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(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: It is all about the resurrection

This past weekend Christians celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. His resurrection from the dead is the hinge pin of the integrity of our Christian faith.… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Decluttering starts with making room on a desk for a list. (Winnie Au/The New York Times)

Gimme A Smile: Declutter like a boss

I’m trying to declutter. I pronounce those words in the same abashed tone I might use to say, “I’m trying to lose weight.” In either… Continue reading

Decluttering starts with making room on a desk for a list. (Winnie Au/The New York Times)
It’s tough to beat a campfire after a day of steelhead fishing. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: No need to go pro

The coolness with which I lunged for the fish, missed, gathered myself, swept the rod back, lunged again and netted the steelhead was inspiring. I… Continue reading

It’s tough to beat a campfire after a day of steelhead fishing. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Participants of the 2024 Sustainable Southeast Partnership annual retreat in Sheet’ká (Sitka). This week more than 150 people are gathering for the 12th annual retreat to strengthen relationships, accelerate ideas and energize work already happening across the region. (Photo by Bethany Goodrich)
Participants of the 2024 Sustainable Southeast Partnership annual retreat in Sheet’ká (Sitka). This week more than 150 people are gathering for the 12th annual retreat to strengthen relationships, accelerate ideas and energize work already happening across the region. (Photo by Bethany Goodrich)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Trump-Dunleavy’s obliteration day

Alaska has overwhelmingly voted twice for President Trump and Gov. Dunleavy. So, you would think they would treat us better. Not so, their economic ideology… Continue reading

  • Apr 21, 2025
  • By Joseph Mehrkens
  • Opinion
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters during a press conference at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, March 25, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

My Turn: Stress and accountability — another letter to Sullivan and Begich

I hesitate to spend my valuable time writing to you again because I have the feeling you never see, never mind consider, my thoughts. Yes,… Continue reading

The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, March 25, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
A male belted kingfisher perches to inspect the water below. (Photo by Jos Bakker)

On The Trails: Kingfishers

Kingfishers have captured the fancy of people for centuries. In Greek mythology, the gods caused a man to drown, leaving his lover, a woman named… Continue reading

A male belted kingfisher perches to inspect the water below. (Photo by Jos Bakker)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) walks out of the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 20, 2025. Murkowski, who has routinely broken with her party to criticize President Donald Trump, has made a startling admission about the reality of serving in public office at a time when an unbound leader in the Oval Office is bent on retribution against his political foes. (Haiyun Jiang / The New York Times)

Opinion: Stand with Murkowski

On Monday at a summit for the Foraker Group’s leadership, Sen. Lisa Murkowski was asked, “What do you have to say to people who are… Continue reading

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) walks out of the Senate chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 20, 2025. Murkowski, who has routinely broken with her party to criticize President Donald Trump, has made a startling admission about the reality of serving in public office at a time when an unbound leader in the Oval Office is bent on retribution against his political foes. (Haiyun Jiang / The New York Times)
A rainbow spans the University of Alaska Southeast campus in September of 2024. (University of Alaska Southeast photo)

Sustainable Alaska: Reading relations

For the program’s 14th iteration, UAS’s One Campus, One Book committee selected Max Libioron’s challenging “Pollution is Colonialism.” Starting this fall, students and faculty across… Continue reading

A rainbow spans the University of Alaska Southeast campus in September of 2024. (University of Alaska Southeast photo)
The steamboat Yukon travels the Yukon River. (Public domain photo)

Alaska Science Forum: An early ascent of the Yukon River

Civil War veteran Charles Raymond was 27 when he accepted an assignment to visit the new U.S. territory of Alaska, a place so far away… Continue reading

The steamboat Yukon travels the Yukon River. (Public domain photo)
(Photo provided by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: Holy Week

Filipinos are known all over the world for their strong faith in God and for their deep love and reverence for our Holy Mother Mary,… Continue reading

(Photo provided by Gina Del Rosario)
(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Opinion: Juneau taxpayers fight back

The right of the citizenry to directly petition their government is often seen primarily as a way for marginalized groups to air their grievances, potentially… Continue reading

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)
A queen bumblebee visits a blueberry flower. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On The Trails: Spring flowers and their pollinators

Spring flowers have co-evolved with insect pollinators for a long time. The flowers require pollen delivery to set seed. To entice insects to visit and… Continue reading

A queen bumblebee visits a blueberry flower. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
Angela Rodell is a member of the Affordable Juneau Coalition and a former Juneau mayoral candidate. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Juneau’s budget needs a common-sense makeover

For too long Juneau’s budgeting approach has started in the wrong place — asking how much revenue the city can raise, rather than how much… Continue reading

  • Apr 13, 2025
  • By Angela Rodell
  • Opinion
Angela Rodell is a member of the Affordable Juneau Coalition and a former Juneau mayoral candidate. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(First Things First Alaska Foundation photo)

My Turn: RIP Road Scholars for Juneau Access project

The latest version of the state’s capital budget reappropriates approximately $37 million from designated Juneau Access funds for use as federal match for transportation projects… Continue reading

  • Apr 13, 2025
  • By Paulette Simpson
  • Opinion
(First Things First Alaska Foundation photo)
Mary’s extreme bars, ready to slice. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking For Pleasure: Mary’s extreme bars

For at least 20 years, my sister Mary Watson has been making these cookies frequently, especially for her piano music recitals and music history classes.… Continue reading

Mary’s extreme bars, ready to slice. (Photo by Patty Schied)
President Donald Trump during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The administration says foreign governments are racing to the United States to negotiate, but exactly which countries might strike a deal — and over what — remains unclear. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

Opinion: Cheerleading the dumbest trade war ever

In 2018, Sen. Dan Sullivan co-sponsored the STOP Act that he said “focuses on stopping the killer drug fentanyl from coming from places like China… Continue reading

President Donald Trump during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. The administration says foreign governments are racing to the United States to negotiate, but exactly which countries might strike a deal — and over what — remains unclear. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
The downtown Juneau cruise ship dock on a clear March day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: Seeking joy during times of great uncertainty

“This is the greatest act of power I have come to know: To be an activist of joy; a beacon of grace; a radiance of… Continue reading

The downtown Juneau cruise ship dock on a clear March day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature in the House Chambers on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Sen. Sullivan’s latest blabber — ‘Liberal Judges’

Two bedrock American values — equality under the law and fair elections — are under assault by vast private fortunes. Amplifying the talking points of… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature in the House Chambers on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
A male red-winged blackbird shows off his colors in a good display. (Photo by Gina Vose)

On the Trails: Springtime

The last part of March seemed to pass slowly, at least for those of use impatient for spring. Each of us has their own sequence… Continue reading

A male red-winged blackbird shows off his colors in a good display. (Photo by Gina Vose)