Opinion

League Points to Ponder: How fair is Alaska’s redistricting?

The Alaska Constitution requires that the state redraw the lines of legislative districts every 10 years, using census data to ensure that each legislative district… Continue reading

  • Oct 28, 2016
  • By MARGO WARING

My Turn: Who values our children, our future?

At the Justin Parish/Cathy Muñoz debate, when asked what his priority is, Justin Parish’s answer was emphatic and without hesitation: “Education.”I will call Mr. Parish… Continue reading

  • Oct 27, 2016
  • By MELODY MILLARD

My Turn: Public comment is open on draft CBJ energy plan until Oct. 31

Did you know that Juneau gets only 20 percent of its total energy use from hydropower? CBJ recently published a draft energy plan that is… Continue reading

  • Oct 27, 2016
  • By DANIELLE REDMOND

Alaska Editorial: Fairbanks woman acted bravely after police officer shooting

The following editorial first appeared in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner:After the shots rang out near her house, Brenda Riley did what most of us would:… Continue reading

  • Oct 26, 2016
John Hartle takes advantage of early voting at the State Office Building on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016.

Alaska Editorial: Know your ballot measures

The following editorial was written by the Ketchikan Daily News:The statewide election will feature two ballot measures.One seeks voter approval for allowing qualified Alaskans to… Continue reading

  • Oct 25, 2016
John Hartle takes advantage of early voting at the State Office Building on Monday, Oct. 24, 2016.
This file photo from 2001 shows Echo Cove, below, and Cascade Point, center, the current end of the road north of Juneau. Lion's Head Mountain is seen at the northern end of Berners Bay is in the background.

Empire Readers’ Council Editorial: Alaska can’t afford ‘The Road’

The recent flurry of editorial comments related to “The Road” are reminders this issue remains a hot-button topic in Juneau. The arguments calling for road… Continue reading

  • Oct 23, 2016
  • By EMPIRE READERS' COUNCIL
This file photo from 2001 shows Echo Cove, below, and Cascade Point, center, the current end of the road north of Juneau. Lion's Head Mountain is seen at the northern end of Berners Bay is in the background.
In this Oct. 6, 2015 file photo, the HealthCare.gov website, where people can buy health insurance, is displayed on a laptop screen.

My Turn: No room for Medicaid Expansion in Alaska

When Gov. Bill Walker announced his decision last year to expand Medicaid under Obamacare, he described it as a fiscal no-brainer. He insisted that our… Continue reading

  • Oct 23, 2016
  • By JEREMY PRICE
In this Oct. 6, 2015 file photo, the HealthCare.gov website, where people can buy health insurance, is displayed on a laptop screen.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives to speak to a campaign rally, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, in St. Augustine, Florida.

My Turn: Trump’s reality campaign is over

You know the race to the White House is over when polling in Alaska has Hillary Clinton within striking distance of the Republican nominee just… Continue reading

  • Oct 23, 2016
  • By Rich Moniak
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump arrives to speak to a campaign rally, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, in St. Augustine, Florida.

My Turn: Norway understands the value of roads – why don’t we?

Long admired by uber-liberals for its socialistic-style welfare state, Norway is often held up as an example for Alaska to follow — despite its lack… Continue reading

  • Oct 21, 2016
  • By WIN GRUENING
in this file photo from August 2012, Barbara Lobdell ducks into a voting booth at the Douglas Public Library for the state primary election.

Empire Editorial: Vote Yes on 1

When you get your ballot, start with the easy vote.Move to the right-hand column and select “Yes” for Ballot Measure 1.You’ll be doing yourself a… Continue reading

  • Oct 21, 2016
in this file photo from August 2012, Barbara Lobdell ducks into a voting booth at the Douglas Public Library for the state primary election.

Empire Editorial: In Alaska, firearm fatalities are a growing problem

Alaska, and Juneau in particular, have a big problem — and it’s killing us.Accidental gun deaths are on the rise, and our state leads the… Continue reading

  • Oct 20, 2016

League Points to Ponder: Elections and ballots — The fundamentals fo American democracy

Three ideas are fundamental to the workings of a democracy:1. The open and unrestricted access to a secret ballot by all adults.2. A ballot secured… Continue reading

  • Oct 20, 2016
  • By JERRY SMETZER

Opinion: Campaign finance reform achieves priority status

What got lost in the mudslinging of the second presidential debate was an important watershed in U.S. political history — the political reforms that a… Continue reading

  • Oct 20, 2016
  • By HEDRICK SMITH

My Turn: St. George Island’s subsistence lifestyle is in jeopardy

I have lived on St. George Island my entire life. Our community has seen huge transitions here, from Russian control and American seal harvesting days,… Continue reading

  • Oct 19, 2016
  • By VICTOR F. MALAVANSKY

My Turn: Prevent further spiraling and build The Road

The idea of putting Alaska’s capital city on the road system has been talked about since territorial days. Over the past 14 years, literally thousands… Continue reading

  • Oct 19, 2016
  • By RICHARD KNAPP

Be offended by Trump’s remarks because you’re a person

Conversation that took place this week between pretty much every straight couple in America:Wife: So, do men really talk like that?Husband: (Warily) Like what?W: You… Continue reading

  • Oct 17, 2016
  • By JACQUIELYNN FLOYD

My Turn: The angel inspired music of Emmanuel Jal

“This one goes to Emma McCune, Angel to the rescue one afternoon” — Emmanuel Jal from his 2008 song titled “Emma”It’s estimated that 10,000 child… Continue reading

  • Oct 16, 2016
  • By Rich Moniak

Clinton’s simple, smart plan to fight poverty could help millions

The following editorial appeared in the Star Tribune on Oct. 14:Hillary Clinton’s plan to help alleviate deep poverty in this country, offered in the waning… Continue reading

  • Oct 16, 2016
In this file photo from May 2016, Wayne Stevens, President/CEO of the United Way of Southeast Alaska, left, and Amy Skilbred, Executive Director of the Juneau Community Foundation, second from left, present a check for $18,104 on Wednesday, May 18, to help fund the Juneau School District's Elementary School Breakfast Program next year. Receiving the check are JSD Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller, center, Glacier Valley Elementary Principal Lucy Potter and Brian Holst, President of Juneau School Board.

My Turn: Building communities, improving lives

Most of the people we meet or know in Southeast Alaska are passionate about living in a good community where they can work, recreate and… Continue reading

  • Oct 14, 2016
  • By PEGGY COWAN and WARREN RUSSELL
In this file photo from May 2016, Wayne Stevens, President/CEO of the United Way of Southeast Alaska, left, and Amy Skilbred, Executive Director of the Juneau Community Foundation, second from left, present a check for $18,104 on Wednesday, May 18, to help fund the Juneau School District's Elementary School Breakfast Program next year. Receiving the check are JSD Superintendent Dr. Mark Miller, center, Glacier Valley Elementary Principal Lucy Potter and Brian Holst, President of Juneau School Board.

My Turn: Alaska’s mental health

You can’t read the paper or watch the news without hearing about the tough financial and economic times Alaska’s facing. Conversations focus on the problems,… Continue reading

  • Oct 14, 2016
  • By KATE BURKHART and BRIAN WILSON