Site Logo
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: How does Murkowski want to be remembered?

It’s the vote of her lifetime.

Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism

Opinion

Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism

We should also explore ways to gather more revenue from this industry.

Opinion

Opinion: Stop excusing the male gaze of women of color

It doesn’t excuse you in my situation.

Lisa Daugherty, owner of Juneau Composts!, uses a front-end loader to move wood chips to used in her business on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Juneau should join the Zero-Waste movement

The landfill stinks!

Opinion: The recall and our constitutional right to sign petitions

Opinion

Opinion: The recall and our constitutional right to sign petitions

Signing a petition is really an extension of our voting rights.

Opinion: The Case for the Whacky Mackie Plan

Opinion

Opinion: The Case for the Whacky Mackie Plan

Is the Permanent Fund a rainy day account or entitlement?

In this October 2015 photo, a momentary dash of sun creates a double rainbow over downtown Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Communitywide New Year’s resolutions – why not?

Make a resolution for the community.

Opinion: Let Americans unwrap savings on prescription medicine

Opinion

Opinion: Let Americans unwrap savings on prescription medicine

‘Let’s end the partisan bickering.’

An e-cigarette device on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion

Opinion: Until more is known about vaping and THC use, caution is the best advice

“This ain’t your mother’s marijuana.”

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, and Fairweather at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file)

Opinion

Opinion: Don’t leave rural communities stranded

When will the gridlock end, and when will we be reconnected?

The Auorora. (Courtesy photo | Ward S. Mace via the Alaska Department of Transportation)

Opinion

Opinion: Repair the Aurora and restore her to service quickly

I’m writing as a concerned citizen and former Alaska Marine Highway System employee.

Copper and silver engraved jewelry by Jennifer Younger at the SHI store in Juneau. (Courtesy file photo | Jennifer Younger)

Opinion

Opinion: When is it OK to wear, display Northwest Coast designs?

On cultural appropriation.

The Alaska State Capitol, seen in this August 2019 photo, will be where the state’s budge takes shape. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Dunleavy kicks some cans with budget plan

Were back to debating a 2015 fiscal plan.

Older custom license plates decorate the wall at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Juneau in this March 2015 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Instead of donations, what would be so bad about taxing Alaskans?

It’s come to this in Alaska. A state agency is asking for public donations to do its job.

The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opnion: Breathe Deep for Forest Service’s ‘crown jewel’ and say, ‘No Action on Roadless Rule’

The Tongass is one of the last remaining intact temperate rainforests producing an oxygen-rich, healthy environment countering Earth’s…

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

Opinion

Opinion: The World Needs the Roadless Rule

The Tongass National Forest is globally significant.

Opinion: Investigations without end

Opinion

Opinion: Investigations without end

None of this going to end well.

Spruce boughs hang near a pond in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion

Opinion: Past logging has disproportionately impacted the most valuable old-growth stands in Southeast Alaska

The Tongass is the only national forest that still clear-cuts old growth.

Residents walk Seward Street during Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion

Opinion: Give the gift of commerce

Shop local this holiday season.

Spruce boughs hang near a pond in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion

Opinion: A tale of two forests

Old-growth forests differ from second-growth in terms of wildlife habitat.