Opinion

Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his veto of a wide-ranging education bill during a press conference March 16, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Legislature has a constitutional duty to address Dunleavy vetoes

If we do not act during this special session, the vetoes will become permanent

Gov. Mike Dunleavy discusses his veto of a wide-ranging education bill during a press conference March 16, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter to the Editor: Grateful for Alaska’s outstretched hand

Even though Mr. Moose didn’t appear on every corner, Alaska captured us

(Juneau Empire file photo)
The Alaska Capitol is photographed Friday, July 11, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire)

My Turn: Schools and strength in challenging times

We must stand in defense of the institution of public schools

  • Jul 29, 2025
  • By Tom Klaameyer
  • Opinion
The Alaska Capitol is photographed Friday, July 11, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo by Erin Thompson/Juneau Empire)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, speaks during a news conference in April 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Anti-everything governor

Nothing wrong with being an obstinate contrarian, unless you would rather learn, build consensus, truly govern and get something done.

  • Jul 26, 2025
  • By Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinel
  • Columns
Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, speaks during a news conference in April 2023. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Win Gruening (courtesy)

Opinion: Rep. Nick Begich is hitting it out of the ballpark

Since winning Alaska’s lone U. S. House seat on Nov. 5, 2024, Rep. Nick Begich has astonished even his most ardent fans. With barely 200… Continue reading

Win Gruening (courtesy)
The KTOO public broadcasting building is photographed in Juneau, Alaska. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Begich and Sullivan failed to represent Alaskans

Certainly, Alaska’s three-member congressional delegation by themselves cannot stop every bad idea pushed by the Trump administration. It takes a majority of the House and… Continue reading

  • Jul 23, 2025
  • By Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinel
The KTOO public broadcasting building is photographed in Juneau, Alaska. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire)
Two residents stand in voter booths in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

My Turn: A vote in October to cut taxes will help everyone

In the end, lower taxes will reduce the painful monetary compromises that many of our residents must make.

  • Jul 23, 2025
  • By Frank Bergstrom
Two residents stand in voter booths in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A shipping terminal in the city of Chongqing, China, May 20, 2025. (Gilles Sabrié/The New York Times)

My Turn: China’s path to world dominance is being laid by President Trump’s policies, including in Alaska

Incentives to build EVs and expand solar and wind energy are being phased out in favor of significant increases in oil and gas production

A shipping terminal in the city of Chongqing, China, May 20, 2025. (Gilles Sabrié/The New York Times)
President Donald Trump and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick display a chart detailing tariffs, at the White House in Washington, on Wednesday, April 2. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)

My Turn: Piling on the One Big Beautiful Bill with unfair tariffs

The president’s assurances to restore Joe Six Pack are simply empty promises

  • Jul 19, 2025
  • By Joseph Mehrkens
  • Opinion
President Donald Trump and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick display a chart detailing tariffs, at the White House in Washington, on Wednesday, April 2. (Haiyun Jiang/The New York Times)
The headquarters of NPR in Washington on April 20, 2020. (Ting Shen/The New York Times)

Opinion: Why Trump wants to kill public broadcasting

He expects the networks to misrepresent any truth and censor any opinion that makes him look bad.

The headquarters of NPR in Washington on April 20, 2020. (Ting Shen/The New York Times)
Juneau Empire file photo

Letter to the Editor: Please celebrate responsibly

This past July 3 our neighborhood experienced an “earth shattering” and noisy display of extremely loud fireworks

Juneau Empire file photo
Ken Post. (Courtesy photo)

My Turn: It’s time for a seasonal sales tax

There is no perfect seasonal sales tax, but it’s hard to pass up an opportunity to help CBJs fill its coffers

Ken Post. (Courtesy photo)
Children are photographed outside their now shuttered school, Pearl Creek Elementary, in August 2024 in Fairbanks, Alaska. (Photo provided by Morgan Dulian)

My Turn: Reform doesn’t start with cuts

Legislators must hold the line for Alaska’s students

Children are photographed outside their now shuttered school, Pearl Creek Elementary, in August 2024 in Fairbanks, Alaska. (Photo provided by Morgan Dulian)
U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to Anchor Point residents during a community meeting held at the Virl "Pa" Haga VFW Post 10221 on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Big beautiful wins for Alaska in the Big Beautiful Bill

The legislation contains numerous provisions to unleash Alaska’s extraordinary resource economy.

  • Jul 17, 2025
  • By U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan
  • Opinion
U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, speaks to Anchor Point residents during a community meeting held at the Virl "Pa" Haga VFW Post 10221 on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Anchor Point, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development, discusses the status of school districts’ finances during a press conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The fight to improve public education has just begun

We owe our children more than what the system is currently offering

Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Department of Education and Early Development, discusses the status of school districts’ finances during a press conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
The author and her husband carry an American flag during the Fourth of July parade, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kate Troll)

My Turn: Claiming the flag on the Fourth of July

Now, here cheering the flag were other immigrants with an uncertain future. What were they cheering about?

The author and her husband carry an American flag during the Fourth of July parade, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Juneau, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kate Troll)
Doug Mills/The New York Times file photo 
President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia at a joint news conference in Helsinki, Finland, July 16, 2018.

Opinion: Mistaking flattery for respect

Last Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. “It’s well deserved, and you should get it,” Netanyahu… Continue reading

Doug Mills/The New York Times file photo 
President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin of Russia at a joint news conference in Helsinki, Finland, July 16, 2018.
Win Gruening (courtesy)

My Turn: The millions add up. CBJ, get a grip on spending.

Ignoring essential basic services while spending money on projects and services that few want or need doesn’t make Juneau more affordable

Win Gruening (courtesy)
Juneau Empire file photo

My Turn: At least you feel bad about the bill

Sen. Murkowski, you cannot say you voted with Alaskans in mind.

Juneau Empire file photo
(Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Murkowski bought time for a new governor to do better

The senator said she added a provision that delays new federal penalties on Alaska for its high error rate in processing SNAP benefits.

  • Jul 9, 2025
  • By Larry Persily Wrangell Sentinel
  • Columns
(Juneau Empire file photo)