Opinion

My Turn: SB 154 a win for the art community

The past few weeks have seen some exciting and noteworthy news in the world of Alaskan arts. To start with, an Alaskan has been named… Continue reading

  • May 1, 2016
  • By Ben Brown

My Turn: When government is broken we all are

If you believe Rep. Lora Reinbold, R-Eagle River, “little progress has been made on real cost reductions” to the state’s operating budget. She thinks there’s… Continue reading

  • May 1, 2016
  • By Rich Moniak

My Turn: ‘Road to nowhere’ to cost $3M

On April 12, I attended a City and Borough of Juneau Planning Commission meeting during which the construction of a 2.4-mile “pioneer road” on West… Continue reading

  • May 1, 2016
  • By PHILLIP GRAY

Letter from the editor: What bringing you ‘more’ really means

For almost two weeks now the Empire has published ads promising readers “more” starting May 1, with the words “Juneau Empire + USA TODAY” printed… Continue reading

  • Apr 29, 2016
  • By CHARLES L. WESTMORELAND

My Turn: Doing mining differently up north

British Columbia Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett’s response to Alaskans’ growing concerns about the downstream effects of mining in BC has usually been… Continue reading

  • Apr 29, 2016
  • By LEWIS RIFKIND

My Turn: Death and taxes

“Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.”… Continue reading

  • Apr 29, 2016
  • By WIN GRUENING

My Turn: HB 379 is a quick non-fix

It’s a rare thing done well at the last minute. House Bill 379 is not that rare thing.After listening to two days’ worth of testimony… Continue reading

  • Apr 27, 2016
  • By Charles Ward

Alaska Editorial: Keep ideas flowing

The following editorial first appeared in the Ketchikan Daily News: This isn’t the time to shoot down economic development ideas.Alaska has a $4 billion deficit.… Continue reading

  • Apr 27, 2016

My Turn: The journey through grief

It is amazing how circumstances in life touch you, form you and change your future. As I grew up, I really didn’t understand about loss… Continue reading

  • Apr 27, 2016
  • By VIRGINIA PALMER

My Turn: A great state needs a great university

In a few short weeks, more than 4,600 students will cross graduation stages all across Alaska and begin the journey into the next phase of… Continue reading

  • Apr 27, 2016
  • By JIM JOHNSEN

My Turn: Combating Alaska’s epidemic of sexual violence

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It gives us all the opportunity to show our support to survivors of sexual violence, and become part of… Continue reading

  • Apr 25, 2016
  • By DONNA WALKER

My Turn: Military investments in Alaska should help us weather economic challenges

Alaska is facing tough economic times. Budgets are being squeezed, workers are being laid off, and families are making due with less. But it’s important… Continue reading

  • Apr 25, 2016
  • By SEN. DAN SULLIVAN

My Turn: Trying times for Alaska

I watched Gov. Bill Walker’s State of the Budget address and the rebuttal from the Alaska Legislature. The Governor said that we need to cut… Continue reading

  • Apr 24, 2016
  • By BILL SHEFFIELD

My Turn: The science and stories of climate change

Another sign of Arctic warming was reported in the Alaska Dispatch last week. According to a new study by scientists from the University of Alaska… Continue reading

  • Apr 24, 2016
  • By Rich Moniak

Empire Editorial: Tough choices ahead

If you’re like us, you’ve been focusing your attention on the tough choices being made in the Alaska Capitol over the past 100 days.Alaska’s $4.1… Continue reading

  • Apr 24, 2016

My Turn: ‘Yes we can’ get the change we work for

Our 2015-16 presidential campaign seems to herald a new change. There is an adage to apply: “If we always do what we have always done,… Continue reading

  • Apr 22, 2016
  • By GEORGE BROWN

My Turn: Alaska’s Budget: Big talk, little cuts

The governor and the Legislature have both professed that a combination of budget cuts and revenue options will be necessary to solve the state of… Continue reading

  • Apr 22, 2016
  • By REP. LORA REINBOLD

My Turn: The reason for concealed carry on campus

Amanda Collins was a young college student in Nevada when she was brutally attacked and raped at gunpoint on campus a few years ago. Collins… Continue reading

  • Apr 21, 2016
  • By AMY HUNTER

My Turn: SB174 is bad legislation whether you’re for or against guns on campus

The pro and anti-guns on campus debate misses an important point: A bill can be a bad bill no matter which side of the debate… Continue reading

  • Apr 21, 2016
  • By MICHAEL HOSTINA

Alaska Editorial: Critical neglect in the Arctic

The following editorial first appeared in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner:There aren’t very many areas of national defense or homeland security where the U.S. lags. America’s… Continue reading

  • Apr 21, 2016