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A man walks past destroyed buildings in Antakya, southeastern Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Douglas Mertz writes that the disaster offers lessons for Alaska’s capital city. (AP Photo / Unal Cam)

Opinion

Opinion: Lessons from Turkey for Juneau

There are two clear lessons here.

The Tazlina docks in Auke Bay. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: The value of a Berners Bay ferry terminal

A year-round Berners Bay Ferry Terminal is needed to allow cost-effective Alaska Class Ferry service

Alexander B. Dolitsky

Opinion

Opinion: Success at school begins at home

Studies show conservative moral values play an important role in educational achievement.

This photo shows Alaska State Troopers vehicles in Juneau. (Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

A weak link in DPS’ proposed body cam policy

Proposed policy gives too much discretion for when officers can turn cams off.

The Alaska state flag is illuminated atop the Kennicott at night at Juneau's Auke Bay Ferry Terminal. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Losing ferries would be losing a piece of Alaska

The stars seemed aligned to make progress to save the AMHS and chart its course.

Opinion

Opinion: We need to repeal this regulation to stop rising health care costs

Our state has reached a critical junction in our fight against rising health care costs.

An Alaska Waste truck enters Waste Management's Capitol Disposal Landfill in Lemon Creek. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion

Opinion: Escalating landfill fees are a wake-up call

There’s no silver bullet to fix this problem

(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: The benefits of ranked choice voting

A recent My Turn struck a nerve.

This photo shows Mendenhall Lake. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: The USFS did not listen regarding boats on Mendenhall Lake

My concerns from last May have not changed.

A picture showing the Juneau road system ending at Cascade Point in Berners Bay in May 2006. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Dunleavy’s mockery of the Alaska Marine Highway Operations Board

Both the House and the Senate voted unanimously to create the AMHOB.

An array of stickers awaits voters on Election Day 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: One reason to abandon ranked choice elections

A disturbing feature of ranked choice that is easy to miss.

(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Lawmakers should meet school funding needs before determining PFD size

Schoolhouse rock and a hard place.

A bald eagle looks toward the Mendenhall Glacier near the visitor center. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Limiting commercial visitation is the only sensible response to overcrowding at MGRA

I was born and raised in the Valley, where our family could see the Mendenhall Glacier from our…

This image shows the site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. Thursday evening the city was given an update on the project’s concept design which is expected to cost up to $75 million and would include amenities like a theater, community hall, gallery, ballroom and business center. (City and Borough of Juneau)

Opinion

Opinion: Keep an eye on the proposed civic center project

FTF will continue to monitor this issue and urge Juneau residents to do likewise.

Multiple vehicles line up at the entrance of Waste Management’s Capitol Disposal Landfill in Lemon Creek Monday morning. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion

The absence of economic incentives to reduce waste

This week, Waste Management, the Texas based company that owns and operates the landfill, nearly tripled the charge…

Mist from Nugget Falls has a prism-like effect in September 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Our future depends on what we say about MGRA plans

Submit your comments by Feb. 21, 2023.

At Wednesday evening’s special Assembly meeting, the Assembly appropriated nearly $4 million toward funding a 5.5% wage increase for all CBJ employees along with a 5% increase to the employer health contribution. According to City Manager Rorie Watt, it doesn't necessarily fix a nearly two decade-long issue of employee retention concerns for the city. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Opinion

Opinion: Assessment needs additional oversight

A win in dealing with City and Borough of Juneau is when both sides feel they have been…

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Education funding is complicated and political

At a recent Alaska State Senate Education Committee hearing at the Capitol, there seemed to be general agreement…

Over 200 people attended LunaFest (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion

Opinion: JPCC owes a huge debt of gratitude to two LunaFest guest speakers

LunaFest 2023 was JPCC’s most successful fundraising event ever.

In this Nov. 29, 2018 photo, clouds swirl over Douglas Island. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: The Roadless Rule is a misnomer for what’s really happening in the Tongass

The Roadless Rule, as currently comprised with an exception provision, works.