Opinion

In this Jan. 6, 2017 photo, Juneau residents participate in the World’s Largest Lesson at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Ski area gondola offers community uplift opportunity

“This gondola is an incredible opportunity.”

  • Feb 21, 2022
  • By Charlie Herrington
In this Jan. 6, 2017 photo, Juneau residents participate in the World’s Largest Lesson at Eaglecrest Ski Area. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A beertender for Forbidden Peak Brewery, pours a beer during the grand opening for the Auke Bay business in October 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Don’t close the door on new breweries in Alaska

I intend to keep urging lawmakers to fix SB9.

  • Feb 18, 2022
  • By Jason Davis
A beertender for Forbidden Peak Brewery, pours a beer during the grand opening for the Auke Bay business in October 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Canidate 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.

Opinion: The scourge of false reporting

The reckless disregard for the truth is a problem much bigger than any dispute…

  • Feb 18, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
Canidate 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.
This March 2020 phgoto shows Juneau’s City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Juneau Assembly takes on tough task

If food is exempted from sales tax, what closes the gap?

  • Feb 17, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
This March 2020 phgoto shows Juneau’s City Hall. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

Opinion: Success of SB 114 is dubious since it relies upon state parole board

“They won’t mete out justice, only punishment…”

  • Feb 16, 2022
  • By H. Thompson Prentzel III
Gavel (Courtesy photo)
State Sen. Josh Revak

Opinion: The Biden administration has failed Alaska Native veterans

The trail of broken promises speaks for itself.

  • Feb 15, 2022
  • By Josh Revak
State Sen. Josh Revak
Alexander B. Dolitsky

Are there parallels between the Soviet socialist regime and today’s America?

Freedom of speech is the core of American individual and constitutional rights

  • Feb 14, 2022
  • By Alexander B. Doliysky
Alexander B. Dolitsky
This picture shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall on Dec. 20, 2021. City officials are eyeing options for a new or renovated city facility with four potential options currently in the running. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

I don’t want to see a new City Hall until city services improve

After this year’s snow removal, they don’t deserve an extra rat catcher.

  • Feb 11, 2022
  • By Walt Gregg
This picture shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall on Dec. 20, 2021. City officials are eyeing options for a new or renovated city facility with four potential options currently in the running. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives during a floor debate on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, over an appropriations bill during the Legislature's third special session of the summer. Eastman submitted a number of amendments to the bill, none of which ultimately passed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Eastman is no ordinary citizen

Oath should hold representative to higher standard.

  • Feb 11, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
Rep. David Eastman, R-Wasilla, speaks on the floor of the Alaska House of Representatives during a floor debate on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, over an appropriations bill during the Legislature's third special session of the summer. Eastman submitted a number of amendments to the bill, none of which ultimately passed. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Election year coincides with increased support for AMHS

The Alaska Marine Highway System is feeling a lot more love these days.

  • Feb 10, 2022
  • By Larry Persily
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor's office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Opinion: Preparing for Alaska’s constitutional convention referendum

The convention process grants the public three votes…

  • Feb 9, 2022
  • J.H. Snider
Copies of the Alaska State Constitution are available outside the Lt. Governor's office at the Alaska State Capitol. A Senate bill with bipartisan support is seeking to enhance civics education for Alaskan students. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Sanctions always hurt Alaskans

It’s understandable to stand up against a policy that has harmed Alaska’s seafood industry.

  • Feb 9, 2022
  • By Paul Fuhs
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Demonstrators outside the White House on January 11, 2022, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. (Maria Oswalt / Unsplash)

Opinion: It’s time to close Guantanamo Bay

Resolve detainees’ fates, close the prison and end the policy of indefinite detention.

  • Feb 8, 2022
  • By Craig Wilson
Demonstrators outside the White House on January 11, 2022, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. (Maria Oswalt / Unsplash)
Les Gara. (Courtesy photo / Les Gara)

We need a governor who protects reproductive rights because he believes in them

That’s why I’ll be voting for Les Gara.

  • Feb 7, 2022
  • By Cindy Smith
Les Gara. (Courtesy photo / Les Gara)
“I Voted” stickers wait for Alaskan voters to pick them up during early in-person voting at Mendenhall Mall on Oct. 22, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opimion: The good, the bad and the missing in Dunleavy’s elections bill

To summarize, the governor’s bill is a mixed bag.

  • Feb 7, 2022
  • By Robert Welton
“I Voted” stickers wait for Alaskan voters to pick them up during early in-person voting at Mendenhall Mall on Oct. 22, 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The Alaska Legislators needs to take action to protect every Alaskan

I advocate for strong legislation that will address PFAS contamination.

  • Feb 4, 2022
  • By John M. Kennish
This photo shows the Alaska State Capitol. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his State of the State address before a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Relying on public amnesia

“The future is now”

  • Feb 4, 2022
  • By Rich Moniak
Gov. Mike Dunleavy delivers his State of the State address before a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
Yay

Opinion: We need to celebrate the good

Women of Distinction event returns to do exactly that.

  • Feb 3, 2022
  • By Mandy Cole
Yay
This picture shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall on Dec. 20, 2021. City officials are eyeing options for a new or renovated city facility with four potential options currently in the running. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Pride cometh before a new city hall

The time to ask questions and get answers is now.

  • Feb 3, 2022
  • By Win Gruening
This picture shows the City and Borough of Juneau City Hall on Dec. 20, 2021. City officials are eyeing options for a new or renovated city facility with four potential options currently in the running. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Postal Service appears to be a weak link in elections

Perhaps mail-in elections are not a panacea after all.

  • Feb 2, 2022
  • By Ray Preston
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)