Opinion

This photo shows elections materials for the upcoming special primary election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Voting is essential for a functional democracy

Please vote at every opportunity.

  • May 3, 2022
  • By Dr. Emily Kane
This photo shows elections materials for the upcoming special primary election. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
A voter fills out their ballot in the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska voters are limited even with 48-candidate field

Expect vote splitting. And a lot of it.

  • May 2, 2022
  • By Aaron Hamlin
A voter fills out their ballot in the Thunder Mountain High School gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
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Here’s why I won’t be voting for Palin

Don’t vote for her, ever.

  • May 2, 2022
  • By Murray Walsh
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Opinion: Two tales of extremist rhetoric

Language bordering on dehumanizing the political opposition.

  • Apr 29, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
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Opinion: Constitutional Convention would open a can of worms

Fortunately, there is an alternative.

  • Apr 28, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
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Opinion: As world celebrated Earth Day, Arctic Council ‘pause’ endangered humanity’s united stand against climate change

April 22 is celebrated around the world as Earth Day…

  • Apr 27, 2022
  • By Barry Scott Zellen
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This October 2020 photo shows the pattern of the Alaska state flag illuminated on the M/V Kennicott. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Now is the time to make sure we can ‘keep Alaska moving’

We’re also taking steps to add more flexibility to our fleet.

  • Apr 26, 2022
  • By Ryan Anderson
This October 2020 photo shows the pattern of the Alaska state flag illuminated on the M/V Kennicott. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion:Here’s why our state constitution is considered such a good one

It is a constitution that reflects the aspirations of dedicated Alaskans…

  • Apr 23, 2022
  • By Gordon Harrison
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Handcuffing the government during emergencies

A recent court decision could slow future responses.

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(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Opinion: Governor is stacking Board of Game with guides

It’s not just bad optics for the state, it exacerbates what so many resident hunters already believe…

  • Apr 20, 2022
  • By March Richards
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)

Opinion: Alaska mental health care still shares similarities with a flawed system from the distant past

There are lessons to be learned from the past and Morningside Hospital.

  • Apr 20, 2022
  • By Faith J. Myers
Faith Myers stands at the doors of API. (Courtesy Photo)
Then-candidate for governor Sarah Palin and running mate Sean Parnell listen to introductions during a Capital City Republican Women’s luncheon at the UAS Recreation Center in September 2006. Palin is now running for Congress and has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: In a field of 48, one candidate stands out —and not in a good way

Just when we thought Alaska politics couldn’t get any sillier…

  • Apr 19, 2022
  • By Larry Persily
Then-candidate for governor Sarah Palin and running mate Sean Parnell listen to introductions during a Capital City Republican Women’s luncheon at the UAS Recreation Center in September 2006. Palin is now running for Congress and has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
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Opinion: We must seize the moment to address our climate conundrum

I work from dawn to dusk as a cultural maintenance man and essayist — as well as a collector of plastic street trash for proper… Continue reading

  • Apr 19, 2022
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This public domain image shows the Golden Bridge in Vladivostok, Russia. After a narrow vote by the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, the Russian city and Juneau are still sister cities.

Opinion: The futility of trying to pop Russia’s propaganda bubble

The Russian propaganda machine is difficult to penetrate.

  • Apr 15, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
This public domain image shows the Golden Bridge in Vladivostok, Russia. After a narrow vote by the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, the Russian city and Juneau are still sister cities.
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Why is our city budget growing if our city isn’t?

The question we should be asking ourselves is how can these reserves best be used?

  • Apr 14, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
(Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Alexander B. Dolitsky

Opinion: Wisdom I gleaned along the Dnieper River in Kyiv reverberates today

By Alexander B. Dolitsky Anatoly Mikhailovich Mikisha was a talented and accomplished mathematician in his late 30s. He was a rocket scientist, working in the… Continue reading

  • Apr 12, 2022
  • By Alexander B. Dolitsky
Alexander B. Dolitsky
This March 2021 photo shows the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Ben Hohensatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: What do 25,000 buses, a million people, and the glacier have in common?

We can make improvements without ruining a place that tourists and locals alike love.

  • Apr 11, 2022
  • By Katharine Miller
This March 2021 photo shows the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Ben Hohensatt / Juneau Empire File)
Environmental activists from 350Juneau, one dressed in a dinosaur costume, delivered a letter addressed to the CEO of Wells Fargo to the banks branch in downtown Juneau on Friday, April 2, 2021. The letter called on the bank to divest from fossil fuels. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Bank needs to put money where mouth is on climate change

It’s high time they stopped investing in climate destruction.

  • Apr 8, 2022
  • By Michael Tobin
Environmental activists from 350Juneau, one dressed in a dinosaur costume, delivered a letter addressed to the CEO of Wells Fargo to the banks branch in downtown Juneau on Friday, April 2, 2021. The letter called on the bank to divest from fossil fuels. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Then-candidate for governor Sarah Palin and running mate Sean Parnell listen to introductions during a Capital City Republican Women's luncheon at the UAS Recreation Center in September 2006. Palin is now running for Congress and has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Palin and the price of Trump’s endorsement

Trump gave her his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”

  • Apr 8, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
Then-candidate for governor Sarah Palin and running mate Sean Parnell listen to introductions during a Capital City Republican Women's luncheon at the UAS Recreation Center in September 2006. Palin is now running for Congress and has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature in late February. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s time for Senator Murkowski to protect Bristol Bay

She could end the fight and give Alaskans peace of mind that she has our best interests in mind.

  • Apr 7, 2022
  • By Matthew R. Berry
Sen. Lisa Murkowski speaks to a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature in late February. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)