Site Logo
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

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

We can address the underlying condition that is plaguing Alaska.

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

Opinion: Remove Trump from office

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

Opinion: What the AMHS report got wrong

Opinion

Opinion: What the AMHS report got wrong

This is the wrong way to define ferry subsidies.

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

Opinion: Facts needed, not myths about cruise tourism

This is the trade-off we make.

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

Opinion: No place remains special by accident

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

In this June 17, 2019 file photo, The Supreme Court is seen in Washington. (AP Photo | J. Scott Applewhite)

Opinion

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.

Tourists visit Nugget Falls in September 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: When seeking more translates to less

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

The Alaska State Capitol reflects the sun in December 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: The American Dream with an Alaskan twist

The Permanent Fund is being mismanaged.

Kim Metcalfe walks her dog along Basin Road on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Rezone Basin Road to lessen tourist traffic

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

The Mendenhall Glacier, seen here in May 2016. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: It’s a climate emergency!

It’s not just the climate that’s changing.

The Norwegian Bliss pulls out of Juneau’s downtown harbor on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Tourism is a local’s business

The community discussion around tourism seems to become more and more divisive.

Opinion: The futility of killing to make the world safer

Opinion

Opinion: The futility of killing to make the world safer

We ought to examine how and why.

Opinion: It will take more than a public corporation to save Alaska’s ferry system

Opinion

Opinion: It will take more than a public corporation to save Alaska’s ferry system

Public corporation is wishful thinking.

Staff reductions at the Juneau Empire

Opinion

Staff reductions at the Juneau Empire

Our industry is facing financial pressure, and the Juneau Empire is not immune.

In this Empire file photo, a cruise ship passenger photographs a ship in Juneau’s downtown harbor on August 29, 2017. (Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: There are positives to tourism

We are privileged to live in a beautiful area.

Opinion: United Way needs your help

Opinion

Opinion: United Way needs your help

Volunteer or donate today.

Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Some truths about the Tongass

Logging has had nothing to do with hurting the fish industry.

Opinion: Take stock in the New Year

Opinion

Opinion: Take stock in the New Year

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

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

Opinion: When tourism becomes overtourism

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

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

Opinion: Pebble misrepresents tribes

I just hope it’s not too late.