Residents walk Seward Street during Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Usnea, better known as Old Man’s Beard, hangs from trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Seeing the forest for more than the trees

These islands are the Galapagos of the North.

  • Dec 12, 2019
  • By Natalie Dawson
Usnea, better known as Old Man’s Beard, hangs from trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Full chest freezers need the Roadless Rule

It’s not surprising that most Southeast Alaskans think the Roadless Rule is working.

  • Dec 11, 2019
  • By Kevin Maier
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Embrace a future with the full benefits of a healthy Tongass

Opinion: Embrace a future with the full benefits of a healthy Tongass

Learn from these mistakes and start fixing the problem.

  • Dec 10, 2019
  • By Austin Williams
  • Opinion
Opinion: Embrace a future with the full benefits of a healthy Tongass
Opinion: Keep the national Roadless Rule on the Tongass

Opinion: Keep the national Roadless Rule on the Tongass

Why would we willingly start the process of degradation in healthy portions of our forest?

  • Dec 10, 2019
  • By Kathy Coghill
Opinion: Keep the national Roadless Rule on the Tongass
Sen. Shelley Hughes

Opinion: Sen. Hughes: Time to let go and get it right

The sound of the crowd is at fever pitch.

  • Dec 8, 2019
  • By Sen. Shelley Hughes
Sen. Shelley Hughes
Opinion: The upside-down economics of the health insurance system

Opinion: The upside-down economics of the health insurance system

Democrats and Republicans in Congress got it all wrong.

  • Dec 8, 2019
Opinion: The upside-down economics of the health insurance system
The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Trout Unlimited’s assertions on Tongass are wrong

Assertions that 66% of the “largest and best stands” have been cut is absurd.

  • Dec 6, 2019
  • By Bert Burkhart
The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Juneau Empire File)
The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The Roadless Rule doesn’t save anything

It is a politically motivated impediment to good forest management and use.

  • Dec 5, 2019
  • By Wayne R. Nicolls
The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Tongass Roadless Rule reversal threatens brown bear populations

Opinion: Tongass Roadless Rule reversal threatens brown bear populations

Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.

  • Dec 1, 2019
  • By LaVern Beier
Opinion: Tongass Roadless Rule reversal threatens brown bear populations
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire in February 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Murkowski is stifling innovation

Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s recent column in these pages touted her many efforts to support Alaskan fisheries and fishermen. I couldn’t agree more with her goals… Continue reading

  • Nov 29, 2019
  • By James C. Greenwood
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire in February 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Gratitude for our libraries, museums and historians

Opinion: Gratitude for our libraries, museums and historians

History is complex.

  • Nov 29, 2019
  • By Win Gruening
Opinion: Gratitude for our libraries, museums and historians
School buses drop students off at Thunder Mountain High School in September 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s time for us to step up for Juneau’s kids

We have a child care shortage crisis.

  • Nov 28, 2019
  • By Kevin Ritchie
School buses drop students off at Thunder Mountain High School in September 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
In this file photo, the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, Malaspina and Tazlina, hidden from view, are tied up at the Auke Bay Terminal on Thursday, July 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Ferries are a vital part of public transportation and should be treated as such

Without a reliable transportation system, people suffer.

  • Nov 25, 2019
  • By Bridget Smith
In this file photo, the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, Malaspina and Tazlina, hidden from view, are tied up at the Auke Bay Terminal on Thursday, July 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire in February 2019. (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: I’m thankful for Lisa Murkowski’s time and efforts

Last week, I traveled to Washington, D.C., and Sen. Lisa Murkowski agreed to meet with me in person. I asked the Senator to work hard… Continue reading

  • Nov 22, 2019
  • By Elizabeth Figus
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire in February 2019. (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)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Sullivan must denounce Trump’s impeachment defense

It’s a rare occasion when the state Republican Party openly parts ways with its national leadership. That’s what appears to be happening regarding the impeachment… Continue reading

  • Nov 22, 2019
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Heavy metals run out of the Tulsequah Chief mine opening and down to holding ponds next to the Tulsequah River Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008. Leakage from those ponds can be seen entering the river that flows into the Taku River down stream. Eight U.S. senators sent a letter Thursday to British Columbia, Canada’s premier asking for more transboundary water oversight. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: We need to make sure mine cleanup plan happens

I was raised on the Taku River. In the ’40s and ’50s, from May through October, my brothers and I did everything together on the… Continue reading

  • Nov 21, 2019
  • By John Morris Sr.
Heavy metals run out of the Tulsequah Chief mine opening and down to holding ponds next to the Tulsequah River Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008. Leakage from those ponds can be seen entering the river that flows into the Taku River down stream. Eight U.S. senators sent a letter Thursday to British Columbia, Canada’s premier asking for more transboundary water oversight. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Roadless areas of the Tongass are good for wildlife and people, and they ought to be protected

How much of the Tongass will a dying industry mow down on its way out?

  • Nov 21, 2019
  • By Austin Williams
The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: I hope inclusion of the Tongass under the Roadless Rule is maintained

I retired at the end of March after 28 years as a research social scientist with the USDA Forest Service. Over the course of my… Continue reading

  • Nov 18, 2019
  • By Linda Kruger
The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Juneau Empire File)