Letters to the Editor

Mary Kailukiak fishes for tomcod and smoalt on the Bering Sea Saturday, Jan. 18 near Toksook Bay. The first Americans to be counted in the 2020 Census starting today live in this Bering Sea coastal village. The Census traditionally begins earlier in Alaska than the rest of the nation because frozen ground allows easier access for Census workers, and rural Alaska will scatter with the spring thaw to traditional hunting and fishing grounds. (AP Photo | Gregory Bull)
Mary Kailukiak fishes for tomcod and smoalt on the Bering Sea Saturday, Jan. 18 near Toksook Bay. The first Americans to be counted in the 2020 Census starting today live in this Bering Sea coastal village. The Census traditionally begins earlier in Alaska than the rest of the nation because frozen ground allows easier access for Census workers, and rural Alaska will scatter with the spring thaw to traditional hunting and fishing grounds. (AP Photo | Gregory Bull)
Visitors line up to view Juneau’s downtown harbor in August 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Do you restrict your activities when traveling?

It is true isn’t it that those who want to restrict days, time, and hours of tourist activities in Juneau intend to restrict their days… Continue reading

  • Jan 16, 2020
Visitors line up to view Juneau’s downtown harbor in August 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Letter: Empire photographer, sports reporter will be missed

Letter: Empire photographer, sports reporter will be missed

I was sad to read that both Michael Penn and Nolin Ainsworth are no longer part of the Empire.

  • Jan 15, 2020
Letter: Empire photographer, sports reporter will be missed
Evan Vucci / Associated Press                                President Donald Trump speaks Jan. 9 at the White House about proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act.
Evan Vucci / Associated Press                                President Donald Trump speaks Jan. 9 at the White House about proposed changes to the National Environmental Policy Act.
Opinion: Juneau needs tourism ombudsman; generous sales team makes difference; more on costs of cruise ship tourism
Opinion: Juneau needs tourism ombudsman; generous sales team makes difference; more on costs of cruise ship tourism
Opinion: Bad laws have left psychiatric patients in Alaska with bad policies
Opinion: Bad laws have left psychiatric patients in Alaska with bad policies
President Donald Trump speaks during an “Evangelicals for Trump Coalition Launch” at King Jesus International Ministry, Friday, Jan. 3 in Miami. (AP Photo | Evan Vucci)
President Donald Trump speaks during an “Evangelicals for Trump Coalition Launch” at King Jesus International Ministry, Friday, Jan. 3 in Miami. (AP Photo | Evan Vucci)
Opinion: Ferry system is shameful; Floathouse owner seeks photographs; Senatorial shortcomings
Opinion: Ferry system is shameful; Floathouse owner seeks photographs; Senatorial shortcomings
Opinion: Stop overbreeding pit bulls

Opinion: Stop overbreeding pit bulls

Forty percent of euthanized dogs are pit bulls.

  • Jan 2, 2020
Opinion: Stop overbreeding pit bulls
Opinion: Murkowski’s op-ed about drug prices is just lip service

Opinion: Murkowski’s op-ed about drug prices is just lip service

The bill does nothing for families.

  • Dec 29, 2019
Opinion: Murkowski’s op-ed about drug prices is just lip service
Nick Yankee takes advantage of the remaining snow along Montana Creek Road to ski on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Support ski club’s efforts

Montana Creek is one of my favorite places in Juneau.

  • Dec 26, 2019
Nick Yankee takes advantage of the remaining snow along Montana Creek Road to ski on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: The Christmas gift we all need

Opinion: The Christmas gift we all need

The gift I need, and can best offer others is acceptance.

  • Dec 23, 2019
Opinion: The Christmas gift we all need
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview with the Juneau Empire at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Sullivan should defend truth about election interference

He should defending this truth against Trump’s conspiracy theories when he is tried in the Senate.

  • Dec 13, 2019
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview with the Juneau Empire at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Spruce boughs hang near a pond in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Keep the Roadless rule in place

We truly live in a sportsman’s paradise.

  • Dec 12, 2019
Spruce boughs hang near a pond in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Alaska Marine Highway’s ferry Matanuska passes the Eagle Glacier on its way south to Juneau. (Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The ferry, cruise ship connection

Letters to the editor.

  • Dec 5, 2019
The Alaska Marine Highway’s ferry Matanuska passes the Eagle Glacier on its way south to Juneau. (Juneau Empire File)
Cruise ship visitors gather for their tours on the Seawalk on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Cruise ship visitors gather for their tours on the Seawalk on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Oil tax credits and budget cuts could swing coastal votes

Opinion: Oil tax credits and budget cuts could swing coastal votes

“Houston, we’ve got a problem.” This famous distress call, issued 50 years ago this April, will likely be the message that is soon beamed to… Continue reading

  • Nov 25, 2019
Opinion: Oil tax credits and budget cuts could swing coastal votes
The Tongass National Forest sign on the way to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Eliminating Tongass Roadless Rule would benefit Southeast Alaska

The Roadless Rule application in the Tongass National Forest should be eliminated as articulated in Alternative Six in the draft environmental impact statement offering proposals… Continue reading

  • Nov 22, 2019
  • By Denny DeWitt
The Tongass National Forest sign on the way to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: It’s high noon for the rule of law

Opinion: It’s high noon for the rule of law

This country is at a crossroads. The U.S. Congress and Southern District of New York have subpoenaed President Trump’s tax returns. President Trump has requested… Continue reading

  • Nov 22, 2019
Opinion: It’s high noon for the rule of law
The Alaska Marine Highway System’s M/V Kennicott pulls away from the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal in this August 2014 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: More costs, fewer services contribute to ferry fleet’s fewer riders

Let’s just hope this catastrophe isn’t part of a diabolical plan designed to fail.

  • Nov 18, 2019
The Alaska Marine Highway System’s M/V Kennicott pulls away from the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal in this August 2014 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)