Opinion

The Alaska State Capitol, seen in this August 2019 photo, will be where the state’s budge takes shape. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Dunleavy kicks some cans with budget plan

Were back to debating a 2015 fiscal plan.

  • Dec 20, 2019
The Alaska State Capitol, seen in this August 2019 photo, will be where the state’s budge takes shape. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Older custom license plates decorate the wall at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Juneau in this March 2015 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Instead of donations, what would be so bad about taxing Alaskans?

It’s come to this in Alaska. A state agency is asking for public donations to do its job. I don’t blame the Division of Motor… Continue reading

Older custom license plates decorate the wall at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Juneau in this March 2015 photo. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: The World Needs the Roadless Rule

The Tongass National Forest is globally significant. It is the world’s last intact temperate rainforest and our nation’s largest national forest and provides more long-term… Continue reading

  • Dec 17, 2019
  • By Lione Clare
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Juneau Empire File)

Opnion: Breathe Deep for Forest Service’s ‘crown jewel’ and say, ‘No Action on Roadless Rule’

The Tongass is one of the last remaining intact temperate rainforests producing an oxygen-rich, healthy environment countering Earth’s record high Carbon Dioxide atmosphere. Tongass is… Continue reading

The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Investigations without end

Opinion: Investigations without end

None of this going to end well.

  • Dec 15, 2019
Opinion: Investigations without end
Spruce boughs hang near a pond in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Past logging has disproportionately impacted the most valuable old-growth stands in Southeast Alaska

The Tongass is the only national forest that still clear-cuts old growth.

  • Dec 15, 2019
  • By John Schoen and Matt Kirchhoff
Spruce boughs hang near a pond in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Spruce boughs hang near a pond in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: A tale of two forests

Old-growth forests differ from second-growth in terms of wildlife habitat.

  • Dec 13, 2019
  • By Mary F. Willson and Katherine M. Hocker
Spruce boughs hang near a pond in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Residents walk Seward Street during Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Give the gift of commerce

Shop local this holiday season.

  • Dec 13, 2019
Residents walk Seward Street during Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Usnea, better known as Old Man’s Beard, hangs from trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Seeing the forest for more than the trees

These islands are the Galapagos of the North.

  • Dec 12, 2019
  • By Natalie Dawson
Usnea, better known as Old Man’s Beard, hangs from trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: Full chest freezers need the Roadless Rule

It’s not surprising that most Southeast Alaskans think the Roadless Rule is working.

  • Dec 11, 2019
  • By Kevin Maier
Fog drifts through the trees in the Tongass National Forest on Monday, Dec. 9, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Embrace a future with the full benefits of a healthy Tongass

Opinion: Embrace a future with the full benefits of a healthy Tongass

Learn from these mistakes and start fixing the problem.

  • Dec 10, 2019
  • By Austin Williams
  • Opinion
Opinion: Embrace a future with the full benefits of a healthy Tongass
Opinion: Keep the national Roadless Rule on the Tongass

Opinion: Keep the national Roadless Rule on the Tongass

Why would we willingly start the process of degradation in healthy portions of our forest?

  • Dec 10, 2019
  • By Kathy Coghill
Opinion: Keep the national Roadless Rule on the Tongass
Sen. Shelley Hughes

Opinion: Sen. Hughes: Time to let go and get it right

The sound of the crowd is at fever pitch.

  • Dec 8, 2019
  • By Sen. Shelley Hughes
Sen. Shelley Hughes
Opinion: The upside-down economics of the health insurance system

Opinion: The upside-down economics of the health insurance system

Democrats and Republicans in Congress got it all wrong.

  • Dec 8, 2019
Opinion: The upside-down economics of the health insurance system
The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Trout Unlimited’s assertions on Tongass are wrong

Assertions that 66% of the “largest and best stands” have been cut is absurd.

  • Dec 6, 2019
  • By Bert Burkhart
The Tongass National Forest sign stands near the Auke Village Recreation Area. (Juneau Empire File)
The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: The Roadless Rule doesn’t save anything

It is a politically motivated impediment to good forest management and use.

  • Dec 5, 2019
  • By Wayne R. Nicolls
The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Tongass Roadless Rule reversal threatens brown bear populations

Opinion: Tongass Roadless Rule reversal threatens brown bear populations

Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.

  • Dec 1, 2019
  • By LaVern Beier
Opinion: Tongass Roadless Rule reversal threatens brown bear populations
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire in February 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Murkowski is stifling innovation

Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s recent column in these pages touted her many efforts to support Alaskan fisheries and fishermen. I couldn’t agree more with her goals… Continue reading

  • Nov 29, 2019
  • By James C. Greenwood
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during an interview at the Juneau Empire in February 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Opinion: Gratitude for our libraries, museums and historians

Opinion: Gratitude for our libraries, museums and historians

History is complex.

  • Nov 29, 2019
  • By Win Gruening
Opinion: Gratitude for our libraries, museums and historians
School buses drop students off at Thunder Mountain High School in September 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: It’s time for us to step up for Juneau’s kids

We have a child care shortage crisis.

  • Nov 28, 2019
  • By Kevin Ritchie
School buses drop students off at Thunder Mountain High School in September 2015. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)