Columns

Page Bridges of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Page Bridges)

Living and Growing: The light of the world

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.” “What has come into being in him was… Continue reading

 

Snow is also a four letter word with more than one proper use. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Pure Sole: WTF with the F word

The F word. F… U… and no need for that third and fourth letter, the point is made without. Writing the third and fourth letter… Continue reading

 

Jessica Larsen of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute describes her research on Alaska’s Mount Churchill at the Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: The threat within an Alaska mountain

Mount Churchill stands in a white corner of the Alaska map, deceptive in its cold, windblown silence. At least twice in the last few thousand… Continue reading

 

President Donald Trump delivers remarks during the National Prayer Breakfast at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Feb. 6, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)

Opinion: Dismantling the government. And the Bill of Rights

President Donald Trump has asked more than two million federal employees to consider resigning. If they leave their jobs by the end of the month,… Continue reading

President Donald Trump delivers remarks during the National Prayer Breakfast at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Feb. 6, 2025. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
A preliminary design of Huna Totem’s Aak’w Landing shows an idea for how the project’s Seawalk could connect with the city’s Seawalk at Gold Creek (left). (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: To make Juneau affordable, grow our economy

Based on the deluge of comments on social media, recent proposals by the city to dramatically escalate debt and utility rates, and increase the property… Continue reading

A preliminary design of Huna Totem’s Aak’w Landing shows an idea for how the project’s Seawalk could connect with the city’s Seawalk at Gold Creek (left). (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
An adult double-crested cormorant flies low. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Some January observations

One day, late in January, a friend and I watched two Steller sea lions swimming near Pt. Louisa. One of them held a front flipper… Continue reading

An adult double-crested cormorant flies low. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
Ned Rozell sits at the edge of the volcanic crater on Mount Katmai during a trip to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes in 2001. (Photo by John Eichelberger)

Alaska Science Forum: Thirty years of writing about Alaska science

When I was drinking coffee with a cab-driving-author friend of the same vintage last week, he said of my occupation: “It’s the best job in… Continue reading

Ned Rozell sits at the edge of the volcanic crater on Mount Katmai during a trip to the Valley of 10,000 Smokes in 2001. (Photo by John Eichelberger)
A view of Denali as seen from near the end of the Denali National Park and Preserve park road. (Klas Stolpe)

Pure Sole: Denali has always answered

Call it what you will, Denali or Mount McKinley, it still rises majestically toward the heavens. I have been among the hundreds of thousands of… Continue reading

A view of Denali as seen from near the end of the Denali National Park and Preserve park road. (Klas Stolpe)
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) questions Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)

Opinion: Sen. Sullivan doesn’t know the meaning of leadership

Last Wednesday, Sen. Dan Sullivan should have been prepared for questions about President Donald Trump’s pardons of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. After all, he referred… Continue reading

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) questions Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Pentagon, during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday morning, Jan. 14, 2025. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times)
Tari Stage-Harvey is pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: Watching our words for other people

I could be wrong, but the only time Jesus directly talks about Hell is in Matthew 5:22, “But I say to you that if you… Continue reading

Tari Stage-Harvey is pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Courtesy photo)
The author’s hopper and stonefly tying days are behind him. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Tie one on

As a kid I threw spinners and spoons, and didn’t bother to learn the impact of bugs in a salmon or trout’s life. No. 5… Continue reading

The author’s hopper and stonefly tying days are behind him. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
A male northern flicker shows his red mustache mark, identifying him as the red-shafted type. (Photo by Detlef Buettner)

On the Trails: Northern flickers visit Juneau

There are over a dozen species of flicker, living in various parts of the Americas. The species we see here is call the northern flicker.… Continue reading

A male northern flicker shows his red mustache mark, identifying him as the red-shafted type. (Photo by Detlef Buettner)
A person walks along the tideline adjacent to the Airport Dike Trail on Thursday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)

Gimme A Smile: Help me up

I fell on the ice the other day. One minute, I was carefully picking my way along the slippery trail, and the next minute, whoosh,… Continue reading

A person walks along the tideline adjacent to the Airport Dike Trail on Thursday. (Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Juneau. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: Imagine the comfort of Jesus’ promise of heaven

Earlier this month, former president Jimmy Carter died at the age of 100. While factors like double-digit inflation, high unemployment and the Iran Hostage Crisis… Continue reading

Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, following his inauguration as the 47th president. Legal experts said the president was testing the boundaries of executive power with aggressive orders designed to stop the country from transitioning to renewable energy. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

Opinion: Sen. McConnell, not God, made Trump’s retribution presidency possible

I’m not at all impressed by President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at maximizing the development and production of Alaska’s natural recourses. I think the… Continue reading

President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, following his inauguration as the 47th president. Legal experts said the president was testing the boundaries of executive power with aggressive orders designed to stop the country from transitioning to renewable energy. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)
The Dalton Highway winds through the Jim River and Prospect Creek valleys in northern Alaska, where an official thermometer registered Alaska’s all-time low of minus 80 degrees F on Jan. 23, 1971. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Dangerous cold across the land

In late January 2025, meteorologists from the National Weather Service Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, are predicting “dangerously cold temperatures and wind chill values… Continue reading

The Dalton Highway winds through the Jim River and Prospect Creek valleys in northern Alaska, where an official thermometer registered Alaska’s all-time low of minus 80 degrees F on Jan. 23, 1971. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Juneau Assembly members confer with city administrative leaders during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Nov 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Community affordability takes a back seat to Assembly spending

Less than four months ago, Juneau voters approved a $10 million bond for wastewater facility upgrades and a $12.75 million public safety communications bond. At… Continue reading

Juneau Assembly members confer with city administrative leaders during a break in an Assembly meeting Monday, Nov 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Naturalists try to identify a small plant — answering the “Who” question, with others to follow. (Photo by Mary Anne Slemmons)

On the Trails: Naturalists ask many questions

Curious naturalists can ask different kinds of questions about what we see. The most basic kinds consist of the usual, descriptive Who/What/When/Where/How? For instance, some… Continue reading

Naturalists try to identify a small plant — answering the “Who” question, with others to follow. (Photo by Mary Anne Slemmons)
Sputnik 1 orbits Earth in this artist’s rendition by Gregory Todd. (Creative Commons)

Alaska Science Forum: The first satellite’s Alaska connection

The first satellite’s Alaska connection On any clear, dark night you can see them, gliding through the sky and reflecting sunlight from the other side… Continue reading

Sputnik 1 orbits Earth in this artist’s rendition by Gregory Todd. (Creative Commons)
Attendees are seated during former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, on Jan. 9, 2025. Pictures shared on social media by the vice president and by the Carter Center prominently showed other past presidents in attendance. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)

Opinion: Karen Pence’s silent act of conscience

Last week at Jimmy Carter’s funeral, President-elect Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama were seated next to each other and appeared to engage in… Continue reading

Attendees are seated during former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, on Jan. 9, 2025. Pictures shared on social media by the vice president and by the Carter Center prominently showed other past presidents in attendance. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)