Opinion

League Points to Ponder: Nonpartisanship in local elections

Our Assembly and School Board members are elected on a nonpartisan basis. Why is that, and does it matter?State statutes require Alaska’s local governments to… Continue reading

  • Sep 15, 2016
  • By PAT WATT

Alaska Editorial: The election plot thickens

The following editorial first appeared in the Peninsula Clarion:Is there such a thing as a tea party Libertarian?We’re about to find out.Joe Miller last week… Continue reading

  • Sep 15, 2016

My Turn: National Recovery Month: A time to celebrate Alaskans overcoming alcohol addiction

Happy National Recovery Month! September is a month dedicated to increasing awareness about mental health and substance abuse disorders, and my hope is that Alaskans… Continue reading

  • Sep 15, 2016
  • By TIFFANY HALL

My Turn: An un-American veteran

I recently learned I am no longer a patriotic disabled veteran, but rather have been relegated to the “basket of deplorables.” I am irredeemable, un-American,… Continue reading

  • Sep 14, 2016
  • By JACK CADIGAN

Alaska Editorial: Turning the tide against suicide

The following editorial first appeared in The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner:It’s no secret that Alaska has a serious problem with suicide. Consistently ranking at or near… Continue reading

  • Sep 14, 2016
The Juneau School District's administration building at the corner of Glacier Avenue and 12th Street.

My Turn: Juneau schools need substitutes

Juneau’s schools face a slew of challenges, from fiscal deficits to unexpected enrollment hikes, but there’s one seldom talked about issue that affects the efficiency… Continue reading

  • Sep 14, 2016
  • By PATRICK ROACH
The Juneau School District's administration building at the corner of Glacier Avenue and 12th Street.

My Turn: Does climate change really exist?

Does climate change really exist? If it doesn’t, what are the explanations for many of the phenomena occurring throughout Alaska?From June 13-17, 23 people throughout… Continue reading

  • Sep 12, 2016
  • By CAROL LEE GHO

My Turn: More Alaska ‘foxes in the henhouse’ pain to come

Alaska’s future needs work; yet the Legislature is AWOL.“Just in time” Senate Bill 21 “credits” arrive like the popular TV show “American Greed.” Low oil… Continue reading

  • Sep 12, 2016
  • By Anselm Staack

My Turn: The unflattering history of police unions

“Much of the history of policing is not flattering,” Juneau Police Department Chief Bryce Johnson bravely admitted to the entire Juneau community just days after… Continue reading

  • Sep 11, 2016
  • By Rich Moniak

My Turn: Walker proposes illegal Permanent Fund investment scheme

Craig Richards, Gov. Bill Walker’s erstwhile attorney general, has asked the trustees of the Alaska Permanent Fund to buy state tax credits held by oil… Continue reading

  • Sep 11, 2016
  • By MILT BARKER

My Turn: ERC editorial misses the boat

In my last column, I discussed how the word “divisive” is often overused and misused. Mostly its use is an attempt to squelch debate and… Continue reading

  • Sep 9, 2016
  • By WIN GRUENING

League Points to Ponder: Citizen responsibility

Freedom, patriotism, the Bill of Rights, the Founding Fathers — all rallying cries when talking about politics in the United States. But we don’t hear… Continue reading

  • Sep 8, 2016
  • By JUDY ANDREE

Alaska Editorial: Pay attention to higher education budget plans

The following editorial first appeared in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner: The heavy turnout for a forum on the University of Alaska budget last week on… Continue reading

  • Sep 8, 2016

My Turn: Permit process shows lack of real analysis

The Bureau of Land Management recently gave its approval for a Canadian company, Constantine Metals Resources Ltd., to expand its search for copper, zinc and… Continue reading

  • Sep 7, 2016
  • By GUY ARCHIBALD

Alaska Editorial: Makes sure election workers are well trained

The following editorial first appeared in the Peninsula Clarion: Some of the hand wringing over voting irregularities in the Aug. 16 primary election has been… Continue reading

  • Sep 7, 2016

Empire Readers Council: Head tax lawsuit nothing but hot air

We’ve all seen the T-shirt that says, “Grandma went to Alaska and all I got was this lousy T-shirt.” To borrow the sentiment — Juneau… Continue reading

  • Sep 6, 2016

Letter: Lost services, gained frustration

Dear Editor,I am writing in regards to the Sept. 1 Juneau Empire article titled “Central Council abruptly reduces employment training, support services.”Since I have moved… Continue reading

  • Sep 6, 2016
  • By WILSON H. NICKLIE JR.

My Turn: Save Kuiu Island forest

There is an island in Southeast Alaska that the U.S. Forest Service wants you to forget about. Kuiu Island, roughly 640 square miles in size,… Continue reading

  • Sep 6, 2016
  • By ALISHA DECKER

My Turn: Rep. Young no longer putting Alaska first

This week, reports revealed that Rep. Don Young violated ethics rules for decades, hiding his inherited interest in a California family farm tied to secret… Continue reading

  • Sep 5, 2016
  • By STEVE LINDBECK

My Turn: Being prepared is not just for Scouts

No matter where you live, a natural disaster can strike at any time. Here in the Northwest, we’re told to expect the next big earthquake… Continue reading

  • Sep 5, 2016
  • By SUSAN JOHNSON