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Rep. Bill Elam speaks during a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Opinion: Education accountability starts at home — not just in Juneau

Hyper-partisan politics don’t belong in classrooms.

Rep. Bill Elam speaks during a legislative update to the joint Kenai and Soldotna chambers of commerce in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alexander B. Dolitsky

My Turn: WWII altered the US diet, and we grew larger

The post-war period saw a complex interplay of factors that dramatically changed the American diet and the way we approach food today

Alexander B. Dolitsky
Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his veto of a wide-ranging education bill during a press conference March 16, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Legislature has a constitutional duty to address Dunleavy vetoes

If we do not act during this special session, the vetoes will become permanent

Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his veto of a wide-ranging education bill during a press conference March 16, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
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Community Calendar for July 30, 2025

Submissions to this calendar can be sent to editor@juneauempire.com. They should include the date, time, location, short summary of the event, a website and/or social… Continue reading

  • Jul 29, 2025
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The Alaska Capitol is photographed Friday, July 11, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire)

My Turn: Schools and strength in challenging times

We must stand in defense of the institution of public schools

  • Jul 29, 2025
  • By Tom Klaameyer
  • Opinion
The Alaska Capitol is photographed Friday, July 11, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Police calls, July 24-27

Capital City Fire Rescue 12:24 p.m., July 24, 2025 CCFR responded to a cardiac arrest downtown. The staffed ambulances were already on other calls, so… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14.

Ships in port, July 26-30

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2025 schedule. Capacity figures in parenthesis were pulled from cruise lines’ websites. Wednesday, July 30… Continue reading

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, speaks during a news conference in April 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Anti-everything governor

Nothing wrong with being an obstinate contrarian, unless you would rather learn, build consensus, truly govern and get something done.

  • Jul 26, 2025
  • By Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinel
  • Columns
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, speaks during a news conference in April 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Ingredients for stuff zucchini boats are prepped. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking for Pleasure: Overflowing with flavor

Use unwanted zucchini with versatile stuffed baked zucchini boats

Ingredients for stuff zucchini boats are prepped. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Peggy McKee Barnhill (Courtesy photo)

Gimme a smile: Where did they go?

If I was a successful minimizer, I would donate all the second-rate mugs to a Mug Rescue Society

Peggy McKee Barnhill (Courtesy photo)
Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14.

Ships in port, July 26-30

This information comes from the Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska’s 2025 schedule. Capacity figures in parenthesis were pulled from cruise lines’ websites. Saturday, July 26… Continue reading

Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo
The Norwegian Bliss arrives in Juneau on Monday, April 14.
Win Gruening (courtesy)

Opinion: Rep. Nick Begich is hitting it out of the ballpark

Since winning Alaska’s lone U. S. House seat on Nov. 5, 2024, Rep. Nick Begich has astonished even his most ardent fans. With barely 200… Continue reading

Win Gruening (courtesy)
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Attendees dance at Salmonfest in Ninilchik<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.

Salmonfest to return for 15th year of fish, love and music

This year’s festival will take place from Aug. 1-3 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Attendees dance at Salmonfest in Ninilchik<ins>, Alaska,</ins> on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024.
The KTOO public broadcasting building is photographed in Juneau, Alaska. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Begich and Sullivan failed to represent Alaskans

Certainly, Alaska’s three-member congressional delegation by themselves cannot stop every bad idea pushed by the Trump administration. It takes a majority of the House and… Continue reading

  • Jul 23, 2025
  • By Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinel
The KTOO public broadcasting building is photographed in Juneau, Alaska. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Two residents stand in voter booths in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

My Turn: A vote in October to cut taxes will help everyone

In the end, lower taxes will reduce the painful monetary compromises that many of our residents must make.

  • Jul 23, 2025
  • By Frank Bergstrom
Two residents stand in voter booths in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A shipping terminal in the city of Chongqing, China, May 20, 2025. (Gilles Sabrié/The New York Times)

My Turn: China’s path to world dominance is being laid by President Trump’s policies, including in Alaska

Incentives to build EVs and expand solar and wind energy are being phased out in favor of significant increases in oil and gas production

A shipping terminal in the city of Chongqing, China, May 20, 2025. (Gilles Sabrié/The New York Times)
Dark-eyed juncos make a typical nest cup of woven plant fibers. (Photo by Bob Armstrong/courtesy)

On the Trails: Bird nests: Variations on a theme

Within the range of more ordinary cup-like woven nests, there is a lot of variation in construction, using different materials

Dark-eyed juncos make a typical nest cup of woven plant fibers. (Photo by Bob Armstrong/courtesy)
Tari Stage-Harvey is the pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Tari Stage-Harvey)

Living and Growing: Keeping a faith that makes our hearts bigger

Art, ideas or politics aren’t Christian because they quote the Bible or use Christian symbols.

Tari Stage-Harvey is the pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Tari Stage-Harvey)
President Donald Trump and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick display a chart detailing tariffs, at the White House in Washington, on Wednesday, April 2. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)

My Turn: Piling on the One Big Beautiful Bill with unfair tariffs

The president’s assurances to restore Joe Six Pack are simply empty promises

  • Jul 19, 2025
  • By Joseph Mehrkens
  • Opinion
President Donald Trump and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick display a chart detailing tariffs, at the White House in Washington, on Wednesday, April 2. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)
The shoot killed by last year's willow rose is surrounded by exuberant new shoots. (Photo by Mary F. Willson)

On the Trails: Spittlebugs, shore pines and avian juveniles

A friend and I strolled out to Nugget Falls, accompanied by the songs of warbling vireos

The shoot killed by last year's willow rose is surrounded by exuberant new shoots. (Photo by Mary F. Willson)