Opinion

Tourists visit Nugget Falls in September 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: When seeking more translates to less

There’s never been a time when anything was “as it used to be.”

  • Jan 19, 2020
  • By Rich Moniak
Tourists visit Nugget Falls in September 2014. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Alaska State Capitol reflects the sun in December 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The American Dream with an Alaskan twist

The Permanent Fund is being mismanaged.

  • Jan 17, 2020
  • By Jim Crawford
The Alaska State Capitol reflects the sun in December 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Kim Metcalfe walks her dog along Basin Road on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Rezone Basin Road to lessen tourist traffic

Locals can be free of the crush of cruise ship tourism.

  • Jan 15, 2020
  • By Kimberly Metcalfe
  • tourism
Kim Metcalfe walks her dog along Basin Road on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Staff reductions at the Juneau Empire

Staff reductions at the Juneau Empire

Our industry is facing financial pressure, and the Juneau Empire is not immune.

  • Jan 14, 2020
  • By Robert Monteith General Manager, Juneau Empire
Staff reductions at the Juneau Empire
The Norwegian Bliss pulls out of Juneau’s downtown harbor on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Tourism is a local’s business

The community discussion around tourism seems to become more and more divisive.

  • Jan 14, 2020
  • By Laura Martinson
The Norwegian Bliss pulls out of Juneau’s downtown harbor on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Mendenhall Glacier, seen here in May 2016. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s a climate emergency!

It’s not just the climate that’s changing.

The Mendenhall Glacier, seen here in May 2016. (Angelo Saggiomo | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: The futility of killing to make the world safer

Opinion: The futility of killing to make the world safer

We ought to examine how and why.

  • Jan 12, 2020
Opinion: The futility of killing to make the world safer
Opinion: It will take more than a public corporation to save Alaska’s ferry system
Opinion: It will take more than a public corporation to save Alaska’s ferry system
In this Empire file photo, a cruise ship passenger photographs a ship in Juneau’s downtown harbor on August 29, 2017. (Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: There are positives to tourism

We are privileged to live in a beautiful area.

  • Jan 9, 2020
  • By Liz Perry
In this Empire file photo, a cruise ship passenger photographs a ship in Juneau’s downtown harbor on August 29, 2017. (Juneau Empire File)
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Some truths about the Tongass

Logging has had nothing to do with hurting the fish industry.

  • Jan 8, 2020
  • By William Tonsgard Jr.
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: United Way needs your help

Opinion: United Way needs your help

Volunteer or donate today.

  • Jan 8, 2020
  • By Jennifer Treadway
Opinion: United Way needs your help
Opinion: Take stock in the New Year

Opinion: Take stock in the New Year

Think about what kind of society you want to live in.

  • Jan 7, 2020
  • By Steve Ricci
Opinion: Take stock in the New Year
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Pebble misrepresents tribes

I just hope it’s not too late.

  • Jan 2, 2020
  • By Vicki Duggin
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday, June 25, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
The Ruby Princess is escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard into Juneau downtown harbor on Monday, April 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: When tourism becomes overtourism

At times we have upwards of 15,000 tourists a day. That’s a lot.

  • Jan 2, 2020
  • By Ray Preston
The Ruby Princess is escorted by the U.S. Coast Guard into Juneau downtown harbor on Monday, April 30, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: How does Murkowski want to be remembered?

It’s the vote of her lifetime.

  • Jan 1, 2020
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire on Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism

Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism

We should also explore ways to gather more revenue from this industry.

Opinion: The costs of cruise ship tourism
Lisa Daugherty, owner of Juneau Composts!, uses a front-end loader to move wood chips to used in her business on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Juneau should join the Zero-Waste movement

The landfill stinks!

  • Dec 31, 2019
  • By Lisa Daugherty
Lisa Daugherty, owner of Juneau Composts!, uses a front-end loader to move wood chips to used in her business on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: The recall and our constitutional right to sign petitions

Opinion: The recall and our constitutional right to sign petitions

Signing a petition is really an extension of our voting rights.

  • Dec 29, 2019
  • By Rich Moniak
Opinion: The recall and our constitutional right to sign petitions
In this October 2015 photo, a momentary dash of sun creates a double rainbow over downtown Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Communitywide New Year’s resolutions – why not?

Make a resolution for the community.

  • Dec 27, 2019
In this October 2015 photo, a momentary dash of sun creates a double rainbow over downtown Juneau. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: The Case for the Whacky Mackie Plan

Opinion: The Case for the Whacky Mackie Plan

Is the Permanent Fund a rainy day account or entitlement?

  • Dec 27, 2019
  • By Joe Mehrkens
Opinion: The Case for the Whacky Mackie Plan