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Opinion

King salmon population a major concern

It appears Alaska is in the midst of a perfect storm where declines in king salmon are concerned.…

Pebble Mine. (Erin McKittrick | Creative Commons)

Opinion

Pebble Mine can not support itself

The Pebble Mine is a welfare queen, unable to support itself. The Pebble Mine will gobble taxpayer handouts…

This July 14, 2014 photo shows Wells Fargo offices in Oakland, California. (Ben Margot | The Associated Press File)

Opinion

The private side of overreach

In January, Attorney General Jeff Sessions opened a new chapter on federal overreach by taking aim at states…

Opinion

Cancel the Ambler Road project

On April 6, the Legislature will hold a hearing on building a private industrial road through Gates of…

Opinion

Shifting attitudes and demographics make Juneau Access Road inevitable

The results of a recent poll commissioned by First Things First Alaska Foundation in partnership with the City…

Opinion

Alaska’s economy loses millions to predatory lenders

The flashing neon lights and bright signs of payday lenders offering short-term loans at more than 400 percent…

Opinion

Alaskans can get the job done

The main criticism surrounding the commercialization of the North Slope gas reserves is that the state would never…

In this August 2010 photo, a male pink salmon fights its way upstream to spawn in a Southeast Alaska stream. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Will Alaska learn from salmon’s history?

Fifteen years ago when I researched and wrote the book “King of Fish: The Thousand Year Run of…

Opinion

Alaska among three worst states in nation in free speech index

Incumbent politicians have a lot of advantages in campaigns. They have a network of donors to call on…

Alaskans weigh in on economic issues

Opinion

Alaskans weigh in on economic issues

Since 1953 the Alaska Chamber has been the voice of Alaska business large and small across Alaska with…

Opinion

When cease and desist is frivolous

Correction: An earlier version of this opinion piece misspelled Hecla on multiple references. This piece has now been…

Opinion

Haven House event shows group’s success

On a Thursday night in March, several legislators and friends threw a party at the Juneau Arts and…

Bill Corbus, pictured at left, in November 2013. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

We need to encourage investment in Alaska

On March 12, 1968, Alaska forever changed. That was the day a team of geologists, engineers and drillers…

Opinion

Gasline creates jobs for Alaska

On Tuesday, March 13, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) determined they now have the information necessary to…

Opinion

Modernize recreational fishing – the big picture

Recreational fishing is one of America’s great pastimes and a way of life for many Alaska families. Alaska’s…

Juneau School District Board of Education Director Brian Holst and board member Josh Keaton listen to fellow board member comments during the Fiscal Year 2019 budget discussion at Juneau-Douglas High School Tuesday night. (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)

Opinion

Calling foul on this school budget

On Tuesday night, March 27, the Board of Education voted to approve a budget that will create, according…

Opinion

Permanent Fund Dividends could be at risk

We love our Permanent Fund Dividends! But as a shareholder you should know that there’s trouble brewing in…

Opinion

Cultural sharing

I have followed the Wearable Art “cultural appropriation” controversy with interest. One striking thing is the gulf between…

Doug Griffin is the executive director of the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference.

Opinion

Alaska-China trade is something to value

Future economic development in Alaska relies on outside customers — Alaska’s resources are so vast that their market…

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, arrives for her annual speech to a joint session of the Alaska Legislature at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

The internet must remain free and open

Alaskans are fond of reminding outsiders that “Alaska is different.” Our vast geography, strategic location, diverse communities, abundant…