Opinion

Andy Jones, director for the Alaska Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention, speaks during a community meeting in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, on what Juneau needs to fight opioid misuse. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

To solve the opioid crisis, call addiction what it is

Another opioid overdose death. Another drug-related crime. Another billion dollars spent on ineffective treatments. News about the opioid crisis keeps getting worse. Simple solutions haven’t… Continue reading

  • Apr 24, 2018
  • By Dr. JAY BUTLER
Andy Jones, director for the Alaska Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention, speaks during a community meeting in the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, on what Juneau needs to fight opioid misuse. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

HB 54 is the missing piece in my end-of-life plans

In life, death at some point is inevitable. While most accept that, many wonder, “Will it be comfortable?” When I was young I would say,… Continue reading

  • Apr 24, 2018
  • By BARBARA MCDANIEL

Grateful for tourism in Southeast Alaska

Since the Great Recession, the visitor industry in Southeast Alaska has not only recovered but has grown due to diversification, an influx of small and… Continue reading

  • Apr 23, 2018
  • By DAN KIRKWOOD

We can’t hide from the values which divide us

On Monday, the City and Borough of Juneau moved one step closer to adopting a revised mining ordinance. The Committee of the Whole unanimously accepted… Continue reading

  • Apr 20, 2018
  • By Rich Moniak

Heath care reimbursement practices directly affect proper patient care

Three words describe the world of health care funding – “The Hassle Factor.” The hassle of endless rules, exceptions, unsupported insurance denials, nonsense exclusions, and… Continue reading

  • Apr 22, 2018
  • By Anselm Staack
Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, and Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, speak during a reception in their honor at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Both are retiring from the legislature this year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Looking out for Juneau’s interests

“The single most important ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.” — Theodore Roosevelt One of the toughest… Continue reading

  • Apr 20, 2018
  • By WIN GRUENING
Sen. Berta Gardner, D-Anchorage, and Sen. Dennis Egan, D-Juneau, speak during a reception in their honor at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Both are retiring from the legislature this year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Labor deserves unemployment benefits increase

Alaska stands at a crossroad. One direction leads to statewide prosperity and a robust economy, while another direction leads a skilled workforce heading south to… Continue reading

  • Apr 20, 2018
  • By Scott Eickholt

Don’t weaken the most important fishery management legislation we have

In January 2014, I moved to Sitka from New York City. In the NYC kitchens I worked in, it was common knowledge that the best… Continue reading

  • Apr 19, 2018
  • By Renee Trafton

City of Juneau’s negotiated deal on AEL&P is a step in the right direction

We applaud the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly for stepping up to the plate on behalf of Juneau residents and businesses. The CBJ Assembly… Continue reading

  • Apr 19, 2018
  • By DANIELLE REDMOND

One senator away from change

We’re all still reeling from the events that unfolded during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on April 7. Sen. John Coghill Jr., demonstrated his true… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2018
  • By Rus’sel Sampson

Sen. Murkowski, don’t vote for the FCC’s Net Neutrality repeal

In 2002, when Yahoo was the Web’s main search engine and Amazon still mostly sold books, I founded a family-run Alaska-based e-commerce company selling custom… Continue reading

  • Apr 16, 2018
  • By Jennie Stewart
Rich Moniak

Nuclear fictions more real than drills

Like all emergency drills, Shielded Eagle blurred the lines between reality and fiction. The Coast Guard, Juneau Police Department and Capital City Fire/Rescue successfully implemented… Continue reading

  • Apr 15, 2018
  • By Rich Moniak
Rich Moniak

Let’s not play politics with public safety

Politics is getting in the way of building a safer Alaska. Crime rates have been rising across Alaska for more than five years. The opioid… Continue reading

  • Apr 15, 2018
  • By JAHNA LINDEMUTH

Net Neutrality regulations needed to protect free internet

Having worked in the telecommunications industry for over 30 years, I am concerned about the current efforts underway to destroy the Title II common carrier… Continue reading

  • Apr 15, 2018
  • By William “Bill” Arnold

Sea mammal hunters have rights

Well, folks, the Senate has passed the sea otter slaughter bill by Sen. Bert Stedman, R-Sitka. I would like to comment on this bill since… Continue reading

  • Apr 13, 2018
  • By Tim C. Ackerman

Unemployment benefits should sustain families and communities during economic hardship

Any Alaskan who has been laid off or experienced the loss of a job would likely tell you it is one of the most stressful,… Continue reading

  • Apr 13, 2018
  • By Jim Sampson
Kate Troll

Stop slashing the budget, it’s time for new revenues

As the state Senate now takes up the budget, the call for more spending cuts goes out again. However, since this sustained push for hard… Continue reading

  • Apr 12, 2018
  • By Kate Troll
Kate Troll

Internet must remain open and free

Along with my colleagues, Sens. Tom Begich and Bill Wielechowski, I have introduced a package of legislation that would protect net neutrality in Alaska and… Continue reading

  • Apr 12, 2018
  • By Rep. SCOTT KAWASAKI

The Crucible of Humanity: A growing understanding of addiction

It was sacrilege, utter heresy. In the Inquisition I’d have started the fire and felt justified tossing him into it. We all knew what worked… Continue reading

  • Apr 11, 2018
  • By Michael Craig Smith

Alaska’s transition away from old growth logging just got a big step closer

For over a decade, the Forest Service has worked to create consensus on a transition from old growth logging to young growth sales on the… Continue reading

  • Apr 11, 2018
  • By Catherine M. Mater