Opinion

My Turn: In response to Rifkind on the KSM Project

I wish to take this opportunity to correct the record regarding several inaccurate and misleading statements that were contained within the April 29 Juneau Empire… Continue reading

  • May 5, 2016
  • By BRENT MURPHY

Empire Editorial: Draft women

If a woman can be president, she should be eligible for the draft, too.Last week, the Armed Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives… Continue reading

  • May 5, 2016

My Turn: The issues this legislative session

Four major themes define what must get done in the Legislature this year. They are fiscal, Medicaid, criminal justice, and oil and gas tax credit… Continue reading

  • May 4, 2016
  • By REP. CATHY MUÑOZ

Alaska Editorial: No free lunches

The following editorial first appeared in the Ketchikan Daily News:During the mid-1900s, Texas lobbyists kept their state legislators in line with the “Three Bs” —… Continue reading

  • May 4, 2016

My Turn: Kim Metcalfe should be praised, not harassed

I must confess to not being particularly involved in the current national election cycle. I feel a sense of great exasperation every time I peek… Continue reading

  • May 3, 2016
  • By LEO HELMAR

My Turn: General aviation connects Alaska

In Alaska we have a saying: “Fly an hour or walk a week.”For us, this has real meaning. There are literally hundreds of communities in Alaska that cannot… Continue reading

  • May 3, 2016
  • By ROB STAPLETON

My Turn: Rep. Reinbold’s budget analysis omits critical information

Rep. Laura Reinbold, R-Eagle River, recently wrote an editorial taking on her colleagues in the Legislature for not cutting the budget enough. Her analysis reflects… Continue reading

  • May 2, 2016
  • By PAUL FUHS

My Turn: Day care for drug addicts

I want to start by saying that I am writing this letter from Lemon Creek Correctional Center. I am serving time for a non-violent theft… Continue reading

  • May 2, 2016
  • By MICHAEL STARR

Empire Editorial: One team makes more sense than two

One of the promises made by supporters of building a new high school were more opportunities for Juneau’s students to become engaged through sports and… Continue reading

  • May 1, 2016

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