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Juneau Nordic Ski Team members Erin Wallace, front, leads Aaron Blust and Anna Iverson in a pole-less skiing drill through fresh snow on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, at the Mendenhall Campgrounds. (Nolin Ainsworth | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: It makes sense to develop outdoor recreation

Alaska leads the nation in outdoor participation.

Someone holds up an inflatable Alaska Marine Highway ferry at at a rally to support of the Alaska Marine Highway System on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion

Opinion: Incompetence turns inefficiency into failure for ferries and Real IDs

Welcome to the Gov. Mike Dunleavy era of efficient government.

Opinion: We still need the visitor industry

Opinion

Opinion: We still need the visitor industry

We’re lucky to live where people want to visit.

Sonia Nagorski, assistant professor of Geology Arts and Sciences at the University of Alaska Southeast, investigates the broken oxbow along the Mendenhall River in this October 2018 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: It should be easier to protect Alaskan water

Our waters are routinely used as cheap sewers for industry whose only goal is to maximizing profits.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy holds a press conference at the Capitol on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Direct democracy won’t fix the budget

Not knowing isn’t a matter of ignorance of apathy. It’s not our job.

Opinion: Open minds can open mines

Opinion

Opinion: Open minds can open mines

No more short-term band aids — we need long-term solutions.

Opinion

Opinion: Let’s learn from Australia

My Turn.

Opinion: The salmon way is worth fighting for

Opinion

Opinion: The salmon way is worth fighting for

Alaska is our country’s last salmon state.

This Toxics Release Inventory map included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual TRI analysis shows facilities throughout the state that reported the release of toxic chemicals to the EPA. Releases include permitted releases and movement of waste rock. (Courtesy Photo | Environmental Protection Agency)

Opinion

Opinion: Red Dog has strong environmental track record

Every year the EPA issues its annual Toxic Release (TRI) Inventory, and every year it creates confusion and…

In this file photo from May 2017, survivors, friends and family visit the Funter Bay internment camp where of hundreds of Aleutian and Pribiloff Island Alaska Natives were held during WWII. The group commemorated the 75th anniversary of the internment by installing a “healing cross” at the grave site of those who perished during their years of internment. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Sacred histories in war’s cemeteries

We study history to avoid the mistakes of the past.

Opinion: Support the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019

Opinion

Opinion: Support the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019

The VRAA has not yet been brought to the Senate floor for debate.

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Ecuadorian President Lenin Moreno in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday in Washington. (AP Photo | Evan Vucci)

Opinion

Opinion: Disintegration of America’s democracy

Trump is oblivious to the consequences of any of his statements or actions.

Opinion: We need to talk and listen

Opinion

Opinion: We need to talk and listen

Like the crew of the Titanic, I see a dangerous iceberg straight ahead.

Harrison Holt takes a picture of the New Alaska Marine Highway ferry Tazlina at the Juneau terminal on Wednesday, April 24, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: AMHS deserves ‘steady and stable’ funding

The buck stops with Dunleavy

Opinion: Climate change is worth worrying about

Opinion

Opinion: Climate change is worth worrying about

Here’s why.

The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion

Opinion: How Dunleavy burned an essential state service

The way I see it, Dunleavy has two choices.

The subport land along Juneau downtown waterfront that Norwegian Cruise Line purchased last year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: What the Alaska Ocean Center will mean to Juneau

Alaska is the right place for a world-class marine center.

A sign posted to the Alaska Marine Highway System terminal in Petersburg, noting that all sailings are canceled. (Courtesy photo | Malena Marvin)

Opinion

Opinion: Stedman should follow local consensus and put ferries first

As residents of the towns near the proposed Kake Road, we firmly oppose it. The $40 million raised…

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left, and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., walk on Capitol Hill, Tuesday in Washington. (AP Photo | Alex Brandon)

Opinion

Opinion: Lisa Murkowski proves herself, the impeachment fiasco proves something else

While Murkowski is no fan of the president, she is true to herself.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, left, arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday during the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. (AP Photo | Julio Cortez)

Opinion

Opinion: The true art of democracy

It’s not as simple as sending a Democrat to the White House.