Opinion

Juneau Empire file

My Turn: Our country requires leadership

An open letter to Alaska’s congressional delegation

Juneau Empire file
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: The world has changed, and so should taxes

The commerce of the world is different — immensely different — than it was decades ago

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

My Turn: The Tongass needs a legislative exemption from the Roadless Rule

A permanent exemption of the Tongass from the 2001 Roadless Rule is necessary

Former Gov. Frank Murkowski speaks on a range of subjects during an interview with the Juneau Empire in May 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Alexander B. Dolitsky

My Turn: WWII altered the US diet, and we grew larger

The post-war period saw a complex interplay of factors that dramatically changed the American diet and the way we approach food today

Alexander B. Dolitsky
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

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

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)
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.

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)
Deven Mitchell is the executive director and chief executive officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.)

Opinion: The key to a stronger fund: Diversification

Diversification is a means of stabilizing returns and mitigating risk

Deven Mitchell is the executive director and chief executive officer of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp.)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Letter to the Editor: Will senators stand for public lands?

Will senators stand for public lands? Alaskans (and all Americans) should be alarmed to hear that the U.S. Senate is considering the sale of millions… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)