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Areas like Denali National Park allow nature to be preserved which is great, so long as there are also areas that allow for the maximum benefit of Alaskans as stated in the state’s constitution. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: The problem with caricatures

While people are usually up for a good fight, things seem to get particularly heated this time of year. It’s cold, it’s dark, our team’s… Continue reading

Areas like Denali National Park allow nature to be preserved which is great, so long as there are also areas that allow for the maximum benefit of Alaskans as stated in the state’s constitution. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Kristina Abbott is a member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Kristina Abbott)

Living and Growing: Struggles with this dark, wintry season will pass

January is my least favorite month of the year, it feels like an eternity of darkness, snow, and ice. I don’t particularly appreciate feeling cold,… Continue reading

Kristina Abbott is a member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Kristina Abbott)
A family of trumpeter swans on Auke Lake on Jan. 6. (Photo by Jos Bakker)

On the Trails: Winter sightings

On a slightly drippy day in late December, I wandered out to Point Louisa, right at a big high tide. Most of the folks I… Continue reading

A family of trumpeter swans on Auke Lake on Jan. 6. (Photo by Jos Bakker)
Artwork from inside cover of report “Learning to Thrive: Alaska’s next economy in a warming world” by Alyssa Quintyne. (Alaska Climate Alliance)

My Turn: Two visions of Alaska’s future

After two weeks of harrowing negotiations at the COP28 summit in Dubai, world leaders and oil giants decamped after agreeing to transition away from fossil… Continue reading

Artwork from inside cover of report “Learning to Thrive: Alaska’s next economy in a warming world” by Alyssa Quintyne. (Alaska Climate Alliance)
A worker with the Pebble Mine project digs in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska near the village of Iliamma, Alaska, July 13, 2007. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)

Opinion: The Alaska voices Dunleavy refuses to hear

“The Supreme Court’s decision to not hear the State’s case directly is disappointing,” Gov. Mike Dunleavy wrote in a social media post last week. He… Continue reading

A worker with the Pebble Mine project digs in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska near the village of Iliamma, Alaska, July 13, 2007. (AP Photo / Al Grillo)
An adult female snakeworm gnat that scientists recently described as a new species found, as yet, only in Alaska. (Photo by Derek Sikes)

Alaska Science Forum: ‘Snakeworm’ mystery yields species new to science

Add another species to the list of organisms oozing over Alaska. A tiny gnat — one that in its larval stage sometimes crawls over its… Continue reading

An adult female snakeworm gnat that scientists recently described as a new species found, as yet, only in Alaska. (Photo by Derek Sikes)
Communion during Mass on Sunday at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. (Photo by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: The Bread of Life

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have… Continue reading

Communion during Mass on Sunday at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. (Photo by Gina Del Rosario)
(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

My Turn: When chickens come home to roost at the Juneau School District

On Tuesday I zoomed in to the Juneau School Board work session about our local school district’s recently announced $10 million budget shortfall. The explanation… Continue reading

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Workers plug a cable into a Princess Cruises ship in Juneau on June 26, 2016. (Photo by John Neary)

My Turn: Marine Passenger Fee proposal for electrifying docks

Here’s a great way to clean up the air in downtown Juneau during the busy cruise ship season. The tourism manager for the City and… Continue reading

Workers plug a cable into a Princess Cruises ship in Juneau on June 26, 2016. (Photo by John Neary)
(Associated Press file photo)

Gimme a Smile: To every chocolate there is a season

Chocolate makes the world go ‘round. From day to day, season to season, chocolate is a constant. Sometimes sweet, sometimes savory, chocolate always plays well… Continue reading

(Associated Press file photo)
Two visitors walk on the Photo Point Trail footbridge at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on Aug. 27, 2023. (Photo by Laurie Craig)

My Turn: Final Mendenhall Glacier redevelopment plan shows together we can create better outcomes

The Final Record of Decision announced on Dec. 14, 2023, by the U.S. Forest Service regarding changes at Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area (MGRA) illustrates something… Continue reading

Two visitors walk on the Photo Point Trail footbridge at the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area on Aug. 27, 2023. (Photo by Laurie Craig)
A deer’s eyes reflect headlights from an approaching vehicle. (Harold Neal / CC BY-SA 2.0)

