Columns

Alaska Department of Education and Early Development Commissioner Deena Bishop and Gov. Mike Dunleavy discuss his veto of an education bill during a press conference March 15 at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: On inflation aid for schools, Dunleavy is still kicking the can

Not quite a year ago, Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed more than $87 million in one-time public education funding approved by the legislature. Two months ago,… Continue reading

 

Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Juneau, a member of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. (Photo courtesy of Brent Merten)

Living and Growing: Your room is waiting

Thursday, May 9, is a very special day. Although most calendars don’t note it, it is one of the most important days on the Christian… Continue reading

 

Cruise ship passengers walk around in downtown Juneau in late May of 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Rejecting the cruise ban is essential for keeping Juneau a viable place to live

Another bad policy is being floated as a softer, gentler version of the cruise ship ban petition that failed two years ago. Don’t fall for… Continue reading

 

It’s always a good idea to overpack for an off-island beach day. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: To burn or not to burn

The go-carts and caramel apples from the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory also come to mind, but I can’t think of Estes Park, Colorado, without thinking… Continue reading

It’s always a good idea to overpack for an off-island beach day. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Juneau Assembly members and city administrators meet to discuss budget matters involving the Juneau School District on Feb. 7. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Assembly ignores voters, ramps up spending and taxes

Capital City citizens and businesses have endured double-digit increases in property taxes over the last several years, yet the Juneau Assembly is doubling down on… Continue reading

Juneau Assembly members and city administrators meet to discuss budget matters involving the Juneau School District on Feb. 7. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Mount Redoubt can be seen across Cook Inlet from North Kenai Beach on Thursday, July 2, 2022. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file photo)

Opinion: Alaska might as well embrace the past

One proposal to solve the impending energy shortage for Alaska’s population centers is to go back in time. To the 1970s, when coal was king… Continue reading

Mount Redoubt can be seen across Cook Inlet from North Kenai Beach on Thursday, July 2, 2022. (Erin Thompson/Peninsula Clarion file photo)
A crowd overflows the library at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Feb. 22 as school board members meet to consider proposals to address the Juneau School District’s budget crisis. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Opportunity and time still exist to alter Juneau School District’s consolidation model

Community Advocates for Responsible Education (CARE) is a nonprofit focused on ensuring all students have access to a quality education. Families must choose between private,… Continue reading

A crowd overflows the library at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé on Feb. 22 as school board members meet to consider proposals to address the Juneau School District’s budget crisis. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A white-crowned sparrow inspects the ground for seeds. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Yellow-rumped warblers, white-fronted geese, and white-crowned sparrows

These are some natural history tidbits about three of the several species I’ve enjoyed seeing this spring. Yellow-rumped warblers Usually the earliest warblers to arrive,… Continue reading

A white-crowned sparrow inspects the ground for seeds. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: Twisting Scripture to suit themselves

Ever wonder why so many different people say so many different things about what the Bible means? You are not alone, but the problem has… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
(Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

Opinion: The Alaska Marine Highway System’s battered reputation

“Before you can make a decision, you need information” Craig Tornga said while avoiding speculation about the future of the MV Matanuska. It’s been out… Continue reading

(Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
A crowd gathers at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, May 5, 2023, for a rally and march to recognize Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Day. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: A call to action during Missing and Murdered Indigenous People month

Hello, my name is Patricia Graham. May is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/People Month. Sunday, May 5, is the National Awareness Walk — here in… Continue reading

A crowd gathers at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Friday, May 5, 2023, for a rally and march to recognize Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples Awareness Day. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Denali stands at 20,310 feet as seen from a commercial flight between Anchorage and Fairbanks. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Searching for microplastics on Denali

Two college students will soon be stuffing snow from the slopes of Alaska’s highest mountain into Nalgene bottles. Their goal is to see if that… Continue reading

Denali stands at 20,310 feet as seen from a commercial flight between Anchorage and Fairbanks. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Paul Kelly is an areawide member of the Juneau Assembly. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

An explanation and apologies for failed Assembly resolution calling for bilateral peace agreement

I owe a couple of apologies and an explanation of what happened at the April 29 Assembly meeting with the resolution for a bilateral peace… Continue reading

Paul Kelly is an areawide member of the Juneau Assembly. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser addresses the Board of Education during a meeting Dec. 12, 2023, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

My Turn: Juneau School District repositioned for the future

I wrote the following back in January: “This district must make both immediate and long-term financial changes. All our jobs, together, will be to look… Continue reading

Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser addresses the Board of Education during a meeting Dec. 12, 2023, at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Kim Kiefer, a former city manager and Parks and Director for the City and Borough of Juneau, uses a shovel to clear vegetation from the Kingfisher Pond Loop Trail on Saturday, June 3, 2023. (Mark Sabatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Exploring Juneau’s wealth of trails as Walk Southeast begins

Liam Nyssen is a Trail Mix veteran who began working for the Juneau nonprofit at age 16. My wife Sandy and I have known him… Continue reading

Kim Kiefer, a former city manager and Parks and Director for the City and Borough of Juneau, uses a shovel to clear vegetation from the Kingfisher Pond Loop Trail on Saturday, June 3, 2023. (Mark Sabatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser provides an overview of restructuring options being considered during a Community Budget Input Session at Thunder Mountain High School on Jan. 31. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: School district budget revisions raise questions about revising consolidation decisions

I am responding to the Juneau Empire article (April 24, 2024): “The Juneau School District had a $9.5M projected deficit this year. It is now… Continue reading

Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser provides an overview of restructuring options being considered during a Community Budget Input Session at Thunder Mountain High School on Jan. 31. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A Pacific wren sings in the understory. (Photo by Helen Uhruh)

On the Trails: April jaunts

A walk at Fish Creek was productive, as it usually is. The marine side of the point was full of ducks: widgeon, green-wing teal, mallards,… Continue reading

A Pacific wren sings in the understory. (Photo by Helen Uhruh)
Kayak paddles and a spear tipped with a sharpened rock lie in a volcanic cave on the Seward Peninsula in 2010. (Photo by Ben Jones)

Alaska Science Forum: Treasures found within a volcanic cave

Ben Jones suspected he had found something special when he squeezed into a volcanic cave and saw pale wooden poles, some with ends shaped like… Continue reading

Kayak paddles and a spear tipped with a sharpened rock lie in a volcanic cave on the Seward Peninsula in 2010. (Photo by Ben Jones)
Southeast Alaska LGBTQ+ Alliance Board Chair JoLynn Shriber reads a list the names of killed transgender people as Thunder Mountain High School students Kyla Stevens, center, and Laila Williams hold flags in the wind during a transgender remembrance at Marine Park on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: The toxic debate about transgender care

There are three bills related to transgender issues in public schools that are working their way through the state House. It’s an understatement to say… Continue reading

Southeast Alaska LGBTQ+ Alliance Board Chair JoLynn Shriber reads a list the names of killed transgender people as Thunder Mountain High School students Kyla Stevens, center, and Laila Williams hold flags in the wind during a transgender remembrance at Marine Park on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The beginnings of a budding garden in Southeast Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Growth mindset

By Jeff Lund

The beginnings of a budding garden in Southeast Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Lund)