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Rows of pilings in Portland Canal stretch across the water near the shoreline in Hyder. The commentary author would like to see a new ferry terminal built on the canal. (Richard Jackson/Getty Images Plus)

Opinion: Southern Southeast Alaska’s lack of ferry connection to British Columbia has a solution — Hyder

Since Alaska apparently cannot agree to a deal with Prince Rupert as a ferry destination, I suggest we go to Hyder, Alaska, as a destination.… Continue reading

Rows of pilings in Portland Canal stretch across the water near the shoreline in Hyder. The commentary author would like to see a new ferry terminal built on the canal. (Richard Jackson/Getty Images Plus)
Bartlett Regional Hospital’s crisis stabilization center during its unveiling on June 14, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Nationwide shortage of pediatric inpatient psychiatric beds

In a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics titled: “Number of Pediatric Inpatient Psychiatric Beds in the U.S. Did Not… Continue reading

Bartlett Regional Hospital’s crisis stabilization center during its unveiling on June 14, 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
A medium-sized chiton commonly known as black katy can sometimes reach a length of 12 centimeters. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: A diversity of eyes

This essay was launched by reading an almost unintelligible (to me) scientific paper about chiton eyes. Nevertheless, that paper led to others, and here I… Continue reading

A medium-sized chiton commonly known as black katy can sometimes reach a length of 12 centimeters. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
Phillip Wilson (blue jacket) and Dan Mann stand on a rock outcrop that was scoured by floodwaters a few centuries ago when Black Rapids Glacier — far in the distance — advanced to dam the Delta River. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: The galloping glacier’s recent dramas

LACK RAPIDS OF THE DELTA RIVER — If we climb high enough above this tumble of gray water, we can see a wedge of blue-white… Continue reading

Phillip Wilson (blue jacket) and Dan Mann stand on a rock outcrop that was scoured by floodwaters a few centuries ago when Black Rapids Glacier — far in the distance — advanced to dam the Delta River. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
A painting of George Washington at Valley Forge, circa 1911 by Edward Percy Moran. (Library of Congress image)

Opinion: Washington’s selfless example is lost on too many public servants

If Vice-President Kamala Harris wins the election in November, she’ll be sworn in as America’s first woman president in January. Around the same time, women… Continue reading

A painting of George Washington at Valley Forge, circa 1911 by Edward Percy Moran. (Library of Congress image)
An artistic depiction of The Last Supper. (Photo by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: The Eucharist

If you hear about a place where the purest and most precious gem is given free of charge, and you can come daily and get… Continue reading

An artistic depiction of The Last Supper. (Photo by Gina Del Rosario)
Roasting marshmallows over a campfire. (U.S. Forest Service photo)

Gimme A Smile: Enjoy the ritual of the campfire

The campfire is a summer tradition. Who doesn’t love sitting on a slimy log, batting away mosquitoes while smoke fills your eyes and your gooey… Continue reading

Roasting marshmallows over a campfire. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
(U.S. Forest Service photo)

My Turn: Tongass management plan revision a chance to support values, traditions and livelihoods

I had the privilege of growing up in Southeast Alaska which means that I also had the privilege of learning how to live off of… Continue reading

(U.S. Forest Service photo)
(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

My Turn: Supporting ‘Ship-Free Saturday’ is voting to take away other people’s income

How will you vote on Proposition #2 (no cruise ships on Saturdays)? Proponents of no-cruise Saturdays are sincere about their desire to roll back the… Continue reading

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Red elderberry is toxic to humans, but birds consume the fruits readily. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Late summer fruits — lots of questions

Mid-August and the berry crops of wild currants are ripe. The stink currant (reportedly so-called for the smell of crushed leaves) sometimes bears large crops… Continue reading

Red elderberry is toxic to humans, but birds consume the fruits readily. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
Curried rice artichoke salad ready to serve. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking for Pleasure: Curried rice artichoke salad

One of my family’s favorite picnic salads is this one with curried rice and marinated artichokes. I originally got the recipe off the back of… Continue reading

Curried rice artichoke salad ready to serve. (Photo by Patty Schied)
A piece of obsidian rock sits on display in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. William Healey Dall collected the rock in 1868 near the Nowitna River in Interior Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Rasic)

Alaska Science Forum: The recent history of a black rock

In June of 1867 — a few months before Alaska would become part of the United States with the transfer of $7.2 million to Russia… Continue reading

A piece of obsidian rock sits on display in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. William Healey Dall collected the rock in 1868 near the Nowitna River in Interior Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Rasic)
For the author the suspense of checking shrimp pots begins with finding the buoy, not pulling the pot. (Screenshot from video by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Moment of truth

“Is that our buoy?” Terror. What is it doing there? It’s supposed to be around the rocky corner in a little nook protected from the… Continue reading

For the author the suspense of checking shrimp pots begins with finding the buoy, not pulling the pot. (Screenshot from video by Jeff Lund)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature in the House chambers on Feb. 7, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: How Sen. Sullivan is prepared to help Putin succeed

Back in March, Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan asked Sen. Dan Sullivan if he was comfortable with Donald Trump’s mental fitness to serve as… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature in the House chambers on Feb. 7, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Photo by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: Forgiveness

Has someone you deeply care about and trust done something that hurt you so much that you almost died from the emotional pain, which lingered… Continue reading

(Photo by Gina Del Rosario)
A drone image shows widespread flooding in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)

Opinion: Juneau’s flood is a wake-up call from Mother Nature

Last week’s sudden catastrophic flooding of the Mendenhall River is one of the worst disasters in Juneau’s history. The 1917 Treadwell Mine cave-in and the… Continue reading

A drone image shows widespread flooding in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)
(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

My Turn: Saying goodbye to Juneau after 35 years

I never thought I’d leave. Then came grandchildren. In Portland. Even so, I was adamant. Juneau was home, the place I would be buried. I… Continue reading

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Recently emerged toadlets still have their tadpole tails. (Photo by Bob Armstrong).

On the Trails: Visiting Gustavus and Glacier Bay

I hadn’t been over there for several years, and it was time to refresh some old memories of forest walks and boat or kayak trips… Continue reading

Recently emerged toadlets still have their tadpole tails. (Photo by Bob Armstrong).
A creek runs beside the Mesa Site in northern Alaska. (Photo by Dan Gullickson)

Alaska Science Forum: Pondering the mystery of the Mesa people

Now as quiet as wind whispering through grass, a plateau rising from the flats of northern Alaska was for thousands of years a lookout for… Continue reading

A creek runs beside the Mesa Site in northern Alaska. (Photo by Dan Gullickson)
Voters in Juneau come out of the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall voting location on Nov. 8, 2022. (Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)

Opinion: Open primaries, ranked choice voting offer advantages to Alaskans

Ranked choice voting elections have been advancing and retreating since first developed in Denmark in the 1850s. The method was explored in Australia, Ireland, and,… Continue reading

Voters in Juneau come out of the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall voting location on Nov. 8, 2022. (Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)