On the Trails: Eyeshine and rumination

The eyes of a wary cat or dog on the roadside at night can reflect the light of oncoming cars, often with startling vividness. That’s… Continue reading

A deer’s eyes reflect headlights from an approaching vehicle. (Harold Neal / CC BY-SA 2.0)
The result of the Wrangell landslide is seen on Nov. 20. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)

An Alaska climate expert reviews 2023’s weather and climate highlights

While Alaska didn’t have an ex-typhoon Merbok style widespread high impact event in 2023, there was still lots to contend with. Here’s a selection, in… Continue reading

The result of the Wrangell landslide is seen on Nov. 20. (Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities photo)
A page from the appeal by former President Donald Trump asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Colorado Supreme Court’s finding that an insurrection clause in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment renders Trump ineligible to be on the state’s ballot over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, is photographed Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

Opinion: The question of disqualifying Trump

In last week’s column about the insurrection-related cases heading to the U.S. Supreme Court, I only briefly mentioned the dozens of 14th Amendment lawsuits. Now… Continue reading

A page from the appeal by former President Donald Trump asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Colorado Supreme Court’s finding that an insurrection clause in the Constitution’s 14th Amendment renders Trump ineligible to be on the state’s ballot over his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack, is photographed Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)
A stir fry cooked by adding vegetables in steps. (Photo by Patricia Schied)

Cooking for Pleasure: Stir fry your veggies to tantalize your taste buds

Now that the holiday season is over, you may be tired of the heavy meals and sweets you’ve been consuming for the past several weeks… Continue reading

A stir fry cooked by adding vegetables in steps. (Photo by Patricia Schied)
Trees living at their environmental limits in Alaska often preserve past climate clues in their tree rings. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Alaska’s year without a summer

Two-hundred and forty-one years ago, when General George Washington marched back into New York City as British troops were walking out, a volcano erupted in… Continue reading

Trees living at their environmental limits in Alaska often preserve past climate clues in their tree rings. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Tari Stage-Harvey is the pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Tari Stage-Harvey)

Living and Growing: Resolving to live in ‘Silent Night’ candlelight for 2024

I’m giving up exclamation points for New Year’s; 2024 will be the year of non-inflammatory statements. I remember Mrs. Mackey in the second grade telling… Continue reading

Tari Stage-Harvey is the pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Tari Stage-Harvey)
This adult male Anna’s hummingbird was captured, banded and released in Soldotna in June 2023. (Photo by T. Eskelin, USFWS)

On the Trails: Nectar-feeding birds

Nectar is a rich, sugary food source used by plants to attract pollinators, and many animals exploit that resource, including lots of birds. The sugary… Continue reading

This adult male Anna’s hummingbird was captured, banded and released in Soldotna in June 2023. (Photo by T. Eskelin, USFWS)
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a commit to caucus rally, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in Coralville, Iowa. Special counsel Jack Smith asked a judge on Wednesday, Dec. 27, to bar Donald Trump’s lawyers from injecting politics into the former president’s trial on charges that he schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 election. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Opinion: A Constitution 101 lesson for Sen. Sullivan

Four constitutional questions related to Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election are likely to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. One of… Continue reading

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a commit to caucus rally, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in Coralville, Iowa. Special counsel Jack Smith asked a judge on Wednesday, Dec. 27, to bar Donald Trump’s lawyers from injecting politics into the former president’s trial on charges that he schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 election. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
John Eichelberger of Fairbanks took this photo of the full moon on Dec. 26 north of Fairbanks. At the time he took this photo — solar noon in Fairbanks or about 1 p.m. local time — the full moon appeared due north of him. (Photo by John Eichelberger)

Alaska Science Forum: The super moons of this Alaska winter

Has the moon seemed exceptionally noticeable this winter? There’s a reason: The full moon currently never sets for many Alaskans. During the winter of 2023-2024,… Continue reading

John Eichelberger of Fairbanks took this photo of the full moon on Dec. 26 north of Fairbanks. At the time he took this photo — solar noon in Fairbanks or about 1 p.m. local time — the full moon appeared due north of him. (Photo by John Eichelberger)