Site Logo
Usnea, better known as Old Man’s Beard, hangs from trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion

Opinion: Seeing the forest for more than the trees

These islands are the Galapagos of the North.

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

Opinion

Opinion: Full chest freezers need the Roadless Rule

It’s not surprising that most Southeast Alaskans think the Roadless Rule is working.

Opinion: Embrace a future with the full benefits of a healthy Tongass

Opinion

Opinion: Embrace a future with the full benefits of a healthy Tongass

Learn from these mistakes and start fixing the problem.

Opinion: Keep the national Roadless Rule on the Tongass

Opinion

Opinion: Keep the national Roadless Rule on the Tongass

Why would we willingly start the process of degradation in healthy portions of our forest?

Opinion: The upside-down economics of the health insurance system

Opinion

Opinion: The upside-down economics of the health insurance system

Democrats and Republicans in Congress got it all wrong.

Sen. Shelley Hughes

Opinion

Opinion: Sen. Hughes: Time to let go and get it right

The sound of the crowd is at fever pitch.

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

Opinion

Opinion: Trout Unlimited’s assertions on Tongass are wrong

Assertions that 66% of the “largest and best stands” have been cut is absurd.

The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: The Roadless Rule doesn’t save anything

It is a politically motivated impediment to good forest management and use.

Opinion: Tongass Roadless Rule reversal threatens brown bear populations

Opinion

Opinion: Tongass Roadless Rule reversal threatens brown bear populations

Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.

Opinion: Gratitude for our libraries, museums and historians

Opinion

Opinion: Gratitude for our libraries, museums and historians

History is complex.

School buses drop students off at Thunder Mountain High School in September 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: It’s time for us to step up for Juneau’s kids

We have a child care shortage crisis.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire in February 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Murkowski is stifling innovation

Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s recent column in these pages touted her many efforts to support Alaskan fisheries and fishermen.…

In this file photo, the Alaska Marine Highway System ferries LeConte, left, Malaspina and Tazlina, hidden from view, are tied up at the Auke Bay Terminal on Thursday, July 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Ferries are a vital part of public transportation and should be treated as such

Without a reliable transportation system, people suffer.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion

Opinion: Sullivan must denounce Trump’s impeachment defense

It’s a rare occasion when the state Republican Party openly parts ways with its national leadership. That’s what…

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire in February 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)                                 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: I’m thankful for Lisa Murkowski’s time and efforts

Last week, I traveled to Washington, D.C., and Sen. Lisa Murkowski agreed to meet with me in person.…

Heavy metals run out of the Tulsequah Chief mine opening and down to holding ponds next to the Tulsequah River Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008. Leakage from those ponds can be seen entering the river that flows into the Taku River down stream. Eight U.S. senators sent a letter Thursday to British Columbia, Canada’s premier asking for more transboundary water oversight. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion

Opinion: We need to make sure mine cleanup plan happens

I was raised on the Taku River.

The Tongass National Forest sign seen en route to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion

Opinion: Roadless areas of the Tongass are good for wildlife and people, and they ought to be protected

How much of the Tongass will a dying industry mow down on its way out?

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

Opinion

Opinion: I hope inclusion of the Tongass under the Roadless Rule is maintained

I retired at the end of March after 28 years as a research social scientist with the USDA…

Opinion: The incompetence of unacknowledged conflicts of interest

Opinion

Opinion: The incompetence of unacknowledged conflicts of interest

The application to recall Gov. Mike Dunleavy alleged “Neglect of Duties, Incompetence, and/or Lack of Fitness” in four…

Opinion: CBJ Assembly ponders choices

Opinion

Opinion: CBJ Assembly ponders choices

It’s not clear where they are headed.