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This undated photograph shows the USS Juneau memorial items that were on display at the American Legion Auke Bay Post #25 when it was burglarized in January of 2020. The long strand of beads represented those immediately killed during the torpedoing and sinking of the ship, another strand represented those who were alive and in the water, and the short strand represented those who were rescued from the water days later. The final few beads in the glass dome represented those who were still living at the time of the 75th anniversary presentation. (Courtesy photo / American Legion Auke Bay Post #25)

Opinion

My Turn: Almost four years and still no justice

In January of 2020 the American Legion Auke Bay Post 25 was burglarized, JPD was called and the…

Dancers rehearsed in front of “Tahku,” the whale sculpture ahead of the Climate Fair for a Cool Planet in 2021. (Courtesy of Mike Tobin)

Opinion

My Turn: Fair time to advocate for a cool planet

The Climate Fair for a Cool Planet is coming up on Saturday, Aug. 5, from 3-5 p.m. at…

(Juneau Empire File)

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Claims of Justice Department being weaponized against Trump don’t make sense

Some Republicans in Congress are claiming that the Justice Department is being weaponized against Trump. If that is…

Juneau’s current City Hall is seen on July 13. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Assembly’s transparency deficit disorder

Controversies surrounding CBJ Assembly actions regarding property tax assessments and millage rates, efforts to build expensive public buildings…

Former President Donald Trump speaks to a capacity crowd at the Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage on July 9, 2022. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: The trial of the century

It appears that Donald Trump will soon be indicted for his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.…

Brown bears at the McNeil River State Game Sanctuary. (Alaska Department of Fish and Game photo)

Opinion

Opinion: Let’s make sure the Mulchatna massacre never happens again

I join the many Alaskans appalled by the revelation that state officials in planes and helicopters recently killed…

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Lawful vs. disrespectful treatment of U.S. flag

In response to Art Morris’s comments regarding the difference between disrespect and lawful treatment of the American flag:…

(Juneau Empire File)

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Why the urgency in appointing Loren Jones to the Assembly?

At the end of the July 10 Assembly meeting (specifically at 10:17 p.m.), after the Assembly honored departing…

An artist depiction of a new city hall building in Juneau. (Courtesy Image / North Wind Architects)

Opinion

My Turn: No-confidence vote for lame duck city manager

This column has been updated to clarify the definition of Alaska’s Open Meetings Act, which applies to governing…

Voters in the City and Borough of Juneau municipal election will decide this fall whether to approve $27 million in bond debt to fund the majority of the construction cost for a new City Hall. A similar $35 million measure was rejected last year. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Debating a new City Hall again

This week, the CBJ Assembly decided to ask voters to approve a $27 million bond obligation for a…

Larry Persily

Opinion

My Turn: Pistachio donuts, saddle shoes and the Law of Bladders

There are many joys of aging, such as discounts at stores and services, using it as a convenient…

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File Tents and various items are scattered across the Mill Campground in August of 2022.

Opinion

My Turn: Alaska Legislature should play a major role in addressing the root causes of homelessness

The government’s solution to solving the homeless crisis in America, including in Alaska, could be compared to someone…

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Juneau Assembly attempts ‘end run’ around voters

“Information is one thing, but weighing in on an election is another.”

(Juneau Empire File)

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Clean up after setting off fireworks at Outer Point

Dear Fourth of July Outer Point fireworks revelers:

(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: The question of term limits

If passed by voters, a proposed ballot initiative would limit all state legislators to serving 12 consecutive years…

A totem stands outside the former Hospice and Home Care of Juneau on Oct 14, 2022. The facility shut down days later after providing services for about 20 years. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Opinion

My Turn: Ongoing lack of hospice care complicates matters of life and death

“Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone?”

Public domain photo from the Library of Congress Jefferson “Soapy” Smith standing at bar in saloon in Skagway on July 29, 1989.

Opinion

My Turn: Soapy Smith rides again

I recently spent a rainy Sunday afternoon in the Gold Rush cemetery in Skagway, wandering behind tour guides…

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities employees met at Discover Eaglecrest Day on Sept. 17, 2022, to field questions regarding the Juneau Douglas North Crossing Planning and Environmental Linkages Study. This photo shows a map of potential locations proposed so far for the construction of the bridge if it comes to fruition. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Second Juneau-Douglas crossing won’t fix low- and middle-income housing woes

The article on the second crossing in the Empire on June 28 dredges up the old statement that…

Author standing at the Sitka terminal ramp May 22 waiting to board the Columbia to Haines. (Photo courtesy of Regina Discenza)

Opinion

My Turn: My costly experience with the Alaska Marine Highway System

Last year during the summer of 2022 I wanted to visit a few small towns in Alaska with…

The Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. building in Juneau, seen here Sept. 28, 2022, is where most the corporation’s estimated 70 employees work. APFC leaders are considering options to move some operations and staff to Anchorage during the next year. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

My Turn: Capital creep — a way to weaken state government

I just read that the Permanent Fund Corp. has been considering a move to Anchorage since 2019. I